As soon as the sun was fully risen, she sent for Mari.

They sat together on the bed, closing the door and shutting out the rest of the world. As Eliana whispered the details of the plan, Mari was first horrified, then thrilled; she lapsed into thoughtful silence for a moment.

'It must be quick, potent,' she murmured. 'It would not do for him to have time to recover. A few years ago, I would not have believed it possible that we could kill him, but now... his health is much weakened as a result of his leg. We must give him enough to be a fatal dose, but not so much that he can taste it... this will be a risky operation, Your Highness.'

'I know,' said Eliana. 'But if we succeed – and we must succeed – it will mean freedom for all of us.' She gave Mari a meaningful look. A slow smile spread across her friend's face as she took the implication. 'So, I can trust you?' asked Eliana.

'To the death, my queen,' said Mari. 'Leave it with me – I'll get what we need.'

**

A messenger was dispatched to Samsu, begging him to attend a dinner with his queen and his son. The prince was eager to hear more of his military exploits, he was told. Eshu was showing much promise as a soldier and strategist, and would benefit from hearing more of his father's victories.

It was half the truth. Eshu was indeed growing into a brilliant young man, and showed a great deal of interest in military successes and defeats, studying what had happened to bring about the final results. He thought the world of his father, though the incident with his mother and sisters had shaken his confidence in the king somewhat.

But he was delighted at the prospect of this quiet dinner with both his parents, reconciling them to harmony and accord, he thought.

If all went according to plan, it was Eshu that Eliana felt she would pity. The child would witness the death of the man he believed to be his father, and then have the weighty responsibilities of kingship thrust upon him. The murder of Samsu would also bring about the end of the boy's childhood. Though she consoled herself with the thought that his carefree days would have come to an end on his tenth birthday anyway, when he would be removed from the nursery and begin his training as king-in-waiting and a soldier in earnest.

A date was set, and the days leading up to it began to crawl by. Eliana found it more and more difficult to go about her daily routine as the event loomed, casting its dark shadow of anxiety over her more intensely with every passing hour.

On the day itself, when it finally arrived, she was a fidgeting nervous wreck.

Mari recognised it immediately, feeling the same way herself; though she would have no actual part in the assassination attempt, the powdered aconite sitting innocuously in its small clay jar amongst the rest of her medicines seemed to scream out to her.

She approached Eliana cautiously, 'My queen, it is a beautiful day. Perhaps I could persuade you to join the girls and I in a picnic out in the gardens? If you have no more pressing duties, of course. They are so disappointed about not being invited to dinner with their father tonight, I thought that this might cheer them up.'

Eliana smiled gratefully. She was sure that she would not be able to eat a thing, her stomach was in such turmoil, but the chance to escape her rooms, get out under the sky and spend some time with her girls was too good to pass up. 'Yes, thank you, Mari. I believe I will. I have no engagements today that cannot be cancelled.'

Dismissing the servants, she changed into simpler clothes and plain braided leather sandals, tying her hair back with a ribbon and leaving all her jewels and face paints to gather dust on her dresser. She felt lighter, freer – the years dropped away, with their weight of memory, responsibility and trauma, and it was as if she was once more that simple young girl, just a couple of years older than Sarri, who would run and climb and speak without a second thought.

That girl would not recognise the woman I have become, she thought, sadly. But then, that girl might have killed herself if she had known what would turn her into this woman.

As she set out, holding Kisuri's hand on one side and Nisala's on the other, she left the shadows behind and stepped out into the sun. Her troubles and fear stayed behind in the palace, and she was able to enjoy a few hours' blissful peace.

Watching Sarri as she tossed her curls and gestured excitedly as she talked, Eliana was reminded of why she must do this thing. Her niece was blossoming into a woman so fast. Her mannerisms were just like Eliana's at her age, but her looks were all her mothers.

As Sarri chattered away, absorbed in the story she was telling, Eliana could not switch off her mind; she imagined her being dragged screaming to the sacrificial altar, her gown being cut away, the flash of the blade in the sun as it descended to slit her throat...

All her resolve returned, and suddenly she was looking forward to the dinner that evening as she thought on the man who would do such a brutal thing to a young girl, and his own daughter at that. Babylon might be full of sophisticated and beautiful things, but its people and customs were still barbaric at the heart.

It was only as they were walking back to the palace for Eliana to dress for dinner that she realised: if this endeavour went wrong, this would be the last time she ever spent with the girls. She smiled to herself – if that was what the gods had in store, then they had truly blessed her with some perfect final moments as a family.

When they reached her apartments, the first thing she did was retreat to her bedroom to say a prayer to the mother goddess of her childhood that everything would go well, and if it did not, that she would protect the girls.

Her hands shook with the anticipation as she readied herself. She could hear the clattering of the table being laid in her dining room – her stomach turned somersaults.

The hour approached.

Eshu arrived in her rooms. Tabi had dressed him in his best tunic and combed his hair out neatly, though an untidy tuft still stuck up stubbornly at the back. He ran to his mother, alight with excitement. 'Am I dressed properly, mother? Will father be pleased?'

She smiled and stroked his cheek affectionately, 'You look the perfect prince, I don't see why your father would not be pleased.'

Samsu arrived not long after.

He had made no special effort with his appearance, but then, she had not expected him to. He limped in, leaning heavily on his walking stick, wearing his usual military tunic. Eliana stood with her hand on Eshu's shoulder – they both bowed as he entered.

Grunting in acknowledgement, he stumped past them and went to the dining chamber without a word, Ashan coming close behind. He did not so much as look at Eliana; he did not dare.

His presence was like a drug to her, and she felt herself beginning to relax a little, knowing that he would do all he could to keep them safe.

She squeezed Eshu's shoulder – his disappointment at his father's greeting was plain to see.

They followed the king through and took their seats at the table. Samsu eyed his wife suspiciously, 'You were keen to get me alone. You usually avoid me,' there was a hint of petulant accusation in his tone.

Eliana smiled brightly, 'No, sir. I enjoy your company, and your son so wanted to spend time with you.'

'Hmm. How are you, boy?'

'I am well, father,' grinned Eshu. 'I have learned so much recently. In today's combat lesson...'

He babbled on, reciting his lessons as Adra and Ashan began to serve them. Eliana's heart was in her mouth. She barely noticed Adra placing drinking bowls before her and Eshu and filling them with watered wine; her eyes were all for Samsu's drinking bowl as Ashan filled it with a strong wine from a separate jug.

Samsu saw her looking. 'You want some stronger wine?' he growled.

'No, thank you, sir,' she smiled, quickly thinking of a lie. 'I thought I saw a chip in the side of the bowl – I must have been mistaken.'

His eyes narrowed as he looked at her; his fists clenched on the table. 'Perhaps,' he said slowly, 'I do not care for strong wine myself, this evening.'

Her stomach plummeted – no! No, no, no!

'Does the strong wine not help with your pain?' she asked, trying to appear sympathetic.

'Sometimes. Tonight, I choose to drink watered wine. Swap drinking bowls with me,' he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.

Her mind screamed against it as she handed the bowl over, taking his in return, attempting nonchalance. She had signed her own death warrant – if she did not drink, she confirmed her complicity in Ashan's guilt; if she drank, the poison would claim her.

She clenched her fists in her lap to stop them shaking, looking down at the food on her plate. The smell made her nauseous as fear and disappointment threatened to crush her.

Forcing a false smile, she turned her attention to Eshu as he continued his chatter – she could not have been more grateful that he gave his father something else to focus on. He had not even started on his dinner, he had so much to say.

Eliana barely touched her food either – she feared her volatile stomach could not hold it. Samsu looked at her cheerfully, a laugh in his eyes as he ate and drank with gusto. Within minutes, he had finished half his meal and almost drained his – Eliana's – drinking bowl.

There was triumph on his face as he watched her, 'What is the matter?' he asked, almost gleefully. 'Do you not want your –'

He froze.

She looked at him quizzically, 'Sir, is everything alright?'

Bringing a hand to his face, he said in a thick voice, 'My throat is numb, my mouth too.'

Eshu fell silent, suddenly afraid.

After a few moments, Samsu's face contorted – he began frantically clawing at his neck and chest. 'It burns!' he rasped. 'Make it stop! Do something!'

He fell from his chair, writhing in agony on the floor. Eliana leapt to her feet, staring in horror at the table. 'Eshu! Don't touch anything – there is poison here!'

She was beyond shock – she could not understand what was happening. Had Ashan poisoned her bowl by mistake, or worse, on purpose? Had she mistaken him? It was impossible – he had not come near her when the meal was being served.

'Father!' Eshu cried in terror.

Samsu thrashed on the tiles, 'I am being flayed alive!' he screamed, choking. He turned to Ashan, his gaze desperately pleading for help.

Ashan stood behind Eliana's chair and looked steadily back.

Realisation dawned on Samsu's face – he stared at Eliana and Ashan with accusation in his eyes. He opened his mouth, tried to speak, to condemn them, but the words would not form.

His limbs began to twitch, then to tremble before he began to convulse, shuddering grotesquely in his agony, his eyes rolling back into his head.

Ashan and Eliana watched in dumbstruck silence.

As Samsu's convulsions subsided and his gaze became fixed, he exhaled one last breath and was still.

Eshu gave a piercing scream and collapsed into sobs.

Eliana and Ashan stared at each other – his face showed just as much bewilderment as hers, answering her unspoken question. He could not explain what had just happened.

Adra had shrunk back into a corner, white-faced with panic, just staring at the dead man on the floor.

'What just happened?' whispered Eliana, unable to make herself believe that her husband was really dead – that she was free, and he would not suddenly stand up and begin to make her life a living hell once again.

Ashan could not answer. He was stunned into silence.

Gradually, Eshu's sobs began to seep into her consciousness. She walked over to him, put her arms around his shoulders, kissed him atop the head.

'Come along, son,' said Ashan. 'Come with me – we'll go to find the guards.'

Eshu looked up through swollen eyes and nodded vigorously; he could not bear to be in the same room as his father's corpse. He got up and staggered around the other side of the table.

'I'll find Asag,' Ashan muttered to her as he passed, one hand on Eshu's back.

Eliana was left alone with Adra, both in a state of utter shock. She was finally free, but she could not take it in.

How? What could have happened? How had he been poisoned?

She was so absorbed in thought that she did not notice when Susa entered.

Head held high, wearing her usual expression of smugness and self-satisfaction, she stalked in unannounced. Catching sight of Eliana stood there, healthy and full of life, the meal abandoned on the table, her jaw dropped. As her eyes followed Eliana's gaze to where their husband lay dead on the floor, she forgot all composure and gave a pitched wail of despair.

Eliana's head snapped up. 'You!' she snapped, 'what are you doing here?'

Susa stammered, 'I – I came – came to...' she was all but speechless, she couldn't think of a lie quickly enough.

Before she could say any more, Adra ran from her place in the corner and threw herself at Susa's feet, 'My lady! I'm sorry! I did just as you said – followed your instructions exactly, but the king... he swapped bowls with the whore, suspected her of trying to kill him. There was nothing I could do!'

Realisation came slowly to Eliana; 'You were trying to poison me?' she was disbelieving at first, then began to laugh long and loud, bordering on hysteria. 'You stupid woman! You killed him.'

'No!' Susa cried, shaking her head. 'No! It was an accident! You poisoned him first – with your wiles and your seductions. You've sat in my place for too long – it was past time to get rid of you for good, and your wretched little princeling too.'

'That princeling is your grandson,' spat Eliana, 'as you well know!'

'Of course I know – I'm not an idiot. He looks exactly as Ashan did at that age – Samsu knew it too, in his heart; he would have come to accept it eventually, would have put you both to the blade.'

Eliana looked pointedly at Samsu's body, cooling on the tiles a short distance away. 'Fortunately, you spared me that fate. Now my son will be king. Ashan's son will be king.'

Susa screamed, 'No! Ashan will be king!'

'No, I will not, mother.' Ashan walked in. He crossed the room and went to Eliana's side, wrapping an arm around her waist, making it clear on whose side he would stand.

'The poison was meant for me,' Eliana explained, 'and Eshu too. She would have killed us both.'

Ashan looked at her, aghast. 'You would kill your own grandson?'

'I would do whatever it takes to put you on the throne,' Susa said, pleadingly. She stepped forward and reached up to touch his cheek. 'My beloved son...'

Letting go of Eliana, he slapped his mother's hand away and stepped back. 'And what of my beloved son?'

'A whore's whelp – we will find you a proper bride, you will have many strong sons to follow you...'

Ashan shook his head in disbelief. 'Eliana is no whore – I have loved her since she first arrived in the palace. She is strong, spirited, courageous... you lurk in the shadows, spreading malice and using a coward's weapons.'

Four guards appeared in the doorway, led by Asag. They froze, all of them staring with horror at their dead leader.

'Asag!' called Ashan. 'Arrest my mother – she poisoned the king in a foolish and misguided attempt to kill the queen and the prince.'

The four looked at each other, baffled. Asag barked at them, 'You heard him, arrest her!'

When Susa made no move to resist arrest or deny the accusations, the guards stepped into the room and surrounded her.

'Take her to –' Ashan paused for a moment. Her rooms were too insecure, but he was reluctant to send his own mother to the dungeons, whatever her crimes.

'Eshnunna's tower!' Eliana burst out. 'She can live out her days in comfortable isolation.'

'Eshnunna's tower,' nodded Ashan. 'Take her there, and see that she sends no messages and receives no visitors. We will discuss the terms of her confinement later. Take the maidservant too.'

Utterly defeated, Susa allowed herself to be led from the room, with the sobbing Adra being dragged along behind.

Ashan looked at Eliana. 'You didn't tell her that there was poison in Samsu's wine anyway, then?'

She shook her head, 'Of course not. Nobody ever needs to know – our hands are clean of blood in this, however close we came. Your mother is the murderess. Our secret will remain between you, me and Mari.'

'Can you be assured of Mari's silence?'

'I think so,' she smiled. 'It is finally within my power to give her something she has long desired.'

He did not answer, but pulled her close, bringing his lips to hers in a kiss full of promise and hope. For the first time, she could fully relax in his arms, without fear of being discovered and punished.

She sighed deeply. It had been many years since she had truly believed it could ever come to pass, but she finally allowed herself to feel it, to revel in it – freedom.

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Author's note: Well, that was it, guys! The big one, the one you've all been waiting for! I hope you loved reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please comment to let me know what you thought of Samsu's finale! There's just the epilogue and author's note to come tomorrow night now - to tie off a few loose ends. If there's anything you feel has been left unresolved, comment below and (if I agree) I'll be sure to include it in the epilogue, if it fits. Thanks so much, and congratulations for making it this far!! TPx