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Sargon's expression softened. "I'm pleased to hear it. I was horrified when I learned that you had bought a slave to begin with, Khan. Your father wrote to me and gloated about it."
Khan let out a frustrated sigh. "He was happy about it. I couldn't write to you without someone intercepting and reading the messages."
"Why did you do it at all?" Sargon shot Fen a smile. "Not to say that you aren't lovely, my dear, but I have learned that it takes more than a pretty face to sway someone as stubborn as Khan."
Fen grinned, liking Sargon already. "I dazzled him with my barbarian witch powers."
"How fascinating. Do tell me more." Sargon filled her glass. "I'm always happy to meet beautiful women with hidden magic."
Khan rolled his eyes. "Stop flirting with her."
"Shh, your grandfather and I are having a conversation," Fen chided. "Don't listen to him, Sargon. I love flirting with you, and I would be more than happy to tell you about my magic."
Sargon laughed, a deep, happy sound. "I can see it now, Khan. Well done."
With his cheeks burning, Khan and Fen told Sargon about how she came to be in Aaru and the magic that she had been granted by the gods. The wine flowed as Khan recounted the weeks leading up to the attack on the palace, including Asten's analysis of the poison Khan had almost drunk.
"You have saved my grandson's life twice." Sargon took a gold necklace from around his neck. It had a pendant of bright lapis lazuli hanging from it in a shape Fen didn't know. Before she could protest, Sargon placed it over her head. "A gift for you, Fenrys. One of many I intend to give you."
Fen knew the sacredness of gift-giving, and from the shocked look on Khan's face, she realized the necklace was one of Sargon's favorites.
"Thank you," she said, bowing her head. "But as I said, Khan is a friend, and the gods brought us together. Maybe it was so that I could save him."
Sargon smiled. "Whatever it is, we are blessed that you are here."
Khan's hand found hers under the table, and their fingers tangled together. "I think so too."
Fen went to ask what the symbol on the pendant meant when a roar shook the halls of the mansion. Fen almost leaped into Khan’s lap in fright.
"Rabbu is still alive?" he asked.
"Of course he is."
Fen didn't get to ask who Rabbu was because a lion stalked through the doorway. No, not a lion. It had a lion's body and a pair of blue, purple, and green wings. Fen leaped aside as the beast pounced on Khan.
"Oh, my baby boy. Look how big you are!" Khan crooned, wrapping his arms about Rabbu's neck, his hands scratching into his mane.
"What is it?" Fen squeaked out.
"That is a shedu. They are the sacred beasts of Atrahasis," Sargon explained. "That cat was the runt of a litter, so Khan named it Rabbu the Mighty." He laughed at Khan, still cuddling the great beast. "He's missed his master these past five years."
Rabbu's golden eyes locked on Fen curiously. Fen tried not to be afraid as its velvety nose nuzzled into her and snuffled at her hair.
"Aren't you a gorgeous creature?" she said, hoping that flattery would keep it from eating her.
Finding whatever he needed, Rabbu pushed his head against her, demanding to be pet. Fen laughed in surprise and obliged.
"Fen's goddess, Freya, also holds cats sacred," Khan told Sargon. "Perhaps he can sense that about you, Fen."
"Or he senses someone else in the house that will spoil him," Sargon replied. He lifted his goblet to them in a toast. "Happy homecoming."
Twenty-Nine
Khan was feeling secure and safe for the first time in five years. His chambers were the same as he had left them, full of books and trinkets from his childhood and all the years he studied as a magi. There was a portrait of him as a boy, standing between his mother and Sargon. Their arms were thrown around each other, and they were laughing.
Rabbu snored on the woven mat next to Khan's bed, so he dropped his hand to gently stroke the shedu's fur.
Home, home, home. He dozed for a little while before finally dragging himself out of bed. He needed to talk to Sargon alone.
