by Renee Travis
“I am Nergal, Prince of the Alu, this is my travelling companion Ekur.” They bowed and I stood very still, trying to figure out why they wanted to speak to me.
“Princess Ereshkigal. The Alu people would like to extend an invitation for you to come visit Bet Pagri. Never before has Adura been represented in the immediate royal family.” Nergal smiled as he spoke, something about him was fascinating, I just couldn’t figure out what.
“Well, I am glad that your people are happy, but you do understand that Ishtar is to rule Salas when my parents step down, not me, right?”
“Yes Princess and with the formal announcement of your sister’s marriage in three days…” I cut him off with a yelp.
“What?!” My cry startled all three of us. Why hadn’t anyone told me? They had already chosen a king for Ishtar? She was a baby! Only sixteen, how could mom and dad not tell me?
Upon hearing my cry Nam was suddenly bursting through the door, his person radiating with his magic. Before he could attack I stepped in front of the Alus, blocking his spell with my own body. His magic hit me and I fell back into the arms of Nergal. When his warmth wrapped around me every molecule in my body lit up like I was on fire. I could smell roses and death and his touch was like electricity over my skin.
It was over within seconds. He righted me, almost too quickly and let me go. Thankfully I had a lot of practice defending myself against Nam’s spells, so I had deflected it. Nam skidded to a halt in front of me.
“Eshie! Are you ok? I’m sorry; when I heard you yell I thought you were in danger.” Namtar looked nervous and his eyes kept darting over to Nergal.
“Everything is fine, Nam.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek. I heard a tiny growl behind me, frowning, I ignored it.
“I just found out they’ve scheduled a betrothal to Ishtar in three days, on um Hamis.” Which was the fifth day of the week.
“That’s crazy, we would have been told.”
“Apparently that’s why mother wasn’t at lunch. I better go see Mash, and quickly. Go send him a meeting message.” I could have communicated with him telepathically, but this was something to say in person. As Nam left, I turned to my guests, furious.
“I am sorry you had to witness some drama Prince Nergal. But I was not informed of the betrothal; you’ve caught me quite off guard.” I meant to make a polite exit but both the Alus were looking at me strangely.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, hoping I hadn’t offended them in some way.
“You’re ok?”
“You used yourself to keep us from harm.” They said simultaneously.
“Well, of course I am. I couldn’t let Nam curse you. Trust me you didn’t want to spend the rest of your visit in the infirmary.” I tried to chuckle, but was afraid I was missing something.
“No, your highness, you do not understand, you have done something that gives high honor with Alu. I am forever in your debt. Now if you’ll excuse me I must go and see about our quarters. My Prince, I will see you in moments.” Ekur bowed sharply and left the room.
“Ummm, ok.” To say I was confused would have been an understatement.
“Princess, you are not harmed?” Nergal questioned, coming closer to me, his nearness making my heart flutter in my chest.
“Yes, why?”
“Kassaptu who come in contact with Alu flesh tend to have an adverse reaction.”
“Oh, well…. It’s probably because I was born in Adura.” This seemed the best explanation.
“No, many Kassaptu have become ill or insane from direct contact with us. Even those born in the dark, we rarely mate outside our species and then only with non Kassaptu.”
“I must be special.”
His eyes took on a weird light as I spoke, like he was considering I may indeed be some sort of wonder.
“I cannot believe your parents did not tell you. We received the invitation over a month ago. Creatures from all over are coming; we passed many on our way here.” Nergal reached up and twirled a lock of my hair around his finger, studying it. The feel of his touch was dark and possessive and I was a little appalled at how much I enjoyed his alpha male routine.
“I’m not surprised. They pretty much ignore me, I mean, wouldn’t you? My magic is over death and destruction. I play in cemeteries, for Goddess sake!” It was supposed to come out as a joke; but was a little harsher than I wanted.
“I think your darkness is beautiful.” Nergal leaned in; I closed my eyes thinking this handsome Alu was going to kiss me, when he pulled back.
“I forgot, we brought you a present.”
“A gift?” I was speechless; no one ever gave me anything, except for Nam and Ishtar, of course.
“My family raises them.” From under one of his wings he pulled a tiny bat. He or she was only the size of my fist and the deepest shade of pink.
“Oh,” I breathed, reaching for the precious bundle hanging from his wrist. As I spoke it uncurled its wings and looked at me, I knew in a moment it was a she and she was young and smart.
“I know what it’s like to be left to the darkness and to want to embrace it until all else slips away. My people fight this on a daily basis. Having a familiar, if you will, helps you resist the pull.” Nergal shook his wrist and the little bat flew to me, she landed in my outstretch hand, soft and cuddly in my palms.
“Her name is Puabi. You will find she fits your personality perfectly.” Nergal took a few steps closer to me.
“Thank you Prince-“ He interrupted me.
“Call me Nergal.”
“Yes, well, thank you Nergal, she is beautiful.”
I am beautiful, you are correct. I am also hungry.
Startled I looked down at the sleepy bat, “Did you just speak to me?”
Who else would be? Be careful of tall, dark and handsome, he has heart breaker written all over him.
“They’re telepathic?” I glanced up at Nergal who had a hungry look in his eyes that I didn’t understand.
“Yes, very, but not good at blocking their thoughts. Anyone in about a two foot vicinity will be able to hear her as well.”
Feeling courageous and grateful I bounced over to him and kissed his cheek. He grabbed my shoulders with a firm hand, holding me in place, his face inches from my own.
“Why did you do that?”
“Because you have made me happy with your gift.” We stood in silence for a few moments and then both jerked as the throne room door opened and Nam came into the room. He was smiling and ran over to me, he grabbed my hand and the sound Nergal made was super scary.
“Nergal, Namtar is my best friend.”
“Doesn’t mean he needs to touch you.”
Stupid possessive boy.
I smiled at Puabi’s inner monologue and ignored Nergal’s comment. “I have to go and see my brother and find out why I wasn’t told about Ishtar’s betrothal. I hope you will join me for dinner?” I hadn’t meant the invite, it squeaked out before I could stop it. Nergal looked pleased.
“Yes, Ekur and I will both be there.”
I turned and darted out of the room with Nam, my skin was prickling so bad I wanted to scratch it off. It said a lot that Nergal had been able to cross from Adura to Biri. He must have been really strong.
When we crossed into the East wing everything went back to feeling normal.
“Dark Goddess, Eshie, those guys are creepy!” Namtar exclaimed as we huddled together in the dank, abandoned hallway.
“He’s also really hot!” I giggled and a look I didn’t understand passed over Nam’s face. “I don’t know Nam, something about him, I’ve never met anyone who seems to love the dark like I do…I mean besides you.” I had to back pedal a little.
“No, I understand Eshie.” His voice was sad; he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“I sent word to your brother; he wants to meet up in the back garden.” This didn’t surprise me. The back garden was weird; it was the only place where Light and Dark met in all of Salas. Adura and Nannaru
lived side by side and the garden took on its own life. The staff who worked in the garden was kind of weird, too. The front garden, that was in Biri, was the garden that fed the castle, everything growing there was normal.
It was a weird division of Biri, those who lived in the North had to take a road through either Nannaru or Adura to get to the South and vice versa. Almost as if the Goddesses who created Salas wanted an excuse for the people to blend and merge.
We made our way through the hallways; I dropped Puabi off in my room and told a passing servant girl to prepare whatever sleeping place Puabi wanted. Then we went out a door that came out onto the garden path in Adura. The garden held the same blue twilight as the rest of Adura, but there were streams of sunshine flittering through the dark. The grass was deep green and the plants that wound in and out , never quite touching the cobblestone , were dark and some deadly.
There were purple roses that smelled of decay, and dark orange lilacs that ate bugs, white narcissuses that only opened under the moon, black ivy moved in the darkness, the sound like snakes hissing. There was a bleeding pomegranate tree and several other fruit trees that if you ate, would make you hallucinate. It was fun in the summer to eat the apricots and plums while lying in the cemetery and lose ourselves in sensation. Nam and I spent several hours doing just that the year we were 15, until Mylitta found out.
She lectured that people from Adura were not affected as much by the weird fruits and veggies that grew in the dark, but the ones that still could affect us were powerful and shouldn’t be abused. So Nam and I had to start sneaking around and not eating the magic plums or apricots as often.
The closer we got to the sunlight the more I wanted to hide. Granted, I never had to leave Adura, but all the light bothered my eyes. Namtar stood behind me as I walked to the boundary. A foot from me was the glowing light of Nannaru. There was sunshine and I could feel the warmth of a perfect day. The grass was bright green and there were the sounds of bubbling brooks and the song of bees and birds. It made me want to vomit a little.
Honeysuckle and jasmine grew everywhere and among them there were Golden Mums that when picked, actually turned into gold, bright pink pansies that when smelled gave you half an hour of good luck. I winced as I heard the Singing Lavender, it sang whenever anyone walked by. A few feet from me were berry bushes, the berries neon green and gave energy. I used to convince Mash to pick them for me so Nam and I could play even longer in the cemetery.
I looked up hearing footsteps as Mash came into view. He was tall with broad shoulders, his skin sun kissed. His hair was wavy and he kept it short, it was the color of shiny brass and his eyes sparkled like clean blue water. I knew he was very handsome in a classic way. Girls from Nannaru and Biri fawned over him. He was the perfect prince.
“Hey Mash, I’ll trade you an apricot for Green B’s”
“Not today little sis.” His smile put the sun to shame.
“Did you hear?” My question made him frown, like a summer storm coming in silently and suddenly.
“Yes. I confronted Mylitta when Namtar sent his missive. I asked Aya, she didn’t know anything.” The relief in his voice was plain. Aya was his version of Nam, his best friend and companion.
“Did Ishtar know?” I wondered aloud, I mean how could she not, and how could she keep it a secret?
“No. Mylitta says that they kept it under wraps because there have been problems.” Mash said.
“What kind of problems?” I sat down, Namtar next to me. Mash sat across, playing with the grass next to him.
“People complaining. Nannarus want me to rule and Adurans want you. They think another Biri ruler might be a mistake. But it doesn’t matter, tradition is tradition.”
I bit my lip and thought for a few moments. I didn’t want to rule, but I knew Mash did.
“What are they going to do with us if Ishtar gets married?”
“The betrothal is supposed to be a year long. I guess they’ll send us to the estates in the East and West, you know like governors or something. That way we can help keep an eye on things. We’ll be mini rulers.” Mash rolled his eyes, “better than nothing I guess.” There was something in his expression that made me think he wasn’t telling me everything.
We all sat in sat in silence for what seemed like forever. Things had changed and too fast. Ishtar married within the year? Me forced to live the rest of my long life in an estate in Adura, ruling under my parents and then my little sister and her husband? I didn’t like it one bit.
“I’ll get to come with you, right?” Namtar sounded as worried as I felt, his presence in my mind was always familiar and welcome.
“Of course, nothing separates us,” I confirmed. Then I heard my name being called from behind me.
“We’re being summoned.” Mash said, he too had heard his name called.
“Let’s go get this over with.” Nam helped me stand and we made our way back through the shadows of the Adura garden, I grabbed a plum on our way.
Chapter 3
As I walked into the palace I spotted Mylitta waving from the Biri section nearest to me. I wasn’t surprised, how could I be? Father and Mother must want to speak to all three of us about the changes about to be made.
“Come on, they want to see you in the throne room.”
“This better not take long, I have dinner plans,” I grumbled, moving faster to catch up with her. Nam stayed behind.
“I heard the Alu Prince is quite handsome for a demon,” Mylitta gave a rather girly snigger.
I almost ran into Mash at the double doors, he grimaced down at me, both of us feeling uncomfortable outside of our homes. Pushing open the doors, we entered.
Both our parents sat in their thrones, looking cool and unreachable as usual. Ishtar stood in front of them, her face forlorn. I guess the news shocked her as well as us. I went to her side, wrapping an arm around her waist, she sagged into me. Mash chose to stand right behind us, tall and golden.
Ishtar was the spitting image of our mother; except where Ishtar had warmth to her smile and laughter in her eyes, mom did not. She gazed at us like horses, sizing our breed and stamina.
“Oh Ereshkigal, where are your glasses. I cannot bear to have your sight focused on me.” Her voice slapped at me from across the room. Hurriedly Mylitta tossed me a pair she always kept in her smock and I shoved them onto my face, fuming.
My father was friendlier to see as it was my mother’s side that ruling was passed down from. My father’s family was just a part of the aristocracy. He was a tall, homely-looking ginger with sea green eyes, but at least my memories of him were fonder than mother.
“I believe you have all heard the news,” he said, voice solemn, “we have chosen a member of the Biri elite to betroth Ishtar to.”
Ishtar started to weep and I drew her closer to myself. “That isn’t fair Papa. Ishtar should be able to choose her own husband.”
“She is to be queen of Salas. Unlike you and your brother, she does not have that luxury,” Mother’s voice was icy.
Mash’s head whipped up so fast I swore I heard his neck crack.
“Then choose me instead Mare. I would welcome an arranged marriage for the chance to be King.”
“You were not Biri born. There is no argument on this matter.” And like always her word was law.
“I do not want to marry a stranger,” Ishtar’s voice was weak, but I was proud she’d spoken.
“I know dearest,” father cajoled, “but he will not be a stranger for long. You shall meet him at a private dinner with just the four of us tonight. Then after the betrothal ceremony you will have a year before the wedding.”
This did not seem to make my sister feel any better and big, fat tears began to leak from her eyes.
“And just who is this person anyway?” I asked.
“Lord Dumuzi.”
Ishtar drew in a breath, and it was not an unhappy sound. Lord Dumuzi came from one of the wealthiest families of all the Biri aristocracy. He was handsome an
d young, having just passed his 18th summer. His magic had to do with vegetation. I myself had only seen him a handful of times.
“That is a good match, Ishtar.” Mash said slowly, I could tell he was contemplating things.
“But... I…” She stuttered. Stiffening I touched her mind with mine.
“Now is not the time, save your arguing for when you can win.”
She nodded.
“Can I make a suggestion?” Mash had that tone in his voice, the bartering one.
“You can. I do not know if we will accept it,” Mother responded.
“Should Ishtar hate Lord Dumuzi, should she despise him or he makes her uncomfortable in any way I think it is only right that you break off the betrothal.”
“Absurd! She will marry him no matter what; he will make the perfect Salas King!” I grimaced at mother’s shrieking tone.
“Dearest, I think Shamash’s request is a good one.” Thank the Gods for father’s level head.
“What does he know about this sort of thing any way?” Mother speared him with a harsh glance. I wanted to unleash some serious destruction on her ass.
“I know that Nannaru people would more willingly follow me and a revolution could only be months away. I would personally feel better knowing that Ishtar is with someone she could learn to love.”
With Mash’s words silence filled the room. He had just seriously threatened our parents. I didn’t know he had the balls. Mother looked at him for the longest minute of my life and then nodded her head. For the first time I saw a light that had to be pride fill her face as she stared at her son.
“Yes Shamash. I think we can use your request. Ishtar, does that make you feel better? If you do not like Lord Dumuzi we shall find someone else.”
“Yes Mare, it does,” my sister curtseyed and I wanted to gag.
“Then is there anything else you need me for? I have plans tonight.” Head held high I waited for their response.
“Oh yes I heard the Alu Prince came to pay you his respects,” father looked at mother imploringly.
“That’s excellent; yes by all means, you and Mash are excused.” Mash and I didn’t want to leave Ishtar there, but we had no choice, Mylitta shooed us out the door, closing it behind us.
