Unfortunately.
CHAPTER TWO
THE STEAM from the baths rose up, tickling my nose and already making me hate being here.
"Bring me wine," Seth demands.
I rolled my eyes, but brought forward a goblet full of ruby liquid.
He snatched it from me, not even bothering to say a word of thanks. Though I also didn't expect it. He wasn't known for his kindness or appreciation.
But at least this place was calmer than the rest of his temple. There was no need for chaos here, apparently. It was the one place I could actually feel at peace. It was a shame I only got to come here when Seth wanted service.
"I hear we're to have guests," he announced, waving his goblet around and nearly spilling it. At least it would land in the water and not have to be cleaned up.
"Is that so, my lord?" I wasn't really interested, but I have to at least feign it or I'll be lashed out at. Seth was an easy god to work, so long as I didn't overstep the mark. Then he was nothing short of cruel.
"Indeed. Ra is deigning to join us. Who knows what he wants."
I blinked a couple of times. I could understand the words he was using, but not the intent behind them. Ra had always stood on the opposing side of the divide to Seth, I had no idea what Ra could possibly want. Nothing good, that was for sure.
"I shall need you to oversee the preparations," he ordered.
"That's not my role here, my lord," I let the words slip out despite my best instincts.
"I am aware," he said coldly. "But I need the rest of my temple to run as normal. You're not important, you can deal with it." He waved a dismissive hand.
I bit my tongue, not wanting to point out that I did have a role here. And jobs. Despite what he and Charaxos seemed to believe, I put a lot of importance on making sure my work got done, and to the right standard too.
"Very well, my lord. I will prepare for their arrival." At least I'd seen enough godly visits to know what the kind of things needed doing.
I stood still, waiting for him to give me my next order. He was clearly in that kind of mood at the moment, and I wasn't going to do anything to make it worse.
"Well? Aren't you going to get to it?" he demanded.
"Do you not want an attendant for your bath?" I asked.
He spun around, water sloshing over the side and washing over the floor, even reaching my feet. My sandals filled with water, and I knew they'd squelch uncontrollably for at least an hour after I left here. But I couldn't move backwards. I'd seen just how Seth reacted to people doing that before, and I was in no rush to be whipped in front of the rest of the temple.
Seth's gaze roved over my body. "I'd rather have one of the harem girls. Send one."
"As you wish, my lord." I dipped my head and turned, hurrying out of the room before he changed his mind. I'd survived centuries without feeling Seth's touch on me, I wasn't about to risk changing that now.
I hurried out of the bathing house and back out into the courtyard. The sooner I found a harem girl, the better. He was impatient at the best of times, never mind at the worst.
"What are you doing out here so soon?" Charaxos demanded the moment he spotted me.
"I have things to do. He wants someone sent to him though."
"Fine," he grunted. "Send Rebecca."
I nodded. The girl was still fairly new and hadn't come to realise the truth about our god yet. In some ways, that was a blessing for her. In others, it really wasn't.
I gestured for the woman in question and whispered in her ear.
"Of course, my lady." She dipped into a curtsy as awkwardness came over me.
"I'm not a lady," I responded. "Just a slave like you."
"It's not so bad." The smile on her face almost convinced me that she was telling the truth. Maybe she was. For her at least. Though the harem girls had it worst of all if anyone asked me. Taken by anyone that wanted them, sometimes many times a day. Stripped of their chance to have children at any point in the future. At least that choice was still mine, even if I refused so my children wouldn't be born into slavery.
"Give it another few decades," I muttered as she ran off towards the bathhouse. She'd never listen to me, it was better not to try and sully what little joy she has in the world.
"Don't you have tasks to do, Rhodopis?" Charaxos sneers.
"Indeed I do. And none that concern you." I spun on my heels and strode away, determined not to let his judgement sway me from my task.
If Ra really was coming, then maybe I'd be able to gain his favour, and when everything went south with Seth's latest plan, I might be spared from the death I was certain his slaves would face. I might be immortal, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be killed. I'd seen it happen too many times not to be ready. Gods were immortal, they couldn't be killed even if the others wanted them to be. I had to make the most of this opportunity if I wanted to survive.
I'd lived too long to accept death so easily.
CHAPTER THREE
EVERYONE RAN AROUND like the end of the world was already happening. I supposed that was kind of amusing considering Seth's constant plans towards just that. I wasn't sure why he hadn't just given up already. He was a god. He was immortal. He lived in the lap of luxury. The only explanation I had was that he was just a bit of an ass, and
