“You’re certain?”
With a sigh, Jax pointed to Tarek’s unmarred face. “If you’re positive Nadir did not touch anything other than his hands, then yes, I am certain. His eyes would have been bulging from the pressure, and there certainly would be bile or spittle around his mouth. But there’s nothing. He looks like he’s sleeping. The bruising on his neck should be much more prominent if he died due to hanging. Master Vyanti taught me this type of bruising occurs after death.” She reflected briefly on the counsel her royal court physician had imparted on her during one of the first mysteries she’d stumbled across. Vyanti had taught her many things about death, and she respected his knowledge greatly. She wished he or Charles were here to help her examine the body, but unfortunately, she’d sent Vyanti to train the healers on Isla DeLacqua and Charles was back at the Saphirian palace. “I would be willing to bet he died shortly before he came in contact with the rope.”
“He was still warm when we found him, so too much time couldn’t have elapsed.” George’s eyes darkened. “You could have very well run into the person who did this to him while you were out traipsing through the gardens at night.”
Jax suppressed the surge of fear rising inside her. He was right. “Well, I saw no one. If only I’d been more alert.”
George placed a calloused hand on her shoulder. “Give yourself a little credit, Jax. It’s not like you knew this would happen.”
“No, of course not. I just wonder if it could have been prevented.” Jax placed the lantern on the table and folded her arms. “The question we are now faced with is what on earth happened? If this man didn’t die by the rope’s embrace, what killed him?”
“I don’t see any open wounds,” George murmured.
Jax thought back to the greenhouse. “There wasn’t any blood to be found. Not that we were looking for it necessarily, but it would be hard to miss.”
Scooping both his hands under Tarek’s stiff torso, George tilted the corpse up for Jax to study the backside. “See anything?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“There are no wounds on the back, either.” Jax frowned as her eyes furiously traveled up and down the man. “Wait, look here.” She grabbed Tarek’s head and pushed it to the side. “That bruise looks much nastier than the ones around his neck.”
George followed Jax’s pointed finger and crinkles sprouted from his forehead. “That does look like a bad bump, but would it be enough to kill him?”
They both studied the small, ghoulish lump just above Tarek’s left ear. “It doesn’t look life-threatening to me,” Jax grumbled, “but Virtues, what I wouldn’t give to have Charles here to confirm it.”
“Should we enlist Nadir’s help?” George’s skeptical tone revealed what he thought of their new acquaintance.
Jax exhaled long and low, taking the time to puzzle out their next move. “I can’t help but wonder if he would try to dissuade us from finding the truth. He didn’t seem interested in examining the body when we found Tarek last night. In fact, he discouraged it.”
George’s eyebrows rose so high they practically met his hairline. “So, I take it you’re not going to heed my suggestion about leaving this alone?”
Jax gave him a knowing look. “You were baiting me, weren’t you?” Shaking her head, she sighed. “This man’s body was left in such a way to purposely disgrace him and his family. We can’t let that go unchecked.”
“Then why don’t we just tell the Ogdams what we’ve found and leave? I’m sure they can send for Kwatalarian guards to handle this.”
“By then, who knows how many of the Ogdams’ guests will have departed? The murderer could very well be among them.”
George groaned. “So much for a peaceful getaway.” He looked at her with resignation. “Where should we start?”
Jax glanced back at the body. “Well, we need to figure out if he really died from that lump on his head.”
“Without asking Nadir, our success seems slim,” George responded.
Jax searched her mind for how to proceed, images of the villa filling her mind as she tried to find the answer. Last night’s dinner came to the forefront, each guest appearing before her. “Why didn’t I think of it sooner!” She snapped her fingers. “Edrice, the woman from Zaltor. She wore a relic of the Ancient Faith. I’ve seen that symbol before. The High Priestess we met during our voyage on Rose of the Sea wore one just like it. Her name was Hazel; do you remember her? To be a High Priestess of the Ancient Faith, one must be a skilled healer.”
A flicker of remembrance flashed through George’s brown eyes as he recalled their sea-bound journey. “And you trust Edrice not to lie to us? What if she’s the killer?”
“At the moment, I don’t see any other option.” Worry gnawed at her shoulders. “But I do feel more confident in Edrice telling the truth than Nadir. Her religion commands it of her.”
George snorted. “And you’re sure that’s enough?”
“As a High Priestess, I would hope fear of the Ancient Faith’s gods and demons would keep her in line. Of course, we can’t be certain, but I still think she’s the safer choice over Nadir.”
“Very well. Should I go find her?” George asked.
Jax nodded. “Yes, please. I’m sure by now people are starting to wake up. Who knows how long we have until Nadir breaks the news about Tarek, especially if someone should ask about him. He did make quite a splash at dinner last night.”
“I’ll fill Perry in and have him come down here to stay with you.”
She waved a hand, pushing the idea aside. “I need him to stay on watch while you’re gone. I’ll be fine. There’s nothing down here that could hurt me.” As much as she did not enjoy the prospect of standing beside a dead body until George returned, she knew it was best for her to keep out of sight. “If you’re able to grab a vial of dye for our eyes, that would be helpful. I’ll need it if I’m to speak to Edrice.”
He bowed his head at her orders. “Right away—”
A clattering overhead caused them both to jump.
“Someone’s coming!” Jax hissed.
George looked around the room, as if considering their options. “What happened to Perry signaling we had company?”
“I think that was his signal.” Jax scrambled around the musty room, grabbing a ratty sheet that lay on top of a pile of chopped firewood. “Here, toss this over Tarek.”
They quickly draped the tattered covering over the dead man, just as a shadow appeared on the steps leading down from the pantry above.
“How in Virtues are we going to cover this up?” George whispered through gritted teeth.
Jax’s gaze darted around the room, landing on the four wine barrels tucked away in the corner. “I’ll just say we were searching for an early morning drink.”
The Captain responded with a snort, his shoulders tense and alert as three figures in bathed in shadow descended the stairs.
A shame-faced Perry greeted them first, his expression apologetic and wary. At his side, Ammon and Edrice stared curiously at Jax, their bright amber eyes crinkling with bemusement.
“Good morning to you both.” Jax forced herself to sound as carefree as possible. “We were just searching the cellar for a bottle of the villa’s finest. My husband and I wanted to start our morning off on a celebratory note.” She shot an encouraging look at Perry, who nodded mutely in agreement.
Ammon broke into a broad grin. “My, my, you were right, my angel. I should know by now to never doubt you.” His eyes glazed over in awe.
“Yes,” his wife replied, her tone melodic and calm, her attention still on Jax. “Even if my dear sister didn’t have a wedding announcement with your portrait displayed over her fireplace mantle, I would recognize that face.”
Jax felt her forced smile dissolve as a cloud of panic grew in her chest.
Edrice stepped closer before dropping into a deep curtsy. “Your Grace, it is an honor to be in your presence.”
Ammon hurriedly followed his wife’s a
ctions with a bow.
Jax winced. “Please, there’s no need to do that.”
Ammon popped up, beaming. “It’s not every day we stumble across a Duchess.”
Jax wished she’d remembered the dye, as it was useless for her to try and deny who she was with her amethyst gaze staring right back at them.
Edrice seemed to read her troubled thoughts. “Your disguise yesterday did not fool me for long, Your Grace. You are the most famous face in the realm, with all your talks of equality and change. Replicas of your coronation portrait hang proudly in many halls because of it. As a High Priestess of the Ancient Faith, I know there are ways to modify one’s appearance through potions and drafts.” Her smile turned reassuring. “Have no fear. Your secret is safe with us.”
“May I ask why?” As much as Jax appreciated their discretion, she wondered where their trust stemmed from.
Edrice raised the medallion hanging around her neck. “I believe you’ve seen this before?”
Jax nodded. “Yes, I traveled with a High Priestess of your order during a sea-bound voyage last year.”
Edrice’s grin was catlike. “My sister, Hazel. She speaks very highly of you to this day.”
“You’re Hazel’s sister?” Jax’s eyes widened. As she looked harder at the woman, she saw the same high cheekbones and elegant features that had been etched on the renowned High Priestess’s face. “What a small world.”
“Indeed.” Edrice dipped her head. “I am a few years younger than my sister and have not served as a High Priestess for as long as she, but I am well-versed in the ways of the realm to know a ducal bloodline when I see it.” Her bright expression dimmed. “I must say, I’m surprised to see the Duchess of Saphire outside the walls of her palace with all the tension brewing between nations. You’re putting yourself at great risk.”
Jax knew she had to be careful with her words and put on a neutral mask as she responded. The Duchess of Zaltor slightly favored Beautraud and Savant’s pact, but had made no outright declarations of support. She had to be careful what she said in front of the duchy’s emissaries. “Things are stable at the moment, and I owed my husband a little retreat after our lavish wedding affair.”
Edrice’s narrowed eyes traveled to Perry’s nervous figure. “Ah, yes. The Prince Consort. It is an honor to meet you, Lord Pettraud.”
Perry plastered a strained smile on his face and bowed his chin in acknowledgement. Jax gave him a secret smile, relieved he thought it best to keep his mouth shut for now.
Edrice turned her focus back to Jax. “You likely realize that as a High Priestess of the Ancient Faith, I represent our people in the Zaltorian court. You are aware of our Duchess’s views against your ideals?”
Jax nodded solemnly. “She’s made her opinions known.”
“What you likely don’t know,” Edrice said as she clasped her hands, “is that the Ancient Faith is adamantly opposed to her siding with Dukes Savant and Beautraud.”
Jax’s mouth dropped at the surprising admission.
Edrice’s lips curled upward at the reaction. “In fact, my husband and I are on somewhat of a covert mission of our own at the moment.”
“Are you willing to share?” Jax asked, her words hesitant.
Edrice turned to Ammon, whose nod conveyed that she should continue. “A few weeks ago, Hazel and I attended Duchess Zaltor’s advisory council. She made it clear that she intended to announce her support of the Savant-Beautraud alliance in the upcoming months, should Saphire not back down. The Duchess proclaimed anyone who opposed her should leave her territory or be considered a traitor to the Crown.”
Jax shivered at the cruelty behind the ultimatum. Holding one’s people hostage in order to force their allegiance was a cowardly act. She was equally troubled to hear Beautraud and Savant might soon gain another formal ally.
“The Ancient Faith has never believed in the hierarchical bloodlines established from the revolution that led to the creation of the duchies,” Edrice said. “We acknowledge the ducal rulers because of the power they hold, but we have no divisions such as nobility and commoner within our religion. People are born as they are, and it is only the gods who hold the power to judge them.” She took a deep breath, collecting herself. “When we heard word about your change of heart at the peace summit regarding Cetachi, hope bloomed within our order. I know history has not been kind to the Ancient Faith, but we are not the maniacal priests that enslaved the world to their will. Now, we simply promote goodwill toward all and hope by living a good and just life, we will please the gods and be allowed peace in the afterlife.”
Jax felt her throat tighten as she watched the passion sparkle in Edrice’s eyes.
“The world you speak of,” Edrice continued, “it is one we desire for all humanity, even those outside the Faith. Hazel, the rest of the High Priestesses, and I have decided we cannot watch the world from the shadows we were banished to so long ago.” Edrice’s tone took on a hard edge, and shame filled Jax for the personal prejudice she’d always harbored against the Ancient Faith. “We are planning an exodus from Zaltor.”
The breath left Jax’s lungs. “What?”
Edrice sighed. “The Duchess made it quite clear our beliefs no longer align. I know Zaltor has sheltered the Ancient Faith since the Realm of Virtues was created, but it is a different world we live in now. We cannot in good conscience stay within the borders of a nation so set on oppressing people from living their best lives.” Lines of worry now etched across her midnight skin. “Unfortunately, our order carries a great deal of baggage, and finding a new home has proven to be a struggle. Mensina denied our request, not that we were truly surprised. We thought after the clay your grandfather mined from under our temples, he might offer us sanctuary, but he believes his debts are paid.”
“So, that was what your recent visit to Mensina was about.” Jax recalled their conversation at lunch yesterday about Duke Mensina’s court. It surprised her that her grandfather had not mentioned the Ancient Faith’s request to her. How much about their reason for relocation had Edrice and Ammon shared with her grandfather? Did he know about Zaltor’s desires to defect to their opposition?
“Yes, we’ve been traveling amongst the duchies since the Duchess issued her threat,” Edrice replied. “We had hoped Kwatalar would be willing to assist, but because of their wish to remain neutral, our pleas fell on deaf ears.” She turned to her husband and took his hand. “We are on our way back home to report Mensina and Kwatalar’s decisions and to figure out who we can beseech next. Our hope is that the new Cetachi Duke will be sympathetic to our plight, given he advocates for equality. Although,” she managed a smile, “our people do not look forward to surviving the winters ravaging the northern parts of the realm, it is a sacrifice they are willing to make.”
A storm of emotions hit Jax with strange force. “I find it impossible to imagine Darian not welcoming you and your order,” she said, her hand extending to squeeze Edrice’s arm, “but should you be in need of a home, please always know Saphire’s doors are open to you.”
Tears pooled in Edrice’s golden eyes. “The world has been waiting for someone like you, Your Grace.” She squeezed Jax’s forearm in return, and Jax felt an immediate bond flourish between them before their hands fell away.
Growing up as a Child of the Virtues, Jax had always viewed the Ancient Faith in an unfavorable light, simply because she didn’t understand how people could live in service to silent gods who never seemed to show they were watching. Instead, she focused on the Virtues of intelligence, humility, kindness, and bravery, believing that if she lived in their light, she would be a good and just person. Listening to Edrice speak firsthand about the reformed practices of the Ancient Faith, Jax realized both ways of life ultimately promoted the same values.
Perry seemed stunned by her invitation, for as long as they had known each other, she had always been standoffish toward any mention of the Faith. “She is a bright light, isn’t she?”
Ammon c
huckled. “We are both very lucky men when it comes to our partners in life.”
Edrice tenderly patted her husband’s arm before turning her intense gaze back to Jax. “Given what we have just shared with you, Duchess, what in the name of the gods are you doing hiding in this dank cellar?”
After listening to everything Edrice revealed about the shifting allegiance of the Zaltorian court, Jax’s mind went momentarily blank. Only after a nudge from George, whose eyes flickered over to the covered body of Tarek Killiam, did she register the situation at hand. “Well, it seems we’ve stumbled onto a bit of trouble.”
Edrice followed the trail of her gaze and frowned. “I’ve been around death enough to be able to spot a body.” She looked from Jax to George and then to Perry. “Who is it?”
“Lord Tarek,” George answered grimly.
Ammon gasped, raising a hand to his agape mouth. “The cad who regards his future wife as little more than a cook?”
So, Jax wasn’t the only one who had an unfavorable opinion of the young lord. “Yes, I’m afraid it is.”
“How did he die?” Edrice asked.
“We’re hoping you might be able to tell us,” Jax replied. “The circumstances surrounding his death are indeed puzzling.” She launched into a brief, but thorough explanation as to how she’d come across the body and the evidence pointing away from suicide.
Edrice’s cheeks tightened as she sucked in a breath. “This is a serious crime. Killing a man is one thing, but then to desecrate his body by making it appear as though he killed himself is a whole other level of cruelty in these Kwatalarian lands.”
Jax’s cheeks blossomed pink petals. “Well, we won’t know for certain until you examine him. I wouldn’t put much stock in my amateur findings before making any bold claims.”
“Amateur?” Edrice managed a light laugh. “Duchess, your skills are known across the realm. I’d hardly call your intuition amateur. Nonetheless, I will take a look at the body and see what we can determine.”
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