Queen of the Gryphons: Ishtar's Legacy: Books 1 & 2 Page 6

  He inhaled sharply and Iltani stepped back.

  “Your hair smells of the ocean,” he said quietly.

  “My skin and clothing, too, probably,” she said in a disgruntled tone as she wiped at the salt stain on her leather vest.

  “Burrukan was in a hurry this morning, wasn’t he?”

  “When isn’t Burrukan in a hurry?”

  “True,” Ditanu agreed and then surprised her again by dragging her into his arms for another fierce hug. “But I’m glad he brought you home.”

  He released her before Iltani thought to return his hug, but he didn’t seem upset and with a laugh, shoved her in the direction of his bathing chamber. “Go, the servants have already drawn a bath for me, but I think you will appreciate it more.”

  “I will not steal your bath. I’ll survive until the servants round something up for me.”

  “Stop arguing with your king.”

  He said it with a lopsided grin, Iltani decided he rather liked the novelty of having someone argue with him.

  “I thought here, in your chambers, you were simply Ditanu. You can’t have it both ways.”

  “True. However, trust me. Once you’re at the nursery, the cubs will not leave you alone long enough to bathe. They want nothing to do with their own baths, but if someone else is trying to get a bath without them, you will never believe the hue and cry those little ones can make.”

  “Perhaps they are too used to getting their way.”

  “Likely.”

  “A family trait perhaps?” She grinned when he arched an eyebrow at her audacity.

  “I don’t doubt.” A lazy smile spread across his face. “Then they can’t really be blamed for being irresistible either. Alas, another family trait I have no control over.”

  Iltani huffed at his boast but didn’t deny it. Ditanu was irresistible. She still had wits enough to know she was as drawn to him as a night flier was to a torch. “Irresistible and dangerous.”

  Drat, she’d said that last out loud.

  “Never dangerous to you.” He reached for her again.

  “I’ve had too much wine,” she said in haste and turned away to evade another of his touches. She stalked away from him and made straight to the royal bathing chamber. After all, she did want to wash off the salt essence, and Ditanu always got his way. It was a foregone conclusion.

  “A servant will bring you clean clothes.” A hint of pain laced his words.

  Iltani cast a glance over her shoulder at the tone, but Ditanu had already taken a seat at a large ornate table. It was piled high with paper, ink, and numerous unopened missives.

  He broke the seal on the first letter just as she brushed aside the veils providing a privacy screen between the two chambers. Hesitating a moment, she fought the urge to go back to him, to soothe whatever small hurt he might feel.

  Her emotions hopelessly out of balance, she ducked into the bathing chamber.

  Alcoves lined the walls of the room, housing towels, soaps, linens, fragrant oils and a whole host of other luxuries Iltani had never taken the time to use herself. Numerous candles, oil lamps, and a fire burning in the large hearth along the north wall provided more than enough light to make out details on the beautiful screens that flanked one side of the vast pool-like tub embedded in the floor.

  The bathing pool took up a good third of the floor space, and steam still rose from the tranquil waters. This one was much the same as the ones in the public baths. They were built large enough for a full-sized gryphon to bathe in, which made them almost deep enough for swimming.

  To overcome this minor problem, ledges had been cut into the rock to act as seats. Like the public baths, the king’s personal pool was fed by a fountainhead, which at the push of a lever allowed water to run across the small streambed of enchanted heating rocks and on into the pool.

  Iltani didn’t care if she was breaking some archaic royal law by being here and headed for the decorative screens. There she stripped off her clothes and made a side trip to one of the alcoves to select some mildly scented soap, a sandalwood scent that reminded her of Ditanu, before crossing to the large pool and slipping into the water’s warm embrace.

  ***

  The warm water had soothed and settled Iltani’s earlier turmoil far better than the wine had. Or maybe merely being away from Ditanu for a while allowed her to calm her chaotic thoughts. Whatever the case, as she exited the tub and wrapped a towel around her body and another around her hair, she felt in control again.

  That was a first since she’d woken up this morning.

  A slight noise, the brush of a sandal against the polished stone floor, had Iltani turning to the sound in time to see two young servant girls entering the room. Seeing her, one came over carrying a pile of clothing, and the other went to the pool.

  The one by the pool turned a lever, and the bath began to empty into a drain. Iltani knew the water wouldn’t be wasted and was even now making its way through a purification system where it would eventually find its way into the irrigation lines for the farmers to use.

  The girl with the clothes approached Iltani and bowed.

  “I am not of noble blood,” Iltani told her. “The bow is not necessary. In fact, I’d prefer if you treat me like any of the other servants. I am a Shadow.”

  The girl smiled. “I know who you are. You are our king’s childhood friend and Shadow Burrukan’s heir.” The girl’s smile grew into a grin. “Consort Ahassunu sent me and said to treat you as I would her.”

  Well, even though that was a touch unsettling, it made sense.

  Ahassunu was one of the few who knew that Iltani was Ishtar’s Blade. That elevated Iltani’s status enough to warrant the occasional bow. She supposed she might as well get used to it because come tomorrow night, everyone within the ten city-states would know as well.

  “I will do your hair for you, and then we’ll help you dress for bed.”

  Iltani was going to say she could dress and do her own hair, but she was tired, and she hated working the tiny little braids back in. She’d been going to wait until morning, but it was better if they were put in while her hair was still wet.

  If someone else wanted to do it for her?

  All the better.

  The girl picked up another basket and skirted the bench Iltani sat on. The basket contained combs, pins, an assortment of gold beads, and several delicate ribbons to weave in her hair. Iltani pulled another towel up around her shoulders for warmth and just sat, allowing her mind to wander as the girl worked on her hair.

  Iltani was half asleep by the time the servant had finished.

  “You have beautiful hair,” the servant said. “I love the color. It reminds me of the royal cubs.”

  Fighting back a laugh, Iltani only nodded.

  Her hair did have something in common with the cubs. They both had thick brown pelts that bordered on wild and wiry.

  She allowed the girl to take the damp towels and then dress her in a long sleeping gown. Ribbons tied at the shoulders held it on, and intricate needlework along the bodice and waist provided the only touch of modesty as the fabric was so soft and sheer that it hid almost nothing.

  A matching robe of the same material was laid out on the bench beside her. Iltani supposed the two layers together would almost provide enough fabric for warmth and modesty.

  A slight sound of surprise escaped the girl. Iltani glanced over her shoulder and saw the girl’s gaze was riveted on her back.

  Ah. Ishtar’s mark. The sheer robe probably allowed the mark to show through.

  Iltani usually bathed by herself, so no one had the opportunity to lay eyes on it.

  The girl dropped into a deep bow. This, of course, alerted the other servant that something was amiss and she too approached with caution. Iltani knew the exact moment the second girl spotted the mark and registered what it was. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head to the floor.

  When it became apparent neither one planned to get back up, Iltani cleared her th
roat. “Get up, please. This isn’t necessary. I am a servant as much as you.” Which was true. For as Ishtar’s Blade, she was a servant to both a goddess and a king.

  Still, the servant girls didn’t move.

  Iltani was still coaxing the servants to stand when Ditanu brushed aside the veils and entered the bathing chamber. He took one look at Iltani’s expression and laughed.

  “Off with you,” he ordered the servants. “Ahassunu will need your help getting the cubs to bed.”

  As if his words had broken invisible chains securing them to the floor, both girls rose, bowed to their king, and hurried from the room.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for them to see Ishtar’s mark, but they spotted it through the nightdress.” Iltani glanced down at her bare feet. “Close to twenty-one years I’ve managed to keep it hidden. One day back and now the servants know.”

  Ditanu brushed aside her words. “They were handpicked by Ahassunu because she knows their families and knows they will be discrete. You have nothing to fear. Besides, in less than a day the blooding ceremony will have unlocked the first tier of Ishtar’s power. Your enemies will find you a fierce opponent.”

  His hand landed on her bare shoulder, and at his insistent tug, she turned. Neither of them said anything as he traced the mark through the fabric of her nightdress and robe.

  He grunted something and pushed her toward the bench.

  Ditanu strolled from the room. He wasn’t gone long. When he returned, he held a large dagger, its blade bare. If it were anyone else, the sight would have had her snatching the nearest item to use as a weapon, but this was Ditanu. She trusted him with her life, so she just sat and watched him as he came.

  He halted and frowned down at her. “This may be a bit premature and likely to anger my aunt. But I don’t care. We’re going to perform the first of the blooding ceremonies tonight. Ishtar has sent me her nightmares and awakened your magic this day for a reason.”

  She understood his reasoning and the fear which prodded him into action. “Aren’t there rituals and prayers and blessings and a whole assortment of priestly things that go along with it all?”

  “Those are trappings only. Three things are all that’s required. Ishtar’s blessing, her Blade and her gryphon monarch. We already have her blessing.” He then gestured first to himself and then at her. “What more do you think we need?”

  Iltani admitted he had a point. “Then we just need…”

  “For me to shed blood for Ishtar, yes.”

  She saw no reason to postpone the first ritual, certainly not if it would allow Ditanu to sleep peacefully this night.

  She shrugged off the robe and then reached for the ribbon ties at her shoulders. She tugged them loose. The delicate material fluttered down to pool at the flare of her hips.

  While she was debating if she should shed it altogether to save it getting ruined, Ditanu took the decision from her and straddled the bench next to her. Mimicking him, she swung her leg over the seat and faced away from him, exposing her back and the mark that ran along her spine from the base of her neck all the way down to her tailbone.

  Turning her upper body slightly, she watched him over her shoulder. He was already bare-chested and dragged the tip of the dagger across his right pectoral as she watched. A slight grunt at the first cut was all the sound he made.

  Afterward, he made a second, matching cut on the opposite side.

  The cuts sloped down at a slight angle, funneling most of the blood toward the center of his chest. He reached around her to place the dagger on the bench in front of them. Iltani braced her hands against the stone just behind where the blade lay. Tension made all her muscles rigid, but commanding herself to relax simply didn’t work.

  Overly aware, she tracked his every move.

  At last, he shifted closer and pulled her against him until his bleeding chest was pressed against her back. “Ishtar, this night we come together to renew the pact between the gryphon kings and you, oh great Queen of the Night. Your Blade has been anointed with king’s blood as the ancient rites demand, bless her now with your power so that we may serve you to our fullest potential and never fail you.”

  Even before he’d finished his plea to the goddess, Iltani felt her magic stir awake with greater strength. Ditanu’s blood trickled down her spine, and Ishtar’s mark flared to life, absorbing it.

  An unfathomable sensation spread outward from her spine as her body and Ishtar’s power reacted to the blood of a gryphon king. It began as numbness, slowly changing to a tingle and then morphing into a burning sensation. Before she could tense farther, the burning receded, replaced by a pleasant warmth that left her body feeling heavy.

  He spread his hand flat against her stomach and shifted closer to better hold her in place. “I’m sorry. I know this part must make you feel vulnerable.”

  Iltani twisted just enough to look back at him and grinned. “I have been away too long if you think you can make me feel vulnerable.”

  An answering smile crossed his lips, breaking what could have become a very awkward moment. “Yes, there’s no denying you’ve been away too long.”

  Her muscles all threatened to turn to putty and Iltani had to lock her elbows to keep upright as more of Ishtar’s power raced across her senses. When she, at last, allowed her eyes to drift closed, she sensed another presence. It probably should have come as a shock realizing Ishtar was manifesting in the room with them, seemed actually to be caressing them with her power, but Iltani was too far gone to worry.

  Ditanu’s fingers kneaded her skin where they rested against her belly. The power rising in her blood made her aware how it felt with him blanketing her. Her breath came faster and magic danced along her skin. A wave built, rising within her, answering a goddess’s call and resonating with something of equal potency sleeping in Ditanu’s blood.

  Needing to touch something, to hold on in some way, she wrapped one hand around his left forearm. At her touch, the muscles flexed under her fingers, but he made no other protest, so she changed her grip, sliding her fingers down his wrist and then covering his hand.

  The wave of power that had been threatening rose up, and then came crashing down upon her, their magic a bright swirl of color to her vision, engulfing their bodies and the room.

  Ditanu sat back on his haunches, dragging Iltani with him, never breaking the contact between them. Behind her, a shiver wracked his body and both arms wrapped around her middle almost convulsively. He uttered words too slurred and guttural to understand.

  “Ditanu?” The power slowly began to ebb, receding back to where it had come from.

  “I’m sorry. Just give me a moment.” His head dropped to rest on her shoulder as he fought to catch his breath. “Our goddess has a wicked sense of humor.”

  Thinking was hard with him still pressed close, his warmth sinking into her bones. “You felt her, too. I didn’t imagine it?”

  “You most certainly didn’t, and you can stress the ‘felt’ part.” His voice still held a ragged edge and mild disgruntlement. After another long moment, he pushed away from her and sat heavily on the bench behind. “This isn’t quite how I imagined this moment. It’s far rawer than I expected.”

  Already missing his heat and warm sandalwood scent, Iltani sat up and flexed her stiff joints. Several more times, she and Ditanu would have to do this over the next six moon cycles.

  Great Ishtar, Iltani questioned, is it wrong to look forward to the next ceremonies simply because it forces Ditanu and I closer together? Reaching around behind her, she touched her mark but felt no blood.

  “It’s gone without a drop to show I ever spilled blood.” The fingers of Ditanu’s right hand brushed down her spine, a slow caress that measured every little bump along her spine and made her breath hitch. “Though it glows, and I can feel the power within you nearly twice as strong as it was before.”

  She tugged up her robe and Ditanu helped her tie the ribbons.

  “My king, are you truly all righ
t? At the end, it seemed…painful for you.”

  Pausing in his task, the ribbon spilling from his fingers, he glanced into her eyes. “You’re still within my chambers. It’s Ditanu, here. And no, that wasn’t it.”

  Iltani tilted her head in question and wouldn’t be dissuaded from her hunt. “What did you mean?”

  “Some of the ancient texts you studied must have eluded to Ishtar’s…appetites.”

  Iltani’s eyebrows shot up nearly into her hairline. “Ishtar showed you her favor?”

  So that’s what had him so disconcerted. Ditanu must feel he’d somehow been unfaithful to his mate. Iltani rolled her eyes at the ceiling. She should tell him something to soothe his worries.

  “You in no way dishonored your mate by catching a goddess’s interest.” Iltani laughed at his expression. “She could have demanded far more than a stolen caress.”

  A slight red hue shaded Ditanu’s cheeks.

  “Hmmm, it was just a caress, wasn’t it?” Iltani might have been jealous of her goddess, but she wasn’t. In a tiny wicked part of her mind, it felt more like she and Ishtar were working together to seduce their king.

  “Ha! There’s the Iltani I’ve always known.” He grinned back at her and then pushed off the bench and started toward the steaming pool. “I might tell you about it one day.”

  For the first time all evening, Iltani allowed her eyes to devour Ditanu’s form. With his back to her and his attention on the pool, she deemed it safe enough.

  Ishtar wasn’t the only female whose interest he’d managed to snare whether he wanted to or not. When he halted at the pool’s edge and began working loose his belt, Iltani decided it was better not to torture herself. She looked away. Her eyes landed on her own sword and harness. She retrieved them and belted the harness on simply to give her fingers something to do.

  “You said you needed to speak with Burrukan and Ahassunu?”

  “Yes,” he sighed. “With my earlier announcement about my cubs’ regent, there is sure to be an overabundance of hurt feelings and new ambition among the nobles. Don’t be surprised if they approach you wanting to forge alliances and discuss mutual benefits and the usual politics. The rumor that you are Burrukan’s chosen heir is sure to have already spread far. They know Burrukan has my ear, and you have his. Once they figure out you have unhindered access to me, they’ll grant you no peace either.”