BRIDE OF JERU

She's his property

The Prince's Return

Marduk's POV

"Watch where you're going," the voice snapped. I looked back, a woman,dressed in fine fabric.Her skin was beautiful and flawless than most women in the palace, her golden eye caught me off guard. She was a sight to behold.

For a moment, I couldn't respond. I'd heard the rumors, of course. Everyone in Babel had heard about the princess Ashur brought back from Jeru. The exotic beauty he kept locked in the palace like a prize. This must be her.

But rumors weren't as accurate as the real thing.

Her face was striking, not in the soft way of the women of Babel yet there was this dangerous scent around her. Of course this is the kind of beauty that could start wars.

she'd already turned away.

I watched her walk down the corridor with a maid trailing behind her.

"So this was the treasure from Jeru." I said to myself

"Prince Marduk?" A voice called from behind me.

I blinked and turned.

"Yes, yes. Let's go." I shook off the strange feeling and continued toward Mother's chambers.

But my mind kept returning to those round warm brown eyes. The way she'd looked at me without fear, even though everyone in the palace seems scared of me.

Well except my brother, the king. Most people in this palace would cower or tremble but she did none of that.

Interesting.

I reached Mother's door and pushed it open without knocking.

“Greetings, Queen Mother Ishtar! The moon of Babel,” I said cheerfully, dashing toward her like a child before she could scold me. I wrapped my arms around her, grinning.

She stiffened slightly but didn’t push me away. “You’re back so soon,” she said, her tone edged with irritation. “ Why did you return so quickly?, I told your uncle to keep you there at least another new moon."

I wrapped my arms around her shoulders from behind, grinning. "I missed you, Mother. How could I stay away from your beautiful face?"

"Flattery doesn't work on me, Marduk." But her voice softened just a little. She reached up and patted my hand.

I pulled up a chair and sat across from her, still smiling. "What's so urgent that you needed to be back in Babel?"

"Nothing mother, I was so bored at uncle's place I needed to come home, besides there's been some rumors going on about the palace"

Mother sat down and looked at me directly. "How much do you know about what's been happening in the palace while you were away?"

"Not much," I admitted. "I heard Ashur went to war with Jeru and he won, obviously. And that he brought back some tribute." I paused. "a princess."

Her jaw tightened. "What else did you hear?"

"Just rumors. That she's beautiful. That Ashur keeps her close." I leaned forward, curious now. "Is it true? Did he really bring back King Haruz's daughter?"

"Yes." Mother stood and walked to the window, her back to me. "Her name is Naamah."

"I think I just saw her in the hallway," I said. "She's quite alluring."

Mother spun around, her face suddenly hard. "Stay away from her."

I blinked, surprised by the sharpness in her tone. "What? Why?"

"Because she's dangerous, Marduk. More dangerous than you realize."

"She's just a girl," I said, laughing. "A foreign princess who's probably terrified and alone in a strange city. What harm could she possibly do?"

"Don't be a fool." Mother's voice was cold. "That girl comes from a kingdom of priests and prophets. Her people worship a jealous and strange god who demands absolute loyalty. She was raised to be cunning, to survive," She crossed her arms.

"And now she's in our palace, close to your brother. Do you not see the danger?"

I frowned. "You think she's here to hurt Ashur?"

"I think she's here because she had no choice. But that doesn't mean she's harmless." Mother walked back to her desk and sat down heavily. "People who have nothing left to lose are the most dangerous kind."

"Then why did Ashur bring her here? Why not just leave her in Jeru?"

"Because your brother is a fool when it comes to women." The harshness in Mother's voice surprised me.

"He sees a pretty face and thinks he can control it. He doesn't understand that some things cannot be controlled, only destroyed. This might one day put him in a tight spot"

The room fell silent. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair.

"Mother," I said carefully, "why does it feel like you're not just talking about the princess?"

She looked at me for a long moment. Then she sighed. "I'm talking about many things, my son. This palace has become a nest of vipers. Everyone wants something. Everyone is plotting something. And your brother sits on that throne, blind to half of it."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to stay away from Ashur."

I sat up straighter. "What? Mother, he's my brother."

"He's the king," she corrected. "And kings are dangerous to be close to, even for family. Especially for family."

"I don't understand. Ashur has always been good to me. He's never threatened me or treated me badly."

"Not yet." Mother's voice was quiet, but there was something final in it. "But things are changing, Marduk. The kingdom is unstable. There are enemies everywhere, both inside and outside the palace. And when a king feels threatened, he starts seeing enemies even in his own blood."

My stomach twisted. "You think Ashur would harm me?"

"I think Ashur will do whatever he needs to do to keep his throne." She reached across the desk and took my hand. "Promise me you'll be careful. Keep your distance from him. Don't get involved in his affairs. Don't ask questions."

"And the princess?" I asked. "Should I avoid her too?"

"Especially her." Mother's grip tightened. "She's already in Ashur's sights. If you show any interest in her, any kindness, he'll see it as betrayal. He's possessive with his properties."

The way she said "properties" made my skin itch.

"Is he hurting her?"

"Does it matter?" Mother released my hand. "She's his property now. What he does with her is his business."

I thought of the way the princess had looked at me in the hallway. That fierce, unbroken gaze.

"She doesn't seem like someone's property," I muttered.

Mother's eyes sharpened. "What did you say?"

"Nothing." I stood up quickly.

Mother also stood. " your uncle said he had something for me. Did he give you anything?"

"Oh, yes." I reached into my satchel and pulled out a gold-leather box. It was small but heavy, embossed with a dragon's head. "He said to give this to you personally. That I shouldn't open it."

Mother took the box carefully, almost reverently. Her fingers traced the dragon emblem.

"Did he say anything else?" she asked.

"Just that it was a special gift. For you alone."

She set the box on her desk but didn't open it. "Good. You did well, my son."

"What's in it?"

"Nothing that concerns you." Her voice was gentle but firm. "Now go. Rest. You must be tired from your journey."

"Mother..."

"Go, Marduk." This time it wasn't a request.

I bowed slightly, trying to hide my frustration. "As you command, my Queen."

I turned and walked toward the door. But as my hand touched the handle, she spoke again.

"Marduk."

I looked back. She was still standing by her desk, the mysterious box beside her.

"Remember what I said. Stay away from your brother. And stay away from that girl." Her eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw fear and desperation in them. "Promise me."