AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"From what Tahirah has told me, Osiris did fuck all to help the Duat. Anubis was so furious that he confined him to a palace in Aaru." Persephone hesitated before adding, "Osiris wanted Anubis to find you and convince you to return to him. Apparently, one of the excuses he used to let the Duat crumble was that he thought it would force you to return."
Isis held up a hand for her to stop. "I need a minute." She sat down on a stone bench that looked out over the water. There was such sadness and rage in her eyes that Persephone looked away.
"I had no idea this was happening. I didn't feel..." Isis broke off and cleared her throat. "I haven't scryed in a long time to see what was happening in the world."
Persephone sat beside her and took her hand. "None of it was your fault. You had your reasons for wanting to hide yourself here."
"They don't seem like good ones now." Isis brushed a stray tear off her cheek. "I was so tired. You are such a young goddess in years and power. I was still heartbroken over Osiris's betrayal with my sister. I was so angry at how Egypt fell to the Romans. I was no use to anyone. I decided to retreat. That was when I realized there were others like me. Goddesses were being forced from their sacred temples and groves. Ones who had been so mistreated by those who used to love them. I found a new purpose here because of it."
Persephone dared to squeeze her hand. "It is a wonderful place. No one, least of all me, would ever try to make you leave it. I just want you to know the world has changed so much since the Romans. There are many new wonders that you might enjoy, and I know for a fact Anubis, Set, and Thoth would all like to see you again. All three of their consorts are lovely women."
"I will think about it. I'm happy for all of them, as I am happy for Hades finding you," Isis replied.
"Finding me, kidnapping me, either one," Persephone said with a soft laugh. "I didn't think anyone would love me like he does."
"Then why were you so scared?" Isis pressed gently.
Persephone placed her hands on her stomach. "I'm not scared of Hades. I'm scared of me."
She showed Isis her hands, letting magic curl black and gold around them.
"Life in one hand and death in the other. What if I lose my temper and accidentally kill my babies by grabbing them with the wrong hand? What if my magic hurts them before they are even born? I know Hades will be a good father and that he will rise to the challenge like he always has. But me? I wouldn't know where to start."
"All mothers feel this way." Isis took Persephone's right hand, and the darkness swirled around her fingers. "You wouldn't harm anyone with this simply by losing your temper. You know the cost involved in taking a life, and you wouldn't do it by accident. Children have a way of letting us fix the hurts of our past. Your mother wound is so deep that you are letting it cloud your judgment on the matter."
"I know that, but I also don't know how to fix it," Persephone admitted.
"When Nephthys left Anubis to be eaten by jackals, I had a choice. Did I let my rage and pain towards my husband and sister cost the life of an innocent child, or did I try to help him?" Isis let her hand go. "When I found him, I had a moment, the briefest flash of 'Should I kill him?' It was one of the worst moments of my life. Then, this filthy, half-wild boy smiled at me, and I knew I could never go through with it. Anubis was how I healed my wound. He was the blessing in the whole horrible mess. I'm not saying it would help you to have these children growing in you, but it might. Born gods are so rare, and when they come about, it is because the world will need them and whatever abilities they will have. All of Zeus's sons you have in your Court are blessings, are they not? And they were the ones he never wanted."
Persephone stared out at the water and tried to process Isis's words. "Ashirah said that they will grow fast. How can I keep up with children that mature so quickly?"
"You ask for help. They will have a village of gods to help raise them. Hecate and the others will ensure that they can harness whatever power they wield as they grow. There has been so much hurt with the gods in the Court that children might bring joy and new beginnings," Isis said, her eyes flashing with magic. The hair rose on Persephone's neck. Had she made a prediction?
When Isis said no more, Persephone tried to imagine two young gods running about with the Court watching over them. Hermes would teach them all sorts of mischief, and Medea, Circe, and Hecate would show them how to wield their magic. Charon would show them how to drive and Medusa how to use technology better than any of them. Erebus would teach them to cheat at cards, and Thanatos would show them how to fight honorably. Asterion and Ariadne would undo his hard work and show them how to fight dirty.
The more Persephone thought about it, the more she knew Isis was speaking the truth. Even the Egyptian gods would dote on them like uncles and aunties.
"You are right. I already have a village that would help them," Persephone said, her eyes filling with tears. "They wouldn't grow up alone and scared of who they are like I did. I... I think I want them. I just needed to get used to the idea. I need to talk to Hades. Ah, hells, he's going to be so mad."
Isis laughed. "Not a lot makes Hades mad. He will be shocked but will rise to the occasion. He always does. Rest for tonight and look at going home tomorrow. Speak with Ashirah and the others if you are worried about the pregnancy. You have support here too."
Persephone was hugging her before she could check herself. To her surprise, Isis hugged her back.
"I'm so glad you came to me, Persephone. Always know that you are welcome here," Isis said, stroking her hair. "There are plenty of mothers that can take care of you too and help mend what has been broken."
Persephone sniffed. "Hades says that you make your own family."
"He was always the wisest of his brothers," Isis replied fondly. "He married you after all."
7
Hermes had always loved Egypt. He loved the magic and the heat and the excellent beer. He never considered going there a bad idea, especially now that he knew that Thoth wouldn't smite him for fun. Well, Thoth would think twice about it in any case.
Going to Agilka Island to try and find Persephone seemed like a bad idea. Hades wouldn't be satisfied until he verified whether he could reach Isis's island or not. Hermes wasn't about to let him go by himself. He was surprised Thoth decided to come though.
They had left Kema and Selene at the house in Alexandria. If Hades did incur Isis's wrath by trying to tread where he wasn't welcome, both Thoth and Hermes wanted their beloveds far from there.
Agilka Island was full of beautiful old temples that made Hermes feel his age. He remembered walking amongst them when they had been in their glory days and in their original positions. Still, it was nice to see what was there. Hades didn't seem to notice any of it.
