Paradise Plagued

by Sarah E. Burr

  Olavo gritted his teeth. “The Duke had made about five visits before the Duchess approached me with this assignment.”

  “When was this?” Jax asked.

  “She had me draft up the Rapaste missive four weeks ago. The requisition for the merchant came two weeks later.”

  “Four weeks ago?” Both dread and hope battled inside her. “Was there anything out the ordinary happening in court?”

  Olavo looked like he’d rather launch himself into the blistering desert sun than answer.

  “Sir Olavo,” Jax bristled, “I can have it arranged to simply put you under house arrest for your involvement in this crime, or I can have you beheaded. Which will it be?”

  He cursed under his breath before answering her. “Duchess Tandora was having a fit over Duke Mensina declining her request to dine at his beachside manor during his last visit to his Tandorian estate,” he grumbled.

  Hope began to overthrow the dread. “Did she retaliate at all?”

  “She was suspicious of his reasons for not seeing her, so she sent a band of courtiers to spy on him.”

  The tension that had built in her chest over the possibility of her grandfather having betrayed her dissolved, and tears of relief pricked at her eyes. He was still on her side.

  Unbeknownst to Perry, George, and her other traveling companions, Jax had first developed the idea of taking a secret getaway and had written to her grandfather for assistance, only to find he was on vacation himself at his Tandorian estate. She had quickly dispatched a messenger to find him, and their plotting began. She would, of course, confirm this with her grandfather, but she had no doubt he had sent his plans for the false identities of Lord and Lady Rapaste earlier than the actual travel documents she received just days before her departure. She prayed she wasn’t making a huge leap in assuming Duchess Tandora’s spies intercepted their communications while her grandfather was on holiday and got wind of their plans from there.

  She realized she had been silent for too long, as low murmurs of uncertainty could be heard amongst the assembled group. “What I don’t understand is, why make it look like Tarek had killed himself? Why not have it look like he’d fallen down the stairs or drowned in one of the pools? Why bring dishonor to his family?” She felt her temper begin to rise as she thought about the gruesome scene in the greenhouse.

  “Duchess Saphire, I admit freely to the part I played in Duchess Tandora’s scheme,” Olavo said, sounding more humble than she ever expected he would. “I will not, however, confess to something I did not do. I was just as surprised as everyone to hear about the poor man’s death and what had been done to his body.”

  Jax considered her instincts to be above average, but she questioned them now, in spite of the earnest look in Olavo’s amber eyes suggesting he was speaking the truth. “We’re supposed to take you at your word?”

  Olavo motioned to his sister. “We played a game of cards until around twelve-thirty last night. I was thoroughly sloshed, which my sister and even Alasdair can attest to. He had joined me for a few drinks after everyone retired from dinner. I was celebrating a job well done, seeing as the chocolates had arrived, as had you. I thought my work here was complete, and the Duchess would reward me for my efforts. By the time Ines and I were done with our game, I could barely stand.”

  Ines, in spite of her upper lip curling in distaste at her brother’s role in the poisoning, nodded. “He’s telling the truth, Duchess. I had to walk him back to his room and put him to bed.”

  Abra cleared her throat from the back row. “I found several empty bottles by the sitting room card table while cleaning this morning, which corroborates their story.”

  “Aye,” Alasdair chimed in, “we tossed back a few.”

  Jax was speechless. All along, she’d assumed that the guest responsible for poisoning Tarek had also been the one to hang him in the greenhouse. Her mind had spent all its energy unraveling the cryptic trail left by the Soveignet chocolates. She still didn’t have an answer for the crime she’d originally set out to solve.

  “Duchess?” George’s concern prodded at the foggy haze her brain had become. “How shall we proceed?”

  Jax opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  Abra stood and moved to Jax’s side, a beseeching look on her face. “We asked Lord Rapaste to look into this matter, as we needed to present the Earl with his son’s killer. We have our answer. He fell victim to a political plot orchestrated by the Duchess of Tandora.” A tremor ran through the length of her elegant figure. “It will be left to Earl Killiam to petition Duchess Kwatalar, requesting Tandora answer for her crimes. As far as I’m concerned, the Earl does not need to know the cruel circumstances surrounding how his son was discovered. My husband and I will explain he was poisoned by chocolates sent from Duchess Tandora, and leave it at that. He doesn’t need to know his son was found hanging by his neck.” She surveyed the room with cool stares. “Are we all in agreement?”

  Everyone except the Saphirian group nodded readily. After a moment’s consideration, Jax did the same, and her friends followed her lead.

  “In the meantime, might I suggest Sir Olavo spend the rest of his stay in our pantry?” Abra glided over to her daughter’s chair and put a hand on her shoulder. “Samira will give you the only working key besides the master copies my husband and I hold on our person, Captain Solomon.” A smirk twisted at her full lips. “If he goes missing, you’ll know who to track down, Duchess.”

  Jax noted this was the first time Abra had addressed her using her proper title. “Thank you for being so accommodating, Madam Abra.” She turned to the rest of the guests as George led a sniveling Olavo away, followed by Samira clutching a brass key. “I apologize for turning your stay at the Ogdam Oasis on its head.”

  Monsieur Louis chuckled, wiping his forehead for the thousandth time. “It’s not every day one gets to witness history, even bleak history.” He shuddered. “I cannot believe the role I played in this, even unknowingly. I think from now on, I’m going to personally inspect each item I receive a requisition for, Your Grace.”

  Jax patted the man’s shoulder, and he trembled under her touch. He was likely stunned that the most powerful sovereign in the realm stood before him, offering him comfort. She briefly missed not affecting people in such a way, for the anonymity her Lady Victoire persona offered allowed her to interact with people as she pleased. “Your trading practices saved your life in this case, Monsieur Louis. If you had sampled the chocolates yourself before arriving, you would have been dead at the side of the road, without anyone being none the wiser. As cold and heartless as it sounds, Tarek’s death shone the light on a darker plot brewing across the realm.”

  Monsieur Louis paled at the implication.

  A wolfish grin spread across Alasdair’s face as he slapped the man on the back. “Just think of the tales ye could spin about this venture. Why, ye could declare yerself the savior o’ Saphire.” Alasdair then dragged Louis out of the room, stating he wanted to share a drink with the man.

  “If it would be all right by you, Duchess, I’d like to be locked away with my brother.”

  Jax tilted her head at Ines’s request. “What for, Lady Ines? Are you confessing to being involved in the plot?”

  Exhaustion pulled at the woman’s sagging features. “No, but I feel as though I should be punished for having a fool for a brother and being a fool for letting it all happen right under my nose.”

  “You can’t punish yourself for his mistakes.” Jax took her hand and squeezed it. “He is a pawn in a game. He isn’t the first person to be used by someone in a position of power, and he won’t be the last.”

  “What will happen to me?” The truth behind Ines’s fear surfaced.

  Edrice and Ammon, who had been silent during the entire reveal, fluidly stood and linked arms with the disgraced woman. “If you do not support the side your Duchess had taken in this growing war,” Edrice’s said in her musical voice, “then we would like to offer you shelte
r and food until you figure out where you want to belong.”

  Ines’s eyes watered. “How kind of you to help a stranger.”

  A warm grin spread across Ammon’s round face, and he clasped her shaking hands in his. “After what we’ve all gone through in just a day’s time, I look forward to becoming friends, Ines.” Together, the trio vacated the room, leaving Jax and her friends alone with Abra, Ferran, and Nadir.

  Ferran lunged forward and bowed before Jax, his arms sweeping wide. “Duchess, again, we must thank you for bringing this to such a swift resolution. The Earl will be grateful that his son’s killer has been identified.”

  As much as she appreciated his gratitude, Jax couldn’t summon a genuine smile. “I am happy to keep the secret from the Earl, as I know it would truly pain him to hear that someone had done something shameful to his son’s body, but I cannot simply let it drop.” Her keen gaze rested on the threesome. “As much as you’d like me to forget what I saw.” She knew that the answer to the question of how Tarek ended up hanging from a rope rested within this family.

  The Ogdams closed ranks, standing firmly together.

  “Please,” Jax pleaded, “I just want the truth.”

  Nadir blurted out, “Tarek was angry—”

  “That’s enough,” Abra snapped.

  But the cracks in the wall gave way, and Nadir broke down. “We were both so angry, trying to deal with what fate had dealt us. I couldn’t understand why the gods would do this to me…to us.”

  What Jax thought was a confession now baffled her. What was Nadir talking about?

  “We had been trying to find a way out, ever since Father and Earl Killiam made the engagement announcement.” Nadir hung his head in helplessness. “But Father said the world would shun us for our love. We would shame our families if we were to be together. Samira’s engagement was the only way Father could arrange for Tarek to be in my life.”

  Jax’s mouth dropped open. She had not been this blindsided since the deaths of her parents. “You and Tarek loved each other?” The concept of a man loving a man or a woman loving a woman was not common, but it wasn’t unheard of in Saphire, nor considered shameful. She feared another one of Kwatalar’s taboos was at play.

  Nadir nodded, his eyes brightening as he saw the acceptance in hers. “Yes, from the moment we met. But the Earl was furious when he found out. Father convinced him Tarek had only dallied with me because he truly wanted to be with Samira.”

  Jax snorted. “And he believed that?”

  “A man who has a vision of his son’s future will do anything to preserve it,” Ferran responded, sounding tired. “A father lets his son live his own future. I may not be the best father, but knowing the Earl’s harsh prejudices, I tried to arrange a way for my son to be happy.”

  “Yes, but by tossing your daughter’s happiness aside,” Jax snapped.

  Ferran winced. “Samira was happy to step in, as Tarek assured her he would never take her from the Oasis. With the money the Earl agreed to provide, I even thought I could finally pay for her education. I know she wanted to go to the Academy, but we ran out of money. This was the only way I thought I could secure a good future for both my children.” He looked mournfully at his son. “Nadir would get to grow old with the man he loved, while Samira pursued the fulfilling career she always desired.”

  While she considered the idea convoluted and ill-thought, Jax couldn’t fault the man for trying to grant the wishes of his children. “What changed?”

  “The Earl required he hold the deed to Ogdam Oasis until his son had produced at least three heirs.” Ferran released a long-drawn sigh. “Having children was never a part of the plan. Tarek planned to tell his father that he and Samira were barren a few months into their marriage, so neither would be forced to do anything against their will. But the Earl’s stipulation threw everything into jeopardy.” Ferran’s shoulder’s drooped. “Tarek, of course, found out and was angry at the life his father was trying to force on him. I was livid, too. I didn’t set my daughter up for this,” he said, his eyes tearing up. “The Earl was under the assumption we’d be celebrating the engagement when he arrived tomorrow, but I’d let the charade go on long enough. I planned to call it off.”

  Respect crept into her assessment of Ferran Ogdam.

  “I figured there had to be another way for all of us to get our happy ending,” he continued, “but before I could puzzle it together, Tarek died.”

  “Did you come across him in the greenhouse?” Jax prodded gently.

  Ferran opened his mouth, only to be cut off by his wife. “No, I did. I found him. I thought he had tripped and fallen, as he had a bump on his head. I figured the Earl would try to blame us for negligence and ruin us. So, I made it look like Tarek took his own life.” Abra crossed her arms, daring anyone to contradict her.

  Ferran’s lip quivered. “Darling, tell me you didn’t.”

  Abra stuck her chin out. “I had to do it. To save our family.”

  “No,” said a timid voice from the doorway, “no, Mother, you didn’t.” A deep breath filled Samira’s slender frame. “I did.”

  Ferran and Nadir both staggered back, and Jax felt her head spin at the admission, trying to understand.

  Samira strode slowly into the room, pulling at the long sleeves of her dress. “I’m so sorry. I was so frightened. I wasn’t thinking straight.” Her breath came in heavy sobs. “I thought it was my fault.”

  Jax assessed the distraught young woman. Why hadn’t she seen the signs earlier? “You said Tarek’s attitude changed after your engagement. He was angry his father was making him live a lie, wasn’t he?”

  Samira sobbed freely, unable to speak.

  “He began taking his anger out on you…” Jax gently reached for Samira’s arm, only to have her shy away. “Shhh, it’s all right. I won’t hurt you.” Samira nodded assent and allowed Jax to lift back her long sleeves, revealing arms covered in angry welts and purple bruises.

  Abra trembled from head to toe. “Tarek did that to you?”

  “No, he wouldn’t!” Nadir cried, clearly overwhelmed. “He couldn’t…”

  Samira met her brother’s gaze. “I’m so sorry. He just wasn’t the same man you fell in love with anymore. He was so angry. So bitter.” She collapsed back into tears.

  Ferran was the only member of the family who had not gathered around his daughter. “How long had this been going on, Samira?” He spoke in a cold, detached tone.

  Samira could only shake her head.

  “How long?” Ferran yelled, his composure lost as his hands balled into fists.

  “Months,” she finally admitted. “It started after the trip you took to visit the Earl’s home to arrange a wedding date.”

  Ferran rubbed his temples, his nerves clearly fraying. “The Earl added the heir amendment to our agreement during that trip. Samira, if I had known he was doing this to you,” he blubbered, “I would have called off the engagement sooner.”

  His daughter took a visible deep breath, as if summoning her inner strength. “The Earl would have ruined us, Father. He never would have let us break our end of the bargain. I thought I could be strong enough to put up with it. After all, Tarek only came around every so often…” Samira turned her teary eyes to Jax as she continued, “Last night, I was working late, gathering some herbs, when Tarek cornered me in the greenhouse. He was shoveling those damn chocolates in his face, raging at me that he couldn’t wait to begin our life together, mocking me like he always did. When I didn’t respond to his taunts, he threw the box of chocolates at me, but I kicked them aside and kept on working. Then he started slapping away my herbs, smacking my arms when I tried to pick them back up. Then his grip grew tighter and he started to throw me repeatedly against the ground.”

  “Why didn’t you call for help?” Nadir cried. “Why did you let him do this to you?”

  Samira didn’t look her brother in the eye, and instead stared at the floor. “At first, I thought it would all end when we
were married, and he could begin his life here with you. But then he told me yesterday morning he was taking me away from the Oasis after the wedding to cook for his family, so mine would fall into ruin. I felt so defeated. I felt lost and alone, and I didn’t think anyone could help.”

  The pity for this tortured family almost overwhelmed Jax’s senses. She wanted to help Samira, but first she had to know the truth. “What happened next?”

  “After a while, I could feel his grip start to weaken, so I finally pushed him off me.” Samira shuddered, the memory seemingly alive in her mind. “He fell back and knocked his head on the corner of one of the tables.”

  Jax recalled the disorganized pots on one of the greenhouse workbenches.

  “He rubbed his head for a moment, beginning to apologize for hurting me, then he collapsed. He was dead. I thought I killed him!” Samira’s voice edged in hysterical. “I thought I killed him. I know I should have gone for help, but I was terrified at what the Earl might do to me, to our family. So, I grabbed some nearby rope, tossed it over one of the beams, and hauled his body up.” Her face fell into her hands as she replayed the scene out loud. “I used a ladder we keep tucked away in the back of the greenhouse to climb up and tie the rope. I straightened up the skewed plants as best I could, staged the scene, and fled to my room. I prayed to the Virtues and the old gods alike it had all been a bad dream.” She shook her head. “And then, when I learned that some stupid poison had killed him and not me, I was so relieved, but still horrified by what I’d done…what I’d been prepared to live with for the rest of my life.”

  Jax found Perry’s gloomy eyes gazing at her from the corner of the room. Hendrie held Uma in his arms, her eyes filled with tears. Even the usually stoic Vita looked heartbroken.

  “Madam Abra,” Jax said, “you were going to take the blame for your daughter. Did you suspect any of this?”

  Abra’s beautiful face was lined with agony. “I knew they were both unhappy. I knew Tarek had a temper, but I didn’t know it had escalated beyond words. Samira is used to that, after all.” She clenched her jaw, likely reflecting on her own verbal abuse. “I slipped down after breakfast and examined the body myself, using the training I’d received from my days as a priestess. I saw the bump on his head. Based on Samira’s reaction, I knew something was off, and made a guess as to what happened.”