Balance (Book 9 )

Our union would have to wait. Our son is missing and has control of the death knights. “What is to become of our son?”

A mixture of anger and sorrow and reluctance tore through our bond as Anubis lowered his gaze. “Are you still angry with him?”

“Anubis, he betrayed us. I do not know if that is forgivable?”

“What would you do to him?” His gaze returned to me. I could not feel his emotions any longer. He has locked them away from me and wishes for my unbiased opinion. I could still see pain in his eyes. Kebachet’s actions have wounded him deeply.

“I feel I would have killed him two years ago if he had not disappeared.” Anubis nodded and looked away. I took his cheek and made him look at me.

‘Avenge me, master.’

“You are the judger of souls. You see them in a different manner than I do. He is proof of our love. The decision falls on you. Is he worthy?”

Anubis was constricted. He struggled with a pain I did not understand. Kebachet was his only son, and he loved him very much. There is more he is not telling me. I wish to know his burden, so I may help.

“My love for Kebachet is great as well. Has your army been restored?”

“The medallions have been returned, including the one you held. The hybrids were destroyed. There are no longer enough vampires to sustain them. I will create more in the future if need be.”

“Will you tell me why you were gone for two years?”

“There was a task my father demanded I complete. He was furious with Kebachet and wished to destroy him. It amused him that the knight took your soul. He requires compensation.”

I now understood his pain. Set would have my soul or Kebachet’s soul. Anubis was forced to chose which one of us he would sacrifice. “You mean to give him Kebachet.”

“It grieves me.”

I took Anubis into my arms and held him giving comfort. My heart ached for him. My relationship with Kebachet was estranged. I only recently began getting to know him. He will always be in my heart as a son. I lost him long ago.

Anubis is not so fortunate. The bond he created with Kebachet was stronger than any father/son relationship had a right to be.

“It is my soul or his. There is no other?” He shook his head. To prevent a war between father and son, he must give up his only son to be punished severally for treason. The punishment is fitting, but it is still painful.

“How am I free?”

“I cannot answer that question.”

“Is it my actions that caused this?”

Anubis thought for a moment making sure his answer would not lead to more questions about the time I slept. He was always calculating and thinking of his actions and the actions of others. It was one of the features that made him dangerous.

“In a way, yes. You stabbed Kyle and disrespected him. He is one of mine and found forgiveness. It is my understanding that Kebachet saw an opportunity to make you his and told the death knights of your transgression. By their laws, if they are attacked, they can take that attacker’s soul. One of them came to collect. They came and attacked you swiftly whenever they could. That is not their way. They are patient and wait for the soul to come to them. I suspect Kebachet was involved in their haste. He hoped to distract me by causing conflict between my father and I. It almost worked.”

“Should we hear him and be fair?”

“When I heard him speak to you in my throne, I became in raged. I threw him in the isolation box. Before leaving to talk with my parents, I looked into Kebachet’s soul. It is tainted with greed and lust.”

I could hear Anubis’s heart pound with grief and anger. He struggled to choose what to feel.

“You heard everything?” I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks.

“Nothing goes on in my throne without me knowing.”

“Oh, please forgive me!” I cried and wrapped my arms around my belly in shame. I felt nauseous.

“There is nothing to forgive, Anput.”

“I betrayed you. I kissed and groped our son!” I could feel my mouth water to prepare for the vomit that would come.

“You do not love him in that way. You have been mine since the day you stole my staff from the king’s sarcophagus.” Anubis spoke of the night I was trapped in a pyramid in Egypt. I battled his army of jackles only to lose my clan and find my inner power.

I looked away, still feeling ashamed, and walked to the window for fresh air.

“What is your decision about Kebachet?”

Anubis was quiet for a moment, then said, “Kebachet is at fault. You only made it easier for him to seduce you.”

“I was not seduced!” I objected and turned to him, “He is my son, nothing more.”

Anubis chucked. It is so good to hear his laughter and his deep rumbling voice.

“I did not mean you fell for his seduction.” He grew serious and approached me, “You have already fallen for mine.” His need grew. My heart raced, and I knew I could not resist him. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him.

“You are mine, Anput.” A deep growl, almost like a purr came from him. He needed to claim me as his own. He felt lost, and the only way he could find his way was to remind my body who its master is.

He breathed in my scent and felt intoxicated by it. The fire in my loins ignited. He turned me around to face away from him and caressed my chest while holding me to him. His warm hard chest sent knots in my stomach as my excitement for his touch rose. I reached back to his hips and pulled him to me, asking him to take his pleasure. I worked at his sash to expose him while he lifted my gown off. It had been too long since I felt his warmth.

I could feel his muscled tense. I leaned my head on his shoulder, allowing him to view my body. I wished only to please him. His hand brushed and caressed my breasts, making them rise to his touch. My hands glided down his hips to his stiffened passion and massaged him. I missed his aggressive touch and yearned for it.

He took my hand away from him and continued into my butt. I began to pant at the promise of his fire. The room closed, giving us privacy. His hand lovingly caressed my chest and forcefully pinned my back to his chest. His strength excited me beyond anything else in the world. I needed his movement and began swaying against him. His other hand stopped my hip and went to my loins to fondle me and feel my desire for him.

“Allow me to love you, Anput. Except, me alone.”

He wished to master my mind and body and make me his fully. I was only too pleased to allow him to take command. His hand cupped my loins and massaged me as he began his trusts. The fire I knew would come burned. I gritted my teeth and wanted more.

“Scream for me.” He breathed in my ear.

His thrusts became powerful, and the burning increased. I let the screams out. My skin chilled and knots formed in my stomach. My mind became confused as both pain and pleasure sensation fought for my attention. I felt Anubis’s joy and love fill my mind easing the pain. My desire peaked, and I denied myself the satisfaction concentrating on his love and the pain he gave me.

His fangs bit deep into my neck, and new screams escaped. His ecstasy grew and encouraged him to release his desire. One last powerful thrust brought him to his release. He stayed connected to me as he continued to massage my loins, allowing my desire to come forth. I arched my back as I spasm against him, moaning with the pleasure it gave me. He raised his hand and inhaled my scent, then tasting my desire. His eyes glowed a brilliant green, and his body shivered.

“You madden me.” He purred. The rumble came from deep inside of him.

His arms held me close to him. He wanted more of me and began growling like an animal and thrust hard into me. A yelp escaped from my lungs. Claws began digging into my flesh as I held on to his hips. Another forceful thrust and more deep growls came. He was lost in his need for me. He licked the blood on my neck and wanted more.

His aggressiveness excited me. It showed his strength and his authority. I desired more of him and drank what he would give me. I sent an image of my body to him. I was his, alone. Everything disappeared except for him. If he desires my blood, I will freely give it. He could have his fill, and I would be glad for it. He bit into my neck again and held me tight. I could hardly breathe. His embrace locked me to him. There would be no escape if I tried. He started thrusting hard and quick as he fed off me. He wanted it all.

I projected my body to him. Everything he desired I gave him. He owned my heart and, now, my soul. My mind, body, and blood were his alone. I freely gave my entire being to him. My life was his if he desired it.

His heart pounded in his chest as my life flowed through him. Memories of his vampire days came to him. He forced me to my hands and knees and took in the screams. It excited him more than anything. My scent and taste and the warmth that hugged his desire and the love he felt from me consumed him. He allowed it to feed his need.

It was not enough. A deep growl came from him, and I could feel his power flow through my body like greedy hands taking everything. Its strength consumed my mind and gently held on to my soul. I could hear his heartbeat loud in my ears and feel his blood flowing through my veins. I began to feel strange as my desire grew to impossible heights. The taste of sweet blood entered my mouth, and the scent of the first wildflower bloom flooded my nose.

I held onto a body that intoxicated me beyond reasoning. I could feel my thrusts and feel the love flow through me. A low purr escaped my throat as my desire peaked and exploded with my seed.

Anubis’s power slowly left my mind and body, returning things the way they were supposed to be. His heartbeat faded from my mind, although I could still feel it pounding in his chest. I became one with him. I could feel his love and his despair and his anger all at the same time.

“I may madden you, husband, but your dominance excites me like none other.”

His body rumbled as he chuckled. He allowed our bodies to relax before pulling away from me and getting dressed. His massive body and authoritative posture intoxicated me. I would gladly do anything he wished.

“May Atum have mercy on me. I have missed you dearly. I did not realize how heavy my heart was until now.” I paused for a brief second and said, “I was inside your mind! How is that possible?”

“I am happy to have you back as well, wife.” He simply stated, as a matter of fact.

A sense of duty clouded his joy as he ignored my discovery and continued tying his sash.

“May I come with you?”

He meant to deal with his son. The look of shock and sympathy crossed his eyes as he quickly turned to face me.

“He is my son too. You should not have to do this alone.” I could feel his heart breaking into a thousand pieces. I ran to him and held him.

“Let it go. You can be weak in front of me. I will not judge you.”

Anubis fell to his knees and embraced me. Tears flowed from his eyes. I sent comfort and love to him. His body shook as he released his pain. I held him for a long time until he could gather his composure.