The Heart of the Lost Star (Tales of the High Court Book 3)

by Megan Derr

  "If he's so desperate for money he'd resort to forcing it out of you, I sincerely doubt he has the funds for such a frivolous court case." But she looked as worried as he felt. "What could he possibly have?"

  "I don't know," Kamir said. "It doesn't matter, anyway, because I'm not going to give in. If I give him money once, he'll just keep coming back for more. Whatever he has planned, I'll just have to hope all the precautions I made eight years ago will hold up now." He swallowed, rested his face in one shaky hand. "I wish there was a way to find out ahead of time what his leverage is."

  "All in his head, or using what little money he possesses to lie, bribe, and cheat," Velina said. "I'll see what I can turn up."

  Kamir sniffled and sat up, smiled tremulously at her. "Thank you," he said softly. "I don't know where I'd be without you."

  "Not a question you'll ever have to answer." She folded her arms across her chest. "While we're on that subject, I noticed that paperwork you've had lying about pertained to buying a house. You have not spoken to me about it once, however. Why is that?"

  "Because until very recently I was going to be just this side of destitute and unable to pay you fairly, if at all," Kamir said with a sigh, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. "Even the generous sum Jader is paying me to serve as guardian of his estate will not last forever. You have stood with me all these years, for reasons beyond my comprehension, and I will not ask you to continue to do so when it would entail living like a pauper again. You have a good life here in the palace—"

  She cut him off with a rude noise. "I have a good life and happen to live in the palace. The former does not rely on the latter. It is not your job to manage my money or life, any more than it's my job to manage yours. Offer me the job and let me decide for myself if I want it."

  Kamir braced his elbows on the table and pressed his eyes to the heels of his hands, a sob getting out before he could entirely cut it off.

  Arms wrapped awkwardly around him, and Velina murmured words he couldn't understand but which soothed all the same. He leaned into her, too miserable and shaken to do anything else for several minutes.

  It was a knock at the door that finally drew them apart. "If that's him, I am going to break his nose," Velina muttered, and with a kiss to the top of Kamir's head withdrew to answer it.

  She made a soft, surprised and amused noise and stepped back to let in a servant bearing a silver tray. The young man set the tray on the table, bowed, and murmured for them to have a pleasant evening.

  Kamir stared at the tray, which contained a carafe of familiar pink wine and a dish that contained a variety of sweets: soft rose candy dusted with powder-fine sugar, candied fruit, nuts roasted in cinnamon and sugar, marzipan shaped like flowers and butterflies, and rounds of bitter chocolate to balance all the sweet.

  "Rushta," Velina said.

  "He's being nice," Kamir replied. "If he was interested in courting me, he would say, not invite me to dinner and hire me to supervise his estate while he's in Benta." If they were courting, that was something Kamir would simply be happy to do for him—and he was, but admitting that would be admitting he wanted something Jader did not, and he had enough to manage at present without adding that humiliation to the pile quite yet.

  Velina made another rude noise but did not say anything further, simply dropped into a nearby chair, poured them both wine, and started helping herself to the sweets. After a few minutes, she said, "I have four lovers and none of them have ever brought me sweets like this—nor I them. Though I admit none of them are as…" She narrowed her eyes, and after a moment said, "Flashy, that is it. None are as flashy as the High Commander. But the Belarigo family, they're all that sort." She sniffed. "They wear their pearls and jewels like they think they're fish and the jewelry scales."

  Kamir laughed. "You can't deny he wears his scales well." He took another sip of wine.

  Rolling her eyes, Velina stole another marzipan flower and nibbled it between sips of wine. "He certainly enjoys when people think so—when you think so, from what I saw the other day. But for all his flashy ways, he is a good man. Enough about him. I want to hear more about this house you have bought us."

  "You'll love it," Kamir said. "There's so much still to do to get it ready, but it's perfect for us."

  "Tell me all about it, and we'll start planning the rest together," she said, nudging the plate of sweets closer to him. "Did you manage to eat anything at dinner?"

  He shook his head. "A few nibbles."

  "I'll call for a proper supper first, and then we'll talk."

  Kamir nodded, and while he was still too unsettled to truly relax, the gift from Jader and Velina's continued support, at least, made it a little bit easier to keep going and feel like he could handle whatever went wrong next.

  Chapter Eight

  A knocking on the frame of his open door drew Jader from his reports, and he looked up with relief, eyes already tired from reading all morning and early afternoon. "Yes?"

  Axis tipped his head toward the office behind him. "His Grace and Captain Rega are here to see you."

  "Tell Lesto to learn to make appointments," Jader said with a smile, and motioned for Axis to send them in.

  He rose with a smile as Lesto and Rega entered, and moved from around his desk to embrace them both. "Captain Rega, thank you again for coming so quickly. It must have been a hard ride to get here as soon as you did."

  Rega gave him an amused look. "When the High Commander sends an unexpected summons, one tends to obey as quickly as possible, if not faster."

  Jader laughed. "You might be running away faster still once you get a real taste of what you're in for—especially since I won't be here. On the other hand, Lesto will be, despite my best efforts to keep him from going back into the fray."

  "I can handle a few months of it, and anyway, Shemal was happy for a reason to bring the children here for an extended stay. He loves showing them off to anyone who stands still for too long." It wasn't often an expression that could only be described as sappy appeared on Lesto's face, but it happened every time his children were brought up. Not that Jader blamed him; Shemal's sister had arrived unexpectedly one day with twins she'd recently given birth to and let Lesto and Shemal adopt them. So far, even though they couldn't move much on their own, the pair seemed to have Shemal's wandering tendencies and were rapidly picking up some of Lesto's imperious habits.

  "How are the children?" Jader asked.

  "I have no idea," Lesto said with a slight grin. "I haven't seen them since we arrived, though I've heard rumors they're doing well around the palace. Last I heard, they'd been semi-kidnapped by Shemal's Islander circle for various and sundry things you would understand better than me. Something that involved the ocean that I prefer not to think about or I'll be compelled to worry—especially since I know Shemal was being vague on purpose."

  Jader snickered. "It's not simply a saying that we learn to swim before we learn to walk."

  Lesto looked pained. "I know; he takes them out to the pond on the estate all the time. But the ocean is another matter entirely."

  "The ocean is where all the children of Mother Ocean belong. And if I recall correctly, they're old enogh for the Rites of Mother Ocean."

  Rega and Jader laughed. Clapping Lesto on the shoulder, Jader went to his sidebar and poured them all wine, motioning them to sit as he reclaimed his seat behind the desk. "I'm assuming, since you have not slipped away in the night, that you are prepared to accept my offer, Captain Rega?"

  She was, as Lesto had said, a promising candidate for Deputy High Commander. Already a garrison captain, she had the same sort of mettle that had drawn Lesto to Jader. She was only twenty-three, but Jader had been twenty-one when he'd stumbled into Lesto's path and found his own path changed forever. Unlike the rest of the army, the ranks of High Commander and Deputy High Commander could not be worked up to—they were chosen and trained up. When Lesto's predecessor had died without having ever appointed a deputy, Sarrica had appo
inted Lesto. The imperial army, more like the worst sort of bloated mercenary band in those days, had been brought swiftly and brutally to heel by a ruthless Lesto and the unwavering support of a stubborn crown prince, Sarrica's father in those days swiftly declining and capable only of minimal rule.

  Rega was a large woman, with the black-brown skin most often found in Selemea, which was indeed her homeland, though she moved around a lot with the army. Her hair was cut close to her head, only the barest hints to indicate it would be curly if allowed to grow out. She had a small scar on her right cheek, like a dagger had gotten just a bit too close, and a nose that looked to have been broken more than once.

  She gave Jader a look and replied, "My husband and dame already have the house packed and their new wardrobes planned. They've probably arrived by now, and the carts with our belongings won't be far behind. If I back out of this now, they'll cut me into pieces and throw me in the ocean."

  Jader and Lesto laughed loudly, and Jader refilled all their half-empty wine cups. "Your suite has been assigned and is adequate, I assume?"

  At that, Rega looked suddenly, uncharacteristically shy. "Ah, yes, Commander. It perhaps should have occurred to me I would be placed in the imperial wing, but I admit it did not."

  "I remember feeling exactly the way you do," Jader said with a smile. "You'll adjust quickly. Nothing takes the gleam off the imperial family like living down the hall from them."

  Lesto snickered. "Speaking of disconcerting, shall we go walk around the military yard and make everyone nervous? That's always good fun."

  "What an excellent idea," Jader said, and finished his wine before standing. Rega followed suit, and after a brief word with his secretaries, the three of them left Jader's offices and wended their way through the palace.

  Nearly out of the palace, they came across a tall, broad handsome man covered in tattoos, wearing breeches, a shirt, and sash around his waist, all of them faintly damp and clinging to his skin, like he hadn't bothered to completely dry off before putting them on. His hair was long, hanging in heavy braids decorated with charms and beads, and beautiful, elaborate earrings were in his ears—a fall of double hoops that increased in size as they neared his shoulders, decorated with jeweled beads that sparkled in the light.

  In his arms he carried a child who was just a couple months shy of a year old. Behind him, holding the second child, was a woman who looked much like the man: Shemal, Lesto's spouse, and his sister Kemal.

  "Why are you wet?" Lesto asked, looking pained again as he took the child Kemal held out. The child immediately made happy noises and wrapped tiny, spit-grubby fingers into the lapels of Lesto's expensive jacket. An entire imperial army would probably not believe the soft, melted look on Lesto's face was possible as he cuddled the child close before kissing Shemal briefly.

  Shemal grinned. "Do you really want to know?"

  Lesto sighed. "You couldn't take them to the swimming pool? It had to be the large, dangerous ocean?"

  "We were perfectly safe," Shemal said.

  Jader grinned. "I notice you're leaving out all the details of the Rites."

  "Do you want a dunking of your own, Belarigo?" Shemal retorted.

  Kemal scoffed in her queenly way. If the Islanders ever woke up one day and decided they wanted to take up Mainlander practices regarding rule, Jader had every faith Kemal would be queen in a matter of minutes and none would be capable of challenging her. "Mainlanders are so fussy about water. What do they think they do in their mothers? Sit in a dry womb? How do we clean ourselves? But teach a babe to swim as is right and they act like minnows before a shark." She threw her hair off her shoulders with an effortless jerk of her head. "A pity we could not do the Rites at home. You will have to come for the later Rites, or our honored mother will never forgive you."

  "She also would never be able to hunt me down to kill me, but she might send you back up here, which is worse," Shemal replied, and laughed when Kemal swatted him.

  Lesto lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "I know perfectly well when I'm being made fun of, if only because I know Mainlander in that particular disgusted tone very well. What are these Rites you're being very careful not to explain to me?"

  "The Rites of Mother Ocean are actually three rites, spread over a number of years," Jader said. "The first is when the baby is around a year old, give or take a few months. They're taken into the ocean and various prayers and songs are performed."

  Shemal beamed. "Nialla was scared but settled in. Nindia is quite the fish."

  "I see," Lesto said, and for a moment looked briefly hurt. "I'm glad they're all right."

  Kemal rolled her eyes. "You're all sand logged. I'm going to get dressed and find that delightful woman who helped us."

  "She's married," Shemal said.

  "The more the merrier," Kemal replied tartly and swept off.

  "Shall we be on our way, Commander?" Rega asked, eyes darting to Shemal and Lesto, who seemed locked in some silent conversation and oblivious now to everyone else.

  Jader nodded and they slipped away, out of the palace and into the military yard, where everyone fell silent and regarded them with curiosity, whispers rising up in their wake. Though Jader never explained precisely why Rega was there, wanting to wait for the formal announcement, it wasn't hard to guess.

  After an hour or so of milling about the yard, speaking with various officers and enlisted, he parted ways with Rega when she was dragged away by her spouse and dame for various appointments.

  Returning to his office, he managed to get a bit of work done before his own appointment with Sarrica, Allen, and several others regarding his trip to Benta.

  Jader stifled a yawn as he took his usual seat in the sitting area of Sarrica's office. Ignoring the wine on offer for once, he poured a cup of strong, dark tea and drained it in a few gulps before promptly pouring a second.

  Nearby, sipping a cup of wine, Lady Seredia chuckled, looking as comfortable in the High Offices as only Sarrica, Allen, and Lesto tended to. But this deceptively delicate looking woman was the one Allen had said found Harkenesten relaxing, so it didn't surprise Jader that she was so at ease in a place that intimidated even well-seasoned nobles. "You look ready for a nap, Commander."

  "I thought, back when I was Deputy High Commander, I knew what it was like to be sleep deprived. I have learned in the past two years that I took all the sleep I was getting back then for granted." He smiled faintly as she laughed again. "Thank you again, my lady, for agreeing to go with me to Benta. I know you were happy in your current post."

  She lifted one shoulder. "Happy is a stretch. I was content, but I was growing increasingly bored. I like a challenge, and it will not hurt my career to be able to say I was personal silver tongue to the High Commander." Her eyes gleamed, the same dark honey-gold as her thick mass of springy curls. "The High Consort is working on creating a proper imperial office for silver tongues. It will not be ready for a couple more years, but he's already collecting profiles for the High Speaker position."

  "I see," Jader said. "I suppose High Speaker makes more sense than High Silver Tongue."

  Grinning, she replied, "It does flow a bit better. At any rate, I intend for that post to be mine, and having you on my work history will all but guarantee it."

  "I am happy to be of use," Jader said dryly, before changing the subject. "Allen said you find Harkenesten relaxing—where do you come from and what do you do that such a thing is possible?"

  Seredia laughed. "You must be the only person who does not know: I grew up in Treya Mencee, returned there as assistant to the ambassador when I was fresh out of university, where I remained until I was twenty-three. I married while I was there, and my husband and I went all over the world for various diplomatic matters on behalf of the High Throne. He died a few years ago."

  "My condolences."

  She bowed her head slightly. "Thank you. After he died, I spent some brief time in Benta until hostilities forced me to depart, and I've been working in Trice
more ever since, a few years now. Mostly I play liaison between Tricemore and Cartha, and Tricemore and various Bentan guests. It's relatively easy work for me, but does require experience and not many possess mine. But they will have to manage without me now because I am eager for this opportunity."

  "I am immensely grateful to have you along," Jader replied. "Now more than ever."

  "The honor is—"

  The door opened, cutting her off, and two people walked in, a strange mixture of confidence and shyness. There was no uniform required of the secretaries who kept the thousands of offices of the imperial palace and city running, but they all had a certain look about them anyway—a look these two certainly possessed.

  Lady Seredia rose and motioned for the two figures, a woman who looked roughly in her thirties, and a younger man perhaps in his mid to late twenties. They bowed low as they rached Lady Seredia and Jader. "Commander, this is Vannia Alteri, secretary of many years to the Duchell of Moonfall. Her Grace was kind enough to permit us to steal her, and Mistress Alteri was gracious enough to agree to help us. She is fluent in Bentan, Carthian, and Delfastien. And this is Shera Kortane, an undersecretary we are borrowing from the army's general pool. He's fluent in Bentan and Carthian, and studying to pass exams in Tricemorien. They will be your secretaries for the journey to Benta."

  Jader rose to greet them properly. "I'm grateful you've agreed to come with me."

  "It's an honor to serve, High Commander," Vannia replied. "With your permission, we'll go speak with your secretaries and start to familiarize ourselves with the new duties, and start coordinating with the Bentan delegation to ensure preperations for the trip and finalize your schedule."

  "By all means," Jader replied with a smile. "Mother Ocean knows I am not capable of any of that."

  They bowed and departed, and Jader resumed his seat, feeling overwhelmed all over again. "My schedule? I thought I was going to see the Duchess of Abernoth. How much scheduling does that require?"