Throne of Threats (Ducal Detective Mysteries Book 5)

by Sarah E. Burr

  “I believe Perry has set up some games for us on the lawn. It is a beautiful day outside,” Lysette said, casting a look up at the sunlight streaming in through the high stained-glass windows.

  “I’ve heard rumors that he’s quite adept with a quiver. I shall like to challenge him at that,” Darian declared, puffing his chest out for Annette’s benefit.

  A side door creaked opened, the sound ringing throughout the vaulted ceilings. Jax turned, expecting to see Perry, but was surprised to find Master Vyanti escorting Bastion into the room.

  Vyanti looked startled, then frightened, by all the curious faces staring at the pair, as if realizing he’d made a grave error by appearing in public. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I…we thought everyone would have departed by now, otherwise we would not have intruded.”

  “Nonsense,” Carriena beckoned, stepping out of line in bold fashion. “The more the merrier.”

  Vyanti looked to Jax for confirmation before sitting down at the table with the young man. She nodded stiffly and motioned to the empty chairs surrounding her seat at the head of the table.

  “Care to introduce us all, Jax?” Carriena asked, clearly curious as to who these latest visitors were.

  “This is my court physician, Master Vyanti,” Jax said, gesturing to the elderly man. “Charles, you mentioned wanting to meet the master. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to speak about.” She gave each a forced smile before turning her attention back to her food.

  “And who is this young man?” Carriena prodded once more, ever the thorn in one’s side when she wanted to be.

  “I’m the royal escort for the Duchess’s flowers,” Bastion chimed in, before stuffing a hardboiled egg in his large mouth in one bite. It only took him a few seconds to chew and swallow, and then he enthusiastically reached for another. “The florist sent me up here to take care of the arrangements.”

  “Oh,” Carriena said dully, appearing to have lost interest after his first sentence.

  Bastion slid a sheepish glance at Jax as she bowed her head, silently commending him for his authentic performance. He’d played his part well, knowing he might be in danger if word got out about why he was really at the palace.

  When chattering at the opposite end of the table had resumed, Jax leaned in to speak with Bastion, keeping her voice low. “How is your head doing?”

  “Much better, Your Grace,” he answered, rubbing the spot for emphasis. To any observer, it would look like he was merely bashful in the presence of royalty. “It only twinges a bit now and then.” He lowered his voice even more. “I’m afraid I still don’t remember a thing. I was holding the fireblooms in my arms one moment, then the next, I woke up here.”

  Jax couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes.

  The opening of the main door signaled Perry’s arrival. He marched into the room, his hands behind his back, his expression contrite. Apparently, her guardsman had seen to it that he was warned that she knew about his tiff with his brother.

  “Good morning, dearest,” she called, still sorting out her feelings about the incident. It didn’t help that she was under scrutiny by her guests.

  “Hello, Duchess,” Perry answered, his eyes wary. “I trust your morning was peaceful?”

  She recognized that he was fishing for information about the success of her meeting with the Brethren. “It was most illuminating,” she replied, noticing how he visibly relaxed. “I hear breakfast was anything but.”

  His face darkened to a scowl as his eyes flew around the room, presumably searching for the guilty party who betrayed him. But he amazed her by keeping his mouth shut. At least he knew better than to rebuke her in public.

  “I’m told various lawn games have been set up for our guests,” she said in a brisk change of subject. “Shall we all head outside and seize the day?”

  With that, she pushed her chair away from the table and glided to Perry’s side, taking his arm. “It’s a good thing I’m already dressed for sport,” she commented, acknowledging that she still wore her riding outfit.

  “Yes, you look like you’ve come straight from a spa,” he sarcastically replied under his breath.

  “It’s been a little chaotic this morning. I forgot to pay attention to detail,” she snapped as they led their friends out of the hall. She noticed her guards formed a protective layer around the group. She doubted George would be pleased at their allowing her to leave the castle, but she had other things to worry about.

  Out of earshot from the others as they walked, Jax leaned in closer to Perry. “Care to explain how punching your brother seemed like a good idea?”

  He growled beside her. “Jax, you should have heard the crude things he was muttering. Luckily, Darian only heard the comment about a nation of dirt. I couldn’t stand for it.”

  “And hitting him was the solution?” Jax hissed.

  “He’s my brother. That’s what brothers do.”

  Jax rubbed her temples. “It may be the case in normal circumstances, but brotherly love goes out the window when you’re the future Prince Consort of one duchy and he’s the future Duke of another!”

  Perry snorted. “If anything, I think it helped our cause.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My father is furious with Philippe. In fact,” Perry paused to make sure no one was nearby as they arrived at the lawn outside the garden, “I trailed the two of them back to their suites. Philippe was moaning about how dare I assault the future of Pettraud, and my father slapped him across the face.”

  Jax’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

  Perry nodded. “He said to my brother, and I quote: ‘You’re only the future of Pettraud if you make it to the throne alive’.”

  Jax exhaled long and low. “Well, that’s not something I’d expect a Duke to tell his intended heir.”

  “I’m going to see if I can get more information from Kaul, but it seems like Philippe has been losing favor with Father, and not just during this visit.” Perry paused for a moment. “I didn’t tell you this at the time because I didn’t think anything of it, but I was surprised that Philippe didn’t attend the Lysandeir summit last winter with Father. Usually, he’s the Duke’s shadow at those types of things.”

  “It sounds like your father has been losing confidence in him for a while now.” Jax crossed her arms as she looked out over the well-manicured lawn where all their friends had already begun to enjoy the activities provided. “I wonder if that means Philippe feels driven to commit desperate acts to secure his reign.”

  Perry waved off an invitation from Edmund and Skander to join in a game of croquette. He said to Jax, “What did you learn speaking with the Brethren member?”

  Jax took a quick glance around before leading him to a small, gated alcove deep within the garden and away from their friends. Her guardsmen followed, silent and resolute. From there, she explained what she and George had learned from Signor Daephanté, watching Perry’s expression grow more concerned.

  “Jax, these rogues are obviously out to harm you. They declared their intentions by kidnapping Uma, and now just seem to be biding their time.” He cast a worried glance around the inner sanctum of the garden. “I agree we can’t send our friends into the hands of the enemy, but don’t you think we should consider postponing the wedding?”

  “For how long?” she pushed back. “Do we suspend our lives indefinitely until these brutes decide to make themselves known? I won’t live my life in fear.”

  “But what about Uma?”

  Jax felt a lump grow in her throat. “Deep down, I know she’s still alive.” Her eyes teared up. “But I can’t figure out why they took her. And why they haven’t sent a ransom demand for her safe return.” She pulled the note out of her pocket and read its sinister scrawl once more, even though she’d memorized the threat by heart. “Part of their torture is making me wait. I don’t know what I have that they want in return. Daephanté said it was a personal vendetta, not a political one.”

  “How are
you even sure you can trust this man? What if he’s just given you a false lead while the real plotting continues?”

  Jax’s face hardened. “Because if it turns out he is lying, his immunity and his life are forfeited. If there’s one thing Shadow Brethren members value, it’s their freedom.”

  Perry held her hands in his. “You know I want to marry you, Jax. More than anything. But how can we keep this charade up without Uma?”

  “I spoke with the wedding planners yesterday. Uma was so well-prepared, she’d already made sure everything for the ceremony was in place before our guests even started to arrive.” She stroked the lace of her riding gown. “The ladies will ensure everything is set up and executed according to the plans Uma drafted, so the wedding is the least of our concerns. If anything, it will be a well-laid trap to lure these culprits out into the open.”

  “I wish I believed you were teasing, but you really do want to use our wedding as bait, don’t you?” Perry shook his head. “That’s why you’re refusing to postpone? You think our wedding will draw them out of whatever wretched hole they’re hiding in.”

  Tightening her grip on his arm, her eyes reflected a dark, calculated sorrow. “You know me too well, my love.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  George’s armored figure barged in on them a few moments later. “Is this what you think ‘stay in the throne room’ means, Duchess?” he snapped, his heated gaze darting between the couple. “Perry, her safety is of the utmost importance. She shouldn’t be off gallivanting.”

  Jax raised her hand, giving him a silent reprimand. “I’m hardly off gallivanting, George. Last I checked, I had five guardsmen in this alcove, alone.”

  From the shadows of the small memorial garden, five men emerged, looking sheepish, no doubt for having witnessed the terse exchange between the Captain and their sovereign.

  Rolling his shoulders, George regained his composure. “Regardless, you still would be safer in the throne room.”

  “Are you worried about an attack?” Perry asked.

  “No, I just—” a flustered George rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m concerned, that’s all. Up until conversing with an established thug, we had no idea there was a mounting rebellion against our duchy. I’m worried what other news has slipped through the cracks.”

  Jax placed a hand on George’s forearm. “We also learned from said thug that this faction is nameless and undetected by the realm’s most sophisticated criminal organization. The rebels weren’t even within Saphire’s borders until now,” she pointed out. “How could you possibly be blaming yourself for not being aware of them?”

  “Indeed,” Jaquobie murmured as he joined them in the grove. “If it is anyone’s failing, it is mine, Duchess. My courtiers abroad in the other duchies have uncovered nothing about this growing tension. It’s as though this group is made of phantoms.”

  Before Jax could chastise him as well, Perry spoke up. “Given that, can we really trust that this Signor Daephanté has provided accurate information?”

  “I believe his unease was genuine,” Jax stated. “With the warnings he issued, we have no choice but to believe him.”

  “Jaquobie and I have outlined a safe way to escort our guests home with Ducal Guard, allowing us to postpone the wedding and eradicate this threat before it gets out of hand,” George explained.

  With a stiffening jaw, Jax said, “We are not postponing the ceremony.”

  “Your Grace,” Jaquobie began. He hesitated a few seconds before continuing. “It is easier for Saphire to protect merely its own within the castle walls.”

  “It may be easier for Saphire for the time being, but how will it look to the other nations if the supposedly strongest duchy in the realm cowers to some phantom shadow?” Jax glared at her advisor. “I know this will make me sound heartless, but it is coming from a place of authority. I cannot justify sending the entire realm home because one member of my court has been kidnapped. The other rulers will question my ability to carry on in a crisis if we…if we bar the gates.”

  Jaquobie’s shoulders squared. “Then what do you suggest we do?”

  She thought for only a few seconds. “Fortify the castle and ensure our guests are well-protected. If anything, these rebels will target the wedding itself. Our goal is to thwart them before that happens.” Jax paced around the alcove. “Every caravan arriving will be thoroughly searched from top to bottom. No one will enter without proper vetting. With these measures in place, we might be able to catch these conspirators.”

  “It’s a dangerous gamble you’re taking,” George said, his expression unreadable.

  She stopped her pacing to answer him. “I can’t lose both Uma and Saphire to these brutes.”

  Jaquobie spoke up. “We already dispatched missives to our network of spies to see if they can unearth anything knowing what we know now, but timing is not on our side.” He squinted up at the blazing sun. “Duke DeLacqua will be arriving within the hour.”

  “We carry on as is,” Jax instructed, motioning for Perry to follow her. “We’ll see to our guests and then come inside to prepare to greet the Duke.”

  She noticed the wary glances Jaquobie and George exchanged as she left. She knew they wouldn’t fully understand her reasons for demanding the wedding continue as planned, but she didn’t expect them to, nor did she need their approval. She was the Duchess…and she knew she had to put the good of the duchy first. Baiting these rebels into action was the only way she could hope to eradicate them and save Uma.

  Perry’s hand rested on the small of her back and she felt her tension drift away. “Perhaps we join in a game of croquette, just for a bit,” he suggested, pointing to the expansive lawn as they emerged from the confines of the garden. “To help take your mind off things.”

  She had just opened her mouth to protest when Carriena’s loud voice greeted her ears. “Well, there you are. We were beginning to think you’d gotten lost!”

  She came bounding across the grass, mallets in hand. “Come on, you must help me put this caddish fool Bran in his place. Doesn’t he realize I’m supposed to win?” Dragging Jax away from Perry’s arms, Carriena raised her mallet to the sky. “Onward to victory!”

  Jax laughed at her friend’s wild behavior and soon got caught up in a vicious game. By the time their rivals admitted defeat, Carriena had Bran and Edmund almost in tears at her taunts.

  “Where were you, love?” Carriena asked after the hooting and cheers had subsided. Everyone now sprawled out across the grass to soak up the sun. “You’ve been so hard to track down these past few days. I thought we all came early to spend some time together?”

  Jax’s cheeks ripened. “I have been a dismal hostess, haven’t I?”

  “I wouldn’t say ‘dismal’,” Carriena mused. “I mean, after all, you have provided me with plenty of entertainment.” Her lilac eyes drifted over to Emyr’s strapping figure, his dark skin glistening in the sun.

  “You have to thank Perry for that, not me,” Jax said with a halfhearted laugh.

  Carriena narrowed her eyes. “Is everything all right? There’s not an issue of state, is there? I know I was a bit of a brat about Darian, but after having spent time with him, I do see why he’s a good fit, and I’m sure Father will, too.”

  Jax hugged her knees to her chest. “While I am delighted to hear you’ve had a change of heart, that’s not what has me worried.”

  “Ah, so there is something,” Carriena said, propping herself up with an elbow.

  Looking around at her gathered friends, Jax shook her head. “Now is not the time for me to share.”

  Carriena scowled. “If being Duchess means you can’t be truthful to a friend, then I might as well give up my claim to the throne right now.”

  “As if you aren’t required to keep secrets from me.” Jax couldn’t help but let her defenses go up.

  “Father may wish it were so, but I’m an open book when it comes to my friends,” Carriena countered. Jax’s doubtful expression egge
d her on. “Go on, ask me anything.”

  Jax didn’t like the direction this conversation was going. “There’s no need, Carriena.”

  “Go on, now. I’ll prove friendship means more than secrets of a crown.” Carriena was now adamant.

  “All right, then.” Jax rose to the challenge. “What’s the state of Isla DeLacqua’s treasury?”

  Carriena’s cheeks paled, and Jax knew she’d hit the right mark. But to her surprise, Carriena cleared her throat, her eyes darting about before answering. “Father has run it dry. We’ve only been able to fund the duchy these past few months because he has taken out so many loans to pay for the imported goods our people need. But when the time comes to pay up, I think he’ll have to forfeit the isles to the highest bidder.” Her eyes became glassy. “Probably for the best, since I’m so rotten at keeping secrets. I wasn’t meant to be a Duchess.”

  Jax could hardly believe what she was hearing. “Wh-what? How? Why didn’t you come to me for help? I would have gladly provided the funds instead of you having to go to moneylenders.”

  Carriena smiled sadly. “I tried convincing Father to request aid, but he heard what you did for the Savantian vineyards and figured you had reached the limits of your charitable giving.”

  If Duke DeLacqua thought that financing a few vineyards would cap out her treasury, he obviously didn’t know the true wealth of her duchy. Or any duchy, for that matter. “Darling, I’m so sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say. She was surprised that the Duke would opt to give up his duchy to pay his debts, but then again, depending on who he’d asked for financing, it could be either that or his life as payment if the lender was dirty enough. What would happen to the isles once DeLacqua forfeited his claim?

  Carriena shrugged her shoulders, and Jax guessed she was trying to put on a brave face. “I may be staying on the continent indefinitely after your wedding. I’m heading to the Academy in the hopes of becoming a professor.” She lay back on the grass, looking to the sky. “Considering I’ll need a job and all.”