Once the great hall had been secured, Kuri and the other guards ushered Asharru to another location while more guards were arriving to search the room.
When Hashur looked to the east wall, there was a vacant spot were Nuannin had been standing earlier. He continued to search for her, but there was no sign of his host’s sister. He didn’t need to call on his powers to know the assassin had escaped again.
He would meet with her and her father later and vent his displeasure at Nuannin’s meddling. For now, he suspected the only thing that awaited him was a lengthy questioning by Guardswoman Kuri and Blade Tirigan.
But if Hashur was careful, he could fool the Blade by telling the truth. At least as far as calling the servant an assassin, which he knew to be true.
Chapter 38
Nuannin wrapped the ceremonial dagger, bowl, and pestle in layers of cloth to protect them from cracking against each other in the sack. Her hurried packing likely disrespected the great artifacts, but she didn’t have much time to pack up and move the altar to another location.
If the Blade grew suspicious of Nutesh or the Anunnaki somehow betrayed himself, half the city garrison would be down here hunting for her. She still couldn’t believe the Anunnaki had betrayed her. She had been helping him by spiking the princess’s drink while the Blade was away.
If Nutesh had played it right, everyone would have thought Asharru had come into heat for him. And with the Blade away from Asharru’s side for the first time in a moon’s cycle, Nuannin knew she’d had to act.
She hadn’t expected an Anunnaki capable of betraying Ereshkigal in such a way. Had she misjudged the Anunnaki's intelligence and education? She had thought him old and wise, smart enough to grasp what she was doing there. Perhaps he was a young one and had misunderstood what she’d been trying to do?
Was there such a thing as a young Anunnaki?
She didn’t even know if they reproduced. None of her research had ever revealed if Anunnaki could procreate.
And it probably wasn’t something a priest or priestess should think to ask with one of the beasts towering over them, ready to eat their soul if the human or gryphon took a tiny misstep.
She was just hoisting the heavy sack over her shoulder when she heard footsteps. Freezing in place, she listened to discover if there were more coming behind that first set. Strain as she might, Nuannin couldn’t detect other footsteps. Whoever came, they were alone.
Relaxing slightly, she lowered her satchel to the ground and waited.
Moments later, her father entered the small chamber, a torch held high in his hand. Seeing her, he glanced at the altar stripped bare and then turned his attention to the sack resting at Nuannin’s feet. His narrow-eyed expression clearly showed his displeasure at this newest turn of events.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ve just sat through a meeting where my son was questioned at length about events. The Anunnaki convinced them of his innocence. We were lucky he was innocent and knew nothing of your foolish plan.”
Nuannin’s shoulders slumped, and a new spark of anger flared to life inside her. “It wouldn’t have been a foolish plan if the Anunnaki hadn’t betrayed us.”
“Betrayed you,” her father corrected. “I had nothing to do with your foolish plan.”
“Someone had to do something. It’s clear the Anunnaki isn’t interested in courting the princess, and it was the first time the Blade has been away from her side in days.”
Her father snorted. “So impatient. Don’t you see that the Anunnaki is gaining Asharru’s friendship?”
“Good for him!” Nuannin slapped her hand against the altar. “While he’s gaining her friendship, the Blade has been winning her heart. Soon he’ll be sharing Asharru’s bed. If he isn’t already.”
Councilor Ekurzakir sighed, drawing breath to speak, but then was cut off by the sound of another set of footsteps approaching.
Who was coming now? The Anunnaki?
By Ereshkigal’s grace, it better only be the Anunnaki.
Her silent prayers were answered a moment later when Nutesh joined them.
Upon entering the altar room, his gaze landed directly on her, his expression thunderous. “You are the most foolish and impatient mortal I’ve met in a good long time!”
“Great Anunnaki, forgive my daughter. Had I been aware of her plan, I would have stopped her.” Ekurzakir bowed to Nutesh.
The Anunnaki seemed unimpressed by her father’s words.
“Come now, old one. You compounded the problem by betraying her.” Her father paced back and forth in front of the altar. “Do you know what you almost caused? If Nuannin hadn’t escaped before the guards closed and barred the doors, she would have been found, her true identity revealed, and all of us would have swiftly found ourselves in the Underworld.”
“Which is beside the point since we are all here, unscathed by your daughter’s foolish plan,” the Anunnaki said and sent an accompanying glower in her father’s direction.
“As much as I’m angered by my daughter, one can’t overlook the reason why she acted. You seem disinterested in seducing the princess.”
“My deal with Ereshkigal is between her and me. However, it is contingent on me winning Asharru by fair means. Allowing your daughter to drug Asharru, and then having me taking advantage of that opportunity can in no way be considered a ‘fair’ win. I was entirely within my rights to warn Asharru of the drug in her meal.”
“Still,” Councilor Ekurzakir said, his lips tilting down in a frown, “the events of today have left us with heightened security, and a suspicious Blade. Neither outcome is beneficial to our future plans.”
“No,” the Anunnaki agreed. “It’s a problematic issue we’ll have to live with thanks to your daughter.”
Damn the beast and his unwillingness to accept his part of the blame. If he’d just sat there and shut up, all would have worked out beautifully.
“I should go before I’m missed,” the Anunnaki said.
Ekurzakir nodded. “I as well.”
But as Nuannin started to put the altar’s artifacts back on the stone table, she noted her father didn’t leave with the Anunnaki. He waited in silence until the sound of footsteps grew distant and eventually vanished.
She looked up from her task. “Perhaps my plan wasn’t as well thought out as it could have been, but we have a greater problem. That Anunnaki—he isn’t loyal to Ereshkigal or her plan. We can’t trust him.”
“I know,” her father agreed softly.
“What are we going to do?”
“I have one last play. It’s risky, but if we manage it, we will be able to trick both Asharru and the Anunnaki into providing Ereshkigal with a royal cub who will grow up loyal to our great Queen of the Underworld. It will have the added benefit of forever ridding us of the Blade and his two closest friends.” Her father smiled coldly at her. “Once that is done, we will have control of the council again. Then I will be able to fill those vacant council seats with people loyal to me.”
A flutter of wings drew Nuannin’s gaze back to the altar as the tiny owl returned to his perch after his hunt. “Asharru isn’t going to just let you take control from her.”
“Once she’s given birth to the litter, she’ll no longer be of use to us. Later, Nutesh’s body can be poisoned, and the Anunnaki forced to return to the Underworld.” Ekurzakir smiled coldly. “You’re not the motherly type, I know, but I imagine you won’t mind raising a litter begotten from your brother’s seed if you also get to be Regent.”
Regent? Nuannin hadn’t dreamed of such power. Yet, how could such a thing come into being? She stared her father in the eyes, silently demanding the full truth. “Your plan is very grand, but who will you get to aid us in this monumental task?”
“A very rich acquaintance. And, if you summon a few more Anunnaki, we will make sure he can’t say no, even if he thinks to defy me. Not that he would. We’ll be offering him power and something else he’s desperate to get back.”
Nu
annin stood with her elbow on the altar, her fingers caressing the little owl’s feathers as her father explained his plan.
When he finished, she smiled as new hope blossomed in her heart. “By the Goddess. That just might work.”
“It must. Or our souls will be fed to an Anunnaki once we die.”
That was an excellent motivation to make sure this last plan didn’t fail like the others before it.
Chapter 39
Tirigan barely held it together while he made his way to Bashaa and Laliya’s shared quarters. Asharru was within arms reach the entire walk back from the council chambers, and still, it wasn’t close enough.
She’d come far too close to danger again.
What if Nutesh hadn’t spotted the servant’s odd behavior? What if next time the assassin used poison instead of the fertility potion?
The possibility chilled Tirigan’s soul.
After he, Kuri, and Hunzuu had interrogated Nutesh and the servants, they had decided Asharru should stay with Bashaa and Laliya until her own chambers could be carefully searched in case the assassin had somehow disguised herself as a servant and infiltrated the Crown Princess’ inner sanctum.
Earlier, Tirigan had sent Bashaa and a unit of guards ahead to triple check that his friend’s room was still secure. When they arrived, Bashaa signed the all clear, his subtle hand gesture going unnoticed by the others.
Once inside, Tirigan couldn’t stop himself from rechecking the room. Then deeming it safe, he ordered the guards into the hall to guard all the entrances. When the place was empty save for Asharru, Kuri, Bashaa, and Laliya, he went to the Crown Princess and wrapped her in his arms, drawing her head to rest against his chest.
He sensed his move had surprised her, but she covered it up well and then wrapped her arms around his waist and returned his fierce embrace.
“I’m so sorry I left you,” he said into her hair. “They must have been waiting for the chance to come at you when I wasn’t there to sense them. It won’t happen again. This is my fault. Goddess, this could have been so much worse than drugged wine.”
“Tirigan, you take on too much blame. It isn’t your fault. You needed time to train your men.” Asharru leaned back enough to look into his eyes.
“I should have left it to Kuri or Hunzuu.”
“No. The guard is important to you. I will make time in my schedule so I can be there with you. Besides, I should probably participate in training too.”
“That might work,” he admitted. But something else occurred to him. “I want you to start wearing armor and to have a sword strapped to your waist at all times. Their assassins haven’t given up, but they may change their tactics. Next time it might not be poison. It could be a dagger or an arrow.”
“Very well. If it gives you peace of mind, I can wear armor.”
“Good.” He brushed a hand along her hair, stroking the silky braids and wanting to do so much more.
He forced himself to release her and then he walked over to the shelves along one wall. He pulled down a woven grass basket and lifted a cloth wrapped bundle out. Turning back to Asharru, he presented her with his gift.
“What’s this?”
He shrugged, feeling awkward suddenly. “I had this made for you. It was going to be a coronation gift, but I think I’ll feel better knowing you have it now.”
Asharru looked delighted as she unwrapped his gift. Her look sent heat rushing through his blood. When she revealed the hair ornament, she looked a little confused.
“It’s lovely, but somehow I thought you were giving me a weapon,” she said with a laugh.
“I am.” He reached out and squeezed the triggers at the cross piece. With a soft click the tiny dagger slid from its sheath. “You can wear it in your hair, and it will look much like any other large hairpin used to coil braids around and secure them in place. But when all other defenses have failed, you will still have this.”
He held the small knife out for her to take.
“The blade is long enough to reach the brain through an eye socket, or the heart if you go between these two ribs and shove it in all the way.” He took her left hand and pressed her fingers against his skin, over his heart, showing her where to strike.
She stroked his skin, her fingertips shifting slightly to graze across his nipple. The sound of his breath hitching seemed to snap her out of whatever place she’d retreated to, and she lowered her hand and stepped away from him.
“May the Goddess be merciful, and you never have to use this poor weapon as your last line of defense.” Tirigan fought not to pull her back against his chest and wrap her in his arms like he wanted.
“There is something else we must discuss,” she said after a time.
Glancing around the room, he guided her over to the hearth even though there was no fire burning in it. Then he sat her down in a chair and knelt before her. “What did you wish to speak about, my Lady?”
“If our enemies try this trick again and somehow succeed in getting that damned fertility drug past my lips, promise me that it is you who will come to me.” She closed her eyes. “I know you don’t want to be my mate, but my gryphon and I already care for you deeply. As my friend, please don’t let the council match me to someone else. Not Nutesh. Only you.”
“I won’t let it come to that, but if it gives you comfort, know I’ll respect your wishes and be what you need.”
“Thank you for being my friend, and more than my friend if that is required.”
Tirigan leaned forward and took her hands in his and then pressed a kiss to each of her palms. He was surprised by how much her words touched him and the depth of Asharru’s trust in him.
He wouldn’t fail her again if he could help it.
Chapter 40
With the day of the coronation fast approaching, Nineveh’s streets were crowded with people bustling about their business, but after being cooped up in the palace for the last nine days, Tirigan didn’t mind the fresh air. But the press of people all around? They set his nerves on edge, especially after someone had tried to drug Asharru with the fertility potion.
He’d vowed never to leave her side, which caused some logistical problems. Like today, instead of training his newest recruits from the garrison, he was navigating a crowded street. Though there was a benefit as well. By escaping the palace, he also got to evade all of the nobles, governors, and various other city officials swelling the population to ten times what it had been before.
Of course, navigating the city streets with Asharru in tow came with a different set of problems than protecting her within the confines of the palace. At least today she was disguised as one of the city guards and went unnoticed among the crowds. Tirigan remained a silent shadow at her back, ever watchful, refusing to get drawn into any conversation that might distract him at a critical time.
When they arrived in the textile district, he noticed it seemed even more crowded than other parts of the city he’d visited, but that was to be expected with all of the nobles on the hunt for luxurious fabrics and elegant accessories for Asharru’s upcoming coronation.
He hung back with Nasir and Shamash while Asharru, Bashaa, Laliya, and Hunzuu picked out some fabric or other to later be made into table coverings, wall hangings, or maybe even cloaks for all Tirigan knew or cared.
“Hey, Pretty Man, mind if I hide back here with you?” Kuri asked.
Beside him, Nasir snickered and then swiftly sobered when Tirigan leveled a glower at the male.
Kuri ignored Nasir and directed her comment at Tirigan. “If I have to compare one more swatch of cream fabric to another swatch of equally cream fabric, I’m going to kill someone.”
“By all means,” Tirigan said dryly in response to Kuri’s question, understanding her completely. “My scowling seems to keep most everyone away.”
Kuri snorted. “Congratulations, you just doomed yourself. Here comes Asharru with an armful of fabric.”
Tirigan had already felt his monarch’s approach, his g
ift always aware of her location. He greeted Asharru with a nod.
“I thought you should make the next selections,” Asharru said and held out a length of black fabric. Laliya and Bashaa were holding green and grey samples out toward him as well.
Whatever was this for? Besides, he lacked an eye for such things and was the absolute last person she should be seeking feedback from. “I think the coronation decorations might be better left in other, more capable hands.”
“These aren’t for that.” Asharru held up the black to Tirigan. “I want you to pick out the colors for my new guard. You are the Captain of the Shadows, after all. You should have some say in designing your uniform.”
Ah. This might serve a useful purpose.
He stepped forward and looked over each of the fabrics his friends held out and then the cloth bolts still on the table. The beaming merchant, a short stocky follow, continued to pull material from under the table and from inside his tent.
Brown or grey might hide dust or dirt from the road if the guards were out riding a patrol. Both colors might also help camouflage the soldiers from enemy eyes. But then again, his Shadows’ wouldn’t be skulking around in the forest.
They would be near to their queen at all times, and their uniform should project a menacing presence to scare off or deter both their enemies and ambitious nobles.
“This one,” Tirigan said, coming back to the rich black fabric. “With either a silver or burgundy accent.”
Asharru grinned. “I thought you might like the black. It will hide blood splatter nicely, too.”
Tirigan snorted. “I think you’re more blood-thirsty than I.”
“Of course, I’m a gryphon.”
Tirigan chuckled his agreement but returned to scanning the crowds while Hunzuu and Bashaa haggled with the merchant about the details, price, and where to deliver the large purchase.
When it looked like the three had nearly reached a consensus, Tirigan glanced sidelong at Asharru. “Where to next?”
Blade's Destiny (Ishtar's Legacy Book 3) Page 22
