Collector of Sand and Tears by Laura Greenwood

Author:Laura Greenwood [Greenwood, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Drowlgon Press

Chapter Five

I brushed my hands down the dress I was wearing. It felt odd against my skin, but I knew I couldn't walk around naked like I was used to doing when I was in a non-human form. I'd been practising moving in human form for a while, but hadn't had the courage to show Thoth how I was doing until now.

The heat felt different on my tanned skin compared to the fur I was used to wearing here in the desert. My lioness' body was definitely more suited to the environment, but I knew this was important.

I climbed up to the ledge, noting how much harder it was on two legs instead of four. I wondered if Thoth transformed into his ibis form to fly over part of it and make things easier for himself. He'd never mentioned it, but I'd never asked.

It took me longer to get to our ledge than it normally would, and Thoth was already seated there when I arrived. He was staring out onto the desert with his back to me.

All right, this was it.

I cleared my throat. "Morning."

He got to his feet and turned around to face me. It took him a moment to process that it was me standing in front of him, but he understood quickly enough.

"Nehmetawy," he whispered. "You look beautiful."

I dipped my head and tucked a strand of dark brown hair behind my ear. "Thank you."

"How long have you been working on this?"

"How long is it since you first came here?" I asked as I went over to join him and the two of us sat down on the rock.

I dangled my feet over the edge for the first time. I had to admit this was fun.

"Seven hundred and fifty-two days," he responded.

I raised an eyebrow. "You've been away from Karnak for over two years."

"So I have."

"Won't they be worrying that you've run away too?"

"I doubt it. Ra told me to take as long as it took. They probably think I'm going to arrive back with you by my side any day now," he said. "Though I don't think it's likely?"

I laughed lightly. "Is that your way of asking today?"

"Yes. It's good to get it out of the way."

He wasn't wrong. He still asked every single day, but I could tell from the way he worded it now that he wasn't as invested in the answer as he used to be.

"I won't be coming back to Karnak with you," I said, turning him down just like I had seven hundred and fifty-one times before.

I hoped he wouldn't get bored. A small pang of guilt travelled through me as I realised I'd kept him away from his duties for so long.

"What are you feeling guilty about?" Thoth asked.

"What?" My voice came out as more of a squeak than before.

"Your expressions are easier to read when you're in this form."

"Oh." I reached up and touched my cheek. "I hadn't thought about that."

"You'll get used to it," he promised. "It suits you."

"I should hope so, this was what my magic wanted me to be.

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