Blade's Destiny (Ishtar's Legacy Book 3)

by Lisa Blackwood

  The thing was, her idea wasn’t foolish. It was the perfect solution to their problems. Tirigan had mastered his anger enough to see that now. And her other fear wasn’t unfounded.

  He sighed.

  Damn it.

  Why did everything have to be so complicated?

  Sighing again, he reached out and put an arm around her shoulders, urging her to lean into him. “I forgive you.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness so soon, but I’m greedy and will take what you offer.”

  The last of his anger melted away, and all he wanted to do was comfort her. A small part of his mind suggested this was likely the bond between blade and monarch, but it felt nice all the same to hold her and whisper soothing words above her head.

  He breathed deeply of her scent for some moments before adding, “Then you’ll like this next part, too.”

  She raised her head to look at him.

  “I will agree to your plan, but there will be some rules.” He placed a finger under her jaw and forced her to look him in the eye. “In the future you will tell me everything, holding nothing back. No more surprise plans without my input. I demand the respect of an equal partner. Do you understand?”

  Meeting his eyes, she nodded her head.

  “Good. Secondly, my participation will be just another performance. I will make it look good, but you will remember it’s all an act.”

  Asharru’s eyes widened and then she started to laugh. “Are you afraid I’ll go and fall in love with you, my Blade?”

  “I confess, I’m more concerned with that big red-winged beast I woke up next to the morning after our first Blooding Ceremony. She seemed rather too taken with me considering I’m still human.”

  But there might be a reason for that.

  He’d been so busy with other concerns, he hadn’t even thought about whether he’d gain the ability to shapeshift.

  Each one of Ishtar’s sacred warriors absorbed some of their monarch’s gryphon nature, but it varied from Blade to Blade. There was never any way to know for sure how much of that gryphon nature a blade would inherit during the Blood Ceremonies.

  Sometimes even pure-blooded humans gained the ability to shapeshift.

  “Perhaps my beast knows more than she’s letting on.” Asharru said as she studied Tirigan as if she was had come to the same conclusion as him and was imagining what he might look like as a gryphon.

  “Still, please remind your gryphon next time she’s in command to be gentle with her fragile human toy.” His words were without bitterness. When he spoke of her gryphon, he relaxed. Warmth was likely entering his expression.

  Asharru laughed in understanding. “You like my gryphon better than human me, don’t you?”

  He shrugged as a fiery heat crawled up his face. By the goddess, was he blushing? He hadn’t blushed in years and years.

  He schooled his features while she continued to chuckle and wipe away her tears.

  At last, her expression turned serious. “My Blade, I give you my word I will tell you everything. And with Ishtar as my witness, I won’t break my word to you. And about the Trial Year—I never expected you to court me. It would be a role that would allow you the freedom you need to carry out your duties as a Blade.”

  He sighed, the muscles in his back relaxing. “Then by day, I shall play the role of ardent suitor for the court. By night, we will hunt in the shadows and dispatch traitors to the crown.”

  Chapter 26

  He’d promised to act the ardent suitor. Asharru hoped he didn’t play the part too well. For if he turned the full force of his considerable skills and charms upon her, she wasn’t sure if either her gryphon or human heart would remain untouched.

  Tirigan blinked suddenly, seeming to realize how close they stood. The softness in his eyes bled away, and he stepped back, his hands dropping away from her shoulders.

  “You do not need to fear Nutesh…overstepping. I shall stay close once he moves in.”

  Asharru frowned. “It will be an inconvenience to have an outsider here.”

  Tirigan nodded, frown lines appearing on his brow. “Laliya and Bashaa will need to move to another section of the royal wing, but that will work to our advantage. We’ll hold our secret discussions there, well away from the ears of Nutesh.”

  “That can be arranged.” She nodded. “There is something else we should discuss. I will be drafting letters to all the governors inviting them to Nineveh ahead of my coronation.”

  “Ugurnaszir.”

  “Yes. I’ll have to invite him too if only to begin grooming his daughter for the council.” She paused and then reached out, trailing her fingers along the back of his to get him to look up at her. “He can’t harm you or your friends any longer, and I promise, once we settle things here and restore New Sumer’s ruling body, I will see to the freeing of all slaves. Beginning with Ugurnaszir’s harem.”

  “Bashaa and Laliya told you?”

  “Yes.”

  His expression turned serious once again and he spun to resume his pacing.

  Asharru calmly waited, sensing he needed to work himself up to whatever he wanted to reveal.

  “Ugurnaszir is still dangerous.” Tirigan paused and then clarified. “To you.”

  “There is little he can do,” Asharru began slowly. “Yes, he’ll recognize you and your friends, but if he’s wise, he won’t say anything if he wishes to remain Governor.”

  “You expect him to be rational. He won’t be. He’ll do all in his power to ‘rescue’ his mates.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she pushed off from the wall next to the fire and then held out her hand to him. Then in a deadly earnest voice, Asharru whispered, “If he doesn't see reason, I will kill him for you.”

  He stared at her hand like he didn’t know what to do with it at first. But at last, he took it.

  “You will make a fierce queen one day.”

  “I haven’t even begun. Come here.” She tugged on him until he followed her over to the bench where they sat thigh to thigh and stared into the fire.

  Tirigan relaxed after a moment. Asharru hoped the fire could mesmerize him enough to ease the telling of something traumatizing.

  “Ugurnaszir wasn’t my first master, he’s actually number four. The first three were…not as bad as they could have been…but the governor…” Tirigan clenched his fists as a small shudder rolled down his body.

  “Laliya told me enough. You don’t have to speak of it unless you wish to unburden yourself.”

  “I…perhaps I’ll tell you more one day. But for now, just remember Bashaa, Laliya, and I were his favorites. You can use that against him. Use us to control him.”

  Asharru reached out and took back Tirigan’s right hand. “I don’t care what that monster might think, or what you’re suggesting, but he’ll never touch you, Bashaa, or Laliya ever again.”

  “You won’t be able to simply convince Ugurnaszir to give up the hunt. He will seek ways to use us against you.”

  “I have said he will not touch you!”

  Tirigan glanced back at her, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes. “You sound like you wish to protect our virtue. I assure you, we have none left. Ugurnaszir saw to that. But the governor is more perverse than either human or gryphon. He is willing to share his ‘mates’ as long as he can watch and take part. You can use that against him.”

  “No.” The word came out a menacing growl.

  “He would make a powerful ally. And if we are required to perform the Sacred Marriage and you allowed him a place on the temple roof where he could watch…”

  “I’d rather ask Tammuz to carry his soul to the underworld at dawn.”

  Tirigan arched a brow. “That has possibilities except the Harvest God might shrivel our crops for foisting Ugurnaszir upon him.”

  “We will deal with Ugurnaszir if he attempts to cross us,” she said, a hint of a stubborn streak showing.

  “It won’t be that ea
sy.” Tirigan looked unhappy. “My old master is one of the most powerful merchants, with the greatest fleet of ships. He’ll be able to cripple trading across all New Sumer if he wishes.”

  “He’ll be doing his business as much damage.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Your theory uses the false assumption that he will be reasonable. He won’t. Like any gryphon, he’ll sacrifice everything to protect and rejoin his mates.”

  “I’m still not letting him have you or your friends.”

  Tirigan nodded. “I have no plans to return to him. But we will need to handle him with care. Keep this one viper close so we might milk him of his fortunes to fund our new palace guard.”

  Asharru didn’t like the sound of that. “Are you suggesting we allow him to buy a place on the council?”

  “Yes, but for his daughter, Uanna. Her mother was a gryphon of the noble house of Kalhu. Uanna is noble enough to appease your Council. And what her heritage cannot overcome, her father’s money will be able to smooth the way for her.”

  “I was already planning on suggesting Uanna to the council going on your account of her.” Asharru nodded. “I had not thought about allowing her father to think it was his ambition that got her there.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’ll write to him tomorrow, inviting him and his daughter to my coronation.

  Asharru stood and went to the hearth where servants had left a jug of spiced wine warming. After pouring two goblets, she returned to the bench, offering Tirigan a cup.

  He took it, which only mildly surprised her. He usually was very reserved when it came to drinking, but after talking of Ugurnaszir, she assumed there were more than a few dark memories he’d like to drown.

  Chapter 27

  Hashur watched as the great hall slowly filled for the night’s festival. Servants wove their way through the crowds while nobles talked amongst themselves, making wagers as to who the Crown Princess would pick for her Trial Year. Silent and watchful, garrison soldiers looked on, scanning the press of bodies in the vast hall for signs of danger.

  Nutesh’s memories told Hashur that the number of guards far exceeded what was normal for such an event. The Anunnaki couldn’t blame the future queen for doubling the number of her protectors. She couldn’t have known that Ereshkigal’s plan required her to survive long enough to beget the next generation.

  As for himself, Hashur had spent the last few days exploring the city and palace in his new host. Nutesh was young and fit, able to endure the long days the Anunnaki spent satisfying his curiosity. Much had changed, and yet, in the way of gryphons and humans, much was still the same.

  Playing the role of Nutesh was easy enough when all he had to do was look into the gryphon noble’s memories for names and details about the friends and acquaintances who sought him out.

  A stir at the main entrance drew his attention.

  Crown Princess Asharru swept into the throne room, surrounded by more guards and the ever watchful Tirigan. She made straight for the high table, neither looking left or right. Once there, she took her seat and nodded to the priests and priestesses on either side. They, in turn, gestured for servants to bring forward the food, blessing it as each servant presented it with a bow.

  While the priestesses and priests called upon the gods to bless the food and thank them for the bounty, Hashur studied the Blade.

  He’d crossed paths with Tirigan more than once in the last three days, but, as he’d expected, Tirigan hadn’t recognized him as a threat.

  Because he wasn’t.

  After all, he didn’t want to harm the future queen. In fact, he’d grown to admire her for her versatility and tenaciousness as she faced down her small council and all the noblemen who thought they could control her.

  She was too fierce for that.

  During his three days of study, it also became clear she’d had no interest in him as a potential mate.

  The agents of Ereshkigal had assured him that she would pick Nutesh. She didn’t have a choice, they said. She was cornered, nearly defeated.

  Hashur disagreed.

  What rolled off her in waves didn’t feel soft, defeated, or like she was particularly accepting of her council's demands.

  Unfortunately, now that his spirit was housed in flesh, his senses were dulled, and he couldn’t read her thoughts or emotions clearly. He only caught hints, but that would be enough once they were together for any length of time.

  If she gave him the chance to spend time with her.

  As it was now, Crown Princess Asharru looked more like she was ready to kill him and any other male her councilors might try to foist upon her. Though, she had announced to the court that she would be making her choice this day. That’s why there were so many priests and priestesses present.

  Hashur returned his attention to the Blade.

  Tirigan lurked like a great black shadow at Asharru’s shoulder. Her Blade’s expression was devoid of any emotion, and there wasn’t much more to be found when Hashur reached out with his magic to touch the Blade’s mind. Nothing.

  If the Blade knew Asharru’s decision, Hashur wasn’t going to learn it from Tirigan.

  Sighing, Hashur settled back to wait.

  Soon food arrived, and he was swift to dive in. Until he’d taken Nutesh as a host, he’d forgotten there was joy in feeding a body. During much of Hashur’s exploring over the last three days, he’d allowed his nose to guide him from taverns to public kitchens to markets filled with baked goods and raw produce.

  There were other joys to be had as well. Such as rumor and gossip. Such things delighted the Anunnaki. There was only truth in the Underworld. There was no need for fanciful lies in Ereshkigal’s kingdom.

  He’d been seated at one of the tables at the front, close to the high table. This evening he expected to hear lots of new rumors to entertain him.

  And perhaps some truths as well. He leaned forward enough to peer at Bashaa and Laliya, the Blade’s two friends, where they were seated a couple benches from him.

  The male and female kept up a lively conversation that had the others at the table laughing and grinning.

  Hashur didn’t find the wait a chore.

  Not that he had to wait too long.

  Shortly after the meal had started, Crown Princess Asharru rose from her bench.

  “It has come to my attention that many of you are concerned over the continuation of the gryphon royal line. I have spoken with my council and have come to the conclusion that a Trial Year is the best option for increasing the likelihood that my gryphon will pick a mate sooner rather than later.”

  Asharru paused and raised her goblet. “With Ishtar’s blessing, by this time next year, I shall already be carrying my first litter of royal cubs and New Sumer’s magic will be safeguarded for another generation. May our great Goddess be so generous.”

  The nobles raised their cups in answer, calling down Ishtar’s blessings.

  When the room, at last, fell silent, she continued, looking straight at him. “Nutesh, son of Ekurzakir, come forward.”

  Ah, so Ereshkigal’s agents were correct.

  Hashur stood and then walked swiftly to her side. After circling the table, he bowed deeply. “I am eager to serve in whatever fashion your ladyship requires of me.”

  “Nutesh, I make it known this night that you are my choice from all the gryphons within New Sumer’s borders.” She held out her hand.

  He glided closer and took her smaller hand in his, feeling the warm living pulse of life. The magic of the royal blood was strong in her. It would only be a matter of time before she anointed her Blade for a second time, making Hashur’s task that much harder. Strangely, he looked forward to the challenge of stealing this woman from her Blade.

  A priest carrying a length of gold rope with flowers and wheat stems knotted into it, stepped forward, but Asharru gestured him back.

  She looked out into the crowd again. “Knowing one of my duties is to produce young as quickly as possible for the sake
of New Sumer’s magic, I have decided not to limit my gryphon’s choice to Nutesh alone since she has already expressed interest in another male.”

  The room was so silent Hashur could hear the rustle of fabric as people breathed.

  “You wonder why I didn’t just choose that male if he’s piqued my gryphon’s interest?” Princess Asharru stated what was on many minds. “Because I know the nobles of New Sumer will not like her choice. Tirigan, come forward.”

  Her Blade stepped out from between the pillars behind the high table where he’d been standing guard.

  “I am very much aware Tirigan is human, and it is rare that a gryphon female with take noticed of a male human, but mine has. I, myself, may only be half-gryphon, but I know that it will be my beast who picks our mate and I shall not cast aside someone she shows a preference for simply because he is human.”

  The nobles, unable to maintain their silence, broken out into a ruckus of conversations.

  “Silence!” Asharru shouted over the noise. “If it gives you comfort, great nobles of New Sumer, know that the ultimate choice will be Ishtar’s. As High Priestess and future Queen, I am hers to command.”

  With that, she gestured for the priest to come forward with his length of rope. Before he reached them, Asharru unwound an equal length of rope from around her waist. The priest hesitated once he reached them, apparently not sure which binding he should perform first.

  Asharru saved him the decision by nodding to Laliya.

  The female was dressed as a priestess, though Hashur knew she hadn’t completed all her training or her vows, not yet.

  So, this was how Asharru planned to outsmart her council. Clever woman. Her hand-tying to Nutesh would be fake. Later, once she was queen, she’d then be able to overrule her council and set him aside. He almost laughed aloud at her trickery.

  Well, then, he’d just have to work doubly as hard to be sure she didn’t want to cast him aside in favor of her Blade.

  But then she surprised him again, holding out her left hand to him and gestured the priest forward again.