Throne of Threats (Ducal Detective Mysteries Book 5)

by Sarah E. Burr

  “Yes, Your Grace. My name is Babette. I’ve come with the delivery Lady Uma requested for the centerpieces for your rehearsal reception.” She motioned to the bed of flowers. “I can also check in on the fireblooms as well, just to make sure they’re all set to blossom this evening.”

  Jax waved a hand. “Oh, you don’t have to trouble yourself with the fireblooms. Your boy Bastion has been doing a fine job with them. We’ve been sort of taking care of him for a few days.”

  “Bastion?” Babette’s nose wrinkled.

  “The apprentice you sent along with Lady Uma to deliver the fireblooms?” Jax felt silly for having to remind to the woman about her own employee.

  “I didn’t send anyone with Lady Uma, Your Grace.”

  “Then who—” Jax lost her words as scenes of the overturned carriage replayed in her mind. Both guardsmen lay brutally slaughtered, yet Bastion had only suffered a blow to the head. A blow, Vyanti had said, that would have killed him had it been just one inch lower. Whoever hit him hadn’t missed; they’d hurt him just enough for it to be convincing. “The boy was behind it,” she cried aloud, shocking poor Babette with her erratic behavior. “Captain Solomon!” she shouted, racing down the steps of the palace.

  George appeared at the gate. “What’s wrong?”

  She grasped both his arms for support. “Bastion is the one who helped Reinbeck escape!”

  “Bastion?” George repeated, taking a moment to remember the name of the boy they’d rescued.

  “That woman you just let in through the gates, the florist, said she didn’t send anyone back with Uma. Bastion was planted at the crime scene so that we would rescue him and bring him to the palace to recover,” Jax explained with rapid fire. “He’s basically had the run of the castle for the past few days. I saw him last night. He told me he was checking in on the fireblooms.” Jax felt foolish for overlooking the seemingly innocent boy who had played his part so well. “He was staying in the infirmary under Vyanti’s watch. There wouldn’t have been a guard posted in that part of the castle.”

  “Which is why no one reported his movements last night,” George said with a growl.

  “And I stupidly forgot to mention that I ran into him. Between Charles and Perry’s brothers, he was just kind of…”

  “Forgettable?” George finished her thought. “Exactly what he was hoping for, I’m sure.”

  “Ah, Jacqueline, there you are,” Vyanti’s voice called from the steps of the palace. “Jaquobie told me you were out here.”

  “Master! Just the man we needed to see,” Jax exclaimed as she gathered up her skirts and ran to the man’s side. “Have you seen young Bastion this morning?”

  “Well, that’s what I was coming to ask you. He left me a note saying that you’d given him permission to return home.” The man’s gray brow furrowed. “Now, I thought we intended to keep him here until Lady Uma’s attackers had been brought to justice.”

  “He is one of Uma’s kidnappers,” Jax revealed. “He tricked us into thinking he’d been a witness to the attack.” She explained how Babette’s arrival triggered the final piece of the puzzle.

  Vyanti looked visibly shaken at this news. “I’m afraid I have no idea where he’s gone. The boy didn’t speak about himself much.”

  Jax stamped her foot against the ground. “Well, now that they have Reinbeck, what do they need Uma for? They’ve gotten what they want.”

  The entry gate groaned open, drawing their attention to one of George’s lieutenants. “Captain, there is a man at the gates claiming to have valuable information for the Duchess. He says his name is Signor Daephanté.”

  Jax and George shared raised eyebrows with one another.

  “It could be a trap,” George offered.

  “It would be quite unrealistic for Signor Daephanté to come to our gates, lined with soldiers and expect to pull off some type of attack,” Jax countered. “He’s a smart man.”

  George’s eyes darkened. “For a crime lord.” To his man at the entrance he called, “Bring him inside the walls.”

  Jax spied Daephanté’s signature blue and gold tunic fluttering in the breeze as he approached on foot with several escorts.

  “Duchess,” he greeted her, bowing at the waist.

  “You’re stretching the limits of your immunity, Signor,” she remarked.

  His lips curved into a scheming smile. “I was in the midst of following Captain Solomon’s suggestion, leaving that lovely little lakeside cottage behind, when I happened upon a small encampment of men,” he explained, pausing as he met Jax’s curious gaze, “A group of men bearing that seal you showed me.”

  “Why would you tell us this?”

  “I’d rather Saphire deal with these rogues than having to waste the blood of the Shadow Brethren to snuff them out,” he replied with grim candor. “The guild does not tolerate competition, Duchess.”

  Jax gripped George’s arm, hardly believing their luck. “Could you draw us a map to this location, Signor?”

  Daephanté looked around at the armed men encircling them and chuckled. “I’m touched you’re pretending I have a choice, Duchess. I come, of course, to offer my services.”

  The way the words slid off his tongue made her shiver. She might very well be making a deal with a monster, but Virtues forgive her, she was this close to finding Uma.

  “Your help is greatly appreciated,” she said in a careful reply.

  Daephanté’s grin widened. “A bit of parchment and a quill, please.”

  They had their heading not five minutes later.

  “I’ll take forty men with me.” George folded the map and tucked it away in his armored breastplate.

  “Are you sure that’s enough?” Jax asked. “What if Daephanté was wrong about their numbers?” Her eyes blazed with anticipation.

  “Do you think he’s luring us into a trap?”

  Jax looked over her shoulder, to where the curious Shadow Brethren member stood, surrounded by her guards. “It would be a death sentence for him, if that was the case. No, I believe he’s telling the truth.” She turned her worried gaze back at George. “But I fear that this generously given information is going to cost me dearly in the future.”

  “I’ll take sixty men. I still want the castle at full watch, so I’d rather not pull any more from their posts, especially as guests begin to arrive.” George pulled the parchment back out and examined the crudely drawn map once more. “If I’m right, there’s a cliffside overlooking this part of the Syphir River’s embankment. I’ll take my men through here. That way, we’ll be able to assess the area before engaging and make sure our numbers will be enough to end this.” He hesitated, considering his next words. “Do you want us to attack to kill or capture, Your Grace?”

  She realized how lucky she’d been since taking the Crown that she’d never had this type of discussion with her Captain before now. She did not relish taking lives, no matter how terrible their deeds, and the decision weighed heavily on her soul. “Capture if you can. I want to hear for myself the story behind this rebellion. We will let the public judge their crimes.” She gripped his arm, forcing his attention to her ardent glare. “Whatever you do, Captain, see that Uma is brought back unharmed.”

  He took a step back, breaking their connection. “Your Grace, it is my duty to do everything in my power to stop this budding rebellion. My men and I will do our best to see Lady Uma back to safety.” He bowed and walked away to assemble his forces. “I’m doubling your personal guard whilst I am gone,” he called over his shoulder.

  Jax watched him go, not entirely satisfied with his pledge. His words conveyed that protecting the Crown was his number one concern, not recovering Uma. Looking at the sun nearing its high point in the sky, she guessed it was nearing lunchtime. The rehearsal reception was hours off, and Signor Daephanté had found Reinbeck’s men in the hills not an hour west of Sephretta. “Plenty of time to take a refreshing ride across the countryside,” she mused aloud. Her heart yearned to rescue
her lady-in-waiting, drowning out her mind’s protests for sleep. If George and his men were not able to guarantee Uma’s safe return, then she would not rest until she found a way to do it herself.

  Her immediate obstacle was what to do about her surplus of guardsmen. They would no doubt try to stop her from leaving the castle grounds. Virtues, anyone she came across would likely try to stop her. She was getting married tomorrow, after all. “I know it’s foolish for me to put myself in such danger, but I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to Uma,” she seethed under her breath, walking back toward the palace. She cringed upon hearing her sentries fall into step behind her. How could she get rid of them without raising the alarm?

  Lost in tumultuous thoughts, she nearly walked into Charles and Giovanna as she rounded the corner of one of the long hallways.

  “Good gracious, Duchess!?” Giovanna said, her hand flying to her heart, while a concerned Charles asked, “Is everything all right?”

  “Any news about Lady Uma?” Giovanna inquired.

  Studying the two fair-haired siblings, an idea sparked. “Yes, it’s been quite the eventful morning. Why don’t you two come with me?” Jax beckoned them to come with her.

  They did as she requested. “Why, is this your personal wing?” Giovanna marveled shortly afterward as they entered a quieter section of the palace.

  “Yes, it’s been off limits to everyone for security purposes,” Jax said, rolling her eyes with mock disdain.

  “We’re not going to be dragged to the throne room and interrogated for being here, are we?” Charles teased.

  Jax’s cheeks ripened, but she was grateful that he already viewed the memory a humorous one. “I suppose I deserve that, but no. If anything, you’ll be bestowed a Saphirian Medal of Valor by the end of all this.”

  He cocked his head. “Whatever do you have in mind?”

  She held a finger to her lips, titling her head slightly to indicate the twelve guardsmen marching behind them.

  Only when they were in the confinements of her sitting room did she share her plan. “I need to sneak out of the castle.”

  “That doesn’t seem very wise…” Giovanna looked to her brother with alarm.

  “It most certainly is not, but I’ve got to do it. George has taken a battalion of men to invade Reinbeck’s camp.” Jax impatiently tapped her foot.

  “That’s not a good thing?” Charles asked.

  Jax met his gaze. “He cannot guarantee that Uma won’t be harmed during the attack.”

  Amusement crept across his features. “And you can?”

  Jax silently conceded that the more she shared her plan aloud, the more ridiculous it sounded. “Well, yes, that’s my intention.”

  “No offense, Duchess, but you’re hardly equipped to defend yourself if things get out of hand,” Charles said, not bothering to sugar-coat his words.

  She made a face. “Then what do you suppose I do?”

  “Number one, you don’t have to do this alone,” he countered.

  “I can’t just ask my guardsmen to ride out with me.” Jax balled her hands into fists. “I wouldn’t be surprised if George ordered them to put me in the dungeons if it came to that.”

  Giovanna drew in a shocked breath. “Your own guardsmen will defy your orders like that?”

  “If the safety of the duchy is at risk, they will,” she grudgingly explained.

  “I wasn’t referring to the Ducal Guard, Duchess,” Charles clarified. “Giovanna and I will help in any way we can, and I’m sure there are other guests here who would be willing to do so, as well.”

  Jax considered his proposal. Opening the door of her chambers, she motioned to one of her guards. “Send for Lord Pettraud, Duke Cetachi, and Hendrie, please.”

  Ten minutes later, all three men gathered in her sitting room, winded from dropping whatever they’d been doing and rushing to her summons.

  Considering Darian was completely unaware of Uma’s disappearance and all that had been happening behind closed doors, she quickly had to rehash the past events and bring him up to speed. To his credit, his attention didn’t waiver. She then recounted how she’d learned Bastion was not the young innocent she believed him to be, the visit from Daephanté, and George’s plans to go after Reinbeck.

  “So, that brings us here.” Jax felt overwhelmed by it all.

  “And you’re concerned Captain Solomon won’t be able to stop harm from coming to Uma during the attack?” A mask of worry painted Hendrie’s pale face.

  Jax, fighting off sleep, rubbed her temples. “His main goal is to stop this uprising. With all that’s at stake, plus the visiting dignitaries and the wedding, we cannot allow this thirst for revenge against Saphire to fester. But it’s a double-edged sword. Who knows if George will be able to get to Uma before Reinbeck decides to do something drastic?”

  “Why can’t he just sneak in and get her before the fighting starts?” Hendrie suggested.

  Perry, standing by her side, came to her defense. “As much as we all care for Uma, if something went wrong while they were trying to rescue her, it could spell tragedy for Saphire. George and his men can’t risk being detected before they ambush Reinbeck.”

  “So what do we do?” Hendrie’s wild eyes went from Perry to Jax.

  “We will be the ones to sneak in and save her,” Jax explained. “I saw the map; I know where their camp is. We’ll be able to watch the Ducal Guard from the cliffs, then climb down. There are bound to be a few moments of chaos once the fighting starts before Reinbeck and his men realize what’s happening. That will be our window to find Uma and get her out of there.”

  Perry grimaced. “I don’t like your use of the word we.”

  Jax couldn’t resist an impish grin at how futile his protest was. “I’m going with you, whether you like it or not.”

  “Jax,” Darian sputtered, “surely Hendrie, Charles, Perry, and I can handle this. You’re the Duchess of Saphire, for Virtues’ sake.”

  “And you’re the Duke of Cetachi. I don’t see anyone objecting to you being a part of this merry little band,” Jax said, bristling at the double standard. “I can wield a blade. My father and George taught me personally.”

  Perry’s shoulders heaved with a sigh as he placed a comforting hand on her forearm. “We’re not suggesting you aren’t capable of doing this, dearest. Goodness knows you are.” He paused, looking around at their circle of friends. “But you must think of the greater good of the duchy.”

  “I am,” Jax replied with cool finesse. “For, if something happens to Uma and I stood by doing nothing, I’d fall into despair and Saphire would go to ruin.”

  “We both know you’d never let that happen.” His lavender eyes held her fiery gaze.

  “All right, maybe not,” she admitted, “but I’m going nevertheless. None of you are as familiar with Saphire’s lands as I am, and you’ll need my help to at least get you to where Uma is being held.” She realized she sounded a bit childish in her refusal to yield, but didn’t care.

  “Fine,” Perry conceded. “You’ll lead us as far as the cliffs, then we’ll approach the camp from there alone.”

  She didn’t object, knowing she had to choose her battles wisely. “Fine. But we need to move now. George and his men have already had a head start. They’ll be forced to proceed slowly, due to their numbers, so we might just catch them yet.”

  “How are we going to get you out of the castle without causing a scene with the guards?” Darian asked.

  Jax cast an encouraging look at Giovanna. “Hopefully, with the help of a realm-renowned actress.”

  Giovanna’s eyes widened. “How can I be of assistance, Duchess?”

  Jax disappeared into her bedroom, emerging a moment later with two nearly identical cloaks. “Do you have any shoes that might make you a bit taller?” she asked, looking her friend up and down with a calculated eye.

  “Why, yes…” Giovanna answered hesitantly.

  “Excellent. If you would put those on, a
s well as this.” She handed Giovanna a cloak. “There’s an alcove in the garden that I’d like you to sneak into and just sit there,” Jax plotted. “Bring that book you were reading last night to keep you busy.”

  “How is that going to help you get out of the castle?” Perry questioned.

  “I used to scale the walls of the garden when I was a child to slip out of the palace,” she explained. “I’ll simply lead my guard to the alcove and tell them I’m going to spend some time reading. With Giovanna already in place as a decoy, I’ll climb the ivy and be free. Any time they look in to check on me, they’ll see a hooded figure, reading.”

  Her plan met blank stares.

  Charles was the first to break the incredulous silence. “You’re going to climb the garden wall? Won’t there be guardsmen patrolling the border?”

  “Well, if that’s the case, you’ll just have to distract them,” Jax said in retort, a little put out that they were all being so slow on the uptake.

  Perry smirked at her impatience. “Yes, with a plan like that, what could possibly go wrong?”

  ǂ

  “If anyone comes looking for me, please tell them I wish not to be disturbed.” Jax gave each of her sentries a warning glare. “I’ve already informed High Courtier Jaquobie that I will receive all my guests at the start of the rehearsal reception.” He hadn’t approved of her instructions, of course, but it was the only way she could cover her absence for the next few hours.

  Pulling up the fur-lined hood of her midnight blue cloak, she spoke loudly enough for all twelve guards to hear. “My, it is chillier than I thought it would be today. Good thing I have my furs.” She gave them a flippant wave before pushing open the gate to the inner garden sanctuary.

  She didn’t come to this spot much anymore, even though it was meant to be a quiet haven for the Dukes and Duchesses of Saphire to reflect. Too many memories of false friends and murderous deeds lingered from days long past. But she pushed away her unease, smiling at Giovanna, who was already in place with her hood up and a book in hand. With her back to the entrance, she appeared a mirror image of Jax’s figure.