Displaced (The Birthright Series Book 1)

by Bridget E. Baker

  Noah smiles. “Princess needed to think about something other than her upcoming fight.”

  Edam quirks one eyebrow. “Princess?”

  “My nickname for her turned out to be accurate. I find that ironic.”

  Edam coughs. “Let me get this straight. Your plan was to convince someone whose mother died from poison a few days ago that you’d been poisoned? As a joke?”

  I sit back on my heels. I hadn’t thought of it that way, maybe because I found Mom after it was already too late. I wish I’d been there with her when she collapsed so I could have tried to do something. Or I could have heard her last words at least.

  “I’m an idiot,” Noah says. “I’m so sorry.”

  I shrug. I’m surprisingly not upset about his prank. He didn’t know, and I gave him the idea, what with mocking Edam about how he always worries about testing my food. “It’s okay. You didn’t mean any harm.”

  I do want to be up and moving, though. “Edam, you down for a little warmup before we land?”

  “Sure,” he says, “as long as we stick to hand-to-hand. Probably shouldn’t destroy Noah’s jet, at least not while we’re flying in it.”

  Noah shrugs. “Like my yacht, it’s the worst one my family owns. Don’t stress.”

  Don’t stress. I think about Noah’s admonition, and realize it’s an impossible suggestion. Judica’s planning to kill me and cement her rule by taking over China. It will shift the entire balance of power in the families, and if they’re scared enough, they might go down like dominoes. She might succeed in taking over the other families, but does it count as uniting them if she does it through brute force? It’s not like any of the deep-seated disagreements, jealousies, or bad blood will be settled.

  Edam interrupts my reflection by launching a series of strikes. I counter each one almost without thinking. Which leaves me plenty of bandwidth to contemplate Judica’s plans.

  The only way to truly unite people is to bring them together, not to shove them down into a hole. The only way I can prevent Judica from subjugating the entire world is to defeat her myself. Surely that will spook the other families enough that they’ll back off while I get Alamecha whipped into supporting me.

  But how can I do that?

  Edam speeds up, but I’m so busy thinking that I don’t worry about it. I merely counter his moves. Block, deflect, block, strike. It’s almost easier to fight when I’m not focusing on it. We move up and down the aisle slowly, darting between rows of startled guards now and then. I choke out a laugh when Arlington trips Edam and throws me a thumbs up.

  It’s too bad I won’t have anyone handy to trip Judica.

  Alora said the key to melodics lies in knowing my enemy. Even if I can’t trust Alora, I think her advice was sound. So what do I know about Judica? Her primary motivating force is ambition, or maybe anger. She’s furious I stole Mom’s time and love, and maybe impatient with how long she’s having to wait to lead Alamecha. I was positive she killed Mom, but now I’m not quite as sure.

  And if she didn’t, who did?

  And did Sotiris’ existence precipitate Judica poisoning her, or was the poison the reason Mom became pregnant in the first place? And for that matter, who was the father?

  How has this question not occurred to me before now?

  I spent nearly every minute with Mom, and I never saw her express an interest in anyone. Why would she hide a relationship from me? And who could he be? Surely he knew about her pregnancy. Right?

  Maybe Judica tired of waiting for Mom to age and decided to poison her. She might not have gone through with it, but she wanted to feel like she was in control. She might have unwittingly caused Sotiris, and when Mom told her the truth, it prompted Judica to finish things. Or perhaps it was my reaction to the ring that set her over the edge, or some combination of the two. Either way, Judica would have needed help from someone older to pull it off, someone knowledgeable with poison to locate the toxin. Of course, she has an entire guard of people who could help her and who are tasked to serve her. Presumably she trusts at least a few of them.

  Edam sweeps my legs out from under me and my back whams against the floor, knocking the air from my lungs. I look up into Edam’s wide eyes.

  “What was that for?” I ask. “I said warm up, not take down.”

  He offers me a hand. “I told you we’re preparing to land, but you weren’t listening.”

  Duh. “Trapped up here.” I tap my forehead. “Sorry about that.”

  He and I scramble back to our seats and buckle up. I hear the landing gear deploying and I take one deep breath. Edam opens his mouth and I pray he’s not about to try and convince me to make him my Consort again. I feel his gaze on me and slowly turn to meet his eyes. They burn into mine, so beautiful, so strong, so sure. How could I have doubted he supports me? If he asks to be my Consort right now, maybe I should say yes.

  His voice is low, steady, and confident. “You are ready. You can do this.”

  In some ways, it’s harder that he didn’t offer. Am I being an idiot? I feel like an idiot, flipping and flopping and emotional. I close my eyes and lean against my seat. I thought I was nervous before, but as the plane lands, my knee begins to bounce. Edam covers it with his large hand.

  “I don’t feel well,” I say. “I’m not sure what’s wrong.”

  Edam unbuckles and wraps an arm around me. “The humans call this ‘feeling sick.’ You’ve never felt it before, but I’ve seen that look on a lot of their faces.”

  “I’m dizzy and light-headed, my stomach aches, and I’m shaky. You’re telling me humans feel this way frequently?”

  Noah barks out a laugh from up ahead, his head craned around so he can see me. Is anyone on this plane wearing their seatbelt? “That’s pretty much Human 101.”

  “I’m truly sorry to hear that. How awful.”

  Noah rolls his eyes and turns back around.

  The plane lands safely on our family’s landing strip and the doors open. Frederick insists on the majority of my guards deplaning first, with Noah, Lark, and me leaving just in front of Edam and himself. As I walk down the stairs to the ground, rows and rows of guards stand at attention in the pre-dawn light. An honor guard always welcomed my mom and me home, so it feels right.

  Except Mom’s not here.

  The moment my feet touch the pavement, Judica shouts, “Now.” That’s when I realize that, uniforms notwithstanding, all of the guards present were part of Judica’s private guard when I left.

  The guards all pull their guns. Edam pulls a gun too, and my crew springs into action. Even Noah thinks on his feet, disarming the guard nearest him and pointing the weapon at the now unarmed and shocked guard’s head.

  It’s still not enough, not by a long shot.

  “Wait,” I say.

  There’s no way we can survive this many bullets. They’d take us down while we tried to heal the damage. I don’t even want to think about what would happen to Lark and Noah.

  “Didn’t Inara tell you?” I ask. “If you shoot me, you’ll never get the ring.”

  “Oh I think we’re capable of searching through your corpses until we find it.” Judica’s mouth turns up in the corner.

  “If I had it on me, that would be true enough,” I say. “But I’m guessing you didn’t find it in my absence, so I doubt you’ll figure it out any time soon.”

  “You hid it here?” Judica’s eyes widen.

  “If you kill me, the location is gone.”

  Judica’s face shows not a twinge of emotion. “Why should I believe that?”

  “Where’s Inara?” I ask. “Shouldn’t she be here with you, giving the orders to the guards while I squirm like a fish on a hook?”

  “Is that what she’d do?” Judica asks. “Order your execution?”

  “I think she’d insist you at least follow through on your bargain and fight me,” I say. “But I wouldn’t know. She stayed with you.”

  “Only to report back to you,” Judica practically snarls. S
he turns around and barks a command over her shoulder. “Bring Inara.”

  Two guards duck out and emerge less than a minute later, one holding each arm as a struggling Inara emerges. A quick glance shows several missing fingers, in varying stages of regrowth. Judica obviously did not take the news of my return well. I feel guilty for doubting her now.

  “I knew you left her as your little spy,” Judica says. “But I didn’t think she’d be able to send you anything helpful.”

  “You’re wrong,” I say. “She’s a good sister to both of us, and she was trying to find a resolution that would have satisfied Mom.”

  Judica’s laugh chills me to the bone. “We shared a womb, you and I. You’re my only true sister, but you’re a fool if you think we’ll ever share anything again. I don’t compromise.”

  “Are you really so afraid of me that you’re planning to gun me down on a runway?”

  Judica’s eyes flash. “I’m not scared of you, but I won’t let your Consort kill me either. I challenged you and you didn’t have a Consort then. I wouldn’t have agreed to a delay if I knew it would shift the stakes.”

  “You’ve been misinformed. I haven’t named a Consort,” I say, “and I won’t be doing it any time soon. If you really are brave enough to fight me, I’ll promise to give you the ring if I lose.”

  Judica sets her jaw. “If you lose, you’re dead. Corpses can’t keep promises.”

  “I’ll leave you a letter that tells you its location.”

  “Why am I not surprised to learn you lied the night Mother died?”

  I shake my head. “I didn’t know then. Mom sent me a message at Alora’s on the day of her death that disclosed the truth.” I watch her to see whether she knows what I’m really saying. That I know about Sotiris.

  Her face doesn’t even twitch. “Which means you may not even know where it is. You haven’t verified that information.”

  Frederick catches my eye and inclines his head almost imperceptibly.

  “I know where it is.”

  “Mother sent you the location.” Judica’s voice is flat.

  “Mom trusted me,” I say.

  “You’re implying she didn’t trust me.”

  “No one trusts you,” I say. “This is a surprise to you?”

  She scowls.

  “I could have you executed for treason in my absence, you know.” I signal Frederick and another line of guards run out and surround Judica’s. “Or had you forgotten that I’m the real Empress? Maybe that’s your excuse for ordering a hit on me, too.”

  “I didn’t try to assassinate you,” Judica says.

  “You didn’t send the Recluse to kill me?” Could Alora have hired them to shove suspicion on to Judica? My heart cracks, but I can’t spiral, not now.

  Judica glares at me. “Inara promised she had a formal request for an Inquest regarding Mother’s death with the Five prepared that would be filed if you were assassinated. I’m not afraid of them, but I don’t welcome that kind of interference either. I didn’t raise a finger against you.”

  I can’t decide if I’m more upset about Alora’s incompetent attack, or relieved that at least she didn’t betray me to Judica.

  “I know you’re planning a missile launch against China. You will promise not to give that order, whether I win or lose.”

  Judica smiles. “Why would I agree to any requests?”

  My heart constricts. I want Judica brought to justice if I die trying to defeat her, but I care more about the people who are still alive. I’m sorry Mom. It’s the only way I can think to guarantee that my people survive and Judica doesn’t bomb China. “If you agree to my terms, Inara will sign away her right to request an Inquest as your Heir. But only if you swear not to order a missile launch on China, and you promise not to kill or punish Edam, Lark, Inara, or any of my other supporters if you defeat me. Including Alora.”

  Inara tries to protest, but a guard smashes her in the face, breaking her nose.

  “It’s okay,” I tell her. “I’m more worried about keeping everyone safe than pursuing justice if I die.”

  Judica smiles. “I will agree not to order a missile launch on China after our duel.”

  That was almost too easy. “I want it in writing. And what about my supporters?”

  She laughs, but it’s an ugly laugh. “You’re bargaining for their lives when you die?” She looks around the landing strip. “This is your Empress? She’s so sure she won’t win that she’s negotiating your release when she fails.”

  “Do you agree?” I ask her.

  Her eyes are still laughing, but I refuse to be embarrassed for planning for my loved ones, including those who hurt me.

  Finally, she says, “I agree. Although, I don’t make any promises regarding exile.” She glances behind me at Lark. “Especially for traitorous mutts who aren’t even supposed to be alive.”

  “Done,” I say.

  “I need proof that you’ve located the ring before the fight,” she says. “Larena can help with that. And I don’t want you wearing it during the duel.”

  Edam’s eyes widen, but Inara meets my gaze steadily. We both know why Judica doesn’t want me wearing it, and I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to be torched during a fight either. Now that I’m here, facing Judica down, I want to cry. Poor Mom. Her greatest fear realized, her daughters fighting one another to the death. “Agreed.”

  Judica sighs heavily, almost like she’s dreading this as much as me. “Well, then, blood of my blood, shall we fight?”

  Blood of my blood? Judica’s always been ridiculously melodramatic. “Let’s go.”

  When we reach the main hallway, a familiar barking draws my attention. Duchess flies down the hall like an arrow. Mom’s dog was immaculately trained. She didn’t bark, she didn’t jump up on anyone, and she waited to come until she was called. This Duchess has lost quite a bit of weight and she leaps up once she reaches me, placing a paw on both of my shoulders and nearly bowling me over.

  Edam draws his sword.

  I wave him off and crouch down to eye level. Duchess licks my face, and when I start to cry, she licks my tears away. “I know,” I whisper into her ruff. “I’m hurting too.” Finally, I stand up and give her one more pat.

  The guards who supported me upon my landing have joined my small force. I’m shocked by how many came to my defense. I look for Inara and find her, tripping along behind the two guards who brought her here.

  “Wait,” I yell. “Release Inara.”

  “Feeling guilty?” Judica asks.

  I shake my head. “I didn’t do that. You did. But she’s our sister, and she deserves to walk on her own.”

  Judica snorts. “You’re exhausting.” She turns to her guards. “Take her to a holding cell below pending the resolution of our disagreement.”

  I consider arguing, but I’ve exhausted my leverage. At least I’ve secured Judica’s promise that she won’t harm anyone if I lose. “Draw up the papers and send them to my room. Once they’ve been signed and witnessed, I’m ready to fight.”

  “Delightful,” Judica says. “Bring the ring, or all your extra terms are off.”

  Frederick and Arlington lead the way, and my procession passes the training room and continues on to the throne room. The arena is already set up inside, the raised dais prepared and illuminated with the barriers erected, the majesty of Mom’s throne rising behind it. People are already assembled in rows to watch. I could have used the support of some of them back on the airstrip. Balthasar sits on the front row, and I wonder how he justified sitting over here during my plane’s landing. Maybe they didn’t know Judica planned to eliminate the need for this challenge. Or maybe they simply didn’t have the gumption to object.

  I worry for my people. How could Balthasar choose between us? He trained Judica for years, but he’s known, and I believe loved, both of us. If he’s torn, how could any of my people not be confused and hurting?

  Judica tosses me a white training uniform embroidered with ou
r family sigil. A circle of thorny vines surrounding the sun signifies light in the face of adversity. Judica walks toward her room, ostensibly to change, and I head toward mine too. I sure hope I’m right about Mom’s ring.

  Just before her party, I saw Mom leaving my room. She left the gown on my bed, but she could have had a servant do that. She almost never went into my room without me, and when I changed into that gown, the melodics training flute case I used as a young child but haven’t touched in over a decade fell off my bed.

  It can’t be a coincidence. Right?

  Noah, Edam, and Lark follow me to the door, but I ask them to wait outside. As soon as the door closes behind them, I race to my closet. It’s been ransacked, so I dig through pile after pile without luck. At the very bottom of my closet, underneath a pile of clothing, there’s a long, heavy object wrapped in brown paper. I slide it out, curious. It’s clearly not the flute case or the ring. But what it is?

  I open the paper to reveal a sword in a black scabbard. I slide it out and admire the clean, smooth hilt, the sheen carrying all the way to the end. I check the balance and it’s as perfect as I expected. A few words are scrawled on the brown paper I discarded. I recognize the blade. It’s Inara’s.

  Until you have your own.

  A tear springs to my eye. She must have hidden this when she realized Judica wouldn’t allow her the freedom to support me, but if I use it, my twin will know with certainty that Inara stayed to help defend me and my position.

  This blade would certainly help me win.

  And ironically, if I lose, it would seal my older sister’s fate. I could never do that to her. I wrap the blade back up and place it where I found it, minus the part of the paper with the message scrawled on it, which I shred into tiny pieces and flush.

  After I resume my search, it takes a moment, but I find it under a disheveled box of papers. A small black case, tattered and worn. I carry it over to my desk and set it down. I open it, and as I expect, the only thing in the case is a wooden flute. I pull a knife from my bedside table and slice the side of the case, peeling away the worn black velvet. It resists more than it should for such an old case.

  Because it was re-glued last week.