“Submission?” I lifted a brow. “I'm not really into that.”
“And I'm not into sharing,” he said pointedly.
“Valid,” I muttered. “All right, Blue; in the spirit of compromise you can have your way when we're here.”
“Thank you.” Blue pulled me into a wild kiss. When he finally released me, we were both breathing hard. “I look forward to bringing you home again.”
“But I've already kept Re waiting far longer than I should have,” I said gently.
“I know.” He sighed. “Where should I take us?”
“Take us back to the rally,” I said. “They'll probably have someone posted there in case we return.”
“So be it.” Blue drew me in against his chest and traced us through the Aether.
As soon as we appeared in the park, a falcon came swooping out of a tree and landed before us. The large bird glimmered, and his form blurred and stretched until it became a man; Horus.
“Vervain!” Horus exclaimed. “Are you all right?”
“I am, thank you,” I said and then looked at Blue. “There have been some developments.”
“I see that.” Horus scowled at Blue. “We were afraid that Huitzilopochtli killed you, but Re was certain that you lived.”
“How is he?” I asked with concern.
“Not good.” Horus was still staring at Blue. “So, why didn't you kill her? What's going on here?”
“Can I explain it to everyone at once?” I asked. “Just know that Blue is trustworthy now.”
“Who's Blue?” Horus asked.
“Oh.” I huffed a little laugh. “You know; I have no idea why I call you that,” I said to Blue.
“I think it may have something to do with the translation of my name into English,” Blue mused. “It means; 'Blue Hummingbird on the Left.'”
“That's an odd name,” I noted.
“It's because the Aztec's believed that the Sun rose from the left of the world and was carried by a hummingbird,” Blue explained.
“They thought a hummingbird carried the Sun?” I gaped at him.
“Dear Gods,” Horus murmured as he stared at the bite marks on my neck. “You two have been intimate, haven't you?”
“Yes,” Blue said as I groaned.
“My grandfather is going to be heartbroken, Vervain,” Horus growled. “How could you do this to him?”
“I'm hoping that he will understand,” I said softly. “I believe I was married to Blue in my other life.”
“What?” Horus gaped at me.
“I took Huitzilopochtli's magic, and when I did, I healed it,” I launched into the explanation that I was hoping to put off. “Blue bit me and something happened with the blood and magic exchange. When he took his magic back, it was different, and it... ”
“It healed me,” Blue took over. “I have been angry for centuries; viewing the world through a red veil. Look at my eyes, Egyptian; they're as changed as my soul. She healed me; made me the man I used to be.”
“He's not going to manipulate humans anymore,” I went on. “He's truly a changed man.”
“Just like that?” Horus asked. “You won't stand against us anymore?”
“How can I when I love a human?” Blue asked simply.
“This is fucked,” Horus said.
“But also good, right?” I asked Horus. “I'm alive, and Blue is on our side. He was one of your most powerful enemies, but now, he's an ally.”
“True,” Horus mused. “Your husband, eh? I'm glad I'm not the one who has to explain it to your fiance.”
“He's not my husband in this life,” I said.
“But I intend to rectify that,” Blue added.
“What?” I asked.
“Here we go again.” Horus rolled his eyes. “Please do not continue, Huitzilopochtli. I have been a witness to one Vervain proposal already, and I have no desire to see another.”
“As you wish,” Blue said with a smirk.
“I'll trace you to Bilskinir,” Horus said as he held out his hands. “Take my hands, and I'll get us through the wards. Forgive me if I don't trust you enough to give you the tracing chant, Huitzilopochtli.”
“I understand,” Blue said.
Horus took both of our hands and traced us to Bilskinir. As soon as I reformed, I hurried out of the tracing room and down to the library. I could hear Re's voice raised in anger.
“Give me a moment with him,” I said to Blue as I rushed in.
I found the whole God Squad in the library; all of them wearing grim expressions as Re faced off with Thor.
“We have to get into his territory!” Re was saying. “There are ways around wards.”
“Re,” I called to him, and Re stopped mid-tirade.
“La-la?” Re asked in shock, and then he raced over to me and cried out, “Vervain! I knew you were alive.”
“Hey, baby,” I whispered. “I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you.”
“As if that were your fault.” Re shook his head as he eased away from me. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Re blinked as he took in what I was wearing. “Where did you get that?”
“Can I talk to you in private for a second?” I asked.
“Of course, but—” Re froze; his gaze fixed on the doorway behind me. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
I looked over my shoulder and saw Blue standing there.
“I asked you to give me a moment,” I snapped.
“I did,” Blue said. “The moment has passed.”
“How did you get into my home?” Thor rumbled as he strode over to confront Blue.
“I brought him.” Horus eased between the men. Then he looked at me. “Take Re somewhere else for this talk; I'll handle them.”
“Thank you, Horus,” I said sincerely.
He nodded crisply.
I took Re's hand and headed out the door, but Blue grabbed my arm to stop
