Burdened Bloodline

by Sarah E. Burr

  Jax picked up Perry’s swim trunks from a nearby armchair and placed them in his hands. “Our people will need a little entertainment to brighten their day, now more than ever.” She gave him a warm smile. She knew how important the project was to her husband. Overseeing the construction of the grandest playhouse in the realm was Perry’s first act as Prince Consort, and he had taken great pride in it.

  “I suppose,” he responded with a deflating sigh. “The show is rather funny. Giovanna’s got a wicked streak to her writing. A much different style than her father’s.”

  “I can’t wait to see it.” Jax had convinced the famous Hestian actress to leave her playwright father’s shadow and move to Saphire to run the theater Jax and Perry were constructing. In the days leading up to their wedding, Jax had decided it was high time Saphire become the leading duchy in not only financial strength, but in entertainment. Giovanna’s talent as a performer and writer was a treasure Jax wanted to secure for herself. The timing of the theater’s construction also happened to coincide with the arrival of Giovanna’s brother, Charles Montivarius, a recent graduate of the Academy and Saphire’s newest royal physician. Jax had met the siblings on a sea-bound voyage a few springs ago and had developed a fast friendship with them. She was glad to have them nearby, and that Perry was enjoying working with the theater troupe so much.

  Urging Perry into his swim trunks, Jax pulled him out of their suite and down the stairs to the massive stone foyer of Ogdam Oasis. The whispers of silence revealed they were the only guests up and about, not that there were many people left staying at the resort.

  “Shall I fetch us some tea?” Perry asked, pausing at the gilded doors at the back of the hall. “I bet Samira is already slaving over breakfast.”

  Jax shook her head. “I don’t want to bother her. I’m sure she’s busy making preparations.” Samira Ogdam’s hard work and culinary talent were the backbone of the Oasis, and Jax suspected the only reasons the struggling resort was able to remain open.

  Together they strolled outside, following the weaving walkway snaking among the sand dunes to the sprawling hot spring pool.

  “I wonder if we should skip over to the cold spring instead?” Jax looked to her husband as she wiped a bead of sweat drizzling down her neck. The sun’s pulsing rays were already edging the temperature upward.

  Perry slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her toward the steaming waters, marred by only a massive fountain carved into the shape of a panther sprouting from the middle of the expansive pool. “Come on, it’s now or never. We came all this way…” His pleading wide eyes made her laugh.

  “All right, but if I melt away, the fate of the world rests in your hands, dearest.”

  Before a suddenly pale Perry could respond, she lowered herself into the sizzling water, the heat biting at her skin. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the steam. The aroma of lotus flowers filled her nostrils, relaxing the grip of the tension assaulting her shoulders. Despite the searing sunlight, the hot spring managed to invoke in her a sense of peace that had been eluding her this entire trip. “Oh, my. We should have done this sooner.”

  Rippling splashes pulled her attention to Perry as he eased his way into the crystalline pool. She masked her giggles as he struggled to ease his midsection into the water, clearly not finding it as enjoyable as she was. “Trouble, dearest?”

  Perry winced. “I’m afraid certain appendages might be baked right off if I stay in here for more than a minute.”

  She raised a sultry eyebrow. “Well, we wouldn’t want that, now, would we?”

  Too uncomfortable to respond, her husband retraced his steps and pulled himself out of the hot spring. “I think I’ll take in the view from here.” He propped himself against the trunk of a nearby palm tree, basking in the shade.

  Jax closed her eyes once more, trying to reclaim the tranquility she’d been blessed with just moments ago, but it did not return. All she could feel now were rays of light beating down on her face, and the temperature rising uncomfortably with the sun. Oh well, I guess I should thank the Virtues I got even a few seconds of respite with all that’s going on. Sighing, she swam to the water’s edge and reluctantly joined Perry back on land.

  “Already done?” He examined her with surprise before his face crumpled. “I hope I didn’t ruin it for you.”

  “No.” She waved a hand. “The temperature is to blame, I’m afraid. It was a blissful moment while it lasted.”

  “Would you like to go to the cold spring and soak?”

  She held out her hand and helped him up from the ground. “I’d like that very much.”

  A quick stroll through desert flora and before long, Perry was cradling Jax against his chest as they basked in the cool waters.

  “Good morning, Your Grace, Lord Pettraud. May I offer you some refreshment?”

  Jax’s gaze followed the direction of the melodic voice and waved to Samira Ogdam as the young beauty approached the pool, carrying a silver tray laden with goodies.

  “I saw you from the kitchen window heading out to the hot spring and figured the heat might have left you feeling a bit peaked.” The raven-haired young woman placed the tray with minimal clatter on an outdoor table situated by some lounge chairs.

  “My palace staff don’t tend to me this well,” Jax said with a grin as she drifted over to the edge of the pool, bounding up the stairs onto dry ground. Samira’s talent for knowing her guest’s tastes and palates continued to astound her.

  Not even bothering to dry off, Jax reached for a golden cherry scone, her stomach warming with happiness as she enjoyed the first bite. “I didn’t even realize I needed this.” She motioned to what was left of the buttery pastry.

  Samira’s cheeks brightened with the praise. “I’ve also brought out some iced tea for you and Lord Pettraud, Your Grace.” She added, an awkward curtsy punctuating her words.

  With her mouth full of the last bite of scone, Jax waved her hands pleadingly. “Please, there is no need to be formal, Samira. Come now, I think of you as a friend, and my friends aren’t bound by protocol and etiquette. To you, I’m just Jax.”

  Samira lowered her gaze, obviously a bit shy. “It might seem like an easy request, Your Gr—Jax, but this is the first time my family or I have ever been in the presence of royalty.” Her amber eyes glimmered with some unknown emotion. “Even if we didn’t know it for the first few days.”

  She’s hurt because I had to lie about who I was. “I suppose deceiving you wasn’t a very good foundation to build a friendship on.” Jax reached out a hand and gently patted Samira’s forearm, the abusive marks inflicted by Tarek Killiam still covered by the long sleeves of her linen gown. “I hope you’ll come to understand why I did it.”

  “Of course I understand. We all do…” Samira’s words trailed off for a brief moment. “I can’t explain why it still stings.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jax didn’t know what else to say.

  Samira gave her a small smile. “I know. Just…allow us some time to adjust.”

  Jax motioned for the young woman to take a seat as she eased herself into a nearby chair. “If you have a bit of time before breakfast, I’d like to speak with you about some things weighing on my mind.”

  Samira’s olive skin paled. “Does this have to do with Tarek?”

  The strain lacing her whispered words broke Jax’s heart. “A little bit. I promised your father I would not reveal all the circumstances surrounding Tarek’s death when we met with the Earl yesterday.”

  Samira sank into the arms of an awaiting chair, her hands clenched. “And you kept your word, so Father tells me.”

  “Yes, and I’ll continue to keep the events to myself.” Jax held the woman’s gaze with conviction. “I swear it on my crown. But there are a few outstanding matters I want to take care of before my party departs from the Oasis.”

  Samira visibly trembled as she waited for Jax to continue.

  “Regarding the monetary arrangement your father and t
he Earl made…I take it that’s off the table?”

  “Yes.” Samira’s gaze dropped to her knees. “The Earl is withdrawing his plans to financially support the Oasis. With Tarek’s passing, he has to secure his own estate before extending help to ours.” The Ogdams had barely kept the Oasis afloat for the past few seasons and had been depending on the Earl to take over the deed and fund the villa, leaving Ferran Ogdam as Master Steward to oversee the grounds.

  “Is your father planning to sell the Oasis to another interested buyer?” Jax asked, keeping her tone light.

  A veil of shimmering tears glistened in Samira’s fiery eyes. “He doesn’t want to, of course, but he really has no choice. Mother says we don’t have enough to finance the estate through the end of the year.”

  Jax nodded her head sagely. “Before he looks for buyers, I’d like to discuss a business proposition with you.”

  Samira’s eyes widened. “With me?”

  “I’ve grown quite fond of your teas.” For emphasis, Jax brought a glass of iced tea to her lips and took a gluttonous sip. “So much so that I’d like to requisition a year’s supply. I realize the Oasis has never sold its blends before, so I’d like to propose a starting bid and hope you consider it a fair offer…” Jax relayed the amount of gold she was willing to pay for the crafted teas and relished the utter shock that swept across Samira’s face.

  “Jax!” Samira’s hand went to her throat as she stifled a gasp. “That’s a ludicrous amount! For Virtues’ sake, it’s just mixed plant leaves.”

  Jax waved a hand to silence her protests. “You highly underestimate the value of your special blends. I’ve never had anything like your chocolate-cherry concoction in the entire realm.”

  “It-it’s too much,” Samira stuttered.

  Jax leaned forward in her chair and took the girl’s shaking hands in her own. “I’m sure you’ll find ways to put the gold to use, my dear. If our arrangement is agreeable, I’d like to establish a five-year contract, with plans to renew when the time comes.”

  “You’re willing to pay that much a year? Just for my teas?”

  Jax’s attention slid across the rolling dunes of the Oasis, landing on the massive white stone villa. “Just for your teas.”

  Samira leapt to her feet and began pacing frantically, muttering to herself. “Why, with this much gold, there’ll be no need to sell the Oasis. Virtues, Father can even hire the staff back!”

  “And perhaps send you to the Academy, if that is still a dream of yours?”

  Samira stopped in her tracks, her curtain of raven hair swinging over her shoulder as she whirled around. “Duchess…I don’t deserve this kindness after what I did.”

  Jax rose from her seat and glided to Samira’s side, once more taking her hand. “I know what it feels like to be haunted by the past, haunted by the decisions you’ve made. Only you have the power to forgive yourself for your mistakes. You’ve learned from them, haven’t you?”

  Samira’s head bobbed rapidly.

  “Then you must allow the wounds we cannot see to heal. It won’t be easy, and trust me, the guilt will always be there. But perhaps, with time, it will fade so that you can live the life you were meant to…that you deserve to.”

  Dropping Jax’s hand, Samira wrapped her arms around her slender waist. “All my life, I’ve never really believed I deserved anything. I was the daughter of an estate master, with no title, viewed in the eyes of those of higher rank as nothing more than a servant. That I was worth nothing.”

  The bleak expression on Samira’s face clawed at Jax’s heart. “No one should ever be made to feel worthless.”

  “Because of you and what you have done for my family,” Samira said, determination flashing in her eyes, “we all have a chance to be better. To do better. Nadir can pursue his devotion to the Ancient Faith. My mother can return to healing. My father can bring peace and tranquility to those who visit his home. And I…” her golden gaze trailed over Jax’s shoulder into the distance, “I will attend the Academy and dedicate my life to alleviating suffering when and where I can.”

  Seeing the strength and resolve radiating from Samira, who just days ago had been a meek, defeated shell, warmed Jax’s soul. “I’m very glad to hear that.”

  A wide, beaming smile spread across Samira’s angelic face. “Thank you, my friend.” She hastily wiped a few stray tears from her rosy cheeks. “Now, how about some breakfast? I’ve gotten to know you well enough to realize a few bite-sized pastries aren’t enough to quell your appetite.”

  It was Jax’s turn to blush. “Didn’t I hear your mother mention last night that you were planning to whip up danishes with Hestian cheese?”

  The young woman laughed. “My, you are a keen observer, Duchess.”

  Jax beckoned to Perry, requesting that he tear himself away from the sparkling embrace of the pool.

  Begrudgingly, he floated over to the edge and climbed out of the water as Samira retreated down the path back to the villa. “From my view, it looked like you put the poor girl through the wringer. What in Virtues did you say to her?” he asked as he snagged two available guest towels and tossed one to Jax.

  The sun had already evaporated most of the water off her skin, but she accepted the towel anyway. “I was just discussing a routine delivery of Samira’s teas once we leave the estate. I can’t live without them.” She told him the details of her offer, and her true reasons for bestowing such a large sum. “The Oasis has such a rich history, and the Ogdams deserve a chance to keep that history alive.”

  Tossing his damp towel over his shoulder, Perry cocked his head. “Why not just buy the place?”

  “It didn’t feel right to take it away from them.”

  “You had no reservations taking Lord Brunovaris’s home away from him,” Perry pointed out.

  Jax’s thoughts flashed to the former Duke of Isla DeLacqua and the deal they had made. In exchange for clearing his debts and a cushy lordship in Saphire, she now owned the deed and had taken over management of the island duchy. “Lord Brunovaris failed his people. He was supposed to protect and serve them, not run his duchy into the ground.”

  “The sea, more like it,” Perry said with a smirk.

  “Either way,” Jax continued, “he was raised to know better. He failed thousands with his mismanagement of the ducal treasury. The Ogdams…well, it’s not entirely their fault they are in this mess. Duchess Kwatalar’s isolationist policies disguised as neutrality have made it so travelers often can’t enter Kwatalar in the first place. By requiring everyone who crosses her borders to have travel documents, she’s limiting commerce that could boost her nation’s prosperity. I won’t fault Ferran for the shortcomings of his own sovereign.”

  “Fair enough,” Perry said. He clearly knew he’d broached a sensitive subject. “Why don’t we head inside to change and get you a more substantial breakfast?” His gaze darted to the lingering crumbs of the treats Samira had brought out.

  “Yes, let’s.” She didn’t mean to sound so defensive, but she was tired of defending her purchase of Isla DeLacqua to the world. Her counterparts in the political arena saw it as a move to expand her power and influence, as if she needed any more. Saphire, on its own, had a larger treasury than the Duchies of Savant, Beautraud, and Tandora combined. What the other sovereigns of the realm failed to realize was that Isla DeLacqua had no natural resources of its own and required everything to be shipped from the continent. Jax could easily see how Duke DeLacqua had depleted his finances. If she hadn’t been trained by her father and her Academy professors to have an expert economic mind, it wouldn’t have been very hard to follow the same dismal path. Right now, the isles were a drain on her coffers, but she had plans to turn that all around. Jax and her advisors had drafted plans for beautiful vacation homes, inns, and bathhouses, giving the people of the realm the ability to escape their everyday lives, regardless of their financial standing. It aligned with her new credo: Everyone deserved the chance to live the best life for themselves
.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Perry gave her a sheepish grin as he shut the door of their suite.

  “What makes you think I’m upset?”

  “You didn’t say a word to me during our walk back here.” Perry’s balled fists rested on his hips. “When you’re quiet, it’s usually a bad sign for me.”

  With a sigh, she shook her head and moved to the wardrobe to select a gown for the day. “I was just caught up in my thoughts about Isla DeLacqua. I suppose I’ll have to put the restoration of the isles on hold until this whole mess works itself out.”

  Perry shuffled to her side and reached for his own clothes. “What do you think Jaquobie’s reaction will be when he hears about what’s gone on here?”

  Jax grimaced, picturing the shrewd politician. He had been her father’s closest advisor before the late Duke’s untimely passing, and he continued to fill that role for Jax. They shared a turbulent history, as High Courtier Jaquobie had always been a sticky thorn in her side during her youth, but over the years she’d grown to respect the man greatly and appreciated his counsel. “Once he gets over the shock of it all, I think he’ll support the decision I’ve made. To be honest, I think he’s known all along that something like this would happen.”

  “That you’d be threatened?” Perry’s eyebrows rose.

  She waited for his nimble fingers to lace the back of her cerulean blue gown. “No. That Saphire would have to declare war.” She appraised her regal figure in the mirror hanging on the wall. “I had hoped my counterparts across the realm would see reason and accept social change is coming, whether they like it or not. Jaquobie was never as optimistic as I was. I should have known the old guard would never change their ways.” Her youthful allies, Duke Cetachi and Duke Lysandeir, had been the most enthusiastic about her proposals for social equality and democratic elections, in particular Duke Cetachi, as he had been the one to originally suggest the ideas in the first place. With the foundation Duke Darian Fangard had provided, Jax had merely finessed the ideals into something that worked, not only in theory, but in practice.