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

by Lisa Blackwood

  He shrugged. “Fine. I deserve that one. I have been keeping something from you, but if it makes you feel any better, I’ll tell you about it later.”

  “Everything is always later with you,” she grumbled.

  He gave her his most innocent look. “You’re the one who’s making us wait. I’d be happy with now if you ever get tired of later.”

  Enkara snorted. “Do you stand in front of a mirror and practice that look?”

  Before he could reply with a negative, she grabbed him by the shoulder and shoved him in the direction of his chambers. “Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be waiting much longer. But who knows. If you’re a good boy and go to bed when your elders say, perhaps tomorrow will bring better things.”

  It was Kuwari’s turn to laugh.

  Oh, my sweet Blade, you don’t know how true your words are.

  Chapter 32

  Distant pounding on the outer doors jolted Enkara out of sleep. She was already reaching for her clothing and weapons when a flurry of activity announced that several Shadows had entered the adjoining room. Enkara pulled on her shirt and practice leathers and had a dagger at the ready by the time she emerged into Kuwari’s sleeping chamber.

  Her eyebrow arched in surprise to see him already up and dressed like he was expecting this.

  “Forgive me, my Prince, Blade Enkara. There is a situation that requires your attention,” Shadow Kurumtum said as he straightened from a bow.

  “Speak,” Kuwari urged when Kurumtum hesitated too long.

  Strangely, the older Shadow’s gaze slid sideways to give Enkara a pitying look before returning to the prince. “Councilor Nakurtum requests that you come to Lady Kullaa’s chambers. It seems she’s entered her fertility cycle. The councilor is adamant she’s responding to you.”

  “Lady Kullaa?” Enkara asked, her mind reeling from the information. Faced with this news, the sadness that engulfed her heart whenever her logical mind dwelled on how Kullaa would make Kuwari a good match reared to life far stronger than usual.

  This time her logical mind was no comfort. But it didn’t matter what she wanted if this was Ishtar’s will.

  Kuwari reached behind him and unerringly took her hand in his. Strangely he seemed unruffled by the news. Had he seen a vision of this moment? Was that what he’d wished to keep secret? If so, why was he so calm?

  “We will come at once,” Kuwari told Kurumtum and then began to walk, tugging Enkara along with him.

  When gryphons entered their fertility cycle, either sex could be violent and territorial when ruled by instincts. While she didn’t think Lady Kullaa would attempt to harm the prince, the danger was there if she’d shifted to gryphon form.

  Enkara wasn’t taking any chances. If need be, she and the other Shadows could run interference until the prince had time to shift to his own gryphon form. It wasn’t until they were at Lady Kullaa’s suites that Enkara realized she’d have to stay near during the mating to protect him from outside threats.

  Her stomach plummeted. Kuwari must have sensed her hesitation for he gave her hand a squeeze as his mind touched hers.

  “Beloved, I see now I should have shared what I have seen. I simply didn’t want your reactions to change what might be the best outcome to all this. Lady Kullaa’s fertility cycle is not natural. Council Nakurtum is behind it.”

  “Nakurtum? I’m going to kill her.”

  “Peace. Just allow events to unfold.”

  “No promises.”

  When they arrived, Uselli and five other Shadows were already outside the door leading to Lady Kullaa’s chambers. Uselli informed Kuwari that Nakurtum was still inside with her daughter.

  If Nakurtum was inside, it must mean Lady Kullaa was rational and in human form. If it had been otherwise, she would have run everyone out of her chambers since a female gryphon in the grip of her fertility cycle didn’t tolerate anyone except the object of her desire.

  That was a good sign. Rational was always beneficial.

  “Shall we get this over with?” Kuwari asked Uselli.

  The Shadow nodded but looked distressed. Enkara’s one eyebrow arched as she remembered how much attention Lady Kullaa had been giving the Shadow earlier in the evening. She’d thought the lady might have feelings for the older male, but Enkara hadn’t seen anything in Uselli’s demeanor that suggested he returned the sentiment. Now she started to rethink that.

  The Shadows were making ready to enter the chamber when the door banged open, and Councilor Nakurtum hastily exited a moment before a massive weight slammed into it. The door groaned under the impact but held.

  Nakurtum looked up. Spotting Kuwari, a look of relief crossed her features.

  “Ah. Thank the Goddess you’re here. My daughter just shifted and is getting…agitated.”

  Kuwari snorted. “I don’t doubt she is. Shall I go have a little chat with her?”

  New suspicion bloomed in Nakurtum’s eyes, but she didn’t disagree with Kuwari. “Of course. How are you feeling yourself? I imagine you should be feeling some matching symptoms soon.”

  “I feel nothing yet, but it’s early. And how can you be so certain I’m the match she’s interested in?”

  Nakurtum’s lips compressed. “You’re the only male she’s been spending time with.”

  Kuwari laughed. “Half my Shadows are male in case you’ve never noticed. She could be responding to anyone of them.”

  “What? No, I’m certain it’s you.”

  “I’ll take Enkara and Uselli for protection and we’ll go from there.” Kuwari flashed his teeth at the councilor. “I think it’s best if you stay here. Your daughter didn’t seem very happy with you earlier.”

  “I think it’s best—”

  Kuwari turned to a nearby Shadow. “See that the councilor remains outside. I wouldn’t want Lady Kullaa to have to live with the guilt of killing her own mother.”

  The Shadows moved to obey, and Kuwari pushed inside Lady Kullaa’s chamber, forcing Enkara and a startled Uselli to quickly follow. Two steps in Kuwari raised his arm, holding her back while he faced a snarling gold and brown colored gryphon.

  “Lady Kullaa, peace. I’ve brought the one you seek.” Kuwari gave Uselli a shove toward the gryphon.

  Kullaa’s snarls halted and she raised her head, sniffing deeply. A moment later she circled Uselli protectively and started purring.

  “Shadow Uselli, unless I’m mistaken, you admire Lady Kullaa a great deal, and she admires you as well, even without the fertility drug her mother gave her.” Kuwari tilted his head at the Shadow.

  Uselli’s expression showed shock for a few heartbeats, but it soon transformed into rage. “That devious harpy drugged her own daughter?”

  “Yes. But as you can see, she miscalculated the outcome. I avoided the wine she’d tainted.”

  “You knew and did nothing to stop this?” Uselli’s words held the snap of anger, but his expression softened when Kullaa bumped her head under his hand, looking for a scratch. He modulated his tone for his next statement. “I do not understand your reasoning, my prince. The Shadows would have acted to prevent this and Nakurtum would have been brought before her king and fellow councilors for punishment.”

  “Yes, but it isn’t a crime punishable by death. Eventually, she’d be released back to Nippur where she would return to trying to find the best possible match for her daughter. If that happens Lady Kullaa still wouldn’t get to choose her own mate.”

  “How is this any better? She still doesn’t get to choose.”

  “She’s already chosen. You have been her choice since shortly after she arrived.”

  Uselli’s stunned expression would have been entertaining under other circumstances, but Enkara understood his shock. She had been on the same end of some of Kuwari’s elaborate plans a time or two herself.

  “All you need to do is admit you share her feelings and I’ll leave you two alone and ban Nakurtum from entering.”

  Uselli’s internal battle was painful
to see. Enkara wanted to pat him on the shoulder and tell him it was alright to reach for something he wanted if it was freely given.

  “Lady Kullaa captured my heart shortly after I met her, but I’m old enough to be her father.”

  It was Enkara’s turn to snort with laughter. “You’re not yet even half a century old. You could easily live for two more. If I were Kullaa, I’d want you for however long I could have you.”

  “There,” Kuwari said with a grin. “Don’t argue with a woman’s wisdom. You’ll live in misery for the rest of your days.”

  Uselli nodded and then squared his shoulders. “I will stay with Kullaa so that she knows I share her love, but I will only keep her company and help her through the worst of the symptoms. Then in the morning, if she truly wants me as her mate, I will be happy to oblige her with a proper courtship.”

  Kuwari’s grin bloomed full force. “Good. I shall tell Nakurtum the happy news. The first part, not the bit about you being all noble.”

  Uselli nodded his thanks and then urged Kullaa deeper into the chambers. Kuwari and Enkara backed out of the room and closed the door softly behind them. Councilor Nakurtum was pacing outside.

  When Enkara and Kuwari emerged without Uselli, the councilor’s expression morphed from confident to horrified.

  “What? What is going on? Did she attack the Shadow?”

  “Not at all,” Kuwari assured her. “Everything has turned out well and it was as I thought. Lady Kullaa responded to Shadow Uselli and he returns her affections. They will make a very happy couple and produce beautiful cubs. In four seasons’ time, you may be greeting your first grandchild.”

  The councilor shrieked in rage and tossed herself toward the door, but the Shadows blocked her.

  Kuwari addressed Shadow Kurumtum. “Please see that Councilor Nakurtum is escorted to another set of guest quarters tonight.”

  “Of course, Prince Kuwari.” Shadow Kurumtum locked a hand around the councilor’s arm and half dragged her away.

  “You’ve made an enemy of that one,” Enkara said just above a whisper.

  “She was an enemy the moment she decided she was going to defy Ishtar and place her own daughter in line for the throne.”

  Enkara couldn’t fault Kuwari for his reasoning. “Can I kill her next time she crosses us?”

  “Depends on the crime.”

  “What’s to stop her from going to the council with what she knows about my heritage?”

  Kuwari glanced over his shoulder at her, a wicked glint in his eye. “She knows I will retaliate. And add what she attempted tonight to her other efforts to force my hand, she has given me the means to destroy her.”

  “A knife through the ribs would be a swifter way to deal with the problem.”

  “You’re sounding like Burrukan with breasts again.”

  Enkara couldn’t help but roll her eyes and groan.

  Chapter 33

  Kuwari was still chuckling as Enkara followed him across the expanse of the outer receiving chamber. When he settled in a chair by the fire, he glanced up at her. “Well, are you going to sit? Or stand there and glower all night?”

  His words reinforced that she was tired. After all, she’d just been dragged out of bed by the arrival of Shadows with ill news. “Actually, I’m going to bed. You should too.”

  “I’m too restless. I’ll go to bed in a bit.”

  “Alright. Goodnight then.”

  Kuwari’s expression fell. “Fine. I’ll just eat these by myself.”

  He preceded to pull out a napkin-wrapped package and revealed a dozen of his favorite sweet patties.

  “Mmm, lint-covered sweet treats. No thanks.”

  Kuwari glanced down, examined them and then shrugged and popped one into his mouth.

  “You’re going to get fat.”

  He grinned at her between bites. “Not if Burrukan has anything to say about it. But if you’re done insulting me and don’t want to stay and talk, run along to bed.”

  As Enkara watched he popped two more of the tiny treats in his mouth and then made a shooing away gesture.

  He popped another of the sweetcakes in his mouth and made a silly happy sound. “Too bad I didn’t have a little wine to go with these.”

  “I think it would be wise to steer clear of wine for a while after what happened, don’t you?”

  Kuwari glanced around with a grin. “No. Not yet. I’m still not in your bed.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Why do you think getting drunk will improve your chances?”

  Shrugging, he popped another treat in his mouth, chewing at length before swallowing and dignifying her question with an answer. “It worked for my father.”

  “You’re an idiot, my prince.”

  “Only when it comes to you.” His eyes had taken on the heavy-lidded look she was coming to know meant trouble. Time to make a hasty retreat.

  “Fine. Good night. I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t forget the royal party will be returning and I’m sure Burrukan will be more than ready for another training session.”

  This time Kuwari rolled his eyes at her. “Yes, mother…”

  He stopped midsentence, his eyes growing unfocused, the conversation, as well as the food in his hand, long forgotten as a vision gripped him.

  Her exhaustion fell away. She was beside him a heartbeat later, waiting for the vision to release him from its clasp. After what felt like forever but was more likely only a few moments, Kuwari blinked up at her, awareness returning to his gaze.

  He pushed the napkin containing the rest of the sweet patties off his lap and then bolted to his feet and rushed to their bathing chamber. Enkara was fast on his heels. Inside, Kuwari was bent over a bowl, forcing himself to throw up what he’d just eaten.

  “What’s wrong? Poison? More of the drug?”

  He didn’t answer her right away, taking a few moments to rinse his mouth and chew a few mint leaves. When he turned back to her, he looked much more flushed than he had earlier.

  “I’m an idiot,” Kuwari said, his earlier humor gone, replaced by worry in his eyes. “I…I missed something in my earlier vision. Nakurtum drugged more than just the wine, and I just saw the other half of my earlier vision.”

  Dammit!

  She should have thought of that. It wasn’t a secret that Kuwari had a weakness for sweet treats. “How bad is it?”

  Kuwari didn’t answer her right away, and she realized he was just standing next to her, leaning slightly into her. He dragged in a deep breath and exhaled a soft little purr at the end.

  “Kuwari, I need you to focus.”

  He blinked his eyes open and took a step back.

  “It’s bad,” he said at last. “What I ate earlier will already be in my bloodstream. I…I’ll need to be sequestered away from you and any other females. Summon Uselli and tell him what’s happened.”

  Kuwari gave himself a little shake and she could see him fighting to clear his thoughts enough to instruct her to his wishes. “No. Wait. Uselli is busy, isn’t he? You must speak with Councilors Pirhum and Ninsunu and the next most senior Shadow. Goddess. I don’t even remember who is still here.”

  “It’s Old Kurumtum.”

  “I can’t even think for the need raging through my bloodstream.” He took a step back. “Enkara, I would never normally ask you to leave me, but I can’t trust myself with you so close. And this is not how I want us to come together for the first time.”

  “Of course. I’ll talk to Shadow Kurumtum and tell him what has happened.”

  “Make sure he understands that no females can come near me.” He drew further from her. “Not even you, my beloved Blade.”

  The anguish in his gaze ate at Enkara’s heart. “I won’t allow anyone to steal your will or subvert your wishes. You have my word.”

  “Thank you, Enkara.”

  “Can you tell how bad this is going to be?”

  “I don’t know. Bad. I’m certain I’ve had a full dose, or perhaps even more than that. It
hits the royal line harder than others.”

  “Hold on. I’ll get help.”

  Enkara turned and ran out into the hall where she informed the Shadows on duty what had occurred. Then she went in pursuit of Shadow Kurumtum. He was always logical, calm and full of knowledge. He might know if there was anything that would help.

  She eventually tracked Kurumtum to the kitchen, overseeing the disposal of the tainted wine.

  “Kurumtum, I need to talk to you,” she said in a rush.

  Her sudden arrival drew the attention of the servants as well. Damnit. She wanted to tell Kurumtum what had happened in private. The fewer who knew, the better.

  “Enkara, what’s wrong?” But a moment later he must have read the truth in her face for his eyes widened in understanding and he swore. “Kuwari has been drugged, too, hasn’t he?”

  “Yes. It was in some of the food as well. Nakurtum was very busy.”

  Kurumtum nodded. “Now walk with me.”

  Enkara did, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the devious councilor.

  “I know that look,” Kurumtum said with a chuckle. “There will be no killing.”

  “I’ll do what I must to protect Kuwari.”

  “Hah! Calm yourself. This is hardly life or death. Kuwari isn’t physically or emotionally compromised. His gryphon nature has already picked out his mate. Even without intervention, he’d likely suffer no more than a case of aching nether regions come morning.” Kurumtum slung an arm around Enkara’s shoulder. “But having you near would soothe him through the worst of it.”

  “Kuwari doesn’t want me near him either,” Enkara said slowly.

  “Only because the young cub’s afraid he’ll make a fool of himself and lose your respect. Don’t worry about that.” Kurumtum’s merry expression faded. “You should worry about the other two council members. If given half a chance, they’ll happily screw everything up. I saw Nakurtum with them earlier. After she was escorted from Lady Kullaa’s chambers.”

  “You think they were a part of this?”

  Kurumtum rubbed his chin. “Didn’t say that. I just don’t trust any council member that much.”