“We’ll head over together after greeting your grandfather,” Perry said, as if reading her mind.
“Thank you,” she whispered softly, sharing a secret smile as her guardsmen followed them toward the entrance hall.
ǂ
Creaking open to herald in their latest arrival, the grand doors of the castle had barely parted before Duke Mensina’s imposing form marched inside.
“Jacqueline!” the Duke said in a booming voice, his burly arms spread wide to scoop up his granddaughter. “You look radiant. Being a bride suits you.” He stroked her cheek with a fondness he never would have displayed up until recent years.
“Well, let’s hope she’s only a bride once,” Perry chimed in with a sheepish chuckle.
Nodding heartily in acknowledgement, Duke Mensina turned his attention back to Jax, his violet eyes showing more signs of age since she’d last seen him.
“How are you, Grand-Père?” she asked, squeezing him in return.
“I can’t complain. Your aunts send their love and their regrets that they couldn’t make it. Adella is due with her fourth, or maybe her fifth child soon, and Adelaide is in charge with overseeing the duchy while I’m gone,” he said, referring to the twin sisters who were a few years younger than Annette. “Young Amia is spending the spring in Zaltor, learning more about the Ancient Faith from the high priestesses.”
Jax frowned. Zaltor was the only nation in the realm whose residents still widely followed the doctrine of the Ancient Faith. While it was tolerated and allowed within the borders of most duchies, it was rare to find large groups practicing the faith anywhere but Zaltor. “What in the name of the Virtues is she doing there?”
The Duke puffed out his chest, not looking happy. “Well, I’ve been working on a trade agreement with Duchess Zaltor regarding clay export for a new observatory I want to build. She’s agreed, of course, but we’re mining the clay from a few parcels of land that Ancient Faith temples reside on. Amia’s gone just to keep things civil while the project is underway.”
Jax nodded, understanding the need for diplomacy. “Well, I’m sad my dear aunts won’t be able to join in the celebrations, but it sounds like things are progressing well for Mensina.”
“Indeed,” the Duke said with a gruff nod. “Am I correct in stating that Annette and Darian have already arrived?”
“Yes, they got in yesterday. They both look well.”
He did not look reassured. “Be that as it may, I’m concerned about implementing taxes so soon after Cetachi has been stabilized.”
“As am I, but I believe I have a solution.” Even though she had promised herself not to discuss state business during the wedding, she quickly disclosed her tariff proposal to her grandfather.
He beamed as she finished. “Bright girl, Jacqueline. I’ll expect the agreement on my desk by the time I arrive back home.”
No rest for the weary, she thought. “Please, Grand-Père, let me show you to your suite. You must be tired from the journey.” With that, she laced her arm through his and led him to a magnificent apartment in the eastern wing.
“Annette is just down the hall. We shall speak more at dinner,” she said with a kiss on the cheek, dismissing herself. She didn’t want to keep Duke Crepsta waiting any longer, and she could tell her grandfather was eager to see his daughter for the first time in six months.
As she and Perry walked to their next engagement, Hendrie appeared in the shadows. “Duchess,” he whispered, although they were alone in the halls, aside from Jax’s assigned sentries, “the boy has woken up.”
Jax shot a desperate look at Perry, her heart torn. She needed to speak with the lad to figure out what had happened to Uma, but she also had her ceremonial duties to attend to. “Hendrie, ride out to find George and bring him to Master Vyanti’s chambers as soon as possible. He’s likely still investigating the remains of Uma’s carriage. We’ll give the boy a few minutes to sort out his thoughts then be down.”
Saluting his orders, Hendrie disappeared just as silently as he had arrived.
“Let’s keep this visit short,” Jax grumbled, pulling Perry along to Duke Crepsta’s quarters.
Just as she had envisioned, the small gathering began on a tense and awkward note. Ever since the Duke’s nephew had been involved in a plot to overthrow Jax and take Saphire for his own, Crepsta’s relationship with Saphire had been strained, to say the least. She had to give the old man credit for the effort he was making, and she managed to have a pleasant conversation with his wife about her wedding cake.
Perry, ever the charmer, was her knight in shining armor. “Duke Crepsta, Jacqueline tells me you bestowed a Crepstian stallion to her for her eighteenth birthday. I’ve seen the creature. He is a sight to behold.”
Particularly proud of their noble steeds, valued throughout the realm for their swiftness and strength, the Duke launched into a tale about his first time riding one of the fabled mounts, supplying the conversation for the reminder of the brief reception.
“We are delighted you could be here to celebrate with us,” Jax said with a gushing smile as she signaled to Perry it was time to depart. “Our home is yours during your stay.”
“We shall see you at dinner, Jacqueline,” the Duchess replied. “I am looking forward to assessing your pastry chef’s abilities.” She patted her round middle.
“That wasn’t too bad, now, was it?” Perry asked once they were out of earshot and on their way to Vyanti’s room.
“No, but thank goodness you were there. All I could think of to talk about was what an arse of a nephew he had,” Jax muttered.
Before she could push open the door to Vyanti’s chambers, Perry drew her back. “Shouldn’t we wait for George?”
Jax folded her arms, her nostrils flaring. “It could be an hour before he’s back. I don’t feel like waiting.”
“Luckily for you, that won’t be necessary.” George appeared at the top of the stairs leading down to the lower corridor, Hendrie at his side.
“He arrived just as I was tacking up my horse,” Hendrie explained.
“My men are securing the fireblooms as we speak, and we’ll bring the bodies of the two guards down, away from prying eyes,” George said, responding to Jax’s unasked questions. “The boy is awake?”
Nodding, Jax pushed open the door and barged into the dark chamber. “Vyanti?” she called out, wary of the lone flickering candle casting shadows on the walls.
“Shhhh!” the old man’s voice hissed from the darkness. “I’m afraid Bastion is concussed, so I’m trying not to tax his senses too much.”
“Bastion?”
Materializing before them, Vyanti picked up the candle holder, bringing it closer to illuminate his wrinkled features. “The boy’s name. He works at the flower shop in town and was assisting Uma with transporting the fireblooms back to the castle.”
“Has he said anything else? Anything about the attack?” Jax asked with eagerness, careful to keep her voice low.
Vyanti shook his head. “He woke up confused as to where he was and how he got here. I figured I’d wait until you got here to do any real prodding.” He motioned for the group to follow him to the bed in the corner.
The candlelight made it hard for Jax to see Bastion’s face, but she could see his small chest rising and falling with more strength than when she’d first seen him.
“Bastion, the Duchess of Saphire is here to pay you a visit. She and her companions were the ones to find you,” Master Vyanti said in a soothing voice. If Jax hadn’t been fueled by fear for Uma, she would have been lulled to sleep by it.
“The Duchess?” a youthful voice responded, laced with a mixture of awe and confusion. “What’s happened to me?”
Jax perched on his bed, taking his trembling hand in hers. “Hello, Bastion. Welcome to my home. You are safe now and being well-cared for by the best healer in the realm.” She paused, studying his bruises in the firelight. His eyes were still closed, and he occasionally winced in pain. “My fr
iends and I are hoping you can tell us what happened. Do you remember anything before you were attacked?”
“No, Your Grace.” Bastion sounded tearful. “I wasn’t even meant to accompany Lady Uma to the palace, but there wasn’t enough room in the carriage for all the fireblooms. I had to carry a crate back. It was pretty heavy, so I was a bit distracted the entire time. I don’t remember what happened. One minute I was walking along the road, the next, I woke up here.”
Jax bit her lip, trying to conceal her disappointment at the young man remembering so little. “Did Lady Uma say anything to you that seemed odd? Did the soldiers?”
“No, Your Grace. I’m pretty good at being invisible. Not many people want to speak to the hired help.” His demeanor changed from tearful to glum. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything more helpful to share.”
She patted his arm. “I’m just glad you’re all right. Perhaps with more rest, your memory of the attack will return.” She rose and backed away from the bed, ushering her companions out into the hallway.
The brighter light shining from the flaming sconces revealed disappointed expressions all around. “I so hoped he had caught a glimpse of who attacked him,” Jax said, voicing everyone else’s thoughts.
“He just needs more time,” Vyanti reassured her. “He suffered a serious blow to the back of his head.”
George furrowed his brow. “This young man is the only witness to a crime against the Crown. If word gets out that he survived, he could be in serious danger if his attackers think he can identify them.”
“It won’t get out,” Jax vowed. Her glare around the small circle swore everyone to secrecy. “For now, he’s my personal guest. If anyone sees or asks about him, we’ll just say he’s here to keep watch over the fireblooms. I’m trusting him to your care, Vyanti.”
“I’m doing all I can, Duchess,” he replied with a dip of his chin.
“Well, what do we do while we’re waiting for his memory to return?” Perry asked.
Jax pulled out the kidnapper’s note from her dress pocket, as she did not feel it would be safe anywhere other than on her person. “We need to figure out whose seal this is.” She jabbed her finger at the sword-and-serpent crest.
Perry looked at it over her shoulder. “If it’s not signet of a noble house, what else could it be? I don’t know of any bandits who would use something like this.”
“What about the Shadow Brethren?” George ventured.
Once a guild of thieves and outlaws, the Shadow Brethren had grown over the decades into an established brotherhood of assassins for hire throughout the realm. Jax and her friends had a brush with the guild nearly two years ago when it had infiltrated Mensina and caused chaos at a tournament feast.
“I remember their seal. This is not it,” Jax murmured as she traced the inky sword with her finger.
“But perhaps someone within the Brethren has seen this before. Perhaps it belongs to a rival group that we’ve not yet encountered,” George suggested.
She raised an eyebrow. “Are you proposing we should enlist the help of a gang of thieves and murderers? Why, Captain, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
He scowled. “As much as I hate the idea, it could be fruitful.”
“I thought the Shadow Brethren had been run out of Saphire,” Perry interjected. “Where would we even find them?”
“They no longer have an outpost here, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been eradicated from our borders.” George’s mouth set in a tight line. “Saphire boasts some of the most picturesque and high-valued land in the realm. With what the gold guild members make from their contracts, I’d be surprised if one or two of them didn’t somehow own an acre or two here.”
Jax felt her stomach tighten. “Even if that’s the case, I’m sure they would have made such a purchase under an alias. How would we root them out?”
The Captain’s face soured. “I have my ways, Duchess.”
“How quickly can you make this happen? We’re running out of time, George.” Her eyes flashed. “Every minute Uma remains with these thugs, she’s in greater danger.”
“I’ll send my spies out immediately, and I’ll have a report ready for you first thing tomorrow morning,” George promised.
“Tomorrow morning?” A day before the rehearsal reception, Jax thought. They had so little time before the realm discovered something was seriously amiss in the Saphire court. She had never felt more vulnerable.
“Tomorrow morning at the latest,” George revised. “In the meantime, we should get you back upstairs to prepare for the evening’s events.”
Rubbing her temples, Jax felt her eyes watering. “How am I supposed to entertain everyone tonight?”
Perry took her hand and kissed it. “You’ve performed under stress many a time, Jax.”
“But this is different. Uma is in danger!” She was almost on the verge of shrieking.
“And when we find her she will be mortified to learn all the distress she’s caused you,” Hendrie said, displaying a shy smile at the thought of Uma’s humility.
His encouraging words gave Jax a spark of hope. “When we find her,” she repeated.
Chapter Eight
“Do you not like my choice?” Vita asked, her olive skin paling in the mirror’s reflection.
Jax shook away haunting thoughts of Uma, wherever she may be, and focused on the silvery ball gown. “No, it’s lovely.”
Vita pursed her lips in response. “Your expression says otherwise, Duquessa.” She lowered her voice, even though they were alone in the royal chambers. “Is everything all right? You’ve been a ghost of yourself this past hour.”
Jax twirled her skirts, the candlelight catching the shimmering material, painting enchanted silver flames on the walls. “Lots on my mind, that’s all.” She could tell her lady’s maid did not believe her excuse but she wisely let the topic drop.
“It will be a wonder if you’re be able to keep your eyes open come your wedding day. So many parties. You must be exhausted,” Vita said as she busied herself putting away the makeup brushes and tidying up the vanity.
Jax yawned, weariness setting in for a few other reasons as well. “It does seem like a lot, doesn’t it?”
Vita nodded. “I understand wanting your friends to arrive early, and even your grandfather. But I’m surprised that Duke Pettraud and Duke Crepsta are here. I thought Perry didn’t even like his father.”
Jax shot daggers at her loose tongue. “That is not to be repeated, do you hear me?” She paused, wanting to soften her tone. After all, Vita was still learning her place within the Saphire court. “They’re here because they are Saphire’s most steadfast allies and their presence at my side will strike a formidable chord when the remainder of the realm arrives over the next few days.”
“Oh, a glorified power move, then?” Vita said with a chuckle.
Jax rolled her eyes at the woman’s brazen, if inappropriate, attitude. “Sometimes I forget that you grew up in a noble house, you know that?”
Vita gave her a wicked grin. “I was always getting my father in trouble with my big mouth. I think he’s hoping that you’ll whip me into shape.”
“Yet another insurmountable task to add to my plate,” Jax remarked, but spiraled into giggles at Vita’s shocked expression. “You’d better learn to take it as good as you give it, dear.”
“No wonder Uma was so desperate to leave this post.” As Vita moved to leave the room, she turned back around to face Jax. “Where is she, by the way? She and I made plans to figure out what jewels you should wear to the rehearsal reception, and she never showed.”
Even as her insides crumbled, Jax maintained a calm façade. “She’s been flitting around like a newborn sparrow. It’s been so hard to keep track of her with everything going on. I’m sure she’ll…be by soon.” Jax struggled to lie to her maid’s face. “But I’d actually like to choose my own jewelry, so why don’t we do that sometime tomorrow, yes?”
“Of course, Duquessa,”
Vita said with a prim curtsy, then left the room.
Fanning herself to calm her nerves, Jax realized she needed to come up with a better excuse than that for tonight’s dinner. Uma’s absence would no doubt be noticed by her guests.
A knock on the outer chamber door interrupted her thoughts, and George stepped hesitantly into the room.
“Any news about the Shadow Brethren?” she asked, breathless with anticipation.
He shook his head. “No. Apologies, Jax, but that’s not why I’m here. I figured I would personally escort you to the banquet hall. It might raise too many questions if people noticed you walking the corridors with heightened security.”
“You’re probably right. I’m sure there are already whisperings about it considering how I paraded around with them earlier.” Jax detested how quickly gossip traveled within the walls of a palace.
George’s shifting stance told her that this was indeed true. “I overheard Duke Crepsta sharing his concern with Perry’s father earlier that he thought the increased security was an affront to his duchy and wonders if you truly believe Crepsta to be an ally.”
Jax’s upper lip curled. “You’d think that after all that transpired between his nephew and Saphire, he’d give us a little slack.”
“Luckily, your grandfather was in the room and came to the rescue. He said it was likely a training exercise for the guards to prepare them for when the real threats arrive.” George frowned. “It doesn’t paint my men or me in the most capable of light, but it did the trick.”
Jax placed a hand on his armored chest. “I thank your ego for taking the hit on my behalf.”
He held the door open for her and led the way to the banquet hall. “Have you given any thought how you’re going to address Uma’s absence tonight?”
Jax paled. “I’ve been racking my mind, but the best I can come up with is that she’s taken ill.”
“That will make it seem as though she’s not strong enough to see this through,” he replied, poking a hole in her idea.
Throne of Threats (Ducal Detective Mysteries Book 5) Page 8
