Anubis gazed at the 7th house. There was an unlike woman in there. She had a golden aura and she was taller than the other souls. It was his mother Nephthys! Anubis ran at her and she embraced him.
– My dearest son – Nephthys had tears of emotion – I missed you so much! Look at you. The Great God of Death!
– Mother! – As Anubis hugged her, he stared horrified at her back and saw what was left of her wings – Who did this to you?
– Seth – She sighed – You were right about him – She dried her tears – but it doesn't matter anymore, I'm with you again and this time nothing can keep us apart.
Zaya came up reading a scroll, unaware of the divine encounter.
– Anubis, 40 thousand souls had been judged and – Zaya saw Nephthys – I'm sorry! Hail to the Great Lady of The House! – Zaya bowed down.
– Thank you – Nephthys said.
– Zaya would you leave us alone? – Anubis asked kindly.
Zaya nodded and left. Nephthys smiled at Anubis.
– What? – Anubis asked.
– You like her.
– She's a mortal and she will be damned…
– Use your human form.
Anubis shook his head. He had died in battle. Nephthys and Isis made many enchantments until they bring him back to life in his wolf-like form. But Ra didn't allow him to stay among the living and sent him to the underworld. Since then, He could never change into his human form again.
– We will fix that – Nephthys said as she embraced him.
~.~
Zaya was studying the maps of the underworld when she felt someone behind her. She turned around and saw a man. For a moment the whole underworld faded but him. He was tall, with long dark hair and blue eyes perfectly kohl-lined. His tanned naked chest had magical symbols tattooed and scars made of gold. He was as bewitching as a mirage in the desert… For sure he was a god! But who?
– May I help you? – Zaya asked insecurely.
– Don't you recognize me? – He asked as he approached.
His voice was deep. She had heard that voice before. He smiled and Zaya finally remembered.
– Anubis! You-you changed! – Zaya was amazed.
– My mother and someone special made me remember my humanity – He smiled at her – Now I guess I'm not so horrible.
– You've never been horrible – Zaya moved a shade of his hair and touched his face. He was so dreamy, She just had to touch it. When Zaya's fingers reached his skin, Anubis caressed her hand and kissed it. His lips were warm and soft.
– Zaya, you haven't been here for long, but you have done the impossible – His lips trembled and he held her face – You brought light to my darkness. You make the God of Death feel alive. If there's love in my heart, I thank you – Anubis felt his heart banging his chest as he spoke.
– But… I'm just a mortal soul – Zaya's voice was a whisper. "I must be dreaming". She thought.
– The most divine of all.
Anubis leaned to her. Zaya couldn't believe what was happening. That was madness, but only Amon-Ra knew how she wished that madness. When Zaya died her heartbeat had ceased. But now she was feeling her heart pounding. How was that possible? His hand reached her uncovered back and when Anubis pulled Zaya close, her forehead touched his and then they kissed passionately. His lips were as tasteful as red wine, for a moment Zaya felt like she was drunk. Anubis pressed her body against his, there was nothing he desired more desperately than Zaya. When their lips were apart, Anubis kissed her neck as he whispered:
– I love you Zaya. I love you.
– I… love you too but... It feels wrong – Zaya pulled him away gently, it was a sacrifice to stay away from him – Yesterday I was married and…
– I understand – He caressed her hair – You've just arrived here and your last life is still fresh. I can't avoid the judgments anymore and yours will happen soon, but I can't lose you. So I came to offer you a new life instead of doom.
– A new life? How?
He clasped her hands and looked into her eyes.
– If you marry me, Our union can make you immortal and you would become the Goddess of the Afterlife.
Zaya opened her mouth in surprise and closed again. That was too extraordinary.
– Me? A Goddess? – She laughed nervously.
– And My Beloved Queen – He said still holding her hands.
For Horus's beak did she hear right? She tried to picture it: "Zaya Goddess of Death, Beloved of Anubis, Queen of Afterlife" That sounded unreal, and so did the second option "eternal doom" . How did she end up that way?
– Eternity or Destruction – Zaya said to herself.
– You deserve a fairer choice and I'm sorry – Anubis held her shoulders – But I can't stand the feeling of losing you forever. Please Zaya, Join me. Live with me.
– Can I think about it? – Zaya told him, her words sounded like a supplication.
– You have until your judgment – He kissed her forehead and shape-shifted into a wolf – Now… I need you to go the Hall of the Two Truths.
He let go of her hands as Zaya nodded and followed the others. She had the way of the judgment to think about the proposal. As she walked, she thought about Bek and how she ran away with him, leaving the life she knew behind when he asked. Could she do the same for Anubis, for all eternity? Her mind started to be as clouded as the dark underworld.