“I didn’t know sun gods needed rest.”
Amon closed his eyes and murmured, “Your questions have finally tired me.”
“Well, you are very old,” I teased.
Opening his eyes to slits, Amon turned his head toward me. “Not old enough that I cannot rein in lovely tormenters who bedevil me with questions and delight in afflicting me with all manner of inducements.”
I was going to ask him what he meant by inducements, but then he sighed and nestled his head against my shoulder. My nose was pressed into his hair. It was as soft as a newborn’s and I couldn’t help but inhale the scent of him—warm amber and myrrh. Adjusting himself by shifting even closer, he covered both of us with a blanket and quickly fell asleep.
My body was lulled by the contact as little pulses of warmth sank into my skin. Questions still swirled in my mind, but I turned off the light and let the darkness of the plane envelop me. I tried to quiet my thoughts, but instead I imagined what it must have felt like to wander the desert, blinded. A falcon cried and I jerked awake just as the captain announced our descent into Cairo.
With his sunshine smile, Amon bade each crew member best wishes before disembarking. By the time he was finished, he was confident enough to not only find his way around the airport, which would have been challenging even for me, but to gain us access to a VIP lounge where we could refresh ourselves.
After I’d rinsed out my mouth, brushed my hair, and washed my face, I met Amon in the waiting area, where he handed me a bottle of water. I was exhausted, and not just because I hadn’t slept very long. It was something deeper, and I sensed that my connection to Amon was a primary cause. Amon noticed my exhaustion, too.
“You are weary, Young Lily.”
Sipping my water, I nodded.
“Come,” he said, leading me to some very comfortable-looking chairs next to large windows. I sat in one while he stood directly in front of me. The sunlight helped a bit, but my eyes still felt swollen and, despite my having downed my water, my mouth felt gritty and dry.
Amon pressed his fingers against my cheek and his eyes remained closed for several moments. “Well, doctor? What’s the diagnosis? Am I going to live?” I asked, half joking and half fearing his answer.
Frowning, Amon picked up my hand and squeezed it lightly. “You need to rest,” he announced.
“I already knew that.”
Though concern was written all over his face, he tried to hide it. “Then let us be on our way,” he said gently.
Amon helped me stand and then wrapped his arms around me. Immediately, I panicked. “Whoa, there! Wait a just a minute, Mister I Dream of Jeannie. Why don’t you save the sand travel for when we really need it?”
Pausing, Amon took stock of our surroundings. “Perhaps you are right. Let us find a golden chariot.”
Tagging along behind him, I said, “They might not be golden in Egypt, you know.”
“Ah, yes. Cairo is likely much more advanced than your city of Manhattan. We will find some fast horses.”
“Um, you might want to prepare yourself for a little culture shock,” I cautioned as we headed toward the doors. “I don’t think you’ll find Egypt like it was a thousand years ago.”
“They are still my people. I am sure the city will be much like I remember.”
“Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Amon’s face darkened when we stepped out into the bright sunshine. The city stretched before us, and it was undeniably not what Amon had been hoping for. He glared at me when I quipped, “See? Not even a camel.”
Approaching an airport security guard, Amon adjusted my bag on his shoulder and began speaking with the guy. When he returned, I saw the guard on his walkie-talkie. “What’s up?” I asked.