Chapter 6:Bound by Fate

Ivana felt her knees hit the cold stone floor.Pain shot up her legs as gasped for air. The chill of the temple made her shiver, but it was nothing compared to the fear tightening her chest.

He circled her slowly, deliberately—like a predator savoring the moment before the kill. Each step echoed, measured and calm, while golden eyes burned into her with something far worse than anger.

Curiosity. Fury. Disgust.

“So,” he drawled, stopping in front of her, his voice dark with amusement. “You are the so-called bride.” His lips curved into a cruel smile. “What is your name?”

“I-Ivana,” she answered, her voice trembling. Confusion written all over her face, as she frowned up at him. “What bride… sir?”

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest.

“You don’t know?”He replied,unamused . “That makes this far more interesting.”

“No—no, sir!” She hurriedly shook her head in panic thinking he’s calling her his bride because of the ring. “If this is about the ring, I came to return it. My friend took it by accident. She didn’t know it belonged to your bride.”

He studied her in silence with an unreadable expression.

“Bold,” he finally said. “And foolish.” His gaze flicked to the sapphire ring clenched in her hand. “Do you truly think I care about a ring?”

“I… I don’t understand,” Ivana whispered.

He exhaled sharply, annoyance flashing across his features. “What was she thinking,” he muttered. “Binding me to a mortal—” His eyes swept over her, disdain unmistakable. “—and a foolish one at that.”

He stepped closer.“Being tied to a lowly, filthy human,” he spat, voice full of contempt, “diminishes me. How dare they. How dare she bind me to this—” He gestured at her as if she were something filthy.

Ivana scrambled backward, her palms scraping stone. “I—I didn’t—”

“Where are your parents?” he cut in sharply. “How dare they offer you as my bride?”

“They didn’t,” she said quickly. “They disappeared on my eighteenth birthday. I’ve been trying to find them ever since.”

He snarled, “I don’t care how it began,” he growled. “All that matters is how it ends.”

He snapped his fingers.

A streak of golden light shot toward her but before it could hit her it twisted violently in midair.The force rebounded, slamming into him instead.He staggered back, coughing as blood spilled from his lips.

“What…?” Fury and disbelief warred across his face.

He tried again. Another blast.

It shattered against an unseen barrier and snapped back into him.

He fell to one knee, breathing hard, blood

trailing down his chin.

“It… it won’t…” His voice cracked with disbelief and anger. “I can’t hurt you.Damn it Isis” he cursed

Ivana felt her heart hammering. “Why?” she whispered. “Why are you trying to kill me?”

He slowly lifted his head. A mocking smile curled his lips.

“Congratulations,” he said coldly. “You are the bride of a god.”

Her breath caught. “Bride… of a god?” Her fingers tightened around the ring. “What bride?What God” She has never met any God let alone to consent to any marriage. Wait he couldn’t possibly mean his bride right? She gasped as it dawned on her she was referring to himself. So he is a God? Ivana stood there confused as several thoughts flooded her mind.

“Yes, mortal.” His eyes bore into her. “And being bound to you…” His jaw clenched. “Only deepens my hatred for humans.”

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “This can’t be happening. I’ve never even been to Egypt before. This is my first time. I can’t be your bride—it’s impossible.”

His eyes flared brighter. “Aren’t you supposed to be grateful?” he snapped. “Happy to belong to a god?”

Ivana flinched. “Nobody wants a husband who wants to kill her,” she muttered.

“You dare deny me? How dare you? An insignificant mortal, ” he growled, stepping closer, “Say it again.”

Her chest tightened, panic rising so fast she could barely think.

Before she even realized what she was doing, Ivana let the sapphire ring slip from her fingers.

It hit the stone with a sharp, hollow clatter.

Instinct took over then she ran without looking back.

Outside, Caleb paced near the Jeep, checking his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Just as he was about to go inside, Ivana stumbled out heaving for air.

“That was forty-five minutes,” he snapped, relief quickly replacing his anger as he looked her over. “You’re fifteen minutes late.”

“And I came back alive,” she said faintly, forcing a smile.

“And the ring?”

“Returned,” she replied, climbing into the passenger seat. “Let’s go check on Emily.”

He sighed, starting the engine. “That girl is going to get a serious scolding.”

They pulled up in front of the tent moments later.

“You’re back!” Eric exclaimed.

“How is she?” Caleb asked.

“She’s conscious. Weak, but the bleeding stopped.”

Caleb exhaled sharply. “As long as she's alive” he muttered, heading for the tent.

“Later,” Ivana said firmly, grabbing his arm.

“Let’s go back to the hotel.”

Eric helped Emily out, and Ivana slipped under her other arm. “Don’t fight it,” she said gently. “We’ve got you.”

They packed up quickly and drove in silence.Each of them lost in their own thoughts.

That night, Ivana stood alone on the balcony.The city lights blurred as her thoughts spiraled.My parents wouldn’t have done this willingly.

They must have been manipulated. Forced.They definitely had a reason.

There’s no way they would sacrifice her me..She pressed her forehead against the railing as a shiver crept down her spine.

If gods can be bound to humans against their… What else is possible?

“Mom, Dad, where are you? I need answers " she sighed.

A familiar voice called her name through the darkness.

Low. Certain.

“Ivana.”