Chapter 30
Thirty
Sabina
Ludis is focused on the guard speaking, an annoying smirk on his lips. Thirteen people are dead. Why couldn’t one of them have been him?
“We’re still trying to piece it all together,” the head legionnaire, Samuel, says. “As far as we know, nobody new came into the estate.”
“Except for Juliette,” I add.
“Maybe she’s the one who brought the poison,” Ludis suggests.
“Three people from the Westerly Estate, where she was staying, are also dead,” Samuel reminds him. “She fled here out of fear.”
“Lot of good it did her. Probably caused her own death,” Ludis grumbles.
I glare at him, but he doesn’t look at me. He’s now tracing swirls and lines on the table with his finger. It’s a habit he’s had as long as I’ve known him. He’s nervous. Because he knows something or because he’s worried he’s next?
“Have we heard back about the emperor or enforcer yet?” I ask.
“No.”
My shoulders slump a little even though I know it’s too soon. We sent the fastest riders two days ago when everything happened, but I was warned they were at least a four-day ride away.
“Hoping you’re a widow?” Ludis asks.
“Wishing I was an only child,” I hiss.
He grins. “You always had such a wicked tongue, sister. I can think of so many better uses for it.”
“You’re disgusting.”
Samuel clears his throat, and I look over at him. We’re seated at a large oval table. Ludis across from me in the middle on the longer side. We left the head spot open. I said it was out of respect for the unknown status of my dear husband. Really, it was to prevent Ludis from taking over.
Samuel sits two chairs down from Ludis, and two other legionnaires flank the closed door.
I haven’t had a moment of privacy in the last two days.
Thankfully, Nate has done his best to ensure that the entourage of legionnaires surrounding me don’t know anything about me.
They simply think I’m the empress they must protect.
“I don’t know why we’re discussing this anymore. Until there’s anything of importance, there’s nothing we can do,” Ludis announces.
“There has to be something we’re missing. Thirteen people do not all drop dead at the same time from the same symptoms. I can’t find any evidence of any poison that has that kind of delayed reaction. Juliette was fine, then she wasn’t. And there’s still the issue of the lace…”
“It’s not your place to make any of those decisions, dear sister,” Ludis says. “Until your husband returns, I’m in charge.”
“We both know Caiden would want me to oversee this.” Women aren’t permitted to rule in Pendralia, but I’ve gotten more respect from the legionnaires than I anticipated. Though, Ludis’s insufferable nature could be a contributing factor.
Mostly, I think it’s all the effort Caiden put into showing how much he cares for me. His performance was enough to convince everyone that our marriage is real. They all believe I’m important to him. That they must keep me happy or risk his wrath.
If he returns.
My chest tightens, and my insides twist. I hate not knowing if he’s alive. If Brevan is alive.
And I hate it more that I might actually be concerned about Caiden. That I might hope he’ll return.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’m supposed to find a way to kill him, not get closer to him.
There’s a timid knock on the door, and Ludis springs to his feet. “I think we’ve had enough for today. I have other places to be.”
“We’re not finished here,” I insist.
“I am. You can waste your time chasing ghosts all you want.” He walks toward the door, and one of the waiting legionnaires opens it for him.
Genevieve’s bright smile fades when she sees me and the head legionnaire at the table. “Did I come too early? I can come back later.”
“No, you’re perfectly on time. I believe I promised you lunch.” Ludis offers his arm and Genevieve giggles, her cheeks turning pink as she grips his bicep.
My stomach churns for a whole other reason now. She’s so believable. What if she can’t resist his charms? What if she’s actually falling for him? She might tell him everything.
With the mysterious deaths, I haven’t had any time to catch up with her. I make a mental note to ask Antonia to investigate. She’ll get more honest responses from Genevieve than I would. As much as I am trying to get to know them, I still don’t feel like I fully belong.
Besides, Antonia could use a break from sitting with Charlotte. I can take over for a while. See if I can find any way to comfort her. She hasn’t said a word since Elliot’s death.
“Your Majesty?” Samuel asks.
I return my attention to him. “There’s really nothing more? What about the greenhouse? Was it fully searched for any other plants that might be poisonous?”
“Yes. All we found was that elm’s breath that you discovered previously. It’s all been removed and destroyed. Nobody can use that to harm anyone.”
“And the castle poison garden? There’s no way we can return and investigate that?” I still need to find a way to return to the castle. For a brief shining moment, it seemed like this might be the only good to come from the tragedy.
“No, as I said, my instructions were clear to not let you leave the estate grounds.”
It’s the same thing. Over and over. No answers. No solutions.
“Empress, I know you’re concerned. But we’re going to find out what happened. It’s only been two days.” He offers me a reassuring smile.
“Has anything like this ever happened before?” I inquire. “What about when Marian died? Or the queen? Weren’t they both poisoned? Did anyone else die at the same time? Or were their symptoms the same as this?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t attend either of those situations,” he says. “I’ll ask around.”
“That’s all we’ve been doing,” I point out. “Shouldn’t that have been investigated already?”
“I have additional guards on you at all times. You’re safe. Nobody will be able to reach you.”
“I’m not worried about myself. I want to know what this was so we can prevent it from happening to anyone else.”
His brow furrows slightly, and he seems to be considering my words. “You really do care, don’t you?”
“Of course, I do. That was thirteen people. Thirteen souls. They were daughters and sons and lovers and children. And they’re just gone.
We have nothing to tell their families. No way of reassuring anyone that it can’t happen again.
” I lean my head back and let out a heavy sigh.
I’m carrying such a strange weight. Part of me is desperate to save everyone, while part of me wants to burn down this entire empire. How can I possibly do both?
“We’ll figure it out.”
I look at him. “Will we? Because so far, we have no leads.”
“As soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know. Aside from actual answers, which I don’t have, is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” His question is genuine.
We must be missing something. “I want more books.”
“Books?”
“There were only three books about plants in the library here. There were more than that left behind in my old rooms at the castle. There has to be more. I want to see anything we can find about plants in Pendralia, Iskvaland, even from the Shatterlands. Whatever we can find.”
“I’m not sure we have those kinds of books available,” he says.
“Well, if they exist, I want them. That elm’s breath is native to the Shatterlands. It’s not meant to grow here. We must be missing something. Maybe another plant that shouldn’t be here.”
He nods. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.”
His expression softens. “In the meantime, Your Majesty, please try to get some rest.”
I know he’s noticing the purple circles under my eyes. Sleep hasn’t been easy lately. “Will you tell me as soon as you have any updates on my husband?”
I want to ask about Brevan, but I know I shouldn’t. And I know if I get news about Caiden, it’ll include the enforcer as well.
“You’ll be the first to know.”
“Good.” I rise from my seat, then push my chair in out of habit. “I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
He gets on his feet and bows. “It’s an honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”
I want to tell him thank you again, but I know Caiden wouldn’t, so I nod, then stride toward the door. The legionnaires open it for me and when I step outside, Nate and four other guards are waiting for me.
“Any news?” he asks.
“Nothing yet. Did you find anything?” I ask him quietly. “About either thing?”
He shakes his head.
Feeling defeated, I start toward my rooms. I could really, really use a bit of good news but I’m starting to wonder if such a thing exists anymore.