Page 83 of Hex You

Mercy readied herself to begin her good-byes. She didn’t need to look at her wound and the streaks of red spreading from it like a deadly spider’s web to know her time was getting shorter and shorter. She could feel it—or, more accurately, Mercy couldn’t feel much of anything, and as the numbness in her body increased her strength decreased.

I have to say good-bye to them, and then I just have one more thing to do. Freya will understand—so will Abigail. But Hunter won’t. At least she won’t until later…

A warm finger lifted her chin and she looked up at Khenti. She was snuggled against him, and when she met his gaze she saw worry there, along with compassion. He spoke softly so that only she could hear him over the current episode ofBuffy.“You seem very far away.”

Mercy drew a deep breath, attempting to also draw strength within her numb body. “I need to talk to you, but privately.”

Khenti nodded, cleared his throat, and raised his voice. “Mercy would like to get some air. Could you pause this most excellent episode?”

Jax, who had arrived with pizza, nodded from his favorite recliner and bumped Hunter with his knee. She was sitting on a big pillow on the floor, leaning back against his legs. “H, you’ve got the remote. Pause it for Mag.”

“No, you guys go ahead and keep watching. I’m just going to take a little walk with Khenti. I won’t be gone long,” said Mercy as Khenti helped her stand.

“Are you sure?” Hunter asked.

“Totally,” said Mercy.

“Kitten, shall I get you a sweater? You should not catch a chill.” Xena started to rise from her perch on the arm of the couch, but Mercy’s words halted her.

“It’s okay. I’m not cold.”

Khenti put his arm securely around Mercy. “And should our Green Witch get chilled I will bring her right back inside.”

“Okay, but don’t wait until she’s too cold,” said Emily. She chewed her lip and stared at Mercy.

“I shall take great care with her,” said Khenti as Mercy motioned toward the front door. She was glad Khenti’s arm was around her. She could lean on him without everyone else knowing that she was actually leaning on him, and for a moment it was like Mercy was just going for a walk with her new boyfriend.

Boyfriend? Well, I guess I don’t have time to go slow after all…

Outside they paused on the wide front porch. Mercy had planned on going for a walk with Khenti. The night was soft with spring—not too hot, not too cold—and the air was perfumed with green, growing things, but she could feel her energy waning.My time is almost gone.The thought had her stomach tightening, and her thoughts skittered away from her looming death.Focus on now.

“Can we sit on the porch swing instead of walking?” Mercy asked Khenti softly.

“Of course.” He led her to the porch swing.

Mercy sat beside him within the circle of his arm. He felt warm and strong and filled with life. She envied him so, so much.

“It’s time for you to leave,” she said and felt surprise jolt through his body.

“I would prefer to stay until the end,” he said somberly. “Unless you truly do not want me here.”

She turned within his embrace so that she could look into his eyes. “I do want you here, but I am almost at the end.”

His face paled. “So soon?”

She nodded and then cleared her throat and continued. “I need to ask you something. A favor.”

“You may ask me anything. If it is in my power to grant it, I will.”

Mercy drew another deep breath. “I was wondering—would you mind if I joined you in the Egyptian Underworld?”

Khenti blinked several times in surprise. “I would not mind at all, but would you not rather be in the Summerlands with your mother, your goddess, and your ancestresses?”

“Well, yeah, but it’s complicated. Remember that I hexed your dad?”

Khenti nodded and his lips quirked up at the edges. “Yes, that I will never forget. But I must deal with my father. You cannot help me with that.”

“Oh, no. Sorry. I’m not trying to do some ridiculous white savior thing. I mean, please. I’m not even capable of saving myself. And I don’t want you to think I’m being a sticky-booger girlfriend and following you home like a lost little puppy,” she said.