Blade’s Destiny (Ishtar’s Legacy Book 3) by Lisa Blackwood

A queen and a male courtesan must find their destiny together.

Decadence and depravity have long been hallmarks of the Gryphon Court and when a young king dares to bring change, his life is cut short by an assassin’s blade.

Tirigan, on the run from a life not of his choosing, makes a desperate bid for his future by seeking out the young king who is said to embrace freedom and justice for all. But Tirigan is too late and quickly finds himself captured once more.

Asharru is still grieving her older brother’s death when the crown is thrust upon her. Intelligent and cunning, she knows none in her new court can be trusted. One of them is the mastermind behind her beloved brother’s assassination.

She needs help and there is only one place left for her to seek it.

The flesh markets of Nineveh.

There she plans to acquire a small group of humans and gryphons, free them, restore their dignity, and offer them positions as royal guards, confidants, and spies.

She is soon drawn to one man in particular. To her horror and hope, she recognizes him as one of Ishtar’s sacred Blades, a warrior born to protect the royal line.

Given his history, Tirigan has no love for gryphons, but they must put aside their differences and bond as Blade and Queen if they hope to save their kingdom.


An epic fantasy romance loosely based on Sumerian mythology.