Soul Unleashed (Key to the Cursed Book 4) (22 page)

Kamen hefted the last sand bags over his head and
stacked more against the retaining wall. In a long chain from the beach to the
palace, warriors had passed bag after bag to shore up the banks. The rushing
waters had eroded the beach and the dock where the boat was hitched, but the
golden gate stood against the mighty current.

“This is the last,” Asar said, handing the bag
over. “You have done well, brother. The gates are holding.”

Kamen nodded, although it was not his doing. He
merely reinforced the palace walls. Sadly, the warrior village was half
underwater. “Apep means to drown us?” Kamen asked, trudging through the water
and up the steps. Turning at the top of the stairs, he stared out over the
rushing river at base of the palace. He had once found peace and freedom on the
beach, now there was nothing left.

“If he thinks the water will break the gates, he
is sorely mistaken. And, we now control the boat.”

Kamen pushed the wet hair back from his face. This
whole situation unsettled him. Not even the good news of the Creations lifting
the law did little to shake his sense of dread. Asar had told him of Kit’s
meeting with Thoth. Despite Kamen’s irritation with Asar for leaving her
unguarded, whatever Kit had said had done the trick. Kamen was just glad Kit
was back to the Underworld.

Asar grabbed Kamen’s shoulder. “Ease yourself, the
Underworld has stood against far worse. Let us cleanup and go see how Siya and
the women are doing.”

Nodding, Kamen made haste back to his room to
change. After drying off and throwing on a new pair of clothes, Kamen stopped
at the edge of the bed. The scent of roses still filled the space where Kit had
slept. He look forward to many more days of her curled at his side.

He dematerialized and appeared outside Siya and
Bomani’s room. A soft cry echoed on the other side of the thick wood. Kamen
took a breath and pushed the door open. The scent of blood and amniotic fluid
filled his senses.

“She was determined to come,” Lilly said, wiping
off the baby with towels. “A healthy baby girl. I guess Kit wins the bet.”

Kamen scanned the room, looking for his silky
black haired beauty. The ache in his chest that had been present since she left
remained. He pushed deeper into the room.

Lilly handed the baby off to Bomani. “Daddy.”

Bomani cleared his throat and laughed as the ill-contented
baby screamed.

Asar wrapped his arm around Bomani’s shoulder.
“Congratulations son.”

“Go ahead and lay her skin to skin,” Lilly
instructed.

Siya opened her arms and welcomed her new child to
her chest. The War goddess smiled as tears streamed down her pale face. The
baby’s cries of distress continued, although less so.

“She is so beautiful,” Kendra said, her eyes
shimmering. Bakari pulled her close.

Lilly tilted her head to look behind Kamen.
“Where’s Kit? I’m sure she is going to gloat about winning.”

Kamen froze. “She is not here?”

Lilly furrowed her brows. “No, she went to get
you.”

Asar grabbed Lilly’s hand. “Kamen was with me
shoring up the palace.”

Coldness crept into Kamen’s soul. He turned on his
heels and charged out the door. Stopping at the veranda, he surveyed the
swollen river then turned to a warrior standing guard. “Have you seen Kit?”

“She went to the dungeon to retrieve you.”

“What?” Kamen shoved the warrior against the wall.
“You let her go down there?”

“Kamen, release him. I’m sure she is in the
palace,” Asar said and pulled Kamen’s hand from the warrior’s throat.

“I do not sense her,” Kamen said, panic overwhelming
him. Yes, Kit had a tendency to wander off, usually to escape him, but that was
before. She had held on so tight to him prior to leaving for the Council.

“Let us check her room and yours.”

Kamen shook his head. He would have sensed her if
she was that close. The ache in his chest told him she was much farther away.
The dungeon would be the likely location.

Asar barked orders to the warriors standing guard,
redirecting to search the palace rooms.

“Come, we will find her.” Asar moved towards the
dungeon stairs where the gate hung open.

Kamen moved more swiftly down the steps, leaving
his brother behind. Following the trail of roses, Kit’s scent bisected many
corridors, even towards Set’s cell. The strongest led him to the temple.
Pausing at the door, he surveyed the room. A rush of relief filled him seeing
Kit standing next to her father’s sarcophagus. The lid had been shifted to the
side.

Not once had Kit come to the temple to pay her
father respect. She’d removed the white muslin covering Jonathan Carrigan’s
face. Kamen moved to her side, drawn by the bond demanding to reconnect with
his other half. Without a word, she turned into his waiting arms. He sighed as
the ache lessened in his chest along with his fear.

He held her tight as she cried, not needing to ask
why. Her sorrow broke in waves against his soul. Although, he suspected it was
more than just the loss of her father, he sensed the heaviness in her heart, a
portion partially closed off to him.

“Do you think he would approve of me?” Kamen
asked, looking into the tomb. Perfectly preserved, the male appeared as if he
was only sleeping.

She wiped her cheeks and stared down at her
father’s face. “He would have loved you.”

If they could win the war, then perhaps Kamen
would get his chance to meet Jonathan Carrigan. “I have one question to ask
him.”

With her brows furrowed, her eyes drifted up to
meet his. “What question would you possibly ask my father?”

Kamen cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb
across her soft skin. “Permission to marry his daughter.”

She sucked in a breath.

“Will you marry me, Kit?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Tonight?” He did not want to rush, but they were
a day away from the eclipse. With the flooding of the gates, he would not go
into battle without her immortality being assured, and if they survived the
war, he wanted to commit his soul to her for eternity.

“Now, if you want.” She smiled.

“I love you, Kitten.”

Her brows furrowed again.

He kissed her to hide his awkwardness and the
effect that Set’s words had on him earlier. So adverse to it in the beginning,
the bond was all he had in his life and he was desperate to keep it. He could
not imagine life without her.

“I love you too,” she whispered against his lips.

His alarm about her being down in the dungeon
alone dissipated in favor of the warmth generated between them. Living energy
infused his soul, feeding his hunger deep inside.

Asar cleared his throat at the door. “I see you
found her.”

Realizing he overreacted, Kamen frowned. “Yes.”

“Kit, would you like to meet the baby?” Asar
asked.

She pushed away from Kamen. “Is everything okay?”

“A healthy baby girl. Looks like you win the bet.”
Asar chuckled and exited the door.

Kit clamped down on Kamen’s hand. “Siya wanted you
there.” Kit’s knowing eyes tracked his expression.

He nodded. “She fears the baby was tainted when
she was kidnapped.”

“Do you think she was?”

“I don’t know.” Soon they would find out. He
kissed Kit’s hand and guided her out of the dungeon. Ensuring the dungeon gate
was locked, he slipped the key back into his pocket.

He paused at the door to Siya’s room and took a
deep breath. “Ready,” he asked Kit.

She chewed on her lip and grasped the door handle.
The soft cry of the baby drew Kamen forward. He sensed Kit’s trepidation
through the bond. Gliding along the invisible thread, he held onto it ready to
transport them if he sensed any instability in Kit or himself.

Bomani rose and stood between them and the baby.

Siya tugged on his arm. “Sit down. We need to know
if she is all right.”

Asar met Kamen’s stare and then intercepted
Bomani. “Come. Let Kamen have a look.”

“Do not hurt her,” Bomani protested.

The tension in the room increased, along with
Kit’s grip on his hand. Her fear echoed through their connection. He gently
brushed his thumb against her skin and then released her hand.

Asar lifted the naked baby from Siya’s arms and
held it out for Kamen to take. She was so small, Kamen feared he would crush
the small bundle of flesh. Out of his element, he fumbled on how to extract her
from Asar’s grasp.

The baby cried softly as Asar lowered her into
Kamen’s waiting arms. Pulling the baby close to his chest, he stared down at
the dark brown locks covering the round little head. Gold eyes squinted up at
him. Kamen sensed the strong beat of a heart beneath the honey colored skin. A
perfect mix of Creation and Underworld. He sensed the same demon blood of her
mother, but nothing bitter or foul.

Kit stepped forward and fingered the thin hair.
“Hi, sweet thing.”

Kamen watched Kit’s thorough inspection of all the
fingers and toes, completely enamored with how comfortable she seemed with the
youngling. Would she want a child? His child?

Leaning forward she inhaled. A small flicker of
fire ignited behind the blue of Kit’s eyes. She met his gaze. “I think she is
absolutely beautiful. Don’t you agree?”

The beast inside her connected with him,
communicating a yearning for something he never thought possible. Holding the
small infant, he realized he wanted this with Kit. A family to call his own.
“Yes, she is.”

Kit smiled broadly and pulled the baby from his
arms. “Let’s get you back to Momma, Anya.”

“Anya?” Siya asked.

Kit’s face went blank. “What?”

“You called her Anya,” Bomani said, stepping up to
take the baby.

“Sorry, it must have slipped.” Kit shrugged. “She
looks like an Anya.”

“Bomani and I had that name on our list.” Siya
turned to Bomani. “I like it.”

“Anya it is.”

Kit’s face brightened, her happiness chasing away
the darkness Kamen saw coloring her eyes. He pulled her back into his embrace.
“So should we tell them?” he whispered in her ear. Yes, the ceremony was
important, but he wanted to consummate their marriage, and perhaps—maybe—start
a life of their own.

“So, Kamen and I have an announcement, which I
think everyone has been waiting patiently for.”

Kamen met Asar’s stare. “We would be honored if
you would marry us.”

“Bless the gods. It is about damn time.” Asar
laughed.

Lilly slipped under Asar’s arm. “I think we have
two other couples that have requested the same. Perhaps, we can do it all together?
As a family?”

Kit leaned back against Kamen’s chest. He hugged
her tight and planted light kisses up the length of her neck. A family, did he
dare hope?

“Once we are married, I would like to have a baby,”
he dared whisper against her ear.

Her breath halted in her chest as she turned to
look at him from the side. “A baby?” Doubt colored her blue eyes. “Isn’t that a
bit soon?”

“Someday?”

She turned and hugged him. “Yes, someday.”

His hope faltered, sensing her reluctance and the
need to conceal her expression. The dark part of him told him he was not worthy
of such a thing. The other side, the one connected to Kit through the bond,
wanted to remain blind to the possibility of failure. For now he choose to
remain a fool in love. It was far better than the ache in his spine and his
instincts telling him it was all about to end.

“Did you find it odd that Mother didn’t bother to
show up to Siya’s room?” Kit asked as she combed out her hair.

“I don’t know,” Kendra replied on a shrug. “She
has been keeping to herself as of late. I just assumed it was because it’s the
anniversary of Father’s death. At least the first one when he fell to the
curse.”

“Today?” Kit remembered her mother’s swollen eyes.

“Tomorrow.”

“The same date as the eclipse?” Kit’s mouth
dropped open. A stab of guilt rose through her as she didn’t even know the
importance of the date. Coincidence certainly that it fell on the same day of
Apep’s prophesized rising. Kit’s stomach soured, sorry she even mentioned it.
“Let us talk about something else.”

“Agreed,” Lilly said, walking forward with three
white gowns with gold trim.

Siya frowned as she rocked in the chair with the
baby at her breast. “White?”

“Yeah, I was thinking leather,” Kit said and
arched one brow.

“Shut up you two. This is a wedding, not a
funeral.”

“I love it,” Kendra squealed. “I can’t believe we
are getting married.”

“Did you have any doubts, little sister?” Lilly
steered Kendra to the bathroom.

Kit sat down on the chaise, nervous and sick to
her stomach. “Kamen wants a baby,” she blurted.

Siya’s eyebrows raised. “That’s interesting, but
not unexpected.”

“Really? I’m totally stunned. He dragged his feet
just getting to this point, now its full speed ahead. I can’t think past
tomorrow.”

Light green eyes met Kit’s gaze. “It is not a bad
thing to want to dream beyond tomorrow.”

Kit looked away, fearful Siya would see the truth.

Kendra exited the bathroom and did a small turn in
her dress.

“You look beautiful,” Kit said to Kendra, grateful
for the sudden distraction.

“Really, do you think so?” Kendra beamed. “I can’t
believe we are going to have a triple wedding.”

“I think we are breaking all sorts of records
here.” Siya lifted the baby to her shoulder and patted Anya’s back. “Although,
if we do not get a move on, I may have to breastfeed in the middle of the
ceremony. This baby is hungry.”

Kit laughed along with her sisters, but there was
an undercurrent of anxiety among the group. In twenty-four hours the eclipse
would blot out every molecule of light. Complete darkness would envelop the
earth.

The Goddess of War grimaced, blew out a breath and
grabbed her abdomen when she tried to stand.

“Maybe you should sit down,” Kit suggested. The
goddess had to be sore after such a traumatic delivery.

“This baby came early for a reason. I am not going
to sit during my wedding, let alone sit out on the war.”

“You can’t be serious. You need time to heal and
you have a baby to protect, if—well, if things turn bad,” Lilly interjected.

The room fell silent.

Kit held her breath. Having known Siya for only a
month, it was evident that the Goddess of War wasn’t the type to take orders or
be challenged—at least not from demi-gods.

Siya turned and leveled her stare at Kit. The
goddess’ pale green eyes assessed her. “What do you think I should do?” Despite
Siya’s even tone, her question was weighted with meaning.

All eyes turned to look at Kit. She swallowed the
lump forming in her throat. “I’d stay with the baby.”

Kendra nodded her head. “The baby is going to need
you.”

Siya frowned as her stare never wavered from Kit.
“Lilly and Kendra, do you mind taking the baby and let Asar know that Kit and I
will be a few minutes.”

“Sure,” Lilly said, shifting her gaze between Siya
and Kit.

“Kit can help me get dressed, and I will show her
how to finish the tie on her gown. Plus, she looks a little nervous.” Siya
turned and smiled.

Kit stared at the gown on the bed. The gold belt
seemed perfectly fitted for the occasion.

Kendra opened her arms to receive the baby.

“Oh no you don’t.” Lilly swiped Anya from Siya’s
arms. “You don’t want spit up on your gown, Kendra.” Lilly screwed her face up.

“Is this how she is going to be this entire time?”
Kendra asked Kit.

“Be sure to lock your door for your honeymoon.”
Kit snorted.

Kendra laughed and followed Lilly out the door.

Kit blew out the breath and grabbed Siya’s dress
off the bed. She really hated being cornered, and based on the look in Siya’s
eyes, the goddess wanted answers.

“I lived with your mother for many centuries
before the war. A part of me was angry with her for not telling me my future,
considering how badly it turned out.” Siya touched the back of her neck where
her exile mark once burned into her skin. “I wonder now if she had told me,
would I have followed the same path? Would that path have led me to Bomani?”

“What are you saying exactly?”

“I know you see through Mother’s eyes. No doubt, a
very difficult burden to bear.”

“How did you know?” Besides Kamen and her mother,
Kit had been careful not to reveal her gift, fearful it would only bring more
pain to their lives.

Siya smiled. “You and your mother are more alike
than you think. She has that same look when something bad is about to happen.
Mother never told me of her visions, but she did prepare me. Taught me what was
important. Even if I strayed from my course, I always knew where to come home.
Life is a journey, Kit. Everyone must steer their own course, no matter how
painful. Look around you and you will see the truth. Asar and Lilly. Bakari and
Kendra. Bomani and me. Kamen—
you
.”

Kit shook her head and sat down, suffocating under
the weight of her destiny. “I’m afraid of what I
will
do.”

“You have made a god like Kamen—happy. Have you not
helped your sisters, giving them support when they needed it? A nudge perhaps
in the right direction?”

“I suppose, but that is different than what I must
do now.” Break a promise and betray the male she loved. Kit rubbed her temple.

Siya sat down next to Kit. “Sometimes we have to
do things and pray the ones we love will forgive us. I know you will make the
right choice when the time comes. Not only for Kamen but for Anya. I’ll stay
with her because I know you will win.”

“Yes, but—”

“But, what. You have a family, a soon to be
husband. A life waiting for you, if you believe in that future.”

Kit thought of her words to Kamen. The hesitancy
about having a family, knowing there may not be a future for him or a family.
How could she see past that?

“Kamen has chosen his future with you.” Siya
touched the symbols on Kit’s forearm. “Write your own destiny.” The goddess
rose and pulled Kit to her feet. She grabbed Kit’s dress, pulled it over her
head and tied the sash. Kit did the same for Siya.

Numb, she followed Siya down the corridor to the
Mother Goddess’ temple. The alabaster marble doors were propped open. Dark
warriors in their royal black and gold uniforms lined the entry to the temple.
Large statues towered overhead and the hieroglyphics glowed a bright white
along the walls with each step forward leading to an opening to the outer
temple chamber.

Kit had forgotten the beauty of her mother’s
temple. Hand chiseled images depicted the enormity of her mother’s influence on
the world. The ankh, the symbol of life, adorned the walls and ceiling. How
small Kit felt in comparison.

“Katherine,” her mother said and hugged her.

Kit stiffened, but then returned her mother’s
embrace.

Mother pulled back and touched Kit’s cheek. “You
look absolutely stunning.”

“Thanks.” Kit smiled weakly.

“For whatever it is worth, I am so proud of you.”

Inhaling a breath, Kit was speechless. For all the
resentment and hatred Kit had felt over the years, her mother’s words filled a
small void of darkness with light. She nodded, unsure of how to respond.

“Live in the moment,” the Mother Goddess whispered
in her ear. “Do not worry about tomorrow.”

“You’re right.” Kit stepped back and stood next to
Kendra.

Kendra grinned. “This is wonderful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” Kit smiled back but anxiously eyed
the entrance. Bomani and Bakari entered and greeted their mates. Lilly,
fidgeting with the ties on her robe, whispered in Asar’s ear, which was never a
good sign.

* * *

Kamen stood in the back of the chamber,
uncomfortable and out of place. He was forbidden ever to step into a temple,
let alone wear clothing with gold ribbon, designating him as a royal. He had
given up his station as part of his sentencing. Asar never acknowledged the
terms and insisted he wear it.

He stood watching Kit. Proud. Regal. Beauty beyond
his dreams. She had distanced herself from the wedding party, no doubt due to
his late arrival. Keeping her eyes pinned on the far wall, her foot tapped
furiously on the floor.

He smiled and prowled forward, intent on silencing
her impatience with a kiss. Never one of words, he reached out through the
bond, through the emotions choking her soul, and wrapped his power around her
heart.

Her breath hitched, sensing his presence. Slowly,
she turned to face him. Her chest rose and fell rapidly and her eyes shimmered.

“Hi,” he said, hypnotized by the depth of her blue
gaze. Grasping her hands to stop them from trembling, he kissed her palm and
pressed it against his cheek.

“Hi.” She sighed.

“You look amazing.”

“So do you.”

Asar cleared his throat. “Shall we get started?”

“Yes,” Kamen replied and guided his stunned beauty
forward to the altar. He sensed her trepidation about their earlier discussion,
but once the union was consecrated, they would have eternity to figure that
out. Sensing his own fear, the beast stirred in his chest. He bludgeoned it
back, not wanting Inpu to be right. He was not afraid.

“For so long, we have lived solitary lives,
pretending we were happy and content. A convenient lie to pass the years away.
But then a shimmer of light entered our world,” Asar said, lifting his gaze to
meet Lilly’s. “Showing us the way out of the darkness. This day forward we will
bask in the sun’s rays. Revel in its warmth as we commit our souls to each
other. In life. In love. For eternity. Forever and always.”

Kamen squeezed Kit’s hand to draw her attention to
him. She wanted him to bear his soul. Well, he did and scared her in the
process.

“Join hands.” Asar pulled open the ancient text
and recited the words of the marriage blessing. The words of worship faded into
the background as Kamen stared into her eyes.

“I do,” she whispered.

“As do I,” Kamen returned.

“Under this blessing consummate and solidify your
bond. Your souls bound forever. One life. One love. One eternity.”

Kamen cupped Kit’s chin and lifted her gaze to
meet his. Leaning down he kissed her soft lips. Pulling back a fraction, he
waited for her to return the gesture. A spark of mischief lit up her eyes. She
threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, her tongue tangling with his.
Longer than was custom, he could not deny her demand. His brother would just
have to wait.

“The honeymoon starts
after
the ceremony,”
Asar said with a chuckle.

Kit smiled against his lips and then started to
laugh along with everyone else. If she was trying to embarrass him, she had to
do better. He kissed her again gently. “Save it for later,
wife
.”

Her eyes widened and it was his turn to smile. She
brushed her thumb against his lips. “A smile looks good on you,
husband
.”

Kamen met the weight of his brother’s stare.
Satisfaction reflected in Asar’s gaze. His brother had always believed in a
better life for him. It just took Kamen a while to accept it. “Thank you,”
Kamen said to Asar. The simple words went beyond this moment.

Asar nodded and then made eye contact with each
couple. “I pronounce your union. Let the gods bear witness and help guide us in
our future. Enjoy this evening. We will rejoin tomorrow to defend our mother’s land
and protect those under our keep. Once our task is done, we will celebrate this
wonderful moment with a grand reception.”

The baby cooed.

“Anya apparently agrees,” Asar said and lifted his
granddaughter into his arms. “Sleep little one and give your parents their due
time.” Asar kissed her forehead and handed her over to Siya.

Kit grabbed Kamen’s hand and pulled him forward
into the group surrounding the baby, and suddenly he realized he was no longer
the outsider, looking in from a distance. With Kit’s help he never again would
he be isolated and alone.

“Uncle,” Bakari said and held out his hand.

Kamen nodded and grasped his nephew’s forearm in a
warrior hand shake and pulled him into his chest. Kamen gave Bakari a hard slap
on the back. “Take care of Kendra.”

“With my life,” Bakari said with a nod.

Bomani approached with the baby tucked in his
arms. “Congratulations to you both.”

“And you,” Kamen replied and glanced over Bomani’s
shoulder. Kit met his gaze and smiled. She hugged her sisters. “Please excuse
me,” he said, skirting around his nephews.

He had made so many mistakes with her along the
way. He would spend every waking day making up for the way he hurt her by not
coming when she needed him the most. She didn’t talk about it, but it still
weighed on him. The thought of her being with someone else only to find out it
had done nothing to stop the infection from growing in her soul. Inpu had been
right, he had been afraid to let her love him.

But that was then.

He no longer had to watch Kit from a distance. She
was his wife, forever bound to his soul. A piece he would gladly surrender to
her.

“Ladies,” Kamen said with a bow.

Kit hugged her sisters again, this time for
longer. “I love you guys.”