That night, Neferet knelt before the statue of Hathor, her lips forming silent prayers.

"Grant me clarity, Great One," she whispered. "Is this fate? Or a test?"

A soft breeze stirred the temple's torches, flickering shadows across the stone walls. A sign.

Later, as she walked through the temple gardens, she found Asar waiting.

"You should not be here," she murmured, though she did not turn away.

"I had to see you," he admitted, his voice low. "I feel as though I have known you before."

Her breath caught. "You have."

Neither of them spoke of what they already knew - that their souls had met in another time, another place.

But in this life, she was a priestess, bound to serve the gods. And he was a builder, bound to serve the Pharaoh.

To be together was forbidden.

And yet, neither of them could turn away.