Blushing, I turned back toward Dagan, trying to lean away, but he held me fast, grinning.

“With what?” I answered her, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that perfect divot above his lips.

“Good gods of the morning sky. Look at me.”

I sighed. She always had a way of ruining a moment. But I’d forgive her for it. It was just her way.

And above the noise of the crowds celebrating around the Pit, I heard a scream. A woman’s scream. Planting one last kiss on Dagan’s fiery mouth, I walked out into the sands of the Pit, shielding my eyes from the sun. Another groan echoed off the blood-spattered walls. The sound was coming from the direction of the viewing box.

Gudanna. The child.

“She’s pushing?” I asked Iltani.

“The foot of her evil spawn has emerged and the cord is all wrapped around it, and if you think I’m going anywhere near whatever else comes out of that womb—snakes, spiders, what have you—”

“Iltani, be serious.” Wiping a hand down my face in exhaustion, all I could do was laugh. It figured.

Dagan joined me in the sand. “You have to go?”

I sighed. “It appears that I am needed.”

He wrapped his big arm around my shoulders and kissed me on my forehead. “Then lead the way. I’ve been told I’m a brilliant assistant.”

WRAPPED IN ONE of Shep’s old tunics, Shiptu stood in front of the door as Dagan and I trudged up the path to their home. He was limping significantly less since I’d mixed him and Nasu a pain tincture and tended to the worst of their wounds. Gudanna and the babe had been delivered into the safety of the Koru’s care until Arwia decided what to do with them. Alive, the child was a threat to her, and she knew it, especially if the other five ensis who didn’t support her rule decided to use the babe as a figurehead to spur their own takeover.

But for now, they were safe.

Iltani went to her old hut to find her ummum and abum. She was gifting them Gala’s home. She said she’d never live there—ever—but her parents were welcome to it.

“My son!” Shiptu ran down to meet us, her feet still unsteady beneath her, the days spent in a dungeon sapping her strength. She’d need a sturdy bone broth with fat and watercress to strengthen her. Maybe some chamomile for her nerves. When she reached Dagan, she threw herself into his arms.

As she cried into his chest, he rubbed her back and sank to his knees before her. “Ummum, I lied to you about Shep.”

She pressed a hand to her mouth silently as tears streaked down her face. “I know. I heard from Marduk and Qishti. But you protected me with your silence. Had I known…” She dropped her chin, swallowing, and cupped her hands around Dagan’s face. “It was better that I did not know. Now I can properly mourn my son.” Her voice broke, but she tugged him up to stand. “Now, both of you need to get cleaned up. You’re filthy, and you’ll scare Rish and Kasha.”