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I stumbled back as he rushed me. Ben and Lila both raced toward me, but the sand slowed them. The filthy stuff tripped me up and I fell backward onto my ass. Eanaf was on top of me in a moment with his teeth snapping at my face and his filthy claws digging into the flesh of my arms.
A primal roar erupted from the shadows of the waning night and something lunged onto the god’s back. His attack bit down hard on Eanaf’s throat and the snake was forced to rear back. It was then I got a view of my second savior, and my heart thrilled at the sight of the other dakhma from the oasis. My new friend clawed and tore at the snake’s flimsy skin, tearing large gashes in Eanaf’s flesh.
The serpent managed to grab hold of him and throw the dakhma, but Benya took its place. Nabiha herself tossed the vials at the god. They exploded against his body and created flames that scorched his scales.
Eanaf flailed about trying to extinguish the fires. My dakhma climbed back to his feet and grabbed hold of the god’s tail. Lila and Ben rushed forward and grabbed hold of Eanaf’s arms. Smoke rose from their touch and a horrible stench of rotten flesh filled the air.
I climbed to my feet, ignoring the blood that poured from my wounds, and met the fear-filled eyes of the god. “Time for some divine retribution, you bastard.”
I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around his round body. Eanaf threw his head back and screamed. Black tendrils spilled out from his body and billowed around us like a stench-filled cloud. I shut my eyes as the darkness stung my open wounds and a faintness fell over me.
Eanaf’s body shriveled and shrank. I stumbled forward and into a mass of darkness that choked me. It invaded my throat and panic overtook me. A strong pair of hands grabbed mine and pulled me from the shadows.
I fell against a hard chest as something warm touched my cheeks. My eyes fluttered open and I beheld the rising sun in the eastern horizon.
“Millie,” a voice whispered, and I looked up to find Ben smiling down at me. “You did it.”
I blinked at him as he nodded at the ground in front of us. A scorched spot of ruined sand was all that remained of the ‘god.’ Everyone else among our companions gaped at each other with bewildered eyes.
Everyone except Nabiha. She strode over to the emaciated corpse of her sister and shook her head. “You naive fool. May you find peace in death that you didn’t find in life.”
“Lila!” Salah shouted as Fadila and he rushed over to embrace their daughter.
Lila was all smiles as she hugged her parents. “I have had an adventure, Papa!” Her parents could only cry for joy and nod their heads.
A soft smile graced my lips as I leaned my cheek against Ben’s chest. The weariness I had felt earlier came back tenfold and I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open.
“You can rest,” Ben whispered to me as he scooped me into his arms. “The danger is passed thanks to you.”
I wanted to argue the point, but exhaustion took me into a deep slumber.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
The warm sunkissed my cheeks and my eyes fluttered open. I found myself in the comfortable room Salah had provided to us. A chair stood beside the bed and seated upon it was a smiling Ben. He had an open book in his lap which he closed.
“How are you feeling?”
I shifted and winced. My arms were bandaged from wrist to armpit and my bruised shoulder complained. “Like I did a lot of stupid things.”
He chuckled as he set the book aside. “Stupid and brave.” He leaned forward with his bent arms on his legs and his beautiful blue eyes studied my face. “You saved the whole island from a fate worse than death.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head. “It was all you and Lila. I was just support.”
Ben scooted closer and set a hand over mine that lay atop the covers. His eyes twinkled with admiration and mischief. “Have you already forgotten that the aqasa showed us you had magic of your own?”
My eyes widened. “The Prima Staff! And my ribbon!”
He nodded at the dresser against the wall. The canister and the ribbon lay atop them. “Secured from the palace as thanks for our help, but you’re diverting us from the topic at hand.”
“I’d like to have that ribbon back on my hand,” I mused as my eyes flickered to my empty wrist.
Ben leaned down and captured my lips in a long, tender kiss. He drew away far too soon, leaving me breathless. “Now that I have your attention, I’d like to remind you that you have a strength inside you that inspires others. In this case, the inspiration was quite literal.” He lifted his hand that was over mine and studied the fingers. “I’ve never felt that much power before, even in my most furious form.”
“Maybe Lila did it,” I suggested.
Ben fell back against his chair and folded his arms over his chest. A smile slipped onto his lips as he shook his head. “You are quite stubborn, but I’ll let it pass so we don’t spoil the crowning.”
I blinked at him. “Crowning? For who?”
