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Sorin had set Heba down on the oversized, deep-seated sofa in the family room. She still clutched the box to her torso.
He now carefully opened it, revealing the keepsakes inside.
There was a collection of jewelry, ribbons, beads and locks of hair. The hair, however, did not appear to be Shai’s, based on the depiction of him in the tomb murals. It was the same color and texture as Heba’s. And it looked as if it was snipped from a babe’s head, very soft and fine.
Ben’s eyebrows rose when he saw some of the jewelry for intimate male piercings. He hadn’t realized ancient Egyptians were so…sexually adventurous. But then, why should he be surprised?
Sex was the most ancient and one of the greatest pleasures in life, enjoyed long ago just as it was enjoyed now.
But the jewelry looked brand new. Never worn. Perhaps those would not help them track Shai.
He wished Rui, the treasure dragon, was conveniently close by. She’d helped them find Arthur and Lancelot last time, and she and Wolfe knew the Celestial Realm’s terrain very well.
Unfortunately, as they’d discussed earlier when he thought of her, Rui and Wolfe were abroad visiting Wolfe’s homeland with Merlin, Annie, Arthur and Lancelot. He didn’t know if this was a family vacation of sorts or if they went to Britain for a different purpose.
The fact remained that he wouldn’t have Rui’s help on the quest this time.
“What about this?” Ere suggested, gingerly picking up a well-worn necklace of tokens.
Each delicately engraved token represented a piece of the Egyptian alphabet. The ribbon the tokens were strung together with had clearly been woven and rewoven, then reinforced with gold and silver thread to make it sturdier.
It didn’t look like something Heba would wear. It was too big for her neck. And because of that, Ben also dismissed the possibility that it was made for her son to teach him the hieroglyphics. It did not seem to be for a child.
“It’ll have to do,” Ben agreed.
“What if we also took her ring with us?” Brigid said.
“Perhaps I am extrapolating, and ancient Egyptians didn’t have the same traditions. But what if Heba and Shai exchanged rings? You said they were husband and wife, yes?” she sought to confirm with Ben.
“That’s how they are depicted in Heba’s tomb,” he answered.
“It’s a good idea. Ancient Egyptians didn’t exchange rings upon marriage as a formality like modern humans, but lovers often did as a sign of their bond. Since it’s the only ring she’s wearing, it might have more significance. The fact that it’s on her left ring finger is also a sign that it’s important.”
Thus decided, the group prepared to jump realms again.
“Ben,” Inanna said softly, for his ears only.
“Do be careful.”
“Always,” he answered, squeezing the hand she laid on his forearm.
They were always worried about him, being the only human amongst immortals. They all knew that he possessed a Pure soul, but they didn’t know when he would “Awaken” and come into his immortality.
Ben was in no rush.
He was in the prime of his life. And if he never became immortal, if that was not in the cards for him in this incarnation, he’d be perfectly at peace with it.
Helikedbeing human. He even liked aging. It made every moment matter. Every moment should be well lived. Every moment was worth fighting for.
Ben took a few minutes to arm himself with swords and daggers—weapons that might actually stall the immortal foes they would almost certainly encounter. Then, he, Ere and Sorin walked through the portal Sai and Brigid created and once again disappeared into another realm.
~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~
Celestial Realm, domain of the Jade Emperor.
Shai no longer knew what age this was. What place and time.
Time had no meaning in this realm. It could have been hours on earth, or thousands of years.
