Princess of Death (Three Provinces Book 1) (2 page)

Chapter 2

It didn’t take long for servants to come looking for
Nam and me. When they found us I was covered in grave dirt and had finished putting a corpse back to rest. Had any other servants found us they might have been appalled, but these were Adura-born servants, it did not faze them in the slightest.

"Princess. Your parents request you in the throne room as soon as possible," one said.

"Do I have time to get cleaned up?"

"I do not think so," said the other.

"Go on and get clean, I'll stall." Nam winked and went off with the servants. I made my way to our passageway so I could get into the East wing and to my room.

Once in my room, I hurriedly bathed and rushed around finding an outfit suitable to a Salas princess. The summons must have been about those people
Nam and I had seen talking outside the cemetery. My heart leapt in my chest; excitement, something new. I had not had either in years.

I stopped in front of the mirror, before running from my bedroom, to check my appearance. My hair was down around my shoulders, held in place by a black head band, and I had on a deep red gypsy skirt and black peasant blouse.
 I had chosen brown leather sandals for my feet. Ishtar would have been appalled; she never wore anything but satin or silk slippers on her small dainty feet. I felt stupid wearing such finery. I was tall and statuesque
with hips and fairly good sized breasts.
Dainty and I did not go hand in hand, no matter how many hand-painted and pearled slippers Ishtar hid in my closet.

Aside from some lip gloss I chose to leave my beautiful skin alone. Besides I’d better not draw attention to my eyes. Father and Mother had told me time and time again to keep my head down at functions and balls and to wear shades over my eyes when we had to make public appearances.

Mother had even once given me colored contacts to wear. My eyes had dissolved them within
minutes. Nam always told me he thought my eyes were beautiful, but he was the only one. I believed him, as my best friend, to be a little biased.
My eyes were the same color as my hair, blood red, crimson, with black pupils.

I blinked the melancholy away and darted from the room to the Biri section of the castle where the throne room was located. I stood outside the ornate golden doors, a slight tingling over my skin, not painful, just slightly annoying. I always felt out of place when I crossed the boundaries.

Nam opened the doors and came out. He looked concerned.

"What’s going on?" I asked.

"It's an emissary from the court of Alu. He's here to present a gift to the Adura princess." Nam did not seem happy.

"Alu?" I asked, shocked.

Alus were demons that inhabited the far reaches of Adura. They were peaceful and had their own hierarchy under my parents. I had only ever seen a few of them, they tended to stay in their domain, Bet Pagri, and preferred to not mingle with the other inhabitants of Salas.

"Yes, be careful."
Nam kissed my cheek and looking uncomfortable hurried for the boundary of Adura.

I walked into the throne room head held high and made my way to stand next to Mother's throne. When I got there I was stunned to realize I was alone, neither of my parents were present. I kept my composure as I glanced at our visitors. Making a split decision, I moved to stand in front of both thrones and greeted my guests.

"Welcome honored guests." The words almost caught in my throat as I saw who I was speaking to. Two young Alu males. One in particular had my main focus.

He was taller than I and one could see the outline of his muscles through the dark green tunic he wore. I was surprised as my eyes raked his body to find him in black pants. I had heard Alus refused to wear pants, but that could have been just urban legend. At first I thought he was also wearing a black cloak, that's what it had resembled in the cemetery, but now up close I saw they were wings. Large bat-like black wings, wrapping themselves around him like a blanket.

His hair was dark green, almost black, curling around his face, his skin so pale green it was almost white.

"Greetings Princess Ereshkigal," he said, amusement in his voice and bright, unnaturally green eyes.

"I have been told you wished to meet me,” I said, in my best grown up voice.

“Yes. May I introduce myself and my companion?”

I nodded, intrigued by both of them. The one next to him had the same stature and black wings, but his hair was dark gray, as was his skin. They were both handsome.

“I am Nergal, Prince of the Alu, this is my travelling companion Ekur.” They bowed and I stood very still, trying to figure out why they wanted to speak to me.

“Princess Ereshkigal. The Alu people would like to extend an invitation for you to come visit Bet Pagri.  Never before has Adura been represented in the immediate royal family.” Nergal smiled as he spoke, something about him was fascinating, I just couldn’t figure out what.

“Well, I am glad that your people are happy, but you do understand that Ishtar is to rule Salas when my parents step down, not me, right?”

“Yes Princess and with the formal announcement of your sister’s marriage in three days…” I cut him off with a yelp.

“What?!”  My cry startled all three of us. Why hadn’t anyone told me? They had already chosen a king for Ishtar? She was a baby! Only sixteen, how could mom and dad not tell me?
Upon hearing my cry Nam was suddenly bursting through the door, his person radiating with his magic.  Before he could attack I stepped in front of the Alus, blocking his spell with my own body. His magic hit me and I fell back into the arms of Nergal. When his warmth wrapped around me every molecule in my body lit up like I was on fire. I could smell roses and death and his touch was like electricity over my skin.

It was over within seconds. He righted me, almost too quickly and let me go. Thankfully I had a lot of practice defending myself against
Nam’s spells, so I had deflected it.  Nam skidded to a halt in front of me.

“Eshie! Are you ok? I’m sorry; when I heard you yell I thought you were in danger.” Namtar looked nervous and his eyes kept darting over to Nergal.

“Everything is fine, Nam.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek. I heard a tiny growl behind me, frowning, I ignored it.

“I just found out they’ve scheduled a betrothal to Ishtar in three days, on um Hamis.” Which was the fifth day of the week.

“That’s crazy, we would have been told.”

“Apparently that’s why mother wasn’t at lunch. I better go see Mash, and quickly. Go send him a meeting message.” I could have communicated with him telepathically, but this was something to say in person. As
Nam left, I turned to my guests, furious.

“I am sorry you had to witness some drama Prince Nergal. But I was not informed of the betrothal; you’ve caught me quite off guard.” I meant to make a polite exit but both the Alus were looking at me strangely.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, hoping I hadn’t offended them in some way.

“You’re ok?”

“You used yourself to keep us from harm.” They said simultaneously.

“Well, of course I am. I couldn’t let
Nam curse you. Trust me you didn’t want to spend the rest of your visit in the infirmary.” I tried to chuckle, but was afraid I was missing something.

“No, your highness, you do not understand, you have done something that gives high honor with Alu.  I am forever in your debt. Now if you’ll excuse me I must go and see about our quarters. My Prince, I will see you in moments.” Ekur bowed sharply and left the room.

“Ummm, ok.” To say I was confused would have been an understatement.

“Princess, you are not harmed?” Nergal questioned, coming closer to me, his nearness making my heart flutter in my chest.

“Yes, why?”

“Kassaptu who come in contact with Alu flesh tend to have an adverse reaction.”

“Oh, well…. It’s probably because I was born in Adura.” This seemed the best explanation.

“No, many Kassaptu have become ill or insane from direct contact with us. Even those born in the dark, we rarely mate outside our species and then only with non Kassaptu.”

“I must be special.”

His eyes took on a weird light as I spoke, like he was considering I may indeed be some sort of wonder.

“I cannot believe your parents did not tell you. We received the invitation over a month ago.  Creatures from all over are coming; we passed many on our way here.” Nergal reached up and twirled a lock of my hair around his finger, studying it. The feel of his touch was dark and possessive and I was a little appalled at how much I enjoyed his alpha male routine.

“I’m not surprised. They pretty much ignore me, I mean, wouldn’t you? My magic is over death and destruction. I play in cemeteries, for Goddess sake!” It was supposed to come out as a joke; but was a little harsher than I wanted.

“I think your darkness is beautiful.” Nergal leaned in; I closed my eyes thinking this handsome Alu was going to kiss me, when he pulled back.

“I forgot, we brought you a present.”

“A gift?” I was speechless; no one ever gave me anything, except for Nam and Ishtar, of course.

“My family raises them.” From under one of his wings he pulled a tiny bat.  He or she was only the size of my fist and the deepest shade of pink.

“Oh,” I breathed, reaching for the precious bundle hanging from his wrist. As I spoke it uncurled its wings and looked at me, I knew in a moment it was a she and she was young and smart.

“I know what it’s like to be left to the darkness and to want to embrace it until all else slips away. My people fight this on a daily basis. Having a familiar, if you will, helps you resist the pull.” Nergal shook his wrist and the little bat flew to me, she landed in my outstretch hand, soft and cuddly in my palms.

“Her name is Puabi. You will find she fits your personality perfectly.” Nergal took a few steps closer to me.

“Thank you Prince-“ He interrupted me.

“Call me Nergal.”

“Yes, well, thank you Nergal, she is beautiful.”

I am beautiful, you are correct. I am also hungry.

Startled I looked down at the sleepy bat, “Did you just speak to me?”

Who else would be? Be careful of tall, dark and handsome, he has heart breaker written all over him.

“They’re telepathic?” I glanced up at Nergal who had a hungry look in his eyes that I didn’t understand.

“Yes, very, but not good at blocking their thoughts. Anyone in about a two foot vicinity will be able to hear her as well.”

Feeling courageous and grateful I bounced over to him and kissed his cheek. He grabbed my shoulders with a firm hand, holding me in place, his face inches from my own.

“Why did you do that?”

“Because you have made me happy with your gift.” We stood in silence for a few moments and then both jerked as the throne room door opened and
Nam came into the room. He was smiling and ran over to me, he grabbed my hand and the sound Nergal made was super scary.

“Nergal, Namtar is my best friend.”

“Doesn’t mean he needs to touch you.”

Stupid possessive boy.

I smiled at Puabi’s inner monologue and ignored Nergal’s comment. “I have to go and see my brother and find out why I wasn’t told about Ishtar’s betrothal. I hope you will join me for dinner?” I hadn’t meant the invite, it squeaked out before I could stop it. Nergal looked pleased.

“Yes, Ekur and I will both be there.”

I turned and darted out of the room with Nam, my skin was prickling so bad I wanted to scratch it off. It said a lot that Nergal had been able to cross from Adura to Biri. He must have been really strong.

When we crossed into the East wing everything went back to feeling normal.

“Dark Goddess, Eshie, those guys are creepy!” Namtar exclaimed as we huddled together in the dank, abandoned hallway.

“He’s also really hot!” I giggled and a look I didn’t understand passed over
Nam’s face. “I don’t know Nam, something about him, I’ve never met anyone who seems to love the dark like I do…I mean besides you.” I had to back pedal a little.

“No, I understand Eshie.” His voice was sad; he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“I sent word to your brother; he wants to meet up in the back garden.” This didn’t surprise me. The back garden was weird; it was the only place where Light and Dark met in all of Salas. Adura and Nannaru lived side by side and the garden took on its own life. The staff who worked in the garden was kind of weird, too. The front garden, that was in Biri, was the garden that fed the castle, everything growing there was normal.

It was a weird division of Biri, those who lived in the North had to take a road through either Nannaru or Adura to get to the South and vice versa. Almost as if the Goddesses who created Salas wanted an excuse for the people to blend and merge.

We made our way through the hallways; I dropped Puabi off in my room and told a passing servant girl to prepare whatever sleeping place Puabi wanted.  Then we went out a door that came out onto the garden path in Adura. The garden held the same blue twilight as the rest of Adura, but there were streams of sunshine flittering through the dark. The grass was deep green and the plants that wound in and out , never quite touching the cobblestone , were dark and some deadly.