His father cradled the back of Aricles’s head in his hand and pulled him into his embrace. “My sons are all I have in this world. I could not bear to live if I lost one of you.”

“We will be careful. Even if I have to hogtie Galen.”

His father kissed each of his cheeks then moved to do the same with his brother. “I always knew I’d lose you to Misos, but I’d hoped to have more years with you before you left for war. A score of years just isn’t enough. Take care of your brother, Galen. Let no harm befall him or you.”

“I will, Papsi.” His eyes gleaming with joy and eagerness, Galen grabbed his sword and pack, and headed for the door.

Aricles sighed as he swept his gaze around the room he’d shared with Galen and Perseus, who was off with his Julia. At ten-and-six, his baby brother was as much a slave to his heart as Galen was to his libido. He hated that he wouldn’t have a chance to say good-bye to him. “Tell Perseus I will miss him and to not dawdle with his lessons.”

His father smiled. “Take care, m’gios.”

“And you, Papsi.” Aricles hugged him one last time before he followed Galen to where the goddess and her servant waited for them.

“You look like you haven’t had a bowel movement in a month,” Malphas said as soon as he saw him.

Scowling, Aricles wasn’t sure what to make of the man who would be their trainer and commander.

Galen snorted. “He always looks that way. He was born constipated.” His brother reached for him. “Come, Ari, be young for once in your life.”

“I tried your recklessness once and found it exhausting. Melancholy suits me just fine.”

Malphas laughed. “So where’s your xiphos?”

“I don’t have one.”

“He always uses a piece of wood to spar with me.”

Grunting his displeasure, Malphas inclined his head to his goddess. “I guess we’re ready.”

One moment they were out in the woods, and in the next, they were inside a temple the likes of which Aricles had never seen. Made of solid gold, it glistened all around him. Bright-colored images and geometric designs were painted all over the gold.

“Where are we?” he asked.

The goddess folded her hands in front of her. “Thebes, in Egypt. This is my main temple. My father’s is next door.”

“Your father?”

“Set.”

Aricles’s eyes widened. While he knew few gods outside of his native Atlantean pantheon, Set was one everyone knew. Said to be the most ferocious god in existence, the god of chaos even terrified his own family. “I didn’t think he could have children.”

“I wasn’t born to him. I was created for him.”

“I don’t understand.”