A new year had come.

And the celebrations were just beginning.

Music echoed through the main foyer of my mother's palace as we watched the auditions for those wanting to take part in the events. A band was playing on one side of the room, one we'd already booked a whole year in advance. Drums played in rapid succession, strings plucked in sharp time, a tambourine jingling enthusiastically, followed by a DJ who was working with exotic sound effects that added a modern twist to ancient tunes.

Meanwhile, a few belly dancers were practicing on the other side of the room, shaking their hips and twirling their bodies in ways that made mine ache at the thought of making an attempt. A few flexible individuals were showing them up by bending themselves into pretzels and knots. The act that currently had my mother's attention captured was a beautiful muscular male bending backwards from a gold pole in the center of the room, his body arched back while a katana sword was in his mouth.

The festivities were grand and already in motion, for the new year was a massive celebration for my people. The introduction of a new year meant changes; it meant a fresh start, new beginnings, new goals. Basically, new year-new me was the motto of the celebration.

I glanced sideways at my mother where she was perched elegantly in her seat, her body angled forward to show interest in the male, who shot toward the floor with the sword in his mouth, only to stop a good inch from it, narrowly avoiding impalement, which only made my mother's dark skin speckle with goosebumps of excitement.

Somehow, I doubted she was interested in this male for his abilities, but I kept that to myself, knowing she'd smack me if I said anything.

But, my mother was a grown beautiful goddess, she was free to do as she pleased.

I just wished she didn't do it in front of me all the time.

The goddess Nephthys was also the goddess of death. She was a proud and beautiful goddess, on the petite side, with dark mocha skin and black hair she currently had styled in tiny braids that she wore hoisted up in a long ponytail down her back. She wore a white crop top with long transparent sleeves and high-waisted black jeans with a pair of spiked white heels. Her makeup was always done to perfection with sharp winged eyeliner that went both ways, heavy dark eyelashes, gold and blue eyeshadow that set off her fiery colored eyes, dark perfectly done eyebrows.

She brought a whole new meaning to makeup in our world. Even her own sister coveted her abilities.

"Wonderful! Bravo!" I snapped out of my stupor to see she'd risen to her feet to clap her hands. I rose with her, clapping automatically as well. The male swung his sword out and bowed very low, a sign of ultimate respect that seemed to butter my mother up even more as a smile spread across her red lips.

"And your name, youngling?" She asked. The male rose, but only enough so that he could look upon us with reverence.

"Amonon, your Majesties. I am absolutely honored to have entertained you. It is my hope that you will choose me to join you in celebration of the new year to come," he said, his voice a deep rumbling baritone that made my mother smile. I expected her to extend an invitation to her quarters later tonight, to further inspect his skills, as she told two other performers earlier in the day. But much to my horror, she turned to smile at me secretly.

"I don't know, what do you think, darling?" She asked. I tensed, feeling a wave of embarrassment that she'd turn this on me. She wasn't doing this out of some pure feelings of hiring the male. Good gods, she was trying to get me to invite him into my bed. I cleared my throat, retaining some semblance of professionalism as I faced the entertainer and inclined my head.

"It would be an honor to have you perform at our festivities for the new year. Please see Danu on your way out to fetch your information," I said. The male brightened and bowed once more while my mother sighed wistfully.

"Yes, of course, thank you, Your Majesty." Without another word, he ran off excitedly. I watched him go, ignoring my mother's pointed stare.

"Oh, come now, don't pout," my mother sighed, coming over to touch my arm, "My precious sweet, I only want to help. You've been so lonely for so long. I can't stand to see my little baby suffer." I tried hard not to grimace at her words. Her pet names didn't help what little ego I had left, nor did her interference in my love life, or lack thereof. Yet, I couldn't get angry with her.

After all, she was the only person in the world who gave a damn about me.

The bitterness that came with that thought set my body in a rigidly calm stance, despite the inner turmoil getting riled up. My mother noticed right away and just sighed again, wishing she could help, and I hated that she could read me like a book, so I forced a smile and turned to her, cupping her face in my hands and watching her orange eyes brighten.

"Mother, I need no consort in my life when I have you," I told her, watching her smile widen, even as I kissed her on the lips to comfort her. She put her arms around me and dragged me down for a hug, cradling me against her. Gods above, I had no idea how she could reduce me to nothing more than a small child just by holding me again, and I ached to stay like this forever, to have her protect me from everything in the world... but it was too late for that. Yet, I relished her embrace anyway.

"Oh, my precious darling," she said, rocking me back and forth in her hold, "I know it still hurts. You can smile all day long and I can still hear your heart breaking with each passing moment. Surely there is nothing wrong with at least venturing once more into the world of romance. Even if for nothing more than a fling. Anything to get that wretched godling from your heart." I shook my head against her.

"I really wish you would stop calling him that, mother," I said, pulling back from her to see her pout, which only succeeded in making me smile, "I don't begrudge him for what happened between us. We were both young and inexperienced. It's as much my fault as it is his, and he recognizes that." My mother wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"I still cannot believe you were almost married to that little prick," she said, and I sighed in frustration, which only made her roll her eyes, "You cannot blame me, sweetling, for he's broken the heart of my sweet baby boy. Hell, the royal little brat could've simply broken your fingernail and I would have his balls in my hand and squeeze them until they--"

"Mom," came a groan from nearby, "Stop! This is why he can't pick up anybody with you hanging over him like a goddamn babysitter!" I grimaced, looking up in irritation as Anubis strolled into the room, looking as cocky as ever. He flashed me a rakish grin that never failed to make my skin crawl.

He reminded me of Cerberus in the way he carried himself as the famed endearing big brother. He was even almost as tall as the artificial Greek mutt himself. But Anubis was possibly more annoying, considering he was more physically affectionate than even the Greeks, which was saying something.

Anubis was tall with a shaved head, his skin a rich darker shade of caramel than me, his eyes a crystal clear shade of yellow fire topaz. A wicked smirk always spread across his lush lips, his muscular body rippling with power in a way that made all the females in the room melt to their knees and the males blush. Anubis hardly wore a shirt, if for nothing more than the reaction he was garnering at the moment, and today he'd chosen a simple pair of bright flashy harem pants with a star-like pattern and gold suns all over it.

Anubis brought a whole new meaning to loud and proud.

"Gods, why can't you be more like Sept," my mother complained, making me frown at something I knew would annoy Anubis, and in turn, annoy me, "His mouth isn't nearly as foul as yours and he still loves me." Anubis groaned louder this time, sounding like a putout teenager. He shot me an annoyed glare at the comparison, as if it were my fault our mother used me as some kind of golden child goal. She had no idea just how truly terrible I was, but I'd given up on trying to explain it to her.

She saw me through the fogged lenses of a mother.

In her eyes, I could do no wrong. I was perfection.

But in reality, I couldn't be more opposite.

"That's because he's a mama's boy," Anubis deadpanned, purposely trying to rankle me, and somehow, goddamn him, it worked, because I gave him a peeved glare as a response. He smirked triumphantly and I cursed myself for not having better control.

"So," Mother answered with a scowl, "For what reason have you come to ruin our day together? I told you, Sept is all mine during the festivities." Anubis rolled his eyes and gave me an elbow, clearly a small punishment for being our mother's favorite, and I glared at him again. Why did I have to be cursed with such an obnoxious older sibling? Worse, I had no other siblings to draw his attention, as the sons of Hades did. No, it was just Anubis and I, and he constantly sought me out to annoy me.

"I've come to inform you father is going to be late for our rendezvous for the festival planning," he responded, making my mother emit a noise that was a cross between a crocodile growl and a hippo snort, "He's in a meeting at the moment and refused to have me wait around, so he sent me ahead. Also, did you just make a hippo mating call?" Whereas I kept my comment of her sound to myself, Anubis hardly had that much intelligence, and it resulted in our mother slapping him and grabbing him by the ear to yank him down to her level.

"Do not mock me," Mother barked at him, giving his ear one last tug before releasing him and Anubis rubbed at his ear with a scowl, "Damn him, he's always doing this to us. Sept, you go fetch him. I want to have a word with your mouthy brother." I immediately frowned, as did Anubis.

"Not a good idea, mom, you know dad listens to him as well as he does you," he said, which was quite tame to what we were all thinking.

Despite having invited me back to Duat, my father still hated me.

It wasn't a suspicion or anything. It was simply a fact. Upon my return, Set refused to touch me until I had been properly bathed of Greek stench. He didn't touch me afterwards either, and he barely looked at me when he spoke to me. He had also sent me on mission after mission, errand after errand, as if to try and test me, to see if my loyalties were with him or the Greeks. He didn't trust me, even after the completion of all his tests thus far. He didn't want me around, so when my mother volunteered to house me until they could build me a temple, he agreed immediately. He also hadn't thrown too many fits when said temple that was being built for me was ruined on multiple occasions.

Because Set wasn't the only one who disapproved of my return. In fact, the only ones who'd greeted me with proper embraces and tears were my mother and Anubis. Our people, on the other hand, immediately voiced their disgust and anger at having me back in the realm. According to them, my father had opened his arms to a traitor and a worthless Greek pet. And while they did put on very good airs when we had visitors, because what my people hated more than me were straight up foreigners, the truth of the matter was... nobody wanted me here either.

My mother had ordered her men to begin building a temple palace for me, but it had gotten nowhere as workers quit or refused. And those who remained were growing increasingly frustrated with the property damage our people wrought upon it in the night.

It had been weeks since anyone had even been on the building site.

So I was left living with my mother, who cursed and railed against those who disapproved of my presence in the realm. Even Anubis had threatened to kill anyone who spoke out against me. But their words and threats meant nothing in the face of the Egyptian people, and even other gods.

I was an outcast in my own realm.

Hence one of the many reasons why my attempting to find a romantic partner was also not possible. Even if I was interested in dating again, there were no romantic options in our realm as my name was a synonym with betrayal and unworthiness.

And while Anubis and my mother did their best to reassure me this wasn't the case, I was no fool. I put on smiles for their encouragement, but in the end, the truth was much colder.

"Anubis is right," I said at last, interrupting their arguments and making them scowl at me, "Set will not approve of me interrupting him anymore than Anubis." Anubis looked at our mother with a ha i fucking told you so look, and my mother glared at him before looking at me.

"It'll be fine. I simply want you to go and tell him to join us as soon as possible. That's all, darling. And he's your father, he won't hurt you," she said, but even as she said it, there was a flicker in her eyes that said she didn't trust Set. I could concur with that. I was waiting for the moment Set's control snapped and he straight up killed me just for breathing.

However, the fact that my mother was willing to send me to him meant there was a part of her that wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, and that alone made me reluctantly agree.

I bade her and Anubis farewell, knowing fully that they were going to continue arguing once I'd left them alone. It wasn't that they hated each other; Anubis simply didn't like to be babied, despite doing the same damn thing to me. Actually, they both babied me, and it was yet another blow to my ego that they felt they needed to treat me so.

As if I couldn't handle myself or make my own decisions.

Frustrated, I reappeared in Set's temple across the desert where it sat far apart from the other temples in the realm, far from the capital city. Part of me enjoyed my father's temple, however. Unlike my mother's that was always a flurry of activity, Set's was quieter. The only sounds were so natural, like bugs whispering and chirping in the tall weeds that ran around the ponds and creeks that made soft gurgling sounds. It was the kind of thing that could put one to sleep.

It made sense. My father had been imprisoned in his own temple for a very long time, thanks to my mother and the god Horus. They feared his Beast, his power, his instability, so they'd worked together with the rest of the pantheon to keep Set leashed. Set had turned his temple into a sanctuary, and not just for himself either. Some creatures that were now extinct in the mortal realm lived in and around his temple.

Beautiful stork-like birds treaded the water delicately, dipping their long narrow beaks into the pools while crocodiles lazily lounged on the shorelines, basking in the sun. I heard the guttural chuff of a nearby large cat and the snicker of a jackal as it disappeared out of sight.

Yet another thing that forced me to stand out among my own people.

Everyone had familiars in our culture. My own mother, my father, even Anubis had his fair share of jackals; his own pack really. Even lesser creatures had familiars they kept in their homes. Animals were sacred to our people. They were protection, luxury, beauty, and thought to be reincarnations.

However, I had no familiar. I had no pets. Most animals shied away from me.

I remembered once long ago, Prince Theo had come up to me with a cat he'd found on the street. He came running, his clothes all dirty, his red hair sticking to his face with dirty stinking water, his red eyes wide. It was most unsightly for a prince. My people would've cast him outside, or mocked him for his appearance, as beauty was highly important to our culture.

But Theo didn't care. He ran to me in the throne room, holding a matted gross looking cat that was missing part of its ear and an eye.

He'd wanted to keep the creature. His eyes glittered with hope for the thing that I would've put out of its misery before taking it home. Yet he'd held it up to me with such hope that I couldn't deny him... only for the cat to run away the very next day. Theo had pretended it didn't bother him, but there was a shadow in his eyes for the next week, as if he'd blamed himself for the cat's departure.

It was only one of many incidents that made me realize animals simply didn't like me.

And to my people, that was a sure sign of my evilness.

Sighing, I went inside through the main entrance and came into the large main hall that was decorated with a very homey look to it. Most palaces were just a god's way of boosting about their greatness, their power, their wealth. Not Set's. His was made to be comfortable and relaxing, as he spent most of his time within its walls. Even now that he was technically free, he still seemed to find it difficult to leave.

I made my way to the throne room, knowing it'd be easier to contact him that way, only to slow down to a halt just outside as I heard voices.

"I am not your tool anymore," Set's snarl vibrated the walls and I stiffened at the raw unmitigated fury in his voice, "Get your fucking hands away from me before you lose them." A low chuckle followed, and the sound made the hairs on my arms stand on end as I approached the entryway to the throne room and peered inside.

Horus stood in the middle of the throne room near the small quartz pool filled with clear water and four crocodiles that swam around, eyeballing the god warily. Horus looked exactly the way he had when I had returned to Duat. He was tall, not so much more than my father, but taller than myself, with skin a few shades darker than my father's. His black hair was shiny with wax, styled fashionably so it was longer on top than on the sides, swept to the left, and his eyes were an eerie shade of gold. He appeared older than my father, when in actuality he was much younger. He wore a high collar sleeveless top made of leather with lacework on the back, and loose pants that led to a pair of heeled sandals.

Standing only a few inches in front of him was my father, Set. Taller than Horus, but lean and still muscular with short black hair he wore longer on one side than the other in a messy bedhead that indicated he just woke up. He was wearing nothing, but a pair of black harem pants and gold bands around his biceps. His liquid silver eyes were flashing angrily as he kept an arm out between him and Horus.

"You don't command me, Set," Horus replied swiftly, his voice deep and dark, like liquid chocolate, as my mother had once described it, "You are not the leader of this pantheon." Set curled his lip in repugnance, raking Horus with a glare.

"And neither are you, asshole, so get the fuck out of my temple. I warned you never to come back here. Shall I teach you another lesson?" He sneered. Horus's eyes flashed menacingly, his nostrils flaring, but he kept himself from lashing out. Instead, he drew eerily close to my father, making me tense. I wasn't the only one uncomfortable with the situation either, because Set moved another step back, only to back up into a large column, so he was trapped.

"Perhaps it's you who needs a lesson, Set," Horus said in a low voice, "I'm not here to indulge in your sweet ass anyway. I need a taste of your blood." Set stiffened.

"Fuck you to Ammit's gut and back, you son of a bitch," he seethed, "Touch me and I will give you a headstart." Horus curled his lip.

"You worthless little--"

"Father!" I wasn't going to let this go any further. I knew where it was headed, if the stories my mother had told me were any indication. Of course, the moment I entered, Horus flashed away from Set to the other side of the room, pretending it was nothing more than an innocent argument. I watched my father blink a couple times in surprise before he turned to give me that familiar cold stare when he was forced to look upon me.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded. He didn't greet me by name. Almost as if he were disgusted I carried his name, which made no sense since he was the one who had been so eager to name me, according to my mother. I could see his regret where I was concerned.

"My apologies," I said in greeting, inclining my head respectfully to him, "I had no idea you were with a guest." Set curled his lip.

"I told Anubis to tell you I was in a meeting," he said through clenched teeth.

"And you know how reliable he can be," I responded. Set paused at that, like he would concede where Anubis was concerned, then turned to glare across the room at Horus, who smiled faintly.

"Sweet nephew," Horus greeted me, and I fought the urge to glare, and simply settled for nodding my head in acknowledgement, "How nice to see you again. You seem to be adjusting much better since your return from the Greek hell realm." I met his mocking gaze with one as cold as my father's.

"Actually, I was in Styx, but it's understandable. Not many of our people understand the cultures of others. Tis a pity. Perhaps we'd learn a thing or two from others," I replied. Out the corner of my eye, Set's lips twitched. Horus's eyes flashed at that.

"What's truly a pity is to see you defend creatures so cruel," he said, "But alas, that's what happens when you lie with the enemy for too long. Set knows all about that, don't you, brother?" He turned to Set, who narrowed his eyes. I cleared my throat, making them both look at me.

"I see it more as becoming cultured. If one wishes to expand on knowledge, surely one is willing to accept foreign differences. As the god of intellect and scholars, you would know all about that, wouldn't you, uncle?" I asked. Set cleared his throat and Horus's eyes darkened as he watched me without comment.

"As you can see," Set said to Horus, "We're busy. I've no doubt that you're rather preoccupied yourself, are you not, what with this whole festival coming so quickly." Horus pressed his lips together into a thin, frustrated line for a moment that seemed to only accentuate his age wrinkles before he broke into a warm, understanding smile. As a child, the smile had warmed me. As an adult, knowing all the things he'd done, it made my skin crawl.

"Hm. Indeed. I'll return once my preparations are out of the way. We have much to discuss, Set," he added, but for some reason, he was looking at me. My father didn't notice it and simply rolled his eyes. However, I did notice the intense stare. It was almost as if he were encouraging me to come talk to him. Over what, I was unsure. I wasn't very keen on accepting his invitation, though.

Horus was a dangerous god, a tempermental one. Often painted as a fun-loving young male, in actuality, Horus was bitter over what had happened between him and Set and Joxeia, the Demon of Creation. He let it go very reluctantly, and his attempts to return had been spurned by my mother. She'd sworn to cut his balls off should he come anywhere near her family, and that included Set.

Despite knowing that, however, he'd extended a hidden invitation to me. To what purpose? What was so important he was willing to risk my mother's wrath? I'd thought only Anubis was so foolish.

Without another word, Horus vanished in a thin plume of black smoke that dissolved after his disappearance. I stared at the space where he'd stood before lifting my eyes to meet Set's, finding a fierce glare intensified by the silver of his eyes.

"I told you that you are not to enter my temple without prior permission, or warning," he said sternly. I hadn't thought of that, considering I rarely visited my father. I inclined my head in understanding.

"My apologies, again, but mother wants you to step on it," I answered. Set narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed by both myself and my mother. Instead of reaching forward to touch me, in order to make a physical connection so we could teleport at once with our combined magic, he simply left with the expectation that I would follow. Which, of course, I did a moment later.

I ended up stuck in a loud room with my family immediately taking shots at each other. Set at my mother for barging in on his business, my mother lecturing him as if he were just another one of her sons while Anubis made obnoxious quips that had both my parents turning on him.

I faded into the background immediately. It was easy to disappear when my parents argued with Anubis. It wasn't anything serious or intense, mostly witty jabs and petty complaints. It was familial bantering. I recognized it from years of watching Theo and his family. However, I felt set apart from my family, set apart from this connection they'd all made with one another.

Once more, I felt like an outsider.

I left to wander the palace, mostly to escape the flurry of excitement. Performers, all of whom noted that I was on my own and therefore didn't feel intimidated to bow to me. A few barely spared me a glance, and those who did, pretended they hadn't seen anything. The security in my mother's temple was a bit more bold in their ability to sneer at me. I ignored the looks and continued on, passing through the massive industrial kitchen that would make any culinary extraordinaire swoon. The delicious heavy scents of spices and broths and roasting meats filled the air. Chefs and cooks were bouncing every which way, not even stopping to take the time to genuinely notice me or even sneer. They were far too busy, and I appreciated their hard work.

I made my way to my favorite place in the palace. My mother's garden was a lavish beautiful place, perfect for relaxing and becoming one with nature. Unlike the rest of the palace that was currently madness, the garden was peaceful. The air was scented with sweet flowers of all shades and deadliness. The paths were lined with crystals that gleamed in the sunlight overhead. I could hear the soft trickling of water through the rocks and the pond.

I strolled around, admiring the way the sunlight hit the droplets of water on the petals from having been recently watered. I came around a bend, passing a massive bush of yellow acacia and came upon my favorite flowers in the garden.

Brilliant red poppies. I always had a fondness for the poppies. So different from the cliches of roses or daisies. They were proud and bright, flaring their petals out around a dark eye that seemed to absorb all the color around it.

There was a part of me, though, that was ashamed for my reasoning of enjoying the redness of the poppies. Because, let's face it, they reminded me of Theo.

My heart wrenched at the unwanted wave of memories that flooded my soul. Of the moment I first laid eyes on him in Hades's temple in Greece. His alluring smile, his confidence swagger, his seductive purr. He was so different from what I was accustomed to. Before him, I admired delicate femininity. Upon meeting him, I craved that combination of femininity and deadliness. I loved his androgynous style, his unique outlook, his pride in his oddities.

When we met, he was the epitome of strength and beauty. Nothing could beat him down. Nothing could frighten him or hurt him.

Until I discovered the truth. Until I realized he would never stop asking me to do the most painful thing I'd ever done.

Immediately my stomach churned and I cleared my throat, seeking out a bench to sit down. I closed my eyes, pushing the sick back down into my stomach, forcing myself to think of anything, but the darkest of memories, and yet, I could do nothing as I watched the slideshow on the back of my eyelids.

All those times Theo had asked me to his chambers. In the beginning, it had been duty. It had been loyalty. Theo had wanted me when no one else did. He was my savior, so I would do whatever it was he asked of me. But the sexual favors, the tenderness of him afterwards, it had stolen my heart away until I realized what I felt for him was so much more than employer and employee. I fell in love with him... and the pain began in that moment.

Because the sexual encounters were always, always, accompanied by the blood. He didn't like using lubrication. He didn't like it when I bit a pillow or clenched my fists in the sheets. He wanted my fingernails to sink into his flesh and draw blood. He wanted me to bite down on his shoulder, his throat. He wanted me to strike him. And when I tried to stop, he did it to himself. He needed it to get off, no matter how much I tried to soften things. I tried to ease him into it, I tried to stop cold turkey, I tried to talk to him, but he would only become angry and it frightened me.

I didn't want to hurt him anymore.

But I loved him.

So I did what he asked until I couldn't anymore. Even after the pills, and gods above, was that a humiliation I could have lived without. Having to take medications in order to feel arousal with the person I was in love with. The sight of his blood eventually churned my stomach. I would vomit after we were together. I even tried sedatives at one point, but in the end, nothing worked. Nothing made me feel good about hurting him.

The world was spiraling around me. I couldn't help the person I loved. I was too weak. I was useless. I could do nothing. Once again, I was worthless, no matter what I did. I'd vented to my mother, a stupid thing to do, considering she was gathering up an army to go into Hades to fetch me and kill Theo, which was the last thing I wanted. And even worse, she'd told my father.

Who invited me back, instead.

For some reason, my father decided now was as good a time as any to invite the son back that he had banished due to treason.

So I had latched on. That was my chance to escape without doing harm. That was what I had thought. Surely Theo would understand that. It gave me an excuse. I wouldn't have to tell Theo the right. That the sight of his blood made me sick. That watching him pull away slowly over time was killing me. And all those lies I'd told him; how I would go out drinking with friends, when I'd really gone drinking alone, because fuck, I had no friends. I'd gone drinking a few times with the other second-in-commands, but eventually the drinking parties disbanded as everyone found someone to stay home with. I had been one of those people for a while.

And now I was alone.

Again.

My heart ached. Even more when, in the end, I'd hurt Theo even worse than before. Breaking up with him had been the hardest thing I had ever done. Seeing the dismay and hurt on his face had shattered me to pieces. I hadn't been able to return home right afterwards. Instead, I'd gone into Styx and drank until Anubis had come to find me, and damn him for that.

He'd shown up as I came stumbling out of the bar. The night, despite being spent drunk off my ass, was forever seared into my memory because of the pain. Gods, it went so far beyond emotional pain. It was a physical tearing in my heart, a weakness in my muscles. I'd come out of the bar, having been cut off by the bartender. I was frustrated because of that. And angry. And hurt.

"Holy fuck, Sept?" I didn't recognize Anubis's voice, because it had been so long. I remembered looking up, blinking through the blurry vision of intoxication to see Anubis standing outside the bar. He was wearing a black leather jacket, a black snapback tilted on his head, gold jewelry gleaming in the streetlights, his leather pants disappearing into a pair of high tops. I remembered not recognizing the sight of him right away either. It had been so long since I'd last seen him.

So I smiled at him drunkenly.

"Sorry. I don't have change," I said, reaching into my pockets and taking out handfuls of wadded up napkins that fell to the ground, "Oh, shoot." I stooped to grab them, then almost fell over, only for Anubis to grab me up under the arms to right me. I smirked at his attempt to steady me, feeling the strength get sucked out of me, so I let myself lean on him as he grunted under my weight.

"This isn't right," Anubis growled, shoving me to my feet so he could grab my face, "Sept? Is that really you? This isn't that Shifter is it?" I smirked, shoving his hands away and straightening my jacket a little.

"Huh? You don't recognize me? Oh, no, I grew my hair out, that's probably why. I barely recognized you. Look at you. All mortal gangster get up," I said, reaching out to pat his shoulders, "You look good, Anubis, but you always did." Anubis glared at me, grabbing my arm roughly and jerking me closer, making me stumble, but somehow I managed to stay standing, still feeling that pleasant smile on my lips. My lips were numb, but my cheeks were tight with grins.

"What the hell is the matter with you? You were supposed to come home. Mom is flipping her shit because she thinks you ran away, or worse, the Greek slimeball killed you," he added. I glared at him, giving him a sloppy shove that barely made him budge.

"Shut up," I snapped, "His name is Theo."

"I heard what he did," Anubis said angrily, making me laugh. I reached up to cover the obnoxious sound of it, but the failure of that only made me laugh again. Anubis looked at me in disbelief.

"Wow, so mwt told you too? Oof. I had no idea you knew all of my secrets, Anapa," I said, using the alternative name only our direct family was allowed to use, "Well, it was nice seeing you." I started past him, only for Anubis to grab my arm and swing me back around to face him, and I smirked at his angry expression.

"And where do you think you're going?" He demanded.

"You don't honestly expect me to believe that it," I said, using the Egyptian word for father, "would allow his disinherited treasonous son back into the realm, do you? No, it's okay. I'll find somewhere else to go." I turned away again, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jacket.

"So what, are you going back to your Greek boyfriend?" Anubis snapped. I pulled up short at that, and pain pierced my heart so hard, so suddenly. My vision blurred and I smiled drunkenly, turning to look at Anubis, who stiffened.

"I did it," I said, dragging out I, "I broke up with him. I finally did it. After years of trying to make another relationship work, it ended. I'm useless. I can't make anything work. I can't make it work with father, or you, or-or anybody else. So, here I am, alone, the way it should be. No, I'm going to find another bar. The asshole bartender cut me off." Anubis clenched his jaw hard enough so I could see a tic form there. I turned to leave, only to stumble, and a second later, Anubis had caught me against his chest in a fierce embrace that caught me off guard.

I had always expected him to reject me, just as our father had. I expected him to loathe me, to judge me, to hate me. Or perhaps, have no interest at all.

But the way he held me in that moment reminded me of the intense brotherhood I saw between the sons of Hades. For a moment, it held me stunned.

"Don't say that," Anubis seethed, gripping me tight, "This isn't you, sen. You are not worthless, do you understand me? Look at me, Septwa." The use of my familial name made me go still. He turned me around in his arms and took my face in his hands, giving me a fierce glare.

"Do not let this heartbreak destroy you. This is not who you are. This is simply what heartbreak does to you. Give me your hand and let me take you home where you belong. Let me take you away from the source of your heartbreak. Let me bring you home, Septwa." I swallowed thickly. Without a word, I threw my arms around him and Anubis caught me against him, reaching up to grip me tight to him before we teleported from that dingy street in Styx.

Of course, Anubis had, from then on, taken it upon himself to be extra doting and overprotective, much to my chagrin. My mental breakdown from a night of heavy drinking had apparently scarred him and now he was forever a hemorrhoid in my life. He was nearly as bad as our mother, constantly checking in on me and making sure my life was comfortable.

It was easy to fake after a while, though. But Anubis was far more nosy than our mother. He seemed to know when I was fibbing and would always try and get to the bottom of it, which was why I preferred he stay away from me. I didn't need him holding my hand as I dealt with this.

Perhaps I truly was better off alone.