Excerpt 

Obion let out a bellow of victory. The cold agony of his grief did not subside with the priest-sorcerer's death. Climbing the rock cliff, Obion left bloody prints. Standing on the top, he was shocked to see the thin cup of the moon just touching the horizon. 

Suddenly, Iddoferu's words came back to him. "Once the waxing cup sets, you will find violence as empty as a shattered water vessel."

Obion sobbed then bellowed out a keening shout of grief. There was a shimmer in the air and the moon on the horizon turned whole then moved toward him above the face of the Deva Khonsu. The world shifted and they were standing in a beautiful garden.

"What would you sacrifice to have him back?" A shimmering image of Khonsu-et appeared. He was kneeling in prayer as he often did.

"What do I have that you would want?" Obion groaned, longing to reach out and touch him but knowing this Khonsu-et was an illusion.

"Time... I have never had a priest protector of my temple more devoted than your beloved, but he was stronger with you at his side. Wepwawet and I have struck a bargain, the soul of your beloved will be returned every few generations. Once he remembers who he is to you, his love for you will continue."

"What of his mate? Wolves have true soul-halves and potential mates. I will not compete as I have with Khonsu-et's pull to be with Iddoferu," Obion explained why he almost refused.

"There will be no struggle because his mate has already agreed to renounce their bond."

"Khonsu-et wanted children, he loved them," Obion reminded. "It would be unfair to deny him those."

"Very well, he shall have a choice mate and children if you wish, but his affection and protectiveness will be more generalized for all of those around him, all of those he is responsible for. You will be the exception for as long as my temple and worship endure."

Thinking of Khonsu-et's memories and affection, Obion shook with his need to hold his beloved. "I agree to protect your temple to the best of my abilities for as long as it endures, Deva Khonsu."

"We have a bargain, stone skin Obion."

"Wait... how will I know him?"

The deva smiled, revealing, "His soul will carry the scent of my temple's incense."

"I want..."

"You want?" Khonsu interrupted with a smug smile.

Panting in desperation, Obion begged, "May I have his body back, to prepare for burial while I wait."

"The Oracle of Wepwawet is already seeing to it. Take care of his son." Khonsu took Obion's wrist. A tendril of glowing moonlight wrapped around it and infused into Obion's flesh.

Obion blinked and he was back in the desert in the dark night. Flapping his wings, he flew as fast as he could to Lycopolis. He landed on the roof of the temple of the moon only moments before dawn and rushed inside. Iddoferu was sitting on the steps watching them wrapping Khonsu-et's body. The Priests looked up then backed away.

"Leave us." She didn't turn her head as she asked, "Did you kill them all?"

"Yes, Oracle."

"And you made the bargain with the Moon?"

"Yes, Oracle." Obion walked past her and stood over his lover's body. He ran his hands over the red fur. He bent and clung to it with great heaving sobs. When he recovered enough to stand, Iddoferu had not moved from where she sat.

She stood, shaking her head, "Your life will become a circle of waiting, loving, grieving, a snake consuming its tail... You have cursed yourself and you are a fool." Then she walked out and went to the temple of the wolf.

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Moving the start of The Western Queen, Stone Skin 2 to it's own book, see you there. 
M. M.