#thelostvaloroflove

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Quiet voices drifted from the vestibule. Paser entered, followed by a slim woman dressed in a beautiful white linen gown, her long, dark hair held in place by thin, golden band. Sethi came to his feet. Her dark eyes met his, glassy in the lamplight. A memory of her cradled in his arms exploded into his consciousness. His fingers had traced her lips. He had vowed never to let her go. His heart betrayed him, crying out for her, its longing visceral. His fingers tightened on his cup, his need to touch her overpowering. He stared at her, the one he had been waiting for, standing in front of him, only a few steps away. The one he could never have. It was too much. He emptied his cup. For thirty days, he would be forced to protect her on the long march home. No, it would be impossible. He couldn't— He caught Paser watching him, narrow. Sethi wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and poured himself another drink. He tossed it back, seeking to numb his reaction to her, to regain his composure. As the wine did its work, he caught Ramesses gesturing to him. “It has been decided it will be safest if you return with us to Pi-Ramesses,” Ramesses said, gesturing for Sethi to move closer, “under the protection of Lord Commander Sethi.” “Princess Istara,” Sethi bowed, though he kept his eyes on her. (continued in comments) _________________________________ The Lost Valor of Love #forbiddenlove #epicreads #thelostvaloroflove #sethi #istara #love #lamour #kärlek #eternallove #itwasalwaysyou #becauseofreading #eacarter #awardwinningauthor #coupdefoudre #goodreads #shower #manandwoman #bnwmood #noiretblanc #bnwphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/B9SGSwpHtaj/?igshid=ugxty241vod1

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A tear slipped free. Furious, Istara brushed it away. She drew a shuddering breath. “So long as you live, there exists hope for us, however small. But after this, I will not even be able to see you in my dreams.” Sethi's fingertips touched her arm. “You must accept it,” he said, low. “We are finished. I go to my death willing. To have loved you, and know you love me in return is enough. I am complete.” She brushed another tear away. He tugged, beseeching. She relented, and turned. He caught her chin. “Look at me.” She lifted her eyes to his and read in them the depth of his love, of his sacrifice. They could not let it end this way. Her heart clenched. Ramesses could not be the first man to have her. “Do not leave me like this,” she whispered. “Please.” He gazed at her, his longing for her plain. He cupped her face. “I will die this day. The act you speak of is a bond, sealed with love. Your innocence protects you from a worse torment, the knowledge of love given, then taken away far too soon. To leave you yearning for one who is gone is a cruel legacy.” Her gaze moved to the discarded papyrus, lying beside a fresh arrangement of white roses. She looked back at him, suspicious. “In Tarhuntassa, white roses represent death.” His gaze remained on her, steady. “They do here, too. I had them put out this morning.” The last of her barriers crumbled. He had known all along what his fate would be, had willingly sacrificed everything for her. She pulled free of him, and touched a rose petal, catching its enticing scent, still warm from the sun. She envied its obliviousness of their unhappiness. Returning to him, she tried again. “I would rather yearn for you than never—” “I beg you,” he interrupted, his chest rising and falling, agitated. “Do not ask me again.” (continued in comments) _____________________________ The Lost Valor of Love #thelostvaloroflove #eacarter #epicreads #passion #awardwinningauthor #goodreads #becauseofreading #writersofinstagram #wordsmith #wordporn #thinkers_and_writers https://www.instagram.com/p/B74bqnmH313/?igshid=17ho8ga3w4wjg

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“I am just a soldier,” Sethi finally said after a long, heavy silence, “a man of the present. I only know this—” he pulled Istara against him, embracing her, “—you are here, alive, the woman of my dreams.” He let her go, abrupt. “A woman I can never have.” Istara thought she understood. “Because of Urhi-Teshub?” He scoffed. “I would it was only that. No,” he continued, his voice dark, “Ramesses intends to take you for himself.” “He cannot,” she protested, rising to her feet, panicking, fear lancing into her, sharp, “Even if I have run away from him, I am still Urhi-Teshub's wife. Unless . . . has he—?” She couldn't finish the question. Perhaps Nefertari had killed him, after all. “Your husband has not fallen,” Sethi said, terse. “He has agreed to ensure Egypt's safe retreat, with your life cast as the bargaining chip. But even if he holds to his end, you will not be returned to him. Ramesses intends to claim you as compensation for Muwatallis's crimes. You will be the next Queen of Egypt, Ramesses's third wife. I will only be able to see you from a distance, if at all.” She staggered. Sethi caught her and pulled her back down beside him. She closed her eyes, Baalat's voice filling her mind. So I ask you— do you still wish to return, risking such uncertainty? Where you might be forced to endure a life you will not be able to escape, except through death? Baalat knew. Everything. Why did she let her return? Why would she give up her immortality if Istara's life was to be spent as Ramesses's unwilling queen? None of it made sense. Sethi stroked her hair, gentle. “Istara?” (continued in comments) _______________________________ The Lost Valor of Love #thelostvaloroflove #eacarter #epicreads #awardwinningauthor #goodreads #becauseofreading #writersofinstagram #wordsmith #wordporn #thinkers_and_writers #typography #seeker https://www.instagram.com/p/B74UpK3HjWG/?igshid=zg7lku4nibkm

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Horus didn't have to search long to find his consort. He found her, where she always was, leaning over the vision pool. She glanced back at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. He hastened to her, his gaze drawn to the clear, bright surface. Baalat leaned closer. The view slid through the roof of one of the buildings. She wept, silent, as she watched Sethi make love to Istara, cradling her against him, his face wet with tears. Horus delved and read Sethi's mind. He looked at Baalat, her eyes still fixed on the pair. “Ramesses is going to kill Sethi. Today.” She choked, nodding, and backed away, unable to watch any longer. Without her there, the view began to fade. He watched the condemned pair, mourning even as they coupled, knowing the full extent of their love, and suffering for it. The pool silvered, and they vanished. He turned away. With Sethi gone, Istara would not live much longer, and when Istara died—he swallowed. No, it was too soon. He looked back at the silent vision pool, his heart clenching, coming to terms with what he must do, what he must sacrifice to keep Baalat alive. (continued in comments) ____________________________ The Lost Valor of Love #typography #thelostvaloroflove #epicreads #awardwinning #eacarter #writersofinstagram #goodreads #atticuspoetry #wordsmith https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ya1danZlC/?igshid=zj9nzno40cbn

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