29- Setting Things Right

29- Setting Things Right
"Didn't think I'd see you today, brother," Hapi peered at Imset in jest as he took a seat next to the others in the main sitting room. None of them planned on going to Aisha's school today. After last night, they all knew what would happen between the two. A little death? A little sexual tension? Voila, bond sealed, stamped, and certified. Silently each of them rejoiced for him.

Imset couldn't help but feel somber even as his siblings smiled at him. Not only did he miss Aisha as soon as he'd dropped her at school, but his mind had already begun to torment him with all the ways their bond would be ruined. Why did he always have to think the worst? His mind would fixate on something and suddenly he couldn't let the idea drop until he felt miserable about it. It was an unconscious reaction he didn't know how to curb.

One that had started after his last consort failed.

He didn't want Aisha to be one of those, but, dammit he was terrified for her. Terrified of the whole relationship moving forward. He'd never had a relationship that lasted. A few regular flings with other goddesses? Sure. But they always had their own lives and there wasn't much outside of power to hold them together. And even with the few humans he sometimes visited, they didn’t spend much of the time talking. He'd never shared feelings before. Never felt vulnerable or out of his depth like he did with Aisha. This was all so strange and with new experiences, his anxiety grew worse.

Meanwhile, his sisters were oblivious to Imset's inner turmoil, perking up as soon as they saw him. They were excited to congratulate and gossip with Aisha but she wasn't with him. They looked at each other in confusion. Maybe she was using the bathroom? Yea, they sensed his bad mood, but wasn't he always in a bad mood?

"None of us left the bed for days after taking that next step. You're a strong man. Certainly better than me," Qebe and Hapi elbowed each other, laughing. This was a joyous occasion after all. Not only had their brother finally let his guard down. But if that face was any measure, he had a consort again, someone to share his life with. His triumphs and his burdens. He had already lived an endless quantity of lifetimes and yet the quality had always been lacking.

Mutef simply smirked at Qebe, but his eyes fell back on Imset, who was in a particularly quiet mood. It rubbed him the wrong way. Something heavy was sitting on his brother's shoulders and Mutef prayed he did not regret last night.

"I mean... unless you two didn't--?" Qebe questioned, now noticing Imset's stoic face as well, "Or unless you reg-"

"They did," Hapi scoffed, "I went to check on him last night and I honestly don't wish that on any of your ears. Take my word for it."

"I regret nothing," Imset replied blandly, still caught up in his own mind. He should have just stayed in his room. Coming out here alone was a mistake. He didn't even have his head on straight.

Serket clapped excitedly, trying not to let her fears get the best of her. He wouldn't do something else stupid...surely not. He'd learned his lesson by now, "Yes, finally! All's well that ends well as I always say! But where is she? As much as she loves pancakes, I'm sure she'd want to join us for breakfast."

Imset's jaw twitched. Did she love pancakes? He had to admit, he really didn't know as much as he should about her. Even with them following her around at school. His sisters already knew so much more about her intimate thoughts. Her likes and dislikes. A lump formed in the back of his throat. Gods, he was terrible at this. Yet another reason why this bond was likely doomed to end badly.

But he was at least doing better. They'd spoken at the party. And in the pyramid, Aisha had confessed things. He'd managed to share a bit of his heart this morning in bed. And there was time for getting to know her inside and out. He could do it. Try. Again his father's words came back but this time they reinvigorated him.

His mother chose that moment to join the conversation.

"I've come to offer my congratulations and meet my soon-to-be daughter! What are we thinking, hmm? One, two grandkids the first few years?" Hathor hummed excitedly from the door, laying her eyes on Imset, as she crossed the room, "Ah, the man of the hour! Come give your mother a hug. I'm proud of you."

Already one of his siblings must have spilled the beans. He pinched his nose as Nephy looked away guiltily.

Imset understood this was all just wishful thinking on his family's part. Aisha still had to pass the final test. And despite what they had shared last night, and how he felt, Imset couldn't help the dread that settled in him the second she was gone. Their time together last night was perfect. Almost indescribable. And yet at any moment, it could be ripped away--her contract finalized and if she failed... Then he'd have to do what he truly dreaded, now more than ever: kill her. Could he do that? Would he really have to do it again? Ra's magic was bond. A consort, once claimed, had to prove herself. And if not, the life was forfeit. He shuddered, hating the old laws more with each second that passed.

Too many faces flashed in his mind. Too many.

Imset's jaw clenched at his own thoughts, and he let out a strained exhale. How had his brothers survived the stress of it-- of not knowing what would happen? Hathor's arms remained frozen in mid-air confusion because Imset had either been too lost in his own thoughts to notice. Or too upset by his own emotions to hear her. Now everyone in the room was exchanging worried looks.

"Dear gods," Hathor sighed heavily, letting her arms finally fall flat against her, "I'm never having another grandchild, am I? Just tell me now, Ra. I'll understand. Are you self-sabotaging again?!" Her voice, so full of reproach, also held a thread of concern. Of course, no matter what he did to anger her, Hathor loved her son dearly. She would never want to see him in pain.

"Imset?" Neith asked quietly, well and truly scared of the answer, now that Aisha had still failed to appear, "Where is Aisha?" They all held their breath.

"Brother...I love you...but," Mutef looked at Neith then back at Imset, "Tell me you didn't kill your consort. Because the women...would demand your head. And you already know how that choice would go..." Imset glared at his brother incredulously, who quickly corrected, "Clearly we wouldn't give them your head... but a bit of blood and bone is a different story."

"WHERE IS SHE YOU HIPPOPOTAMUS?! I'll fucking gut you right here if you've hurt a single hair on her head!" Serket's eyes went fully orange and the other wives as well.

Imset huffed, "Everybody, calm the hell down, I didn't fuck anything up yet. She's at school. I took her there myself, I'm just--" He didn't continue, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Could he explain his fears? Would his family understand?

"Was it not...?" Hapi trailed off, hoping he would understand the meaning without making it awkward.

"Don't finish that sentence," Imset growled, suddenly so defensive of Aisha's dignity he could hardly stay in his seat.

"Well, that answers that question," Qebe laughed, "I guarantee it's on your mind all day." He raised a thin flute of peach mimosa to his wife's lips. Hopefully, it would take the edge off her temper.

Mutef cocked his head to the side, clutching Neith's hand. Had he ever seen his brother look vulnerable? About anything? It made him sit up straight. Whatever had his brother so upset, was not a joking matter, "You're worried about the test? You're worried about what happens now... and if she fails?"

Imset looked away. Why couldn't he bring himself to be honest about his feelings? He talked to his family about anything else. But this? It was a fresh pain that he didn't want to touch. Hope could be as awful as hopelessness.

Hathor took a seat in a nearby sectional, her ire fading now that she understood the issue, "What is there to fear? She's strong. And brave from what I hear. She will do well. You have to have faith that she will."

Imset shrugged, "I don't think fear is logical, mother. I know how strong she is. It's just-"

"Let's talk it out then, brother," Serket interrupted without malice. Her eyes were genuine and compassionate, "You need our guidance and we are here to offer it. Each of us has passed--" Serket motioned between herself and the other consorts-- "maybe if we all talk about it, you will feel better?"

Nephy nodded, "I agree with that. Obviously, the test was different for each of us but at the core, it's always the same. Ensuring her soul can handle yours. That she can handle the death and destruction that comes with the title. If we each explain how we felt, and how we accepted the bond fully, it would ease your anxiety."

Neith was the first to begin explaining, as her story was likely the closest to what Aisha would experience. And as she spoke, everyone listened. Especially Imset.
___________________________________________________
Aisha stumbled from her Archaeology class in a daze. Yet again she tugged at the shirt and sweats that didn't quite fit. Obviously, Imset was much larger than her and even though he could have conjured up an outfit from her closet, he swore wearing his clothes would help her accept what had happened between them. Aisha suspected in a fit of male satisfaction, he just wanted to see her in his clothes. Because he wanted her to wear everything of his down to the smooth boxer briefs. And he had no problem conjuring up a pair of sneakers so clearly his magic worked.

She tucked the loose scrap of paper she had into her deep, empty pocket. Science classes weren't her forte but it was necessary to understand how to handle artifacts on digs if she wanted to be active in the field one day. Egyptologists usually took two tracks: those who studied what was already written and those who actively aimed to write new things. She wanted to be the latter, fully aware that no matter what she'd be going back to school or another four to six years of study.

Though today, she hadn't done much to impress her professor. Without a bookbag, keys, or anything relevant to the class itself, she'd been lucky to get a borrowed slip of paper and pen from her classmate for notes. Notes, she had barely taken, because she was too busy replaying everything that had happened over the last twenty-four hours. She'd forgotten to ask Imset to take her home first so she could come prepared.

She hadn't even done the reading, clearly so caught up in the excitement of the night. So when the professor called on her, Aisha was forced to admit as much.

Sighing, Aisha headed out into the quad. She could safely call Imset in peace from behind one of the buildings. Or maybe from the private floor of the library. It held bad memories for her, but he was her strength. Nothing could harm her with Imset on her side.

Aisha had only made it a quarter of the way to the library before she saw Evan and Zach alongside a cluster of campus police. They'd drawn a small crowd of students as they passed out flyers and stopped to answer questions. She froze, holding her breath. Was she waiting to feel guilt? The absence of Josh should have impacted her, right? The three amigos. The three top dogs on campus. Now they were reduced to two. Soon it would be one. Then none.

Some lingering bit of guilt or humanity over his death should have come over her by now. But no it strengthened her resolve to end them all. What Josh admitted condemned them, sealed their fate. And she had no remorse for that.

Drawing closer, Aisha felt bold. She slipped behind a few girls who had already taken a flyer from Zach and peered over their shoulders. Aisha thought she might scream when she read it. Have you seen me? The paper said displaying a full-scale picture of Josh posed outside their frat. A missing person flyer for Josh... and it had only been a few hours? Meanwhile, it was going on three weeks for Aiko and not one poster was pinned anywhere. Not one set of officers had distributed anything. Half the student body didn't even know she was missing unless they had been directly acquainted with her.

How fucking dare they? She turned harshly, storming in the direction of the public safety building tucked along the back of the admissions office and main parking lot. There was no way they were going to ignore her this time. She would explain all the evidence she'd collected. Connect the dots to the boys. Yell until they listened at last. Josh had told her everything she needed to know, but at the moment she couldn't divulge his knowledge or how she had gained it. She couldn't have them suspecting her as she barged in and raised hell.

Aisha stopped herself. She pulled up short about halfway to the public safety building and veered off behind the student center to rest her head against the wall. What was she doing? The police didn't help her then and they wouldn't help her now. Telling them the truth wouldn't make a difference. If they could be out here for Josh a few hours after he went missing, they could have done the same for Aiko. His father was on the force. Did that mean he was better than everyone else? That his life was worth more?

Well, tough shit elitist world. He wasn't coming back. Aisha clenched her fists and bared her teeth. Her emotions felt wilder, like they had a mind of their own. Anger and violence swelled in her so fully she almost lost her balance. But she didn’t tamp the feelings down this time. Didn’t tell herself to calm or to ignore, didn’t tell herself that it was crazy to feel how she felt. She'd spent a lot of time thinking about getting back at the men. And yet some part of her always worried if she took things as far as she wanted… her soul would be too black to salvage. Did it matter? Did she ever really care what happened to herself?

She had never considered how she might hurt the men. Had never thought what their blood on her own hands might feel like. The power of it. Imset had given her a taste with Josh and now she wanted more. Now she knew what Imset could do and she wanted to know what she could do. Was she ready for that? A step she’d never come back from?

"Imset," she called like a whisper. And within a moment, she was already drifting through the in-between.