Wynn and Ansel pushed back the brush not a moment later, their sheepish expressions clearly indicating they had been listening to Jax and Vita for longer than their sudden appearance let on.
“Duchess, shall we escort you and the prisoner back to the manor?” Ansel asked as Wynn helped both Jax and Vita up from the soft carpet of grass blanketing the clearing.
Jax cringed at the title Vita now bore, but the young woman took it in stride. She held out her hands, eyeing the chain that dangled loosely at Ansel’s waist.
Jax grabbed his arm as he reached for it. “That won’t be necessary. We need to make haste to Galensmore immediately, and having her in chains will only slow us down.”
Wynn and Ansel exchanged sharp glances before nodding in unison. “She will ride with Wynn.” Ansel held back the brush for Jax and Vita to climb through.
Twenty minutes later, the gates of the estate groaned open, and Jax and her companions rode past the curious guardsmen who greeted them.
George stood, arms crossed, on the terrace of the manor, quietly assessing the situation as they slid off their horses. Corporal Highriver loomed in his shadow, his disgruntlement on full display.
“I’ll assign her to a guarded room in the gatehouse, Your Grace.” Highriver lumbered down the steps, grabbing hold of Vita’s elbow.
Jax shook her head. “Lady Vita Bellarose will remain under my care inside the manor, Corporal.”
Both George and Highriver stepped back in shock.
“But Jax,” George began, “the evidence we’ve found points to her.”
“I realize that, Captain,” she replied curtly, “But there is more to the situation at hand. We need to assemble an extraction team to rescue Lady Bellarose’s family from Duke Savant.”
George frowned at the command. “Do you mind filling us in on the reason why?”
Jax sighed, but figured the Captain of the Ducal Guard was entitled to more than just her decree as to why they were letting a killer walk around free and sending their valuable troops to rescue her family. “Let’s go inside. Vita and I need some water.”
Once they were situated in the parlor, Jax showed George and Highriver Duke Savant’s threatening letters, and explained how the man had been using the Bellaroses as hostages to force Vita to act.
“When she received a directive to kill me,” Jax concluded, shooting a glance at the defeated young woman hunched in her chair, “Vita decided she could not follow those orders, and fled the estate with a plan to sneak her family out of Savant.”
George had been silent for most of the story’s retelling. “How did you plan to do that?” There was little warmth in his tone.
Startled by the direct question, Vita wilted further into the cushion of her chair. “There are several underground tunnels on my family’s land. They were built to allow for an easy, undetected escape, should the estate ever come under attack,” she explained. “I planned to enter one of the tunnels and sneak my family out. The Savantian guards monitoring the estate would be none the wiser. By the time they realized no one was inside the homestead, we would have been long gone.”
With a nod of understanding, George turned his attention to Jax. “I’m assuming you want an extraction team to use these tunnels to ferry the Bellarose clan out of the duchy?”
Jax’s grip tightened on the arm of her chair. “Savant only gave Vita a fortnight to arrange for my death and send him proof. Can you accomplish such a task in that time?”
Confidence tugged at the corner of George’s lips. “If I send immediate word to one of our garrisons along the southeast border, I can have a team moving by tonight. On horseback, they can be in Savant within four days.”
Highriver saluted, acknowledging the plan. “I’ll bring one of the crowned falcons from the gatehouse for you.”
Hope bubbled in Jax’s chest as George moved to one of the small writing desks along the east wall of the parlor. Beside her, Vita wiped her eyes, tears lacing her cheeks once more.
“Thank you,” she managed to whisper, squeezing Jax’s hand.
‡
A falcon bearing news arrived at sundown five days later. The covert extraction team sent to the Bellarose estate had been successful in smuggling the family out of Savant without anyone detecting their presence. The Bellarose family were on their way north to Saphire with their armed escorts. It had been decided by Jax, George, and Corporal Highriver that Vita’s family would join Lord Brunovaris at the Galensmore estate. George had sent for more reinforcements from the palace garrison to ensure the estate remained well protected.
Upon receiving the news of her family’s well-being, Vita was beside herself with joy. She’d kept to her room, under no direct order since Jax had brought her back, too ashamed and horrified by the acts she had committed to face anyone. Indeed, Uma, Carriena, and the others were shocked to learn that the witty, spirited lady’s maid had been the one to end Olavo’s life. Jax had explained to the household the motive behind the attack, and while everyone, especially Uma, was hurt and angered that Vita had committed such a foul deed, there was also a great deal of empathy for the poor woman.
“Duke Savant forced her into an impossible situation,” Uma had said later that first evening after Jax revealed the outcome of her investigation.
Sabine and Carriena both sat on the floor of Jax’s sitting room, warming their hands by the fire. “I’d like to think I would have stayed strong and not caved to his demands, but if someone threatened the life of my cousins or my mother—when she was alive,” Sabine said with a shudder, “who knows what I would have done?”
Carriena nodded. “I know what she did was wrong, but I can’t help but think she made the right choice.” Her cheeks darkened. “Especially since it sounds like Olavo had been lying to you all along about just how much he was involved with the assassination attempt at Ogdam Oasis.”
From her perch on the nearby windowsill, Uma bobbed her head. “To think, he might have tried to kill you himself if given the chance.” She wrapped her arms around her slender frame. “I hope the Ducal Guard are able to save the Bellarose clan. Perhaps then, Vita will attain some sort of peace with what she’s done.”
Jax, who had been observing her friends with interest while they discussed the dark situation, rose from her chaise and went to Uma’s side. “Vita provided George with a detailed map of the Bellarose estate’s tunnel system. I’m sure her family will be fine.” As for Vita finding peace, I don’t know if that will ever be possible.
After learning that her family was safe and sound, en route to Galensmore, Vita had asked for a private word with Jax and Captain Solomon.
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Vita murmured, her head bowed before the Duchess and Captain standing in her room, “I’d like to be taken to a House of Virtue before my family arrives.”
Jax’s mouth popped open to ask why, but Vita provided an explanation first. “I am forever grateful for what you have done. Just knowing they are under the protection of Saphire makes my heart soar. But,” she choked on her words, “I do not want to be here when they arrive. I don’t want them to see me like this. I know they will eventually find out what I’ve done, and I cannot face them, knowing the darkness I am capable of performing.”
Jax knelt before Vita’s chair, so that she could look up into the young woman’s remorseful eyes from her downcast expression. “If that is what you truly wish, we will send you to your new post tomorrow morning.”
Vita’s shoulders quivered. “It is what I wish.”
Jax rose and tenderly kissed Vita’s forehead. “May the Virtues watch over you, my friend.”
Vita, with Wynn and Ansel as her escorts, left the estate before sunrise, not giving anyone the chance to bid her farewell. She had left simple notes for both Jax and Uma, asking them to remember her fondly and again saying how sorry she was for the pain she had caused.
Jax examined the shaky script, her eyes welling with tears as she reread the letter for the hundredth time.
“I will miss her.”
Uma wrapped an arm around Jax, the two of them sitting on a loveseat in Uma’s suite. “Me, too. I know it’s irrational, in light of what she did, but part of me hoped there might be a way she could stay.” A flush curled up Uma’s neck. “Virtues, here I am, wanting to keep company with a murderer.”
Jax winced at the term. It seemed so crass, knowing why Vita had done what she did. But it didn’t change the fact that she had still killed an unarmed, defenseless man. “I’m beginning to wonder if my sense of right and wrong is broken, because that same thought crossed my mind more than once. Yes, she betrayed me,” Jax said, the word sour on her tongue, “but it feels different than what Arnie did. Arnie’s actions were borne from hate and greed, whereas Vita betrayed my trust to save her family…and to save me.” She twirled a stray curl of her caramel hair around her finger. “This war hasn’t even started, and it’s already tearing our realm apart.”
Uma stiffened at her side. “Duke Savant’s actions are yet another offense to address at the War Council.” Her hands balled into fists. “I hope you destroy him for what he has done, Jax.”
The harsh sentiment from the normally quiet and reserved Uma highlighted the true effects of wartime. “I will make sure he pays for what he has done to our friend, dear one.”
Yet another promise I intend to keep.
Chapter Nineteen
The night the Bellarose family arrived at the Galensmore estate, Ellamae baked a celebratory welcome feast, despite the subdued mood. Naturally, they were curious as to why their beloved Vita was not at the Duchess’s side to greet them. Jax and Uma shared the task of explaining the events that had led to the decision for Vita to spend the rest of her life in service to a House of Virtue.
After listening to the deeds his daughter had committed in order to protect the family, Vita’s father broke the strained silence. “Since our Vita can no longer serve as your lady’s maid, Your Grace, do you require another one of my children to repay our debt to you?”
Jax hadn’t even given the arrangement she’d originally made with Vita’s father a thought during the whole ordeal. “No. Vita repaid your debt to me in full, and then some,” she assured the grieving parents. “Duke Savant would have found a way to silence Sir Olavo one way or another. And if anyone other than Vita had received the order to end my life, I’m not sure they would have had the strength to disobey. Your daughter is the reason I am still alive and more aware than ever of my enemies’ intent to silence me.”
That seemed to satisfy Vita’s parents. As for the vacant position of lady’s maid, Jax had another candidate in mind.
The next morning, Jax found the young woman curled up in one of the window seats adorning the study.
“Oh, Jax, it’s you!” Sabine smiled as she looked up from a book. “Do you need me to leave? I know you’ve been hard at work in here the past few days.”
Indeed, Jax had thrown herself into preparations for the War Council to deal with the aftermath of unmasking Olavo’s killer. She spent hours poring over the old tomes of her ancestors, searching for anything that might help prepare her for the upcoming summit. She’d received a message from her courtiers at the palace that all the ducal leaders had responded to her original summons with confirmation that they would abide by the laws of the land and attend a War Council. Since she’d sent the missives to each duchy nearly a month ago, it appeared each side had communicated amongst their ranks to make a decision as to where the War Council would be held. To Jax’s surprise, each duchy had requested that the summit take place in Cetachi, just as she had hoped. With the decision unanimous, the date for the War Council had been set for the first of the year.
“Cetachi in the dead of winter,” George said with a groan as he read through the latest scroll to arrive from the courtiers at the palace. “Sounds enticing.”
Jax chuckled as she grabbed the document from him, placing it on top of the growing pile of papers on the desk. “I pray we have enough time. We only have three months to prepare.”
George scratched the stubble on his chin. “That’s three months we need to keep you alive.”
“I thought every day was about keeping me alive,” she teased, despite the rather somber topic.
His rapidly improving health helped coax a smile to his lips. “Yes, but it’s certainly been more challenging of late.”
Here’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, Jax. She bit her lower lip. “Master Charles says you’ve nearly made a full recovery, and that in a few days, you’ll be back to normal.” She glanced down at her lap. “But I wonder if the Ducal Guard is what you really want anymore.”
George’s brows drew together in a frown. “Have I given you that impression? Where is this coming from?”
“I want to give you the chance to get out before this war begins,” she blurted out. “You’ve given so much of your life to the Xavier family and to Saphire. I would release you from service if you wanted to go off and actually live your life for you.”
He was silent for a long time, moving over to the window to gaze out across Galensmore’s meadow. “Thank you for the offer, Jax, but unless it is your personal wish that I resign from my post, I plan to remain by your side in the months ahead. If we make it through this all unscathed, I plan to remain there until my last breath, unless old age takes me first.”
Her throat tightened. “Of course I don’t want you to resign, George, but I can’t help but wonder if I should ask you to.”
“Why?” A twinge of fear entered his chocolate eyes. “I understand mistakes have been made of late, but have I truly disgraced myself as your Captain?”
Her loose curls swayed across her back as she shook her head. “No. No, that’s not it at all.” Her courage rapidly retreated into the dark corners of her heart. “It’s just…I don’t want to keep causing you pain.”
He tilted his head, surprised. “Pain? What do you mean?”
Jax sighed. “If I had known…”
“Known what?” Panic flickered in the Captain’s steely gaze.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “If I had known how you still felt about me…feel about me…if you had told me before Perry—”
He held up his hand. “Please. Don’t say any more.”
“But—”
“You and Perry are well-suited for each other.” George turned back to face the window, allowing her only to glimpse at his hardened expression. “He loves you deeply, exactly as you deserve to be loved. You offered him your love, and he readily accepted it. He made no excuses about duty and duchy over love and happiness. He simply loves you, and everything else is an afterthought. Even from afar, he makes his love known.”
Indeed, Perry had sent her several letters over the past days, once she’d finally found the time to write to him about everything that had transpired. His love, understanding, and encouragement had been evident in each.
“I, on the other hand,” George continued, “shunned your love all those years ago because I was scared. You came to me, ready to give up everything, and I was too scared to take that chance with you, no matter how desperately I wanted to be by your side.” His head dropped in defeat. “I am not worthy to be loved by you, Duchess. I have never been. All I am strong enough to do is protect you and keep you safe, so that you can enjoy the love you deserve.”
The mask she’d been trained to wear her entire life held in place, but inside, Jax felt her heart crack open. “You are equally worthy of love, George Solomon. I—” I wish I could be the one to give it to you, she wanted to say, but Perry’s latest letter stared up accusingly at her.
“I understand if you wish for me to resign from my post,” came George’s stoic reply.
She swallowed all her guilt and despair, knowing her next words were a lie, stemming from her own selfishness. “The duchy requires your experience to make it through this upcoming war, Captain. Your sovereign requests you continue to serve in your position.”
The Capta
in of the Ducal Guard’s shoulders straightened, his reflection eclipsed by relief. “So it shall be done, Your Grace.”
He left her to her thoughts after that. Jax knew she’d made the right choice for Saphire, but the wrong choice for her friend and even for herself. It was selfish to make him remain by her side, knowing the heartache it caused him, but she couldn’t imagine ruling Saphire without him in the shadows, ever her protector. She prayed their friendship could survive these truths that were now out in the open. She needed him, and the intensity of that need shook her to her core.
“Jax?” Sabine’s voice entered her murky memories, pulling her back to the present. “Everything all right?”
Locking her conflicting feelings away, Jax forced a smile. “Yes, just a bit overwhelmed by everything going on.”
“Uma’s been distracted, as well.” Sabine snapped her book shut and motioned to the spare cushion beside her. “Between juggling her duties as lady-in-waiting, filling in for Vita, and trying to make time for Yanis, the past few days have worn her out.”
Perching beside the young woman, Jax’s smile grew genuine. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Sabine perked up, clearly interested in what she had to say.
“The day Vita fled the estate…” Jax felt her cheeks warm. “Forgive me once more, but I did notice an entry in your diary that said you were interested in becoming a lady-in-waiting to a foreign duchy.”
Sabine’s long, pale hair glinted in the sunlight as her head bobbed up and down. “Yes. I was hoping you might make an introduction or two.”
Jax glanced down at her fidgeting hands. “Is your heart set on being a lady-in-waiting, or might you consider an open position of lady’s maid?”
Sabine’s brow wrinkled. “Is there an opening?” Her expression changed to excitement. “I would gladly take it! Which duchy?”
A smirk graced Jax’s lips. “Well, there is a vacancy in the Saphirian court.”
It took Sabine a beat to fully understand the offer Jax had just extended. “Saphirian court? Oh—oh, Jax, I would be honored to remain by your side!” She lunged forward, wrapping Jax in a fierce embrace. “Oops, sorry!” She pulled back like she’d been shocked. “I suppose a lady’s maid wouldn’t do that.”
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