Torches lined the perimeter of the courtyard, and a crowd stood around, laughing, chatting as musicians played in the corner. Shiptu, Iltani, and Nanaea had hung red linen tapestries tied with big bouquets of yellow chamomile. The low tables were laden with fruit and rounds of bread and sikaru.

“So where are these visitors?” I asked Nanaea.

Marduk and Qishti were threading ducks onto poles for roasting. Sarratum Arwia, surrounded by new guards, was chatting with Enzi Puzu and Ensi Adda. A group of Dagan’s new farming friends were tipping flagons to their mouths near Iltani, who was playing twenty squares with Nasu and some other guardsmen. From time to time, she took a sip of water sweetened with honey and mint, her new favorite drink.

Nanaea tugged our ummum’s shawl around her shoulders as the breeze picked up. “Who knows? But I would have liked to have seen Ummum’s face today, wouldn’t you? And Abum’s? They would have loved to have seen you settled with Dagan, even if you’re defying tradition.” She smiled at me wistfully.

“And I would like to see you with me as well.” Dagan’s voice was a low whisper in my ear, and it heated me from my toes to my cheek.

I turned around, joy dancing in my chest. “How long have you been standing behind me?”

He grinned, and I could barely contain myself. Nanaea murmured something and drifted away to join the other dancers she’d put together to perform this evening, but I didn’t quite catch what she’d said. For right then, all I could see was him. He wore a dark blue tunic with gold stitching that made his amber eyes shine like torchlight. His beard was oiled, and his thick, black hair was pulled back from his face.

“You’re so handsome,” I murmured, and I was filled with so much happiness, I felt as though I might burst.

“Young love,” a woman said from behind us. “May Linaza grant you lots of children in your future.”

Startled, I looked over Dagan’s shoulder and found a group of women standing there as if I’d conjured their spirits: Sarratum Tabni with a regiment of Koru surrounding her, including Ummi and Higal. My dear friend Simti stood behind them. My throat tightened as my eyes filled. “Nasu got you to come. He did it.”

Sarratum Tabni inclined her head. “Yes, he asked, but I came because Sarratum Arwia requested my help with the unrest by the sea. It appears she wants to work out some sort of an arrangement involving my warriors. But she requested that I come talk to you first. You had something to tell me?”

“First”—I bowed my head—“I am honored you would grace our humble home with your presence. And second, I never thanked you for your favor. Many of your warriors died—” My voice hitched, and Dagan wrapped a strong arm around my waist. “I never even got to thank Humusi and Taram for their sacrifice.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out the gift I’d saved for her. The scorpion amulet.