“I will never forget and I will never put them directly in harm’s way.”
“Good. We understand each other. Return to me quickly. And that’s an order.”
Chapter 23
Iltani had bathed quickly. Afterward, the priestess had helped with the mess that was her hair, toweling it dry and then working out the mass of tangles. There wasn’t time to braid it, but Kammani had commented Iltani possessed a natural beauty that needed no outward enhancement. Iltani had never wasted much time wondering if she was beautiful. But with the way Ditanu just stood gazing at her with Kuwari in his arms, as Kammani dressed her, Iltani couldn’t help but wonder if the king thought her pretty. She soon pushed aside her frivolous thoughts and focused on what she must do next.
That was how she came to be striding toward the council chambers, a new skirt with many veils fluttering around her legs. Following along behind her, making less noise than the soft rustling of her skirt, twenty Shadows marched in her wake.
A harness held her scabbard and crystalline sword across her back where she could draw it swiftly if there was need. She didn’t think she would be slaying any of the councilors in this first meeting. Still, she believed in being prepared and looking like she was ready to rain down Ishtar’s rage upon them all.
Kammani had tried to convince Iltani to go bare-chested as the goddess herself often did. Iltani had declined the offer. At which point, a dower-faced Ditanu had handed her a long veil to help secure her breasts, and she’d mumbled that perhaps goddesses didn’t have such issues as inconveniently large breasts.
Ditanu had laughed a smugly male chuckle. After she’d gotten over her girly reaction to his voice, she’d wanted to tell him he could wear the flimsy finery. Instead, she’d strapped on the arm blades he’d gifted her with. Another long dagger she strapped to her thigh. The skirt of veils didn’t really hide it, but she wasn’t trying to hide her weapons.
A simple leather tie held her hair bunched at the nape of her neck. Kammani had artfully pulled it over her right shoulder where the weight of her hair held it in place. It wasn’t done for beauty. No, Kammani had wanted Iltani’s indigo and golden swirling birthmark to show.
In the end, Iltani now stalked toward the council chambers wearing less than she’d have wished, but more than she might have been, so she’d held her tongue against further debate. Besides, there would be enough debating with the council members.
Two Shadows moved ahead of her and reached the council chamber doors a few strides ahead of Iltani.
She was now their new leader, as was her right as Ishtar’s Blade. That would still take some time for her to accept. The Shadows shoved open the door hard enough to cause them to swing back and clatter against the wall. Once through the threshold, she stormed into the council, seeing what she expected to see.
Chaos.
She approached the central table, took one quick look around and then shouted over the noise of the council. “I order you to stop fighting amongst yourselves like a pack of hyenas. The next one to speak about claiming the throne will find themselves in the underworld.”
All around the table mouths dropped open in shock.
Beletum’s father forced himself to his feet—he’d been one of the few actually sitting down at the council table. Most of the others were on their feet already, as if taking a stronger stance against their opponent would win them whatever argument said councilor was waging.
Once Ziyatum made it to his feet, he wobbled a touch, then grabbed up a walking stick and used it to steady himself. His grimace of pain did not elicit even a glimmer of sympathy. It didn’t matter that he’d earned the wound while trying to save his daughter from Ditanu’s wrath. If they hadn’t concocted the foolish plan to have Beletum attempt to seduce the king during his grief madness, neither one of them would have been injured.
She’d never forgive Ziyatum for raising his sword to Ditanu.
Iltani would have just executed them both—she didn’t trust either in the least, but she had no real proof of their guilt either, and without it, the other councilors would start fearing for their lives. Killing large numbers of New Sumer’s ruling body wouldn’t be beneficial to its people. Besides, Ditanu wasn’t likely to be impressed if he suddenly had minor nobles from all over the ten city-states badgering him every moment.
Ziyatum put on a fierce face. “What is the meaning of this? The council chambers are no place for a girl barely into her womanhood.”
“Old man, your sight is going,” Iltani bit back, and she started walking toward the head of the table. “And your mind, too, if you think I’m still a child. I have lived twenty-one summers upon these islands and have already seen a lifetime’s worth of betrayal and power mongering.”
“Bah!” Ziyatum sneered. “Simply because you chased the king like a bitch in heat since before you were even a woman, and he permitted it until even he tired of it, sending you away to choose a real mate, doesn’t mean you have any authority here.”
Killing any of the councilors might be out of the question, but offending them or putting a little healthy fear in them wasn’t out of the question, so Iltani started to laugh. “You shoved so many insults in there, it doesn’t even make sense.”
She unclasped her cloak and pulled it off, folding it over one arm as she walked the length of the table. There were a few sharply drawn breaths. She ignored them and continued forward, past the table and to the king’s chair. There she took a moment to fold the cloak neatly, to give the councilors a good look at the birthmark running down her spine.
Turning toward the speechless councilors, she drew her sword and stepped up to the table where she gently placed the sword upon the polished stone surface. The fire within the crystalline blade flared with renewed life, casting a light across the table and reflected off any smooth surfaces.
“I shall clarify something here and now. The throne belongs to none of you. Ditanu’s youngest cub has survived. Kuwari is the next in line for the crown.”
Leaving the sword where it lay, because she wanted to see if any of the councilors were brave enough to touch it, she continued her walk around the table. By this time, the twenty Shadows had taken up places along the walls and at either end of the table, which effectively cowed anyone else who might feel the need to start a debate.
“There shall be no more bickering.” She nodded to some of the councilors as she passed. Grabbing a shoulder here or a belt there, she shoved their owners down into their respective seats. “I am Kuwari’s protector. Ishtar herself has tasked me with protecting him and providing for him. If any of you have a problem with that, you may take it up with Ishtar. I am more than capable of seeing your soul freed of its flesh so that you may better commune with the goddess.”
There was shock and confusion on many a face, but several were also clearly relieved that the line of the gryphon kings had not failed. Consort Ahassunu’s father, Shalanum, was clearly still filled with grief, but immediately nodded his head at Iltani.
“How may we serve you, Regent?”
His alliance didn’t come as a surprise. She had saved his remaining grandchild.
And yes, that was honest grief she saw in his eyes. While she didn’t know if he was aware that his daughter was betraying her king with Burrukan, Iltani decided he would still be a potential ally.
Hmmm, perhaps later she will tell him that one of Ahassunu’s last acts was to ensure her unborn litter still had a chance at life and she gave them into Iltani’s keeping.
“It’s past time we got down to business. Our kingdom has need of us now.”
***
The war council turned out to be an exercise in frustration. Instead of narrowing down the list of enemies as she’d planned, her list of suspects had only grown in size. While most seemed to accept her rule, for now, there were a few who undoubtedly would try to take command from her.
One shrewd councilor, a woman by the name of Nakurtum, who was the newly appointed governor of Nippur since her
mentor had been killed in the battle, noted that Iltani would need to name a regent to guard the cubs after her death. She’d been quick to realize Iltani would not live more than a week without the king’s living blood to sustain her metamorphosis.
She did make a note never to let her guard down around any of them. After several frustrating hours of bickering and political maneuvering, she’d ended the session with the command to strengthen all defenses across all the islands, because she didn’t believe for a moment that the traitors and the outlander humans were no longer a threat to their kingdom.
Iltani’s last order was for all to return to Nineveh by dawn, for they would hold the funeral rites then.
The council thought she was talking about a funeral for both Ditanu and his two cubs.
She didn’t correct them.
Chapter 24
With weariness a deep ache in her muscles and bones, Iltani returned to Ditanu’s suites, feeling much like the last few hours had been the most pointless of her life. How her king managed to persuade his councilors to do anything promptly was beyond her.
Hah. At least after tomorrow, Ditanu would take up the mantle of kingship once again, leaving her to merely guard his back and listen. She’d be most pleased to never have to talk to a councilor again.
At her approach, the Shadows outside the king’s suite came to attention, and two of them held open the door for her. She gave them a sharp nod in passing. Inside, she didn’t see the king but knew he was here, her blood link guiding her on through to his bedchamber.
Uselli, Burrukan’s second in command—and now hers, she supposed, was standing, overlooking some maps and other messages piled high upon the king’s writing desk.
“Good, you’re back.”
“Where’s the king?” But she already knew. He was in the bathing chamber beyond.
“He’s bathing Kuwari.”
“Iltani?” Ditanu’s voice carried to them easily, as did Kuwari’s squawk of greeting. “Report.”
After a short pause outside the threshold, where she listened and heard the sounds of water splashing, she raised her voice. “I learned nothing we didn’t already expect to learn. The report can wait until you’re finished with Kuwari.”
“You are not interrupting,” his voice was muffled as if he had turned away.
She steeled her spine and pulled aside the curtain. Hesitating a fraction too long, Uselli gave her a firm shove and followed her in. The last place she wanted to give her report was here while the king was bathing, and now the fiery blush crawling up her cheeks would only make her discomfort all the more obvious.
Turning, she scowled at Uselli, but continued on in and walked around the ornate screens that blocked her view of the bathing pool.
“It was as we suspected. The council was in chaos—a power struggle to determine who would take the crown.” She kept her eyes planted firmly on the decorative tiles marking the pool’s edge, but her peripheral vision still picked up movement as Ditanu waded back toward the steps. “Though they seemed more interested in talking each other to death—or shouting—than solving it by swifter means. When it became clear their dissidence wouldn’t be tolerated by Ishtar’s Blade, things proceeded in a more beneficial manner.”
Ditanu mounted the steps, Kuwari tucked in his arms. “You threatened to part heads from necks I presume?”
“There may have been mention of that, yes.” Iltani forced her eyes back to the designated spot on the floor, that one tile with a slight crack in its corner. Ditanu walked in front of her and against her will, her gaze followed him. He was just so damn easy to look at. She sighed and then wanted to kick herself when he glanced back at her.
“Did you learn anything suspicious about a particular council member?” Ditanu grabbed a couple of towels. One he tossed over the cub, giving him a brisk rub down, and then he slung the other around his own waist. Ditanu had never been modest—for that matter, Iltani hadn’t been particularly shy around him either as younglings. But that was then, and now was very different indeed.
“Over half of them triggered Ishtar’s warning within me. They were all scared for their lives and uncertain who to align with if there was a power struggle—so that isn’t really a surprise. When they learned Kuwari was still alive, they switched tactics. Debating who would make the best regent. Political ambition at its most bloodthirsty. As planned, they think you’re dead. I didn’t enlighten them.” Iltani shrugged. “Three-quarters of the council seemed willing to follow my orders and acknowledged me as Kuwari’s regent. Though that might be because they think I won’t long outlive you, knowing without your blood to complete my metamorphosis, I will die.”
“You did well. My Shadows will follow and observe everything the councilors do. We’ll see if you have ruined the plans of the traitors. Their desperation will betray them. If not today, then tomorrow, when I reveal myself at the funeral rites. Or in the days following, but I will have my revenge.”
His shoulders tensed and she imagined his hands had just closed into fists even though she couldn’t confirm from this angle.
Iltani hoped his words were true, but she doubted it would be resolved so quickly. Whoever had the gumption to plan an assault of this magnitude might just see her as a small inconvenience and not be flustered in the least.
Those cloaked strangers in her dream didn’t look the type to roll over and piss themselves at the first sign of trouble. That didn’t affect Iltani’s own plans for them. She didn’t care if they were secure in their evil plotting or not, she’d kill them all the same. It wouldn’t be revenge, it would be duty.
Kuwari tossed off the corner of the towel covering his head and craned his neck to see around his father. She was coming to recognize his ‘hungry’ expression.
“Kuwari’s hungry,” Ditanu commented as if reading her thoughts.
Well, if anyone could read her thoughts, it would be him.
“Here,” Iltani offered. “I can take him while you get dressed.”
Ditanu had refused to allow even his body servants to know he was alive.
“Actually, let me send a Shadow to go get some milk first, then we can help each other prepare.” He did as he said and then returned, “Because there is no way I’m putting all those tiny braids back in by myself. I’ll do yours while Kuwari feeds and then you can help me with mine.”
Iltani would appreciate the help but wasn’t really comfortable with the whole domestic intimacy the thought conjured up.
No graceful excuse presented itself, so she said, “I’d be grateful for the help.”
***
The need for sleep blurred her eyes as she finished the last of the tiny, neat braids. Blinking, she surveyed her work. “Not half bad,” she said, “I even managed to get an even amount of beads in each one.”
“You sound surprised.”
“It’s been a long day—you’re lucky I didn’t fall asleep halfway through.”
Ditanu had done her hair first even though she’d said he didn’t need to, but he’d insisted, saying he didn’t want to sleep yet and he didn’t want to think. So she’d allowed him to fashion her hair into artful little braids
Kuwari had fallen asleep halfway through, and Iltani had wrapped him in blankets and sat him on the bench she and Ditanu were also occupying.
“I should have realized,” Ditanu mumbled as he turned to look at her. “I’ve been selfish—you need your rest for your body to continue its change.” His hand dropped, his fingers brushing along her belly, a look of wonder still on his face. “The pregnancy has likely sped up your need for my blood. How are you feeling besides tired?”
“You’ve been through so much yourself, I don’t want to be demanding, but I think I’ll need blood soon. I’m sure it wouldn’t normally be so frequent. It’s just with the battle and the unborn litter…”
“Nonsense. You are now the mother of my cubs. I will shed blood as often as you require.”
His words caused another of those cursed blushes
to bloom, but the tone also warmed her heart. He might never love her as a mate, but he did love her, it was there in his voice, his looks, and his actions.
***
After another blooding ceremony, Iltani felt revived but still sleepy. It was a good tired, not a dead-on-her-feet exhausted. Ditanu was just wiping away the residue of blood from his chest. Iltani took the damp cloth from him and finished the job. The magic unleashed during the ceremony had healed the wounds until only thin white lines on his pectorals showed where the cuts had been.
This time, Ishtar had left them alone during the blooding ceremony. Iltani was secretly pleased not to have the goddess of fertility fanning unneeded flames. Ditanu was more relaxed, too. The awkwardness of the earlier times was not in evidence.
Perhaps they were both too exhausted.
Or maybe it was just that they were falling into their old routine. Iltani grinned and touched the pale scars on his chest like she would have before their separation.
“What does that little smile mean?” Ditanu brushed an errant braid back over her shoulder as he spoke. “I would know what thoughts whirl through your mind behind those beautiful eyes.”
Iltani laughed at his words. He wasn’t complimenting her to be flirtatious. It was merely their old way, to speak whatever was on their mind without worry. She was glad he wasn’t the stone-faced king with her.
At last, she sighed and removed her hand from his scars. “I was thinking I’m glad we are still friends like old times. I did not like our separation. Nor did I like the earlier awkwardness that was between us.”
“I never felt awkward around you, not for one moment.” He laughed and stroked her shoulder so she would look up. “And I’ll prove it to you.”
“There is no need.” A bittersweet smile touched her lips and then vanished. “We each should go find our beds. Tomorrow…will not be pleasant.”
Queen of the Gryphons: Ishtar's Legacy: Books 1 & 2 Page 20
