A Voyage of Vengeance Read online

  “Duchess Saphire, I presume?” A gravelly voice interrupted them, pulling their attention to a white-uniformed man with a dark black beard streaked with white. His face was weathered and pink, with blisters from the sun’s reflection sprouting across his ruddy cheeks. “I am Viktor Valhalen, Captain of Rose of the Sea.” He bowed at the waist in a courteous, yet stiff gesture.

  “Yes, I am Duchess Saphire, but you are free to address me with my given name. I prefer Jacqueline to Saphire. It makes me feel like more of a person than a figurehead.” Jax extended her hand and Valhalen took it reverently for a kiss.

  “Duchess Jacqueline, then. Forgive me, Your Grace. I am not accustomed to interacting with such esteemed company,” he said, appearing uncomfortable in her presence.

  She went to work putting him at ease. “Nothing to forgive, Captain. Congratulations on your appointment. You must be thrilled to command the realm’s most glorious ship.” Her eyes traveled up the tallest of the three masts, the sight impressing her once more.

  Valhalen shifted from one foot to the other. “It is the greatest honor a man of the sea such as myself could ever have. I am indebted to Duke DeLacqua for his kindness.”

  George Solomon appeared from behind the carriage, saluting the sea captain and introducing himself. “I understand your crew has also been appointed by the Duke of Isla DeLacqua. Have you sailed with any of the men before?”

  Valhalen snorted. “Only my first mate, my eldest son. The others on board came highly recommended by the Duke and had excellent references from their previous employers. I’m not one to put my life in someone else’s hands, but I trust these men enough. The ship doesn’t require many hands; the Tandorians designed her to travel light and fast, with more room for guests than staff. Seventeen men make up my crew, along with eight of DeLacqua’s Ducal Guard, two cooks, and three pursers. I suspect you’ll want to see their logs?”

  George nodded firmly. “Yes, for the Duchess’s safety, I will want to meet and review the crew before we leave port.”

  The Captain sighed at the security measures. “Well, let me take you on board so we can get this over and done with. I’d like to set sail as soon as possible.”

  “Captain Solomon, if Duke DeLacqua has already taken the proper measures to assemble this crew, perhaps we can trust his judgement?” Jax suggested, not wanting to make a fuss and hold up the voyage any longer than their late arrival apparently had.

  “I respectfully disagree, Your Grace,” George answered curtly, his dark eyes telling her that he would not budge. “Your safety is of the utmost importance, and it would be negligent to not interview these men myself.”

  Choosing her battles, she nodded in acceptance. She knew George well enough to know he would not back down when it came to her protection. “Very well, Captain, we shall see you on deck.”

  Valhalen motioned to the crowded dock, a young man pushing his way through the throngs of people. “This is my son, Jogan. He will personally assist your valet with your belongings and show you to your staterooms aboard.”

  Jogan smiled at the group, his freckled face and wide brown eyes immediately putting Jax at ease. After a clumsy bow, the young man helped Hendrie with the trunks, leading the way down the wharf.

  As they drew closer to the ship, Jax was once again astounded by the sheer size of the craft, wondering how it managed to stay afloat. The golden ropes twinkled in the sun, casting swirling shadows against the polished wooden planks. The carpeted gangway was soft under her feet, breathlessly transporting her on board the regal vessel. Up close, Rose of the Sea was even more opulent than it appeared from the docks. Silver and gold was laid into nearly every surface Jax could see. Even the buckets for washing the decks were trimmed with precious metals.

  “This way, Your Grace. Lady Carriena has you in the Diamond Suite. Lord Pettraud, you will be in the Emerald Suite,” Jogan huffed as he hoisted Jax’s heavy trunk up a steep staircase that led to the upper level of the deck. “The Diamond, Rose, and Emerald Suites are near the Captain’s Cabin on the upper deck. Beautiful views. The rest of our guests will be below you on the lower deck in their own private rooms.”

  “I’m sure that will be a rude awakening for some of them,” Perry whispered dryly. Jax responded by shooting a look of daggers his way.

  “Each suite has a side room for your servants, as well, so they will never be far away from you if you require their assistance,” Jogan explained as he arrived at the first door in the long corridor, green jewels sparkling from the firelight twinkling from wall sconces.

  While Jax was relieved Uma would be near, she regretted the first mate’s curt words. Uma was more than a servant she had at her beck and call. She was her friend. “And where will Captain Solomon be sleeping? I think my ducal guardsman should be stationed near me.”

  Jogan’s face registered her words blankly, the young officer quickly becoming flustered. “Well, I’m not entirely sure, Your Grace.” Placing Jax’s trunk on the floor with an awkward thud, he fumbled for a piece of parchment in his back pocket. “We don’t have him listed on the ship’s manifest for some reason,” Jogan croaked, swallowing his embarrassment. “I was under the impression that Duke DeLacqua had sent a handful of guards to watch over his daughter and guests. We weren’t expecting any other officers, unfortunately.”

  Annoyed, Jax opened her mouth, but Perry’s cheery voice cut her off. “Captain Solomon can share my suite. I’m sure you have an extra bedroll on board?” He looked at the first mate expectantly, who answered with a furious nod. “There, that’s settled. It looks like my room is just down the hall from yours, Your Grace, so Captain Solomon won’t be far away.”

  Jax rolled her eyes at Perry’s skillful problem solving. “So it would seem, Lord Pettraud.” She watched Hendrie shuffle through the emerald-gilded door with Perry’s trunk, her eyes trailing further down the passage. “Enjoy your bunkmate.” She gave him a teasing smile before following Jogan to a diamond-studded door that she could only assume was the entrance to her suite.

  “Please join Lady Carriena and the rest of her guests up on the top deck as soon as you’ve settled in, Your Grace. My father hopes to be underway within the hour, and there will be a sunset cocktail hour to celebrate.” Jogan grunted as he placed Jax’s trunk at the foot of the enormous canopy bed that sat pristinely in the middle of her room, bowing as he departed, leaving the Duchess and Uma to fawn over the elaborate quarters.

  Jax found it hard to believe she was still standing on a boat. The suite looked more beautiful than many of the apartments she had stayed in over the years while visiting various castles around the realm. The Tandorian artists who’d crafted this vessel really had outdone themselves. “Well, Uma, I must say, I was not expecting this level of luxury,” she murmured with appreciation.

  Uma nodded beside her. “Indeed. I’m glad I packed some of your finer gowns for the journey, or these silk sheets would have put you to shame.” She snapped open Jax’s large trunk, assessing the wardrobe inside. “We haven’t left port yet, Your Grace. There’s still time to back out of this. Are you sure you will be safe enough on board with so few guardsmen?”

  The Duchess gave her friend a severe stare. “I appreciate the concern, dear one, but let’s put this matter to rest once and for all. I trust Lady Carriena with my life, and I trust Duke DeLacqua as much as I trust Duke Pettraud or Mensina. George will be protection enough, especially with our suites tucked away from everyone else on board.” Jax wandered over to her trunk to stroke a beautiful, shimmering blue evening gown. “Now, let’s get ready for some fun.”

  Chapter Two

  Jax felt the ship lurch forward under her chair with startling force. Uma stumbled in surprise, leaving a trail of rouge on the Duchess’s face as a result. “For Virtue’s sake,” Uma grumbled, setting to work on wiping away the excess red blush. “Are these the kind of working conditions I should expect going forward?”

  Jax chuckled at her lady’s maid’s frustration. “I look
good enough for now, my dear. No one will be looking at my face once they see the sunset dancing across these sparkling waters. Come on, let us go up to the top deck and have a look at the harbor,” she breathlessly teased, rushing toward the door of her suite. As much as she wanted Uma to experience the beauty of the open seas, Jax, too, was excited to witness the humbling sight. Hurrying down the long corridor in her ocean blue gown, she knocked on Perry’s door, with no response. He and Hendrie must already be at the cocktail hour Carriena was hosting.

  “Your Grace? May I help you?” Jogan’s friendly voice floated down the passage from the doorway of what must be the Captain’s Cabin.

  Jax smiled, curiously glancing behind the young man as he shut the large door with a snap. “Uma and I were just heading upstairs to meet everyone.”

  Jogan nodded in acknowledgement. “I shall accompany you back up. I was just grabbing some star charts for my father. Our guests from Zaltor were interested in viewing them.” He motioned to three large rolls of aged parchment tucked under his arm.

  “Is that what a first mate does? Fetches papers for the captain?” Uma’s forehead wrinkled in confusion, clearly uncertain of Jogan’s role aboard Rose of the Sea.

  If he took offense to her question, Jogan disguised it, merely laughing it off. “I suppose the line between first mate and son is quite blurry for my father. But I take it in stride. I know I’m the only one he trusts in this part of the ship, regardless of his confidence in the crew Duke DeLacqua commissioned. The rotating Ducal Guards stationed at the doors leading out to the main decks are not allowed to let anyone but my father, Lady Carriena, of course our friends from Saphire, and myself through the doors… under penalty of death.”

  Jax could tell from the first mate’s tone that he was trying to put them at ease, reassuring her and Uma that they were well protected and safe from anyone else on board, even the other crew members. “I’m heartened to know your father takes his position so seriously, Jogan. I will make sure to pass my compliments to Duke DeLacqua once we make it safely across the sea.” She paused for only a moment. “Now, will you escort Uma and myself up to the festivities? I am eager to meet our other traveling companions. You say there’s a group from Zaltor?”

  Nodding enthusiastically, Jogan extended his free arm to the Duchess and led them through the double doors at the end of the hall, the salty sea air whipping across Jax’s cheeks. From over the railings on the lower deck, she could see the harbor shimmering in the late afternoon sun, purples and pinks slinking across the tops of rolling waves. The spiral-domed buildings of Tafreeni stretched up into the sky, signaling their stoic goodbyes.

  “What a sight,” Uma marveled in fascination from beside her sovereign.

  Jax looked at Uma’s awestruck face and squeezed her hand with tenderness. “I agree, my dear, but I must ask you keep your admiration in check as we meet the other guests. I don’t need anyone seeing your desire to move to Tandora and using it against me.” While Jax mainly meant for her words to be taken in jest, they nevertheless held an air of truth. Even though she was vacationing, she was still Duchess of Saphire, the most powerful duchy in the Realm of Virtues. She was not naïve enough to expect a vacation from politics.

  “Everyone is gathering on the top deck, Your Grace,” Jogan instructed, directing Jax and Uma up an elegant set of stairs to their right. “If you’ll excuse me, I must get these to my father.” With that, Jogan hopped off the steps and strutted over toward the lone door on the quarter deck.

  “Shall we?” Jax said with a wink, following Jogan’s directions up the red carpeted stairs. Unlike most ships she’d seen in her day, the sheer size of Rose of the Sea’s top deck astounded her. It was nearly the width of a small banquet hall, and just as long. Its size was made all the more apparent by the gathered crowd taking up only a fraction of the space.

  In the middle of the group, Lady Carriena’s blond hair glistened in the dusk, her giggles bubbling up to fill the soaring sails overhead. “And here she is now, ladies and gentlemen! My dearest friend from the Academy, Duchess Jacqueline Arienta Xavier of Saphire.” Racing to Jax’s side, Carriena hugged her tightly, breaking all the rules of etiquette without regret. Jax normally would not have minded the display of affection, but she was now amongst strangers, and she needed to assert her power.

  “Saphire is delighted to partake in this maiden voyage,” Jax said, formidably turning to the assembled crowd. “We always enjoy visiting the smaller nations of the realm.” She flashed her amethyst eyes quickly to meet Carriena’s amused smirk, begging her friend for forgiveness for the political slight.

  If she took offense to the remark, Carriena waved it aside. “I must introduce you, Duchess, to the rest of my father’s guests, and then we shall retire to the dining hall for a feast fit for a ducal table.” Holding out a slender arm, Lady Carriena encouraged the first couple forward. “May I introduce Charles and Giovanna, brother and sister of House Montivarius.”

  Jax’s eyes lit up in recognition as she heard the name. “It is a pleasure to meet you both. Are you any relation to the Hestian playwright, Michelangelo Montivarius?”

  Tall and lanky, Sir Charles stepped forward and bowed, his shaggy blond hair falling into his amber eyes. “Indeed, Your Grace. He is our father.”

  Lady Giovanna, who appeared to be a few years younger than her brother, curtsied, her small frame trembling with the anticipation of meeting the famed sovereign. “Are you familiar with his work, Duchess?” Her eyes were the same amber color as her brother’s, marking their noble heritage.

  “The last time I was in Hestes, I attended the opening night of A Glass Thorn. Simply stunning,” Jax said, smiling at the memory.

  “My sister made her debut in that play,” Charles gushed with pride as Giovanna’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

  Jax looked at the ashen-haired woman once more, trying to place her. “Oh, I remember! You played the merchant’s daughter. Your voice was quite lovely.”

  “I am hoping I can convince Lady Giovanna to perform for us as we sail to Isla DeLacqua,” Carriena said, giving the young actress a coaxing grin. Without waiting for a reply from either Montivarius sibling, she turned to the next awaiting guests. “Duchess, this is Lady Florence and Sir Ernest of House Haulsinger from Savant.”

  Before Jax could properly react, a bulbous, impossibly old man waddled forward and took her hand in his own, placing a slobbering kiss on her fingers. His tiny eyes roamed languidly up her slender figure, finally letting go of her hand and stepping back. “Duquessa, it is an honor to be in your presence. My wife and I have heard nothing but fine things about you and your duchy.” His wiry gray hair whipped wildly in the wind, revealing a large bald spot on the very top of his oversized head.

  Jax controlled her laughter at the man’s chaotic appearance, turning to his wife in greeting, surprised that she was the exact opposite of her husband. Elegant and refined, despite her rather plain wardrobe, Lady Florence curtsied with stiffness, her willowy figure barely moving, signaling her advanced age. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Duquessa.”

  In a whirlwind, Carriena moved on to a strapping middle-aged man with dark hair and bright, almost orange eyes. “This is Sir Archer of House Orchid from Tandora. He is the master builder who designed Rose of the Sea.”

  Jax gasped with delight. “I had no idea we would be traveling with the artist behind this beautiful specimen. I hope you won’t object if I try to solicit a ship of my own for Saphire.” Her eyes crinkled with mischief.

  Master Archer laughed, a hearty sound that raked through the air. “No rest for the weary, I suppose. It would be an honor to be commissioned to create such a piece for you, Your Grace.”

  “Jacqueline, we’re not even out of the harbor and you’re already trying to best me,” Carriena chided, her joke sizzling between the two friends. “Let Master Archer rest one day before you try to outdo me, all right?” Not waiting for Jax’s playful retort, she brought forward the last three gues
ts. “May I introduce Vincent and Hazel Quorimander of Zaltor, and Monsieur Grandeair of Crepsta.”

  It had been years since Jax had ventured to the deserts of Zaltor or interacted with any of its nobility. Appraising the couple, Jax was taken in by their exquisite beauty, their dark skin emphasizing the heated yellow flecks in their amber eyes. Hazel’s black hair was piled regally on her head, her slender neck dripping with red gems native to the region. Vincent, too, was adorned in fine jewelry, his short cropped dark hair revealing gold hoops hanging from his ears.

  Monsieur Grandeair, on the other hand, was a nondescript gentleman whose tunic appeared to be a bit too tight for his barrel chest. His pale skin seemed to be infused with an olive tinge, his forehead sweating profusely. “Are you feeling under the weather, Monsieur?” Jax inquired with concern.

  The older man coughed. “Just a bit, Your Grace. It seems my sea legs are still dawdling about on land.”

  Lady Carriena frowned. “I had hoped the fresh air up on deck might do the monsieur some good, but it appears not.”

  Hazel stepped forward, her jewel-laden hand outstretched. “Perhaps if he tried a bit of gingerroot, his health might improve,” she purred as she placed what appeared to be a tiny plant stem in the man’s clammy hand.

  Jax looked at her inquisitively, wondering where the woman’s knowledge of herbal remedies came from. As if sensing the question, Hazel spoke. “In Zaltor, I am a High Priestess of the Ancient Faith, Your Grace. At an early age, we are trained in nature’s powers.”

  Jax struggled to keep her face neutral. The Ancient Faith was an archaic religion that had been subdued by the Virtues over the last fifty or so years. While Saphire, under her father’s command, protected believers of both religions, the Ancient Faith always made Jax uncomfortable. She had been brought up to believe in kindness, bravery, intelligence, and humility, not demons and gods who supposedly dictated the lives of men.