Which was good since she didn’t possess a drop of willpower or have the courtesy to look away.
Kuwari’s gaze left the fire to meet hers. His expression was full of warmth.
“Enkara, why ever not?”
She blinked at him. “Why not?”
What was he talking about? She’d allowed herself to become so distracted, she didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. Oh, Merciful Goddess, just open the ground beneath my feet and end my humiliation.
The gods weren’t merciful and Kuwari only laughed at her confused look.
“You said, ‘I shouldn’t be here’ and I asked, ‘why ever not’ at which point you seemed to become distracted by something.”
His grin told her he knew exactly what she’d been so distracted by, but his comment also said he was still expecting a response.
“Now you’re being intentionally obtuse.” Enkara stared at a spot on the wall above the hearth. She wasn’t going to look at him because she knew that devastating smile would be focused on her.
“You’re the one who won’t answer.”
“I shouldn’t have to explain it. These are your chambers. I shouldn’t be here. We’re not children anymore.”
“I noticed that a few years back,” Kuwari added helpfully. “But you’re wrong. These rooms, and all that I own—all that I am—it is yours too. We made a childhood pact that we would always stay together. Are you saying you will no longer honor our pact?”
“That’s not what this is about.”
“Yes,” his voice softened, no longer holding his earlier playfulness. “It is. I’m going to go get dressed. If you still honor our childhood pact, you’ll follow me, and we’ll discuss this in more detail.”
True to his word, Kuwari stood and strolled away from the hearth and meandered his way deeper into his chambers, vanishing behind the fringed curtain leading to his sleeping chambers.
She remained rooted in place.
Could she ever willingly break her pact with Kuwari?
Chapter 5
Kuwari’s heart pounded in his chest, and his stomach was tying itself into knots, but he focused on the simple act of dressing. He belted on his linen robe with a force bordering on violence.
Ultimatums were never a good tactic. He knew that! His father had drilled such teachings into him along with many other valuable pieces of information. He knew better than to act so rashly and lose his composure. But Enkara’s rejection had sent him into a snit.
Fool, he berated himself, now that your Blade isn’t following, what will you do?
His father said ultimatums resulted in unfavorable outcomes half the time.
Pressing the heel of his palms against his closed lids, he rubbed them as if that could erase his drastic error in judgment.
Soft footfalls approached, then hesitated just outside his sleeping chamber. A moment later the curtain’s beaded fringe rustled and that constricting pressure circling his heart loosened and he drew a deep, shaky breath.
Warm fingers came to rest on his shoulder, then Enkara stepped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressing against his shoulder. “I could break faith with you no more than I could cut out my own heart.”
He closed his eyes and sighed in relief.
“I’m sorry for being so thick-headed, my Kara. I shouldn’t have questioned your devotion in such a way.”
“My Prince, I’m sorry I made you doubt our bond. Never doubt that.”
“Then why are you pushing me away? Tell me so I can understand.”
She squeezed him tighter. “I’m afraid.”
“Afraid?” Genuine surprise engulfed him. “You’ve never been afraid of anything in your life. How can you be afraid of me?”
“Afraid I’ll never be good enough.” She gave an embarrassed little chuckle. “I realize how insecure that makes me sound. I didn’t say it was logical.”
“Self-doubt is seldom logical, but it is very, very natural.” Her warm breath puffed against his skin and he wanted to turn and take her in his arms but retained enough reason to know that would likely drive his strangely skittish Blade far from his side for the rest of the night.
“Talk to me, Enkara,” he said instead and turned his head just enough to brush his cheek against her hair.
She sighed and then dropped her arms to her sides. She didn’t bolt from him which he took as a good sign. After turning to her, he slowly reached out and took her hand. Once he had a firm grip, he tugged her farther into the room, towards the warmth of the fire and the bench that sat near.
While she stared into the fire, he began with a few gentle inquiries. Soon she was baring her soul to him, whispering of her deep insecurities and all the little ways she still wasn’t ready to take their relationship deeper.
But not once did she say she didn’t love him. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her hair to hide his grin. He wasn’t fooled by his Blade. She couldn’t lie, not to him, and she was far from indifferent.
“Do you understand why I’m not ready to commit to anything beyond friendship?”
“Yes. There is no pressure. The council can drop hints all they want, but they can’t force me into a match I don’t want. We’ll wait until you’ve completed your training and have had a chance to settle in as my Blade, and then we will reopen this conversation.”
That doesn’t mean I’ll stop courting you in the meantime.
He’d been so focused on his own plans, he missed the moment Enkara’s expression had turned guarded and her lips compressed unhappily as she studied him, searching his face for something.
She stood straighter and then cleared her throat. “I’m afraid that’s no longer entirely accurate, my Prince.”
“What’s not accurate?” he asked slowly, but suddenly one of his past vision fragments was beginning to make an unsettling kind of sense.
“That the council can’t force your hand.”
“Does this have something to do with what Burrukan wanted to speak with you about when he pulled you aside back there on the beach?”
She nodded sharply and told him everything Burrukan had told her about the Council’s decision regarding the betrothal and a trial year. “So, you see, this…complicates things.”
He wasn’t happy about the council’s heavy-handedness, but he wasn’t entirely surprised by their move either. What did surprise him was how readily his parents agreed to this debacle. Why hadn’t they thought to ask what he and Enkara wanted? Then he huffed. His parents and High Priestess Kammani knew how he felt about his Blade and they likely thought Enkara returned his feelings.
And she did. He was certain of that, even if Enkara didn’t yet know her heart belonged to him. Perhaps if he gave her a few days and she had time to settle in, she’d realize just how much she cared. After all, with her earlier soul-baring confession, she hadn’t said she didn’t love him.
If he could convince her to say ‘yes’ to the betrothal, then he’d secure a year’s time to win Enkara over. He was sure it wouldn’t take her half that long to overcome her momentary misgivings and self-doubts. She was self-assured by nature, and whatever had caused this skittishness—he was rather confident it was her growing awareness of him as a potential mate versus childhood friend that was the cause—would run its course and she’d eventually know her heart and mind.
Kuwari tapped her on the shoulder to gain her attention. “As much as I would like to sit and talk for the rest of the night, we should get some sleep. My parents will be none too pleased with my escape. It is best I have my wits about me in the morning.”
“Yes,” Enkara agreed with a genuine smile.
“Though, I’d much rather talk for the rest of the night.” Sighing with dramatical sadness, he started toward the back of his sleeping chamber. “There’s a separate chamber off this one. I’m aware it’s not as big, but that’s where I put all the possessions you left behind when you went to train on New Assur. I think you’ll find it tolerable.”
Enkara parted her lips as she drew breath to speak, then hesitated at length before murmuring a soft ‘Thank you.’
In truth, he’d expected more resistance, but Enkara strode forward, brushed aside the beaded curtain that marked the border of the two rooms and then halted just inside the threshold to survey the chamber. He followed on her heels and tried to see the room with an objective eye but failed. He’d often spent time here when Enkara’s absence became intolerable but also when he wanted a place to unwind, or hide, at the end of a long day.
Along the south wall, a bed covered with the finest linens and pillows was flanked by two storage chests. A small table and large wardrobe took up most of the east wall. His eyes briefly rested on a large weapons rack that spanned the entire west wall. The remaining space was occupied by shelves laden with various stones and trinkets they’d collected as children.
At last, his eyes halted on a small fireplace with a tidy stack of wood sitting beside it.
“Did you want me to start a fire? The ocean breeze has been blowing cold this last cycle.”
“I don’t need the comfort of a fire,” she said as she stepped further into the room.
“Comforts are never needed — that’s why they are comforts, not necessities.” Kuwari grinned at the familiar way she rolled her eyes at his words.
“You’re growing soft, my Prince.”
“Not yet home a day and already insulting me. Gods, I’ve missed you.”
An answering grin touched her lips, and he found his gaze riveted to them. Within the year, Ishtar should claim Enkara as her Blade, and maybe even require them to perform the Sacred Marriage.
Lust heated his loins at the thought of finally taking Enkara as his mate. He cast fugitive glances at her sleeping pallet, wondering how soon and how aggressively he dare begin his courtship.
“Out!” Enkara pointed back towards his sleeping chambers.
Sometimes the special link they shared had a downside, exposing deeply personal feelings. Well, perhaps if she had no doubt of his…affections, it would help her regain her confidence around him and shorten the length of their courtship.
Kuwari grinned at that thought.
Enkara’s responding glower vanquished his growing lust.
Ah. Courtship would begin later, then. A cautious, gentle courtship at that, but he’d win her in the end. He didn’t move fast enough to suit her, and she grabbed him by the shoulder. A couple well-aimed shoves sent him in the general direction of his chamber.
“Dawn isn’t that far off, and your parents want to speak with you before first meal,” she reminded him as she followed him into his chambers. “You. Bed. Now.”
Kuwari laughed, a joyous sound he couldn’t contain. This was his Enkara, his weapon — the commanding girl who’d grown into an equally dominant woman.
Gods he loved her so much. He even loved the way she stood there, her arms folded across her chest as she waited for him to obey her. He savored the exact moment she realized her mistake. Then, his trap set, he bestowed her with a seductive show as he slowly walked to his bed, discarding clothing as he went.
She couldn’t look away or retreat to her room without ceding the challenge to him. His warrior woman—even if she was being uncommonly skittish—wouldn’t back down from a challenge.
Though, when he glanced over his shoulder at her, he noticed she was leveling her best glower at him the entire time.
He’d intentionally left all the candles burning to give Enkara a good look, showcasing what he could bring to a physical relationship. To give her credit, she stood there unmoving, her face expressionless while he arranged the pillows and blankets to his liking.
Only after he was settled did she stroll further into his room where she proceeded to blow out all the candles until just the fire in the hearth provided any light.
“May you have pleasant dreams, my Prince,” Enkara said as she padded across the thick rugs and then brushed aside the curtain before disappearing into the shadows beyond.
Kuwari grinned up at the ceiling for long moments. It wouldn’t have surprised him if he was still grinning as sleep claimed him. And if he dreamed about Enkara? Why that was only natural.
Chapter 6
The sun was only just a hint on the horizon when they reached the throne room. Kuwari’s gaze went to the south end of the large room, where four thrones sat upon a raised dais. None of the thrones were occupied. They often weren’t. His parents detested all the royal trappings that went along with the crown.
Presently, his parents were sitting around a large table off to one side of the room. Potted plants and gilded screens offered some privacy. Though, no one was presently in the throne room beside the usual guards.
“You ready for this?” Enkara asked in a whisper.
“Always,” he said with a grin.
When his father’s gaze landed on him and narrowed in that familiar way, Kuwari knew he had some explaining to do.
“Don’t think you’re getting out of punishment for running off without your guard, but I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself first.”
Kuwari didn’t know if his explanation about the vision with the hand pouring something into his goblet would help or hinder his defence, but he told the truth and hoped. Once finished his tale of escape, Kuwari had hoped they would be granted a reprieve from duties for the rest of the day. The gauzy curtains were pulled back from the massive archways, allowing the early dawn sunlight and playful ocean breeze to enter. It looked to be a beautiful day for walks along the beach and drinks under the shade of a palm tree.
Alas, if his father’s dark expression was anything to go by, a walk along the beach wasn’t in Kuwari’s immediate future.
“We have other business we need to discuss,” Ditanu said as if guessing his thoughts.
Ditanu wasn’t the only one good at reading expressions.
“Ah, this is about the betrothal and trial year, I assume,” Kuwari drawled.
Ditanu, in turn, glowered at Burrukan.
Kuwari summoned up his most disarming smile. “Ah. I see Burrukan wasn’t supposed to mention that little tidbit.”
“I wanted to tell you and Enkara myself.”
“Hmm. Guess Burrukan saved you the trouble. I don’t suppose it would have occurred to anyone that Enkara might refuse my courtship? No?” He pointedly looked at Enkara before glowering at each of his parents and then lowered his voice to a more menacing growl. “Well, she did.”
His father’s appalled expression was almost humorous.
“Gods above and below! Did I just force my son into a year of misery to pacify the damned Council?” Ditanu bolted upright and stormed away in a rare showing of temper. “Summon the council. I’ll not stand by and allow this disaster to unfold!”
Ahassunu was taken by surprise as well, but she covered it better, her expression already turning thoughtful. “This need not be a disaster...”
King Ditanu turned his dark glower upon Ahassunu. “Kuwari loves Enkara. I was certain she loved him in return. That’s the only reason I agreed to the Council’s scheme.”
His father’s voice grew louder with each word. Kuwari picked up his goblet and sipped out of it to hide his smile. He could always tell his father that he knew Enkara’s decision wasn’t necessarily final, that she just needed time to come to terms with what fate had just rolled out in all its glory. But…it was always fine entertainment when the King lost his temper with his Council.
Queen Iltani stood and joined her mate. “No one is forcing Kuwari into something he doesn’t want.”
Ah. His second mother was always more fun than his father.
“Kuwari is young yet,” Ditanu continued with his earlier line of thought. “The royal line is secure and robust for the first time in centuries. This was a foolish, unneeded ploy on the part of the meddling Council.”
“I’m more than happy to cure them of this foolishness, my King.” Iltani caressed the hilt of her crystalline sword.
>
Kuwari wondered for a moment if he was going to get to see Iltani as Ishtar’s Avenging Blade. It had been years since there’d been an assassination attempt. Her sword must be hungering for new blood.
At Iltani’s less than subtle threat, Burrukan broke out into snorts of laughter. Which earned him a glare from all concerned.
“It’s not foolish,” Ahassunu said with a glower at Burrukan and then Ditanu.
Ditanu narrowed his eyes, looking at the two Regents. “Ahassunu, this was your idea. You can be the one to go tell the Council there will be no betrothal and deal with the consequences.”
“It isn’t foolish! Statecraft and alliances stabilize the relationships between all the city-states.” Ahassunu rolled her eyes at Ditanu.
He scowled. “I know how statecraft works.”
Kuwari was grinning into his cup when Enkara suddenly elbowed him sharply in the ribs. “You could say something to stop this. You know, like what you told me about being fine with completing a trial year as long as it was fake.”
“Nah. This is much more entertaining. Besides, my parents deserve to stew for a good long time. Maybe next time they’ll consult us first before making life-altering decisions on our behalf.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “You’re terrible.”
“I know.”
“Come, this might actually be a blessing from the gods,” Ahassunu said, trying for diplomacy this time. Though Kuwari doubted very much that it would work on his father.
“Now Kuwari can find a noble lady of proper lineage and training to rule at his side. He’s still young. I doubt my son even knows his own heart yet. I didn’t at that age. And since nothing has happened between my son and his Blade, they’re both free to find love elsewhere in time. A trial year will give Kuwari time to further mature and start to understand what he truly wants.”
Queen of the Gryphons: Ishtar's Legacy: Books 1 & 2 Page 32