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blasphemy. Watch your words carefully.”
    “The union of Greek gods with the Egyptian immortal ones is the ultimate blasphemy, Your Highness.” He lifts his chin and meets Xarion’s stare. “Though the Ptolemies believed they were honoring our gods and goddesses by merging our religion with theirs, in truth, the immortal ones take great offense.” Fadil’s eyes slit. “I feared something like this would happen soon—the stars have warned of it for some time. Octavian is only taking advantage of the problem we’ve created.”
    Xarion scrubs his hand down his face. He’s never been patient with the preachings of religions, rather he believes man makes his own fate, not the gods. “So the immortal ones we praise and honor here, in Egypt, have blessed a Roman in order to purify Egypt of foreign religions.” He shakes his head. “That is ridiculous.”
    Fadil shrugs. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend, young pharaoh.”
    Xarion glares at the sorcerer. “You use a foreign proverb to make your point?”
    “Can we defeat the Leymak?” Habi asks, interrupting their quarrel.
    “The gods will side with whoever chooses to honor them,” Fadil says. “It is fate, Habi. I suggest we meditate and purge Alexandria of all false worship. Only then will the immortal ones rebuke Octavian’s pursuits. We can choose to see this as a warning and adjust accordingly, or as an omen for our future.”
    Xarion throws up his hands and groans. “There will be no removal of any religious items, Fadil. I fear this is only your distress over your weakening power at play, and as we’ve gone over before, your council is still valuable to the Ptolemies. But don’t push this matter further.”
    Fadil’s pale eyes widen, fury simmering just beneath. He doesn’t respond to Xarion, but I know he’s riled the pharaoh mentioned his fading powers.
    After he tamps down his anger, Fadil bows. “Yes, Pharaoh.”
    Xarion nods once, then storms from the room.
    I knew Fadil would have nothing to say that would help Xarion. They each come from very different times—very different beliefs. I fear they won’t be able to come to an understanding before the queen’s return. But I pray they will agree upon something before Octavian takes advantage of our divergence.

 
    Chapter Four

     
    I respect the sorcerer, as he’s one of my creators, but I’m not sure I trust his theory.
    Candra’s voice comes back to me in haunting detail, her Egyptian lilt tinkling like bells. Join us, sister, and become your own master .
    I agree there are dark forces at play—the aether can be used for good or evil—but Octavian is the one who stands to gain, not Egypt. The Ptolemaic rulers have not harmed Egypt, nor have they tried to strip our land of its wealth or heritage. Not like the Romans will do if Octavian succeeds in capturing it as a state for Rome.
    How can our gods side with a foreign dictator against us?
    Fadil’s mind must be off. Maybe old age has finally caught up to him. I shake my head, and turn down a long, silent corridor toward the palace entrance.
    “Where are you running off to?”
    It’s Xarion’s voice. I stop mid-step and say, “To find Phoenix. I need to speak with him.”
    Xarion’s shadow grows longer along the floor and connects with mine. The torchlight from the iron candelabras cast the hallway in a fevered glow, warm and yet chilled by his presence.
    “I thought I couldn’t be without my guardian?” he mocks.
    Rubbing some of the leftover sand from my arm, I laugh. “You’d do well to seek out Lunia and not anger her. I appointed her as your guardian for the day, and she takes her duty far more seriously than I do.” That’s not true, and he knows it. I peek over my shoulder. The smirk on his face confirms this. “But I believe you’ll be safe long enough for my trip back to the mainland. Phoenix is probably off at the Emporium, awaiting the feast to begin.” I shake my head. “Gods. There are bigger issues in