pain growing in the gardener’s eyes. “Please tell me everything,” she whispered.

“Takshak raced his war chariot around the quadrangle to signal the start of the victory celebrations, mistress,” he obliged her hoarsely. “The foreign witch sat beside him, gloating. All Melukhha is buzzing with the news—they say Takshak has rejected you for her, and not just for the pleasure she gives him. The rumor’s fast spreading that it was this foreigner who led us to victory.”

“A Sumerian steering Melukhhans against our tribals?” Ishvari cried. “What has fuddled their wits?”

“Believe it, mistress,” Vasudeva said gravely. “The Sumerian uses a crystal that reveals secrets hidden to others. If not for her black arts, my cousin swears, Takshak would...

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