Page 29 of Ensii
Chapter Eight
Talitha wasn’t sure what woke her, but one of the suns had already set. She grimaced, a heavy weariness weighing her bones. She didn’t want to move.
Beside her, Ashek slept quietly. His bronzed skin flexed and rippled, reminding her of the way that skin had hardened under her hands and the delicious rush of his skin against hers.
But no. They had work to do. So much work.
Talitha climbed out of bed, almost as sore as when she’d fallen into it, but slightly less tired. She raked a hand through her hair, sorting through the tangles left by Ashek’s eager hands. A deep-set tiredness pervaded her, something deeper and more profound than the tiredness of exhaustion—or exertion.
There would be time to sort it out and sleep it off later—perhaps in a week. Her head was nearly spinning with the realization of all they would need to do before they rested. There were people to account for, appointments to her court to be made, explanations to be given, and new decrees to proclaim.
Not to mention a religious cleanse of the entire city. That was one thing she didn’t see Ashek compromising on and she was done compromising anyway.
She found her wardrobe picked over. The precious silks, damasks, and embroidered gowns had been pilfered along with every gem, jewel, and ornament that had once filled the boxes and baskets of her northern wall. When Naram took power, someone had clearly helped themselves to her possessions. Nonetheless, she found a clean tunic and fresh belt in an obscure corner. It had a tear in the hem, but nothing anyone would notice. She belted on a broad leather girdle, one with the hooks for her sword and its sheath. It seemed her warrior’s clothes had been less ideal for looters than her court clothes. Or else one of the maidservants had thought to stock her wardrobe.
“Is it customary for an ensaak to dress herself?” Ashek stirred, voice thick with sleep.
Talitha glanced over her shoulder to see he had one of the blankets tied around his waist. She watched his back flex in the evening sunlight as he stooped to collect his clothes off the floor.
For just a moment, she could image there was no mad priest setting demons loose upon her city. For just a moment, she could pretend that she was just a bride enjoying her husband.
“What is it?”
“You’re too beautiful,” Talitha said without thinking. “I can’t stop staring at you.”
“And I hope you never do.” He sat on the edge of her bed—their bed now, she supposed. Deftly, he began lacing the ties of his tunic over his chest once again. “Have you spoken to any of the guards?”
And just like that, the dream was over.
“Not yet.” Talitha set to lashing her sandals back on and then her armor. The armor had been laid in a neat pile to keep it being damaged in their…haste. The rest of their clothes had not been so fortunate. “I hear the guards outside the door, so they can probably hear us.” It occurred to her that also meant they had probably overheard her and Ashek’s lovemaking. She cleared her throat, determined that she would not let herself feel shame anymore than she would let them mock her.
Not seeming to notice the blush creeping up her neck, Ashek nodded, buckling his kilt around his hips. “You should send for them.”
Talitha poked her head out of her chamber doors. “Guards!”
The three women and one man in golden armor spun to her at a moment’s notice. For an instant, she feared that they were Naram’s followers. A moment later, she realized they were from Zula’s original battalion, though she didn’t recall seeing them in the mines.
“What news?”
From the averted gaze of the youngest—a slim woman with wispy gold hair hanging in her face—Talitha and Ashek had not been quiet as the ensaak had hoped. Had Talitha screamed? She couldn’t remember. It was possible. She remembered moaning Ashek’s name and him moaning how good she felt.
“Magian Kasrei has arrived, my lady.” The male guard cleared his throat. “Besides that, nothing. We’ve been posted outside your door this whole time. Lieutenant Antilla came to take our report an hour ago, but nothing more.”
The ensaak leveled her gaze at each of them in turn.
“Yes, my lady,” said the main, ducking his head.
“I didn’t say anything.” Talitha tilted her head to the side, looking to the guard to her left. “Keluana, was it?”
Ashek appeared over Talitha’s shoulder, in full armor. He moved with that fierce grace that flowed through him easily as his blood.
Talitha’s heart beat just a little faster. She needed to stop noticing him so much. It was distracting.
“Take us to the gatehouse,” Talitha ordered. That would be where the hunt was conducted from if not the throne room. Under the circumstances, she expected the latter was in ruins. She recalled that place had been dappled with idols, artifacts, art, and regalia of the war goddess. She expected it would be a total ruin now.
A thud sounded in the distance, followed by a shout.
“What was that?”
