Seth let out a deep breath as Natti waited, hoping. He ran his fingers through his hair before his face came inches from her.
“The traditional story told to me began during the days before Ra had left Earth. His council told him that if the goddess, Nut, bore any children one would end his reign. So, to protect his power, he placed a curse on Nut, one where she would not be able to bear children on any day of the year.
“Desperate, Nut went to Thoth, the god of wisdom, for help. Thoth knew that once spoken, the curse could not be recalled. However, he discovered a loop hole, went to the moon god, Khonsu, and tricked him into giving up some of his light. From it, Thoth created five extra days which were set between the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.
“On the first of these days, Osiris was born. The second day was set aside for the later birth of Horus, Osiris’s son. On the third day, the second son of Nut was born, Set. Isis, Nut’s first daughter, was born on the fourth day, and her second daughter, Nephthys, was born on the fifth. And when they finally grew up, Osiris married his sister, Isis—”
“Ugh, gods!” Natti rolled her eyes. “Why do they always have to marry their siblings?”
“Well, who else were they supposed to marry?” Seth asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe a mortal for a change.”
Seth crinkled his brow. “The gods are too great to marry a mortal.”
“And how would they know? Have they ever dated one?” Natti trailed off when Seth placed his finger gently on her lips, letting them tingle under his touch. Oh, how she was beginning to love that feeling. She let it consume her.
Seth smiled. “Do you want to hear the story or not?”
Natti focused on his eyes. “You have my full attention.”
“Good. . . . As I was saying, Osiris married Isis, and together they traveled the land. Now before Osiris, the people of ancient Egypt were considered barbarians. Chaos reigned through wars and cannibalism. But when Osiris and Isis spread their knowledge, the people learned to plant grains like wheat and barley; how to tend and water the crops; how to cut the corn when ripe and thresh grain; and then how to dry the crop, grind it, and make bread. They even taught the people how to plant vines, and turn grapes into wine. For his teachings, Osiris became the ruler of all Egypt.
“Set, however, was not pleased by his older brother’s rise to power. So he laid out a plan to kill Osiris and rule in his place. Aided by seventy-two of his most loyal worshipers, Set obtained the exact measurements of Osiris’s body and carved a beautiful box that would only fix to his exact size. Set then threw Osiris a grand feast, the greatest feast Egypt had ever known. He called for only the best food the realm could provide and for the strongest wine to be served. And the dancing girls, they were the most beautiful creatures anyone had ever seen as their bodies swayed to the hypnotic music—”
“That part of the story would get your attention, wouldn’t it?” Natti teased.
Seth’s cheeks turned a slight pink, and the corners of his lips pulled into a smile. He let his finger slide across Natti’s lip again. A delightful shiver silenced her thoughts.
“As the festivities continued, and Osiris drank, Set commanded that the box would be brought to the grand hall. Osiris marveled at the rare cedar inlaid with ivory, gold, silver, and painted figures of the gods and their creations. Using his charm and deception, Set made a grand gesture. He offered the box to whoever could fit inside. A few people tried and failed. When Osiris finally took his turn, though, it fit perfectly, and the lid slammed shut, locking him inside to die. Later, Set returned, dismembered the body into fourteen pieces, and scattered them across the desert.”
The imagery that crossed Natti’s mind caused her whole body to cringe. Seth took her wrist and rubbed his thumb over her hand. The soft tingling sensation soothed her nerves, making her feel all warm and gooey inside.
“When Isis heard what happened, she and Nephthys set out to look for the pieces, gathered each one, and carefully wrapped Osiris in strips of cloth. Unfortunately, this was not enough. The manner in which he had died had prevented his entry into Amenti, the place for those who have passed judgment. So, ultimately, Osiris would not be able to rest in peace.