Ishtar's Blade

by Blackwood, Lisa

  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 Twenty-Four

  Weariness a deep ache in her muscles and bones, Iltani returned to Ditanu’s suites, feeling much like the last few hours were 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 simply 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, although, 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, anything suspicious about a particular council remember?” Ditanu grabbed a couple 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 body 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 gray 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 half way 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 won’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 r
equire.”

  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, still sleepy, but 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 simply 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 that I’m glad we are still friends like old times. I did not like our separation. Nor did I like that earlier awkwardness.”

  “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.”

  “I know.” Pain flashed across his expression, and then he glanced away and said softly, “but it is tonight I fear. The nightmares already hunt at the edge of my consciousness.”

  Another habit from before their separation had Iltani clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Then I will stay with you until you sleep and should those nightmares come hunting, I will slay them first.”

  Ditanu had always had nightmares—his gift allowed him to see bits and pieces of dark possible futures, mostly they were all jumbled up, too chaotic for his sleeping mind to make sense of. Iltani, always the protector, had stayed and soothed him after particularly nasty ones, staying until he slipped into a more peaceful sleep.

  “Thank you, Iltani.” Ditanu picked up Kuwari and then reached out and clasped her hand in his. “I would like to hold all my living cubs this night.”

  Iltani’s free hand trailed down to her belly for a moment, and then together they left the bathing room and entered his bedchamber.

  *****

  Iltani stayed with Ditanu until his grip on her relaxed in sleep. She still held Kuwari in her arms for a few moments more, but reluctantly let the cub go. After carefully extracting herself from between Kuwari and his father, she glanced back at Ditanu’s sleep softened expression. On impulse, she leaned down and brushed her lips against his.

  He murmured something in his sleep but didn’t wake.

  “I love you,” she whispered and then brushed her fingers against his lips. “Although you read me so well I think you must already know that, I still had to say it. Rest well, my love.”

  She eased off the bed. Looking around, she spotted a heavy blanket draped across the foot of the bed. She grabbed it, eyed the two chairs in front of the fire, and then decided against them in favor of the floor. It would be better for her back.

  She laid down and rested her hands against her belly. Sleep eluded her for a long time.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “The mother of my cubs does not sleep on floors!”

  Iltani jerked awake and found herself almost slamming foreheads with Ditanu. The king was crouched down, leaning over her.

  “My king?”

  “You’re in my suites. I’m Ditanu here. Remember? And stop trying to change the subject.”

  “I wasn’t. I’m not,” she stammered as she tossed back the coverlet and rolled to her side.

  Ditanu held out his hand to help her up.

  She took it and he lifted her easily.

  “The mother of my cubs does not sleep on floors. Repeat it after me.”

  “I…”

  “Ishtar’s Blade shouldn’t be found on the floor either. One doesn’t just carelessly toss aside one’s favorite weapon.” Humor was slowly working its way into his voice and she could see he was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

  “I will remember that in the future.”

  “Good.” His expression lost some of its animation. “We have much to do today.”

  His cubs. Their funeral. Oh, by Ishtar—poor Ditanu. “I will not leave your side for a moment this day.”

  He looked her in the eyes. “I am glad.”

  *****

  Iltani fingered the heavy, elaborate torque that circled her neck and draped down to cover her bare breasts. Her hair had been pulled forward over her shoulder so the tiny braids didn’t hide Ishtar’s mark emblazed down her spine. Ditanu told her it now covered half her back. It would be impossible for anyone to miss it. Gold glinted in her hair and circled her wrists and ankles. Another skirt of a hundred wispy layers hugged her waist, its many streamers fluttering in the slight breeze coming in from the garden. Around the waist, several of Ditanu’s gryphon feathers plucked during the Blooding Ceremony two days ago, had been worked in among the fluttering streamers.

  She caught a glimpse of herself in the polished silver mirror secured to the east wall. The voluptuous woman reflected there was an opulent creature of golds, tans, and indigos to match the tattoo running down her back. She was unrecognizable. The only things that soothed her at all was that the king was equally as decked out. No one was likely to notice her.

  Well, until they noticed their matching torques and learned the meaning. High Priestess Kammani had dug them out of storage, saying these had been worn by previous monarchs and their Blades who had performed the Sacred Marriage.

  Iltani fingered her torque and flushed a deeper shade of crimson. Somehow it seemed a touch obscene to her to wear a heavy chunk of gold and jewels that screamed for the entire world to see, that she and the king had had sex. It cheapened what her heart said should have been something just between the two of them. Not that Ishtar or a hundred centuries of tradition cared what Iltani might think.

  Her eyes slid sideways toward Ditanu and caught him echoing her motion and touching his own torque with an unfathomable expression.

  Voices from out in the hall had announced company before Priestess Kammani came through the door. “Good, you’re both ready. All is prepared. The councilors and most of the high-ranking nobility are arriving in the temple as I speak. The Processional Way is already lined with your people. I know this will be hard for you, but you must show your strength so your people will know they are still protected by the line of the gryphon kings and greatly blessed by the Queen of the Night.” His aunt touched his shoulder then. “Later you will finally have time to grieve for your lost cubs. But until then, be strong for all our sakes.”

  Kammani gave him a motherly kiss.

  “Go, put those councilors in their place and show the traitors their plan has failed.”

  Ditanu, his king’s mask back in place, scooped Kuwari up in his arms, bracing the cub against one shoulder and then reached behind him for Iltani’s hand. His strong fingers closed firmly around hers and she matched his strides, his Shadows falling in around them. They would show their enemies a unified front.

  *****

  The Processional Way was as Kammani said it would be. Many of the watchers whispered silent prayers or said nothing at all as the first horse-drawn chariot rolled past, carrying the body o
f Humusi, next came the second chariot with Ilanum’s equally tiny body. Several of the King’s Shadows were on horseback and rode ahead of the chariots and beside them. An honor guard as was traditional.

  Iltani drove the third chariot herself though she would have much preferred to have her hands free to draw her sword, but Ditanu had said he wanted Iltani in the chariot with him. As for himself, the king stood stoic, his living cub held firmly in his arms—on display for all to see.

  As the chariot passed the first of the onlookers, and the prayer changed into a wave of whispering and pointed fingers, growing in volume until it caught the attention of others farther down the Processional Way. The city guards had to fight to keep the crowd from pressing further in, but the people started chanting the words ‘Ishtar is merciful’ over and over until it took on a multi-voiced roar.

  A funeral should have been a somber thing, but Iltani couldn’t begrudge the citizens of New Sumer their joy and newfound hope for the future.

  King Ditanu simply nodded to his people in acknowledgement.

  It wasn’t until they were almost to the temple complex that the crowd must have noticed the golden torque around hers and Ditanu’s necks, for the chant changed then to ‘Blessed Sacred Marriage.’

  At last, they arrived at the main temple, where the dead of the gryphon kings had been buried since they first came to these islands almost eight thousand years ago.

  After the last chariot had rolled into the temple courtyard, Iltani studied each of the councilors where they waited upon the stairs leading up to the temple. Each one was equally shocked to see their king very much alive.

  If Priestess Kammani and a wall of her brethren hadn’t come forward at that exact moment to tend to the tiny bodies in the first two chariots, Iltani sensed the councilors would have flocked around King Ditanu, demanding to know why they were only learning now that he lived.