Eye of Ra

  ***

  EPILOGUE

  The sun set quickly over the rim of the temple of Ramses II. Brian bent over and turned up the little torch they had brought, then settled back in against Zachary’s side.

  “Are you warm enough?” he said, comfortably drawing Zachary up under his big arm.

  “I do wish you’d stop fussing over me like some invalid. I’m hardly a sick old man.”

  “No, not hardly.” Brian chuckled, his eyebrows dancing with meaning. “Judging by last night.”

  Zachary fiercely fought the blush that rose to his cheeks. “The entire camp probably heard us.”

  Brian laughed out loud then leaned into Zachary and kissed him gently. Strong and brave but gentle and almost shy in love. Brian rarely initiated these moments, and Zachary let him lead for once, let Brian push him back onto the blankets and nuzzle his way down, drawing Zachary’s cock into his mouth and groaning when Zachary’s fingers threaded in his hair and Zachary’s come flooded his mouth.

  Later, he sat up, wiping his mouth. Zachary looked down at him through heavy eyelids and then up at the column that loomed so far above him.

  “Did it really happen?” he asked the heavens and the gods.

  Brian nuzzled his balls. “Yes,” he said, “and no.”

  “Was he real?”

  Brain propped himself up on one elbow. “Did he seem real?”

  Zachary pointed a finger at him. It was hard at that angle, so he sat up to make his point. Grinning, Brian joined him, gathering him up as if he were a rag and kissing his neck. “You are hardly a philosopher, Corporal.”

  “I wasn’t being philosophical,” Brian said. “He seemed real to you. He sure as hell seemed real to me when he dragged us out of that tomb.”

  “That was him, then.”

  “Him or something like him. The gods only know.”

  “You swear by the gods, now.” Zachary smiled. “I’ve turned you into a pagan, you know.”

  “Mmmm.” Brian seemed to have found yet another part of Zachary that needed kissing.

  “I loved him,” Zachary said softly. “Does that bother you?”

  “Only if I have to share,” Brian said. “But we’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

  “What do you mean?” Zachary tried to push himself free so he could see the expression on Brian’s face, but Brian would have none of it. He attached himself to a nipple, his tongue moving rapidly.

  Zachary wriggled under the assault, smiling. “Oh gods, who cares?” And Brian growled his agreement.