Harrowed Heir

by Sarah E. Burr

Jax and Ziri chuckled at her joke, a wave of relief washing over them, now that the traitor among them had been caught.

  Carriena stifled a yawn. “Speaking of beauty rest, I’m afraid I need some of my own.”

  Jax glanced at the same clock Master Gautherd had looked to, hardly more than twelve hours ago, before he had been attacked. “After the night we’ve had, we’ve certainly earned it.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “I don’t know what to be more impressed by: the fact that you wrangled a killer within hours, or the fact that I slept through the whole ordeal, none the wiser.”

  Jax tucked one of Perry’s wild curls behind his ear. “I am relieved both were accomplished.” Despite only getting a few hours’ sleep herself, she felt more buoyant than ever as bright sunlight bathed her suite, highlighting that healthy color had returned to her husband’s cheeks.

  A knock at the door tore their attention from one another.

  “Jax?” Carriena whispered from the doorway after opening it a crack.

  “Oh, it’s only you.” Jax breathed a sigh of relief.

  Carriena frowned as she entered the room. “What an enthusiastic greeting. I have never been so insulted in my life.”

  Her indignation coaxed a chuckle from Jax. “What are you doing here? I thought you would still be sleeping.”

  Perry’s grip tightened at her waist. “I’m afraid to admit I’m still having a hard time processing everything you’ve told me, darling.”

  Carriena glided into Jax’s suite, her gaze landing on the packed satchel sitting atop Jax’s bed. “I’m glad to know that while we were dashing around the fortress like a gang of thieves, you were resting soundly, my dear Perry. You look much more refreshed than you did when we parted yesterday.”

  Perry chuckled. “I told you there was nothing to fuss about.”

  Jax smiled at her husband, hoping it did not seem strained. As tired as she was from the night’s exploits, her keen observation skills still detected his heavy breathing and the way his right hand still pressed against his side, even if the color had returned to his skin. Once they returned to Lamartre later that day, she would wrangle every healer in the realm, if necessary, to determine why his wounds were healing so slowly. Until then, all she could do was look after him and ensure no harm came his way.

  Carriena held up a folded piece of paper. “This letter arrived by kestrel earlier this morning. It’s addressed to Ezarath.” She handed it to Jax. “Ashie’s already read it, but he insisted you take a look.”

  The wax seal already broken and indecipherable, Jax opened the note and read with haste.

  Headmaster,

  I’m sorry for the delay in my response, as I know you said this was an urgent request, but what a silly question indeed. Of course, I sent the recommendation for Mistress Nightingale. Her brilliant mind will be wasted in an outdated royal court. If I am to follow in Duchess Jacqueline’s footsteps and allow the public to elect their own leaders, I need to ensure my people are being educated by the brightest scholars in the realm, in order to make the best choices for themselves. Vera is one of the best.

  Regards,

  Persephone, Heir Apparent of Tandora

  Jax sucked in a breath as she reread the note. “Virtues,” she said, showing both Carriena and Perry its contents.

  Perry’s eyebrows inched toward his hairline. “Not only does she seek to abandon the Coalition of Right, but she plans to utilize your democratic ideals.” A grin broke out on his face. “Some good news at last.”

  Carriena nodded. “I wonder if Beautraud will follow in Tandora’s steps and abandon the Coalition for good?”

  “I am certainly more hopeful about it today than I was yesterday.” George, standing in the doorway, gave a weary chuckle.

  Jax gasped at the dark circles under his eyes. “Have you gotten any sleep at all?”

  Her Captain reached for the back of his neck, massaging the muscles beneath his tanned skin. “I managed a few minutes here and there while waiting for various reports. Besides Mensina, I’ve alerted my commanding officers in Saphire, as well as the Beautraudian Ducal Guard about the presence of the Shadow Brethren in the Azure Mountains. The new Duke was appreciative of the intelligence and plans to coordinate once your grandfather’s soldiers arrive at the border.”

  “It was wise to include him in the operation.” Jax smiled with gratitude at his diplomatic thinking.

  George gave her a wink, and for a moment, she was transported back in time, to her Academy days, when the sight of him standing in her doorway sent her heart aflutter. She quickly buried the memories and turned to her husband.

  “Do you feel well enough to ride back to Lamartre? I’m sure we could impose upon Deput—Headmaster Daghir’s hospitality for just one more day.” Although he’s probably ready to toss us all out, despite what decorum dictates.

  Perry kissed her fingertips. “I am fine, my darling. Besides, you have business to attend to.”

  She sighed, reminded of her upcoming coronation to the Hestian throne. While many viewed it as another jewel in her crown, she felt the crushing weight of responsibility with every breath. She could not afford to fail her people, and in order for them to truly prosper, the threat of Qylvard Savant had to be stopped.

  “I can have our envoy ready to leave within the hour.” George raised his brow, looking to her for orders.

  She assessed his worn expression. “Are you sure you don’t need more sleep?”

  “Oh, I probably do,” George replied with a shrug, “but I’ll rest easier once we are reunited with our forces in Lamartre.”

  “I so wish I could come with you, but Daghir insists on locking us in a room so he can lecture us on all the upcoming changes that will occur under his reign.” Carriena pouted her lips. “I still cannot believe he sent word to the Board of Trustees without Ezarath’s approval about the providence documents being stolen.”

  In the aftermath of Lotus’s capture, before they had all returned to their rooms, Jax and her friends confronted the de facto headmaster about the strained argument they had overheard between him and Casimeer before dinner. Daghir admitted his husband had found out Daghir had written to the board with the intent to make Headmaster Ezarath appear incompetent. Casimeer had been angered by the deceitful move, given his admiration and respect for Ezarath.

  Daghir’s power-hungry actions instilled a deep worry within Jax over the future of the Academy. If he tried to bring his plans of expansion to fruition, he might be forced to give up the Academy’s long-treasured sovereignty. If such an outcome were to occur, Jax pledged to herself that she would do everything in her power to protect the Academy’s autonomy. She owed it to Gregorio Ezarath to defend his legacy.

  Carriena’s words pulled Jax out of her wistful thoughts. “I shall try to slip away for your coronation at the end of the week, though.” Her friend’s wide smile had a mischievous quality about it. “Daghir won’t miss me for a few hours.”

  “When do the students return?” Perry asked.

  Carriena rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s just the question. Daghir is quite adamant about expanding the Academy’s presence across the continent. He’s already talking about spending the next few months securing properties and building up our staff. I’m not sure how we can accomplish such an aggressive expansion all while simultaneously educating our existing students.”

  Jax frowned. “Daghir sounds eager.”

  “He was biting at the bit at breakfast, barking out orders and the like. You would think he’d give us at least a day to come to terms with Ezarath’s death.” Carriena crossed her arms in a huff. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m going to miss that crotchety old man more than I ever thought possible.”

  Jax gave her friend’s arm a squeeze, and the two remained silent for a few moments in memory of their fallen headmaster.

  After a respectable time had passed, Jax returned her attention to George. “We can be ready to leave as soon as the Ducal Guard a
re mounted. Perry and I are already packed. I just have to say my goodbyes.”

  ‡

  Besides Carriena and Lord Ashcroft, Master Gautherd was the only one who remained behind in the entrance hall to bid the Saphire delegation goodbye.

  “You wanted a private word, Master?” Jax asked in a hushed tone, pulling the man aside.

  Gautherd nodded, his chin quivering under his beard. “Indeed, Duchess. I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.”

  Immense sorrow filled Jax’s expression. “I’m afraid I don’t feel as victorious as I normally do once these things come to a resolution.” She didn’t want to say it, but she felt partially responsible for Ezarath’s gruesome death. Her unexpected arrival at the Academy had forced Olliad Parvahlan into deadly action.

  As if sensing her inner turmoil, Master Gautherd reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Ezarath was very proud to have you as an alumna of our great institution. He followed your deeds with rapt interest, and news of your triumphs always brought a smile to his face.”

  Tears began to cloud her vision.

  “Please know,” Gautherd added, “that whatever the future brings, Saphire will always be respected by the Academy.”

  Jax couldn’t feel quite as confident with Kareem Daghir in charge, but she accepted Master Gautherd’s praise with a reverent bow of her head. “Thank you, my dear sir. May the Virtues watch over you all in these changing times.”

  “Times are always changing, Duchess.” Master Gautherd’s eyes twinkled. “And I, for one, am looking forward to chronicling all that lies ahead.”

  With that, Gautherd excused himself, stating he needed to return to his work in the processing room.

  As Jax turned to make her final goodbyes to Carriena and Lord Ashcroft, a member of the Praesidio appeared from one of the side hallways. “Thank goodness you haven’t departed. We just received a message addressed to you, Duchess, delivered by your crowned falcon.” He strode forward, reaching her with a few large steps, and placed an envelope into her palm.

  Jax flipped over the letter, noting the Mensina seal forged in red wax. The delicate handwriting on the front, however, did not belong to her grandfather.

  “It must be Aunt Adelaide’s reply!” Having forgotten she had written to her aunt with the hopes of finding out more information about Rowan Lotus, Jax eagerly tore open the note and read its contents.

  Dearest Jacqueline,

  I had our camerlengo investigate this Lotus fellow. I’m afraid we have no record of a registered herbalist by such a name. You do manage to get yourself into the oddest of situations, don’t you? I hope this information aids you in your mysterious quest.

  Since you’ve written, I wonder if I might bother you with some news that has been troubling us of late. With the fallout from the War Council and in light of Duchess Katalina’s death, dearest Amia decided to travel to Zaltor to meet with the leaders of the Ancient Faith. You might recall she spent a few weeks in Zaltor last year, overseeing the excavation of clay for Father’s new conservatory. While she was there, she became good friends with many of the priestesses, and dare I say it, an advocate for their rights. She’s grown quite righteous about the unfair treatment they have suffered at the hands of Duchess Zaltor, and with the Duchess’s sudden death, she is hoping to convince Katalina’s heir to allow the Faith greater freedoms.

  We, of course, support her interest and are happy to see her fighting for a cause, rather than cultivating a new wardrobe. However, she was supposed to send word once she arrived at the Zaltorian court last week, and we have yet to receive anything from her. I’ve written to both the Zaltorian High Courtier and a priestess of the Ancient Faith Amia has grown particularly fond of, but neither has seen nor heard word of her arrival in the duchy. I grow more worried by her silence with each day that passes. Father is just about ready to send the Ducal Guard after her, but we worry, given the precarious state of the realm, that the new Duchess of Zaltor might see it as an act of aggression.

  I know you have so much already on your plate, but since you will be traveling throughout the region while claiming your various thrones, Father and I are hoping you might be able to keep an ear to the ground about Amia’s whereabouts. Father mentioned you now have a spymaster within your entourage…perhaps she can be of use in this situation?

  Again, I wouldn’t add more worries to your plate unless it was gravely necessary.

  May the Virtues bless you in these coming days.

  With love,

  Adelaide

  Her mind already made up, Jax slipped the note into the pocket of her traveling cloak. As soon as she arrived in Lamartre, she would dispatch Ziri to Zaltor in search of her aunt. Amia, only a few years older than herself, had always been a friendly, bubbly spirit.

  I pray she has come to no harm. Jax thought back to the distressing news Prelate Brath had sent Ziri before they had departed Cetachi. Zaltor was on the brink of civil war, with Katalina’s kin vying for the throne. Hardly the ideal place for a foreign princess to be.

  “Everything all right?” Perry’s concern tugged her thoughts away from the unsettling contents of Adelaide’s letter.

  She assessed his lavender eyes, the lines at their corners more prominent than they had ever been. There is no need to cause him any more worry for the time being. Besides, Amia was her family member, not his. In the past, she wouldn’t have hesitated to share the contents of secret correspondences with Perry. Now that she knew his allegiance lay with Pettraud more than her, Jax didn’t know if she could trust him with her aunt’s safety, as much as it troubled her to admit it. How could she still love him so much, yet not fully trust him? The question tore her heart in two. But, seeing his concern, which she believed to be genuine, Jax plastered a smile on her face. “Adelaide writes to confirm that no one by the name Rowan Lotus has ever practiced within the borders of Mensina.” Not a lie, just not the whole truth.

  “Better late than never.” Carriena giggled.

  Having extended invitations to both Carriena and Lord Ashcroft to attend her coronation celebrations in Lamartre, Jax hugged her friends farewell before mounting Mortimer.

  George waited atop his horse, surveying her with practiced eyes. “What else does Lady Adelaide write?”

  She rolled her eyes, wishing he didn’t so expertly know when something left her unnerved. “We’ll speak of it later,” she promised with a grim smile. “For now, let us focus on returning to our friends.”

  Jax issued one final wave to Carriena and Ashcroft before the gates of the Academy groaned shut, signaling the end of their whirlwind adventure. Despite the troubles she had encountered, her visit to the Academy had given her a much-needed reprieve from the harrowing trials that now lay ahead of her. With Hestes’s throne within her grasp and Kwatalar’s and Crepsta’s soon to follow, she had her work cut out ahead of her.

  Yet, as she pictured her future, images of Uma, Sabine, Perry, Ziri, and George surrounded her at every obstacle. Whatever was to come, her friends would be there, either beside her or in spirit. They were never far from her thoughts, even if distance was bound to keep them apart in the weeks to come.

  She glanced to her right, where Perry rode atop his horse. He gave her a dazzling smile, one that used to fill her with complete happiness. Now, though, the slight twitch at the corner of Perry’s mouth revealed the pain he struggled to conceal, and instead of joy, worry ate away at her. Was his severe wound the only reason for his constant pain? Or was there something more menacing assailing the health of her beloved husband?

  She reached for the faint scar seared into her own skin, still tender under her fingertips. He just needs more time. We both do. They both needed time to recover, to put the events of the War Council behind them, but time was a luxury she could barely afford these days.

  “I sent a guard on ahead to alert Uma and Sabine of our return.” George edged his mount to the left of Mortimer, matching the black stallion’s gait.

  A sense o
f happiness swept over her at the mention of her two friends. “I shall be very happy to see them. I hope leaving the two of them alone to plan everything wasn’t a huge mistake.”

  From George’s other side, Ziri leaned forward, a frown on her face. “Do you not think them capable, Duquessa?”

  “Oh, they are more than capable of planning a lavish, grand affair, and that is what has me worried.”

  “Let’s hope they haven’t worn themselves out, then.” George grinned. “Once we depart Hestes, we all still need to survive at least two more coronations until this victory tour concludes.”

  Even though she knew George meant his words as a joke, Jax couldn’t ignore the ominous twinge flickering inside her chest. There was still so much to do, so much to decide. Hestes, Kwatalar, Crepsta, not to mention Cetachi…the future, while bright, was still uncertain.

  Yet, with the support of her friends, she would welcome whatever challenges came her way. The comforting thought brought a smile to her face.

  THE END

  The Duchess’s adventures

  continue…

  ~Winter 2020~

  Other books by Sarah E. Burr

  Court of Mystery series:

  The Ducal Detective Mysteries

  Paradise Plagued

  Burdened Bloodline

  Sovereign Sieged

  Crown of Chaos

  Harrowed Heir

  The Realm of Virtues short stories:

  Mark of Mettle

  Blessed Bounty

  www.saraheburr.com

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you to my editor Bettye Underwood for her guidance on this series. Her edits and suggestions are invaluable throughout the publication process, and I am so grateful for her continued partnership.