With that formality over, he grinned widely, which contrasted his white teeth against the blackness of his beard. “Hah! The king’s littlest Shadow has grown up, indeed. My nephews boasted of seeing you. Etum claims you like him better since you hugged him first. Everything is a competition with them.”
An answering grin stretched her lips. “Kurumtum,” she greeted the twins’ uncle. “How have you been?”
“Well enough. I see Burrukan’s training hasn’t killed you yet, so you’re doing well. You as good as he says?”
Iltani flashed another grin. “How should I know? He never tells me anything.”
“Damned tight-lipped, isn’t he?” Kurumtum chuckled again. “We’ll have to test you in the ring later after all this ruckus has died down.” He lowered his voice a notch until it was just loud instead of booming. “Now that rumor has openly declared you Burrukan’s heir, you’ll be too busy fending off overly enthusiastic nobles for the next few days to get any good practice time in. Already turned away four since I came on duty.”
Iltani saw through his outward humor to see the truth behind his words. He was more concerned that his guards would be so busy fending off nobles that they might get distracted and miss a true threat. Acknowledging his concern, she gave him a sharp nod.
With a grunt, he thumped one of the guards nearest him on the shoulder. “Iltani asked for a report.”
The guard, a girl a good five years younger than Iltani herself, looked shocked at the sudden attention turned her way.
Kurumtum didn’t give her time to think. “Huh. What’s this? Swallowed your tongue?”
“Sir,” the girl managed.
“Report to Iltani, not me.”
The girl wasn’t dim-witted and launched into an account of everything that had happened since the king returned to his suite. Which in actual fact wasn’t much. Iltani didn’t comment, not wanting to get the girl into more trouble. It wasn’t until the girl fell silent that she recognized her and turned to Kurumtum. “Is this little Takurtum?”
She couldn’t believe how much his daughter had grown in four years.
He nodded. “She can’t shift to gryphon yet, but she’s done well in her training. She’ll make a fine Shadow one day. She beat out all the other trainees and won the right to stand at guard.”
Iltani tuned out the proud father as an arctic chill fingered along her soul and crept across her consciousness. Her heart raced with sudden adrenaline and all her senses sharpened, demanding her attention elsewhere.
“Excuse me,” she said.
Eyes scanning the hall, she stepped away from Kurumtum to face the east corridor where a figure was making her hip-swaying way towards them.
After a moment, she recognized the newcomer. Her name was Beletum, a recently appointed councilor according to one of Ditanu’s letters. Iltani didn’t remember much about her, but she seemed calm and confident with her power. It didn’t really come as a surprise. Her father, Ziyatum, was also a councilor and governor of Kalhu. Beletum had likely overseen much of her father’s duties during the day to day running of the smaller city-state.
The newly made councilor was a few years older than Ditanu, but had not spent much time on Nineveh until recently, so Iltani hadn’t had any opportunity to interact with Beletum before her training started on New Assur.
Even if they had known each other as youths and been friends, Iltani doubted it would have survived into adulthood. Ambition, greed, and a relentless hunger for power leeched off the councilwoman. If Iltani wasn’t misreading Ishtar’s warning, something greater here constituted a threat to either Ditanu or his kingdom.
“I have urgent business to discuss with Consort Ahassunu,” Beletum said as she made to sweep past the guards.
Iltani stepped out to block her. “The Consort is bedding down the cubs and does not want to be disturbed.”
She didn’t know if that was the truth but there was no way she was letting the councilwoman anywhere near Ditanu’s cubs.
“Then I must speak with the king.”
Iltani kept her face neutral. “King Ditanu is not taking visitors. If your message is urgent, tell it to me and I will pass it along.”
She didn’t miss the flicker of annoyance as it crossed the other woman’s face. But she had to give her credit for a well-preformed bow.
“Then I will return in the morning. Good evening to you.”
Ha! Good evening indeed. Iltani doubted that one wished anything good toward her and evening was already a fading memory. If she were to guess, she’d say it was closer to midnight. Once the councilwoman was out of earshot, Iltani turned back to Kurumtum. “Make sure she isn’t ever left alone with Ditanu, the consort, or the cubs.”
Kurumtum didn’t even blink at her command, merely nodding his agreement and glowered in the direction Beletum had gone.
Chapter Seven
King Ditanu would be wondering why Burrukan and Ahassunu hadn’t come to him yet. Iltani had allowed herself to get postponed too long already. She had an errand to complete. Turning away from where the councilwoman had vanished, Iltani started down the length of the hall where Ahassunu’s quarters and the nursery were housed.
It wasn’t a long walk and she arrived at another door guarded by four Shadows. They saluted her. She brushed past them and on into the room without announcing herself. The last thing Consort Ahassunu would appreciate was for Iltani to wake the cubs if they’d finally fallen to sleep.
There was no sign of Burrukan. Maybe he’d already returned to Ditanu?
The nursery was laid out similarly to the king’s chambers though these rooms were a third again bigger to house the nursery. Using that design as a guide, she headed for what she assumed was the consort’s receiving room and paused outside another door. There was a guard standing at attention and he opened the door for her.
Within, Iltani didn’t find Burrukan or the consort either. Though she did find the sleeping cubs safe in their nest.
Iltani scouted around the nursery and found an alcove the servants had prepared for her. It was larger than she’d expected, the walls softened with tapestries and colorful veils. The floor was covered in plush carpeting. The bed on its raised platform was decked out in piles of woven blankets and pillows that matched the room’s rich burgundy color scheme.
Ditanu must have remembered her favorite color and had been thoughtful enough to instruct his servants to find something fitting in those tones. Iltani was touched by the gesture.
Hoisting her pack off her shoulder, she stowed it under the bed for now. Later, she’d unpack her few personal items and store them in the beautifully carved wardrobe. The letters twanged at her conscious for a moment, but she wasn’t going to be gone long, just long enough to alert Burrukan and Ahassunu that Ditanu required them.
Which reminded her. Just where was Burrukan? He was supposed to be with the cubs. It was possible the Consort Ahassunu might have sent him on an errand, but then where was she? A gryphon mother didn’t normally leave her cubs alone for long.
Brushing aside the heavy veil that doubled as a door, she exited her room and wandered over to check on the cubs. They slept in a raised platform nest, with waist high padded walls that offered a sense of security to the young cubs. Inside, large down filled pillows softened the nest and kept the cubs warm and snug. It was large enough that an adult gryphon could climb in as well.
At the moment, it only held three fat round cubs. At the sight, Iltani felt herself relax. Here she would be free from political intrigue and inappropriate desires for her king for a few hours.
There was something soothing to the soul about the cubs’ milk scent and their sleepy coos of enquiry. She leaned over the side, stretching to caress each of their fuzzy heads. Kuwari, the one she’d held in her lap during breakfast, blinked sleepily at her. Then his dark orbs sharpened in recognition and he rolled away from the others to scramble over to the nest’s side, where he attempted to scale the wall. When that failed, he begged to be pic
ked up. His tiny voice growing louder until Iltani scooped him up in her arms.
“Easy, little Kuwari,” she crooned softly to the cub. “No need to wake up the world.”
He made a couple more huffing cries and then settled in her arms, nuzzling against her breasts.
Voices from the adjacent chamber reached Iltani’s ears. The deeper tones were Burrukan’s, so he was still here.
She made her way over to the door to find it open a crack. The chamber beyond was dark and deserted. The only light came from the glowing embers in the hearth. Directly across from the door where she stood was another doorway, this one rigged with hanging veils like Iltani’s own sleeping chamber.
The room beyond the curtains was better lit and Iltani saw movement.
“I’ll go check on the cubs.” Burrukan’s voice came clearly through the veils.
“You might want to get dressed first.” The second voice was female and familiar but Iltani’s mind refused to make the connection. It was not possible. Or…or she was coming to conclusions while lacking all facts.
“I heard the servants leave a while ago. Why bother? Unless you simply enjoy stripping a man.” Burrukan’s voice again. “I’ll be but a moment. I’m sure one of the cubs is only dreaming.”
Iltani started back the way she’d come, all the while being certain not to make as much as a whisper of noise. She was easing back toward the nursery when Burrukan pushed aside the curtain. Luckily, he was looking behind him, back into the consort’s bedchamber so he did not see Iltani.
She eased behind the door and into deeper shadows. Calmly. Moving with stealth, her training coming to her rescue even as her mind spun with confusion, shock, and disbelief.
An equally naked consort joined Burrukan at the curtain. She held out his pants. “Ditanu will likely send Iltani to seek her bed soon. She’s to bed down in the nursery if you’ve forgotten, and no girl ever wants to ever see her father naked.”
Burrukan took the offered pants with a sigh. “If I know Ditanu, he will keep her up late into the night reminiscing. I’ll be surprised if we see her before dawn, and I’ll be doubly surprised if she’s still sober.”
“Don’t tempt fate. Get dressed.”
Burrukan grumbled something under his breath, but dropped the curtain and went to dress.
Treason. Burrukan and Consort Ahassunu had been committing treason against King Ditanu.
How was it even possible?
Gryphon mating bonds created an unbreakable link, their hearts, minds, and bodies synchronizing until mates only craved each other and resulted in one unified fertility cycle. Unlike the human citizens of the city-states, gryphons did not—could not—seek out other lovers.
She didn’t have time to solve how the treason was even possible at the moment. For now, the greatest priority was not letting either Burrukan or the consort know they’d been found out. Iltani couldn’t risk them doing something desperate in retaliation. She had to think and plan and then figure who to tell.
But first, she had to make it look like she’d only arrived.
Switching the cub to one arm, she raced back to her sleeping area and snatched her pack from where she’d shoved it under the sleeping platform. Barely pausing, she hoisted it over one shoulder and made her way back to the nest in the main room. She placed her pack next to her feet and stood with one hip cocked and began to rock the cub in her arms.
Humming softly, she sang a lullaby she remembered Burrukan singing to her when she was young. She was halfway through the third verse when the door between the two chambers opened.
“Iltani, I didn’t hear you come in.” Burrukan’s voice held a note of surprise but no guilt.
She held her finger up to her lips and indicated the cub in the crook of her arm. She answered in a whisper. “I only just arrived. I heard this one fussing so came over to investigate.”
Burrukan wasn’t the only accomplished liar. She’d been lying since shortly after she’d first learned to talk. In the court of the Gryphon King, one learned the fine art of deception early if they wished to survive. Although she’d never lied out of maliciousness, only to hide Ishtar’s mark and to protect Ditanu. In point of fact, Ditanu was the one person she always told the truth.
Omitting to mention that she was in love with him wasn’t a lie, and if he ever asked her plainly, she’d answer him truthfully.
If he never asked, that was one bit of awkwardness which need never see the light. But this newest treason was something that must be handled with utmost care. She couldn’t lie to him about this, but she couldn’t just blurt it out to him either. It would crush him, and that pain would make him vulnerable.
With the cub still in her arms, she leaned back against the nest’s high walls. “I’m sorry. I think the cubs may have heard me talking with the guards outside, just before I entered. Ditanu wanted to discuss plans with you and Ahassunu before retiring for the night and ordered me to watch the little ones.”
She smiled at Kuwari and rubbed his belly. “Watching over the cubs is no hardship.”
“You’ll change your tune come bath time.” A fully clothed Consort Ahassunu swept into the room and smiled at Iltani.
It seemed a genuine smile, full of warmth and welcome. But that smile was as false as Ahassunu had been to Ditanu.
With the cub still in her arms, Iltani executed a court bow. She straightened a moment later with the sleeping cub none the wiser. “The king wished your council and he asked that I stay with the cubs tonight.”
“Of course,” Ahassunu said and came over to ruffle the downy feathers and fur on Kuwari’s head. “My cubs are in good hands. If they are any trouble at all, bring them to me. The youngest can be a touch fussy.”
Ahassunu turned to Burrukan and inclined her head. “Come, the night isn’t getting any younger and Ditanu likely has much he wants to discuss before morning.”
With that, the two traitors to the crown turned and exited the room.
Iltani watched them go, wishing she had a valid reason to keep them away from the king. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do that wouldn’t look suspicious.
She needed a plan.
Only the knowledge that they weren’t likely to do Ditanu harm in the next few moments kept her from rushing back across the hall with her sword drawn.
Iltani started to pace while she mulled over this new distressing news.
All three of the cubs were most certainly Ditanu’s. Their blood called to her mark, confirming the cubs were his. At least, his heirs were truly his. Her line of reasoning turned down another road.
Gryphons mated out of love, but what if ambition overruled that emotion? Could Burrukan and Ahassunu have mated in secret even before Ditanu had laid eyes on his consort? Did they plan this all along?
Had Ahassunu actively seduced the younger Ditanu as a way to gain the power and prestige of the crown? That seemed likely. But to what end?
How was this even possible? Iltani massaged the back of her neck, but it did nothing to alleviate the tension.
She had to report this mess, or at least, share it with someone.
Who would believe her? She was having difficulty accepting what her own eyes had seen.
If she hadn’t witnessed it, Iltani would have sworn Burrukan was loyal to his king.
Perhaps if she took some proof before Ditanu’s aunt, Priestess Kammani? Ishtar’s high priestess would, at least, listen to Ishtar’s Blade.
Iltani pinched the bridge of her nose and attempted to massage away the beginnings of a headache.
How could Burrukan have done this?
That was the hardest part to swallow.
Burrukan was the only father she knew.
For now, her own feeling of betrayal and confusion would have to wait. Ditanu’s safety came first.
Yet how was she supposed to keep him safe when she was here instead of there?
The cub in her arms, perhaps sensing her distress, stirred awake and made a mewling cry in quest
ion. She rocked him and sang softly. The cub soon settled. Iltani glanced down at him, studying him in a new light, and the beginnings of a plan grew as she glanced between him and his siblings who were also waking to see what the youngest had been fussing about.
Iltani grinned. “Did you have a nightmare, little Kuwari?” she crooned to him and kissed him on the head. “Of course, you want your father’s reassurance. It’s entirely natural.”
Then she gently deposited him on the floor next to her pack and scooped up the other two cubs. They wiggled in her arms and tried to burrow deeper, not particularly distressed or wanting to visit their father, but Iltani insisted.
Soon, the youngest was doing some very loud insisting of his own. He clawed at her boot and cried piteously to be picked up again.
Once she’d deemed he’d made enough noise that the guards outside couldn’t possibly have missed it, she picked the cub up again. The door creaked open just as she was trying to figure out how to juggle three upset cubs.
“Do you require assistance?” the guard asked.
Iltani grinned. “Sorry. I think they miss their mother. Ahassunu said to bring them to her if they started to fuss.” Having finally managed to get a good grip on all three cubs, she marched out into the hallway and on toward Ditanu’s suite before the guard could make other helpful suggestions.
The Shadows outside the king’s suite took one look at Iltani and tapped softly on the door before opening it and ushering her forward. One of them had the audacity to grin as she marched past. She didn’t dignify his grin with a response.
Let them think what they would. Iltani had other concerns.
Once she entered the outer receiving rooms, she soon picked up the soft mumble of conversation and followed it to its source. For the second time, she found herself in the king’s study.
The king in question was sitting cross-legged by the fire. Ahassunu was kneeling behind him, working his wet hair back into intricate little braids. Burrukan sat cross-legged beside the king, holding out a bowl of beads for Ahassunu to pick from as she required them. All three fell silent and looked up at Iltani’s sudden entrance.
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