She wiped her sweat-slicked skin before flopping back onto the mats, her arms and legs spread out like a starfish, panting dramatically. “You’d make a great drill sergeant,” she said between gasps for air.
Anubis chuckled, kneeling at her side.
“You’ve got this intimidating presence down. And that growl? Definitely a great way to keep recruits in line.” She smirked.
He mock-growled, and she laughed. It was a small moment, but he was soaking it in, treasuring the ease and mutual trust that grew by the day. The realization felt new every time, no matter how often she showed trust.
He’d spent so much of his existence expecting betrayal. His ex-wife taught him to be guarded, but Iliana wasn’t Anput. She was honest, sharing her feelings for Thanatos without trying to make Anubis jealous. She trusted him to handle the truth. Iliana was teaching him what real trust looked like—what it meant to be with someone who saw his heart and protected it instead of exploiting it.
A sharp inhale brought him back to the moment. He looked down to find Iliana biting her lip with a distant and solemn look in her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I have times where I almost forget you’re gods,” she admitted. “As if there could be a chance for us to live out our lives together. But then one of you will say something about eons of experience or, like now, how your eyes are glowing inhumanly, and…I remember.”
He took her hand and massaged her aching muscles.“What have you been wondering?”
“Why are you interested in me?” she asked, hesitant.
His fingers stilled as he gave her his full attention.
Before he could answer, she continued, quiet and vulnerable. “I’m just mortal. My lifespan is just a blink of an eye compared to yours.”
So that was what had been weighing on her mind.
Anubis had thought about this, of course. She wouldn’t live forever. Despite knowing this, he’d already made his choice. “There can be value in a deep relationship, no matter how brief.” He looked into her eyes. “Because of you, my life has meaning and joy. You are kind, resilient, and honest.”
At his last word, she flinched, looking away. Anubis knew why. She was hiding the information about the prophecy.
He gently turned her head, forcing her to look at him and see the truth in his eyes. “I know why you have not told us. And while I despise lies and omissions, I know when they are used to protect, and not to manipulate.”
She hadn’t given her reason for keeping the prophecy a secret, but he knew.
Her lips parted in surprise.
“I am interested in you because of you, Neferet.” He stroked his thumb across her jaw. “My life is better for every hour you are in it. But I want more than that. I want whatever time you will give me.”
Iliana exhaled shakily, but she didn’t look away. “Well, um, that was…”
He released her and stood up, offering no room for overthinking. “Break time is over,” he said, extending his hand.
She took it, and Anubis pulled her to her feet. She let out a dramatic groan, clearly trying to lighten the mood again. “What’s next, boss?”
That resilience, that ability to bounce back even when overwhelmed, was one thing he admired about her.They could play later, he promised himself. Right then, she needed to learn.
“Grappling,” he announced, stepping behind her before she could react. Wrapping his arms around her, he trapped hers by her sides in a tight bear hug. “Do not go easy on me,” he commanded. “Escape.”
Iliana reacted immediately, slamming her elbow into his stomach.
A good hit, but not enough.
She went boneless next, trying to throw him off-balance, but he was ready.
Iliana growled. “Ugh, what am Idoing wrong?”
Anubis nuzzled the top of her head. “Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid getting into this position if you can help it.”
“Great advice, but not super useful now.”
