A Voyage of Vengeance

by Sarah E. Burr

  “Sounds like an awful way to live,” Carriena murmured, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

  Jax gave her a sad smile. “You get used to it. It’s a small price to pay in order to make a difference in the lives of your people. People who trust and depend on you to keep them safe.”

  “They depend on my father. I’m just the flighty princess who keeps them entertained with her missteps.” Bitterness laced Carriena’s words.

  “I thought the very same thing about myself. But now, I am the one Saphire depends on. Someday, you will bear the mantle of DeLacqua. You cannot escape your birthright,” Jax responded in a firm, but caring tone.

  Staring up into the midnight sky, Carriena stood silent for a long moment. Finally, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, nodding. “You’re right, Jax. I’m only kidding myself to think I can escape the inevitable. It just seems so impossible. Me, to be Duchess. How did you come to terms with it?”

  Jax pulled her beautiful friend aside, out of earshot of her Saphirian companions. “Truth be told, I am still coming to terms with it. But may the Virtues strike me down if I ever let anyone see that kind of weakness. Because we cannot afford to be weak, Carriena. We must be strong. Strong for our people, strong for our duchies, and strong for ourselves. I know you have that strength inside of you.” She folded her arms around the young woman and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Now, let’s get you inside. You’ll freeze to death in that gorgeous dress of yours.”

  Joining the others, Jax and Carriena led the way up to the staterooms, the guarded entrance manned by a new pair of guards, who nodded in greeting as they opened the door to the cabin passageway. Uma took Carriena’s arm and led her down to the Rose Suite. “I’ll help her prepare for bed, Your Grace, then come see to you.”

  Jax reached out and fondly touched Uma’s cheek. “Thank you, Uma. Take your time.”

  Perry, Captain Solomon, and Hendrie all waited until Carriena was safely in her room with the door shut before turning their eyes to Jax. “Everything all right?” Perry asked, clearly bemused by the night’s events.

  “I think so. I hope Carriena’s behavior hasn’t damaged her favor with any of the other guests.” Jax cast a worried glance to each of the three men before her.

  “Your presence by her side is definitely reassuring, Your Grace,” Captain Solomon formally reported. “At least, Lady Florence and Master Archer seemed to think your influence was needed to steer the evening in the right direction.” George had been sitting close to Archer and Lady Florence throughout the dinner.

  “Yes, and Lady Giovanna was certainly relieved you interceded on her behalf. She’s not a woman of many words, but her expression conveyed her gratitude that she did not have to perform tonight,” Hendrie recounted.

  “What an odd group of people we are traveling with,” Jax mused, looking down the deserted passage, wondering how the rest of the guests were settling into their cabins on the level below them.

  “I’m sure they’ll keep us entertained for the remainder of the voyage,” Perry said with a chuckle, although Jax noticed a hint of uneasiness brewing behind his lilac eyes.

  Perhaps it was the honeyed mead going to her head, but the more she thought about the scene at dinner, something told her that this group of passengers was going to be more than she bargained for.

  Chapter Three

  The pale peach sky took Jax’s breath away, the sun winking into existence in the east, casting shimmering rays across the infinitely blue water. Loose strands of her caramel hair whipped across her face, the salty wind billowing in her linen skirts. The crisp smell cleared her head, foggy shadows of the night before seeping into memory. As she looked out across the seemingly endless waters, she pledged to avoid any more mead on this trip; she needed to be clearheaded in order to properly watch over her friend.

  “A beautiful vision to behold so early in the morning.” Perry’s voice drifted up onto the deck of the bow, his unruly dark hair appearing at the top of the stairs.

  “Yes, you certainly don’t wake up to a sight like this in Saphire,” Jax murmured in agreement, giving him a smile.

  “I meant you, Duchess.” He arrived at her side and placed a tender kiss on her blushing cheek. His bright eyes meandered down the length of her simple, pale blue frock before settling back on her face with a dashing smile. “Up early?”

  Winded for only a moment under the intensity of his stare, Jax nodded. “I wanted to see the sun rise before the chaos of the day begins.”

  “Chaos?” Perry leaned against the railing of the ship, scanning the expansive sea before them.

  “You might think me paranoid, but I had a hard time shaking the unsettling feeling I had last night. I didn’t sleep very well. I spent the whole time thinking about our dinner guests,” Jax admitted in a quiet tone.

  “What about them? Truth be told, besides the Master Builder, we’re traveling with a relatively unremarkable group of people,” Perry said in a flippant manner.

  “I thought that I was the only sovereign in attendance because no one else of my station wanted to risk the journey,” Jax said with a childish scowl. “But it turns out I was the only one invited, and it seems only because I am Carriena’s oldest friend. Jaquobie’s messengers were misinformed that the other duchies were sending emissaries.” She shook her head slowly. “I really can’t fathom what Duke DeLacqua is hoping to gain by inviting these people to his dukedom. I understand that Sir Charles is here for his residency, and Lady Giovanna’s performance talents will certainly be of merit, but everyone else? The Haulsingers hardly seem able to influence Duke Savant to lower the clothing tax. For all their important airs, they were actually dressed very drably.”

  Perry frowned at her. “Virtue’s sake, what are you going on about, Jax?”

  “Their clothing. I understand Lady Florence was a renowned tailor in her prime, and the clothes she and her husband wore last night spoke of elegance, but I saw fraying seams and hastily sewn patches all over their attire. Rather an odd choice for an event as sophisticated as an inaugural dinner.”

  “But did you see the brooch Lady Florence was wearing?”

  Jax responded with a blank stare.

  “I’m surprised it escaped your watchful and might I add, critical, eye,” Perry said. “Although, I only noticed it myself on our way out when the lady adjusted her shawl. I’d never call myself an expert in diamonds and such, but it was massive. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, you name it. Must have been the size of those chocolate bonbons you love to eat.” Winking, Perry took her hand and led her down to the main deck. “I know our companions seem like a group of misfits, but let’s give them the benefit of the doubt, Jax. Everyone was perfectly friendly last night at dinner. Well, except Sir Ernest.” Perry shuddered, and Jax, too, recalled the old man spewing bits of his meal across the table.

  “You’re right,” she smiled. “I’m just looking for trouble, I guess. Let’s find Uma and the others and head to breakfast. I’m starving.”

  Nodding good morning to the two guards stationed at the entrance of the passageway that led to their suites, Jax noticed Jogan briskly walking to his father’s cabin up ahead, armed with a pitcher of water and a small pouch. “Good morning, Jogan!” she called. “Will the Captain be joining us for breakfast this morning?”

  Jax was startled by the worried expression on the first mate’s face as he turned to greet them. “Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you all slept well. Unfortunately, my father and I will be dining in his cabin today.”

  The Duchess frowned, curious as to why the Captain had not joined the group in last night’s festivities, either. “Is everything all right, Jogan?” She hoped to get more information than the young man was letting on.

  He shifted awkwardly on his feet, looking unsure of how to reply. “Well, Your Grace, I am a bit worried. Father took ill last night after he briefly attended the cocktail hour Lady Carriena hosted. At first, I thought maybe he wasn’t used to sailing on this large of a sh
ip and was having a hard time adjusting to the different movement. But then it continued on through the night, and he seems to be doing worse this morning,” Jogan reported, his voice cracking near the end.

  Jax and Perry exchanged worried looks. She found it hard to believe that a seaman as experienced as Captain Valhalen was suffering from seasickness. “Has the ship’s doctor attended to him?” she asked.

  A helpless look on his face, Jogan replied. “Rose of the Sea has no appointed physician at the moment. Duke DeLacqua thought that there would be no need, with both a High Priestess and an Academy resident traveling on board for its first voyage. I’m just coming back from speaking with Miss Hazel. She gave me some herbs to try.” He motioned to the small leather pouch tucked under his arm.

  “Goodness, then please don’t let us deter you any longer,” Jax said, her waving hand urging Jogan to complete his task. The young man bowed low before disappearing into his father’s chambers, the door closing with a snap.

  “I don’t like that look on your face, Jax,” Perry groaned, seeming to know what the Duchess was thinking.

  But instead of replying, Jax grabbed her skirts and ran over to the outside of the Captain’s door. Jogan must have placed an empty water pitcher and platter of half-eaten food out to be collected by the guards. She surveyed the remnants of the meal, her face scrunched in concentration. “We’re kidding ourselves if we’re going to accept this as seasickness, Perry. Hazel would have given the captain gingerroot if that was the case, not a whole bag of herbs.”

  Perry knelt beside her and picked up the nearly empty water jug. He brought it to his nose and sniffed, immediately cringing at whatever assaulted his senses. “What does this smell like to you?”

  Jax leaned in and inhaled, a sweetly bitter aroma flourishing in her nose. Stuttering through a cough, she said through teary eyes, “Why, is almost smells like smoked nutmeg.”

  Perry nodded in agreement. “Very close. It’s actually a plant called cloveroot. I’ve used it before when mixing paint. It creates a stunning midnight blue, but if ingested, it can make a person extremely ill.”

  Jax’s eyes widened at Perry’s revelation. “You mean someone used cloveroot to intentionally poison the Captain?”

  Perry put down the pitcher, his face grim. “Cloveroot in small doses won’t kill anyone, but as I said, they’ll be in a sickbed for a few days, at least.”

  “You’d think he would have realized it was laced.” Jax sniffed the pitcher once more, flinching.

  “Cloveroot reacts with its solute over time. It would have taken hours for it to reach this intensity,” Perry informed her, speaking casually, as if this was common knowledge.

  “Why would anyone want to put the Captain out of commission while we’re at sea? He’s supposed to be navigating this blasted thing!” Jax knew Perry didn’t have an answer for her, but her frustration clouded her judgment. “We must ask Jogan where this water came from. I highly doubt he’s our culprit, but I’d prefer it if we were careful with our words.” Not bothering to wait for Perry’s consent, Jax rapped briskly on the cabin door.

  A few moments later, a sliver of Jogan’s face appeared; the young man was obviously hesitant to open the entry the rest of the way. “Your Grace? Did you need something else?”

  Jax clasped her hands before her, watching the first mate carefully. “This might sound a bit odd, Jogan, but can you tell me where the pitcher of water outside your father’s door came from? I only ask because I had hoped for some refreshments in my room and was disappointed to find none.”

  Jogan’s cheeks erupted with panic as he flung open the door in a sweeping bow. “My sincerest apologies, Your Grace. I’ll speak to the galley staff about this oversight. At the moment, I’m not really sure who would be in charge of stocking the rooms. This pitcher was here last night before my father and I headed out on deck for the start of cocktail hour.”

  “Did you drink any of the water yourself, Jogan?” Perry asked, stepping out from Jax’s regal shadow.

  The young man gave Perry a wary glance, obviously unsure what his question had to do with the Duchess’s inquiry. “Well, no, actually. I figured I would wait to drink until the cocktail hour kicked off. Wish I had, though. Father only let us stay a few minutes before we retreated to the helm to scour star charts.” Jogan looked to Jax for confirmation, and she nodded, remembering her encounter with the struggling first mate.

  Suddenly, Perry reached out and took Jogan by the arm. “That reminds me, sir, there’s something in my cabin I require you to examine. When I woke this morning, I could have sworn there was a sea snake in my bathtub. Hendrie and I are both quite terrified of snakes, so if you could just come see to it quickly.” As he pulled the bewildered first mate down the hallway, Perry threw an urgent look Jax’s way. Realizing that she was standing outside the open door of the Captain’s chambers, she immediately understood that Perry had deliberately created a distraction to allow her to sneak inside and see if the water pitcher Jogan had been carrying moments ago was also laced with cloveroot.

  Ducking inside the room, Jax was astonished once more by the sheer size of the cabin, which appeared to be at least three full rooms. The entryway she stood in now was cluttered with scrolls and books, a big brass telescope pointing out the western window. Perched on the edge of a worn, yet grand desk, sat the water jug and packet of herbs. Racing over, Jax took in a deep breath, exhaling relief. The bittersweet scent of cloveroot was nowhere to be found in the jug or in the jumbled packet of dried plants. Whoever had laced the Captain’s water pitcher last night had not done so this morning.

  Knowing there was no time to waste, Jax exited the room, although not before hearing Captain Valhalen’s moans of discomfort coming from behind one of the closed doors. Even though the man had not been poisoned this morning, from what Perry had told her, Valhalen was still in for a world of hurt and would spend the next few days recovering.

  Stopping herself from shutting the door, as Jogan had left it ajar, Jax tried to look casual as she stood in the hallway when Perry and the first mate emerged from the Emerald Suite. “I’m sorry, ol’ chap,” Perry said to Jogan as the pair strode back to the Captain’s cabin. “I could have sworn there was something there this morning. I hope this doesn’t mean there’s a sea snake loose on the boat.” He chuckled, then turned to Jax. “Well, Duchess, I think we have bothered Master Jogan here long enough. Shall we head to breakfast?”

  Bidding the slightly flustered first mate a demure goodbye, Jax reached for Perry’s arm and they retraced their steps to the dining hall. “The water Jogan brought this morning was not tampered with,” Jax whispered as they walked across the main deck. “Do you think this all could have been an accident?”

  Perry frowned. “No cook worth his salt would keep cloveroot lying around. The risks are far too great.”

  “Then we must be mindful of our traveling companions, Perry. Any one of them could have orchestrated this,” Jax murmured as they entered the rowdy room, already full of morning chatter. “I know the guards are not supposed to let anyone but our delegation, Carriena, Jogan, and Valhalen through the suite entrance, but with all the commotion of yesterday’s departure, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was able to sneak in without being seen and lace the water pitcher.”

  “Well, I’ll see if I can dig anything up,” Perry said as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. As charming as he was, Jax blushed at the breach in protocol, especially in front of a room of relative strangers. He recognized his mistake right away and sheepishly pointed to the table. “I think I see a cherry tart with your name on it.” With that, he strolled over with renewed confidence to Hazel and Vincent Quorimander, engaging them in conversation.

  Jax took in the crowd and spotted Carriena speaking to Lady Giovanna. Her friend’s earnest expression and demure stance, hands clasped in front of her, suggested Carriena was offering an apology. Approaching the two women, Jax smiled in greeting.

  “Oh, Duchess, there y
ou are,” Carriena said as she noticed Jax. “I was just about ready to send Uma after you. She was an absolute treasure, helping me out last night. Goodness, I was in a bit of a state. Thank you for having her stay with me. I was telling Lady Giovanna how sorry I am to have put her on the spot in front of everyone.” Her words rushed out in a breathless fashion, her eyes bright and alert, the remnants of last night’s honeyed mead long gone.

  “And I was telling our hostess that I would be honored to perform this evening, if that suits Her Highness.” Lady Giovanna bowed her head to Carriena, clearly intimidated by the woman’s commanding presence.

  “I would be delighted, and I’m sure everyone on board will be thrilled,” Carriena paused, looking around. “Is your brother joining us for breakfast?”

  Lady Giovanna glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the entryway. “He was right behind me a moment ago. He must have forgotten something and gone back to his cabin.”

  Jax followed the young woman’s gaze, noticing that Charles was not the only guest not yet in the dining room. Lady Florence and Master Archer were also not among them at the moment.

  “Well, I invite you to tuck in. The candied toast is particularly good.” Carriena motioned for Jax and Giovanna to take their seats at the table, and Jax’s eyes were immediately drawn to the sugar-and-pecan crusted, syrup laden bread.

  Chuckling, Jax said, “Goodness, who would have thought we’d eat so well this far out at sea. I was fearing that I’d be stuck eating smoked cod this entire voyage.” She hoped to engage the quiet Lady Giovanna in conversation. She had not spoken to the young woman as much as she would have liked to last night, considering her realm-renowned talents.

  “I’ll have to pace myself or I won’t be able to fit into any of my costumes back home.” The actress smiled conspiratorially at Jax.