I debate what to say and decide to take the risk. Durov might be helpful with information. “There are more on the list to eliminate before I even consider taking credit.”
Emilio nods as if he suspected as much. “This has to do with the assassination of Kasimir then. You are eliminating those who contracted to kill him.”
It makes complete sense that Emilio knows about the contract on Kas. His House is affiliated with the very man who initiated it. I eye him warily. “Why is Durov willing to help me? Why haven’t you turned me in? Why abandon House Medina after all this time?”
His reply is quick, as if he’s been expecting the questions. “We are not abandoning House Medina. Only Lorenzo. And there are two reasons. House Durov has been trying to advance within the Shabah for years. Atevery turn, our opportunities are blocked by those in power, our achievements credited to others. We are tired of working and waiting and gaining nothing while others advance because of our accomplishments. We look to you for a new way.”
That makes sense. Political machinations within the Shabah are an everyday occurrence. “And reason number two?”
“In similar fashion to Kasimir’s death, House Medina took someone as dear from House Durov.” I raise an eyebrow and nod for him to continue. “At one time, the Durovs hoped to advance their position within the Shabah through the marriage of Nikita Durov’s daughter to the second son of House Medina.”
At my blank expression, he continues.
“Sofia Durov met and fell in love with Stefano Medina, and he with her. He was the second son of the House, so a marriage for love instead of political advantage could be entertained. They were allowed to wed, and after many failed attempts, they were blessed with a healthy baby boy whom they named Nicolas. There were no additional children who survived.”
I cut in. “And is this marriage how House Medina took someone dear from House Durov? A match made from love hardly seems an offense worthy of abandoning decades of loyalty.” He shakes his head, and my suspicions deepen. “The children who didn’t survive?” It’s a thin excuse, but at least it’s plausible.
Emilio shakes his head again. “When Nico was born, Stefano was still heavily involved with the Shabah. Heand his brother Lorenzo were never close, and they often found themselves on opposite sides on most things. Some believe that if Stefano had wanted it, he would have been as influential as Lorenzo. More, perhaps, because he was less overtly manipulative. But Stefano was not interested in politics, leaving all of that to his brother. He much preferred running the family business. But that also meant he controlled a large portion of the family purse strings. Being a second son with no heirs made Stefano a minimal threat to Lorenzo, and the disagreements only went so far. Then their father passed and left the estate and business to Stefano. And when Nico was born, things changed.”
Once again, I glance around the garden, taking in all the toxic plants around me. “How?”
Emilio clenches his fists at his sides. “Stefano had an heir. Someone besides Lorenzo to inherit the family wealth.” His sigh is full of sadness. “Nico has told you how his mother died.” I nod. “We have always told him that she became severely ill, and a fast-acting fever killed her. He was very young when it happened and was not aware of his family’s connections within the Shabah or the conflict between his father and Lorenzo. But Stefano suspected the truth about Sofia’s death.”
With Emilio all but supporting my theory, I cut to the chase. “Who poisoned her?”
“Lorenzo took out the contract. He had an assassin working in Stefano’s kitchen. They placed certain herbs into Sofia’s food which would inhibit conception. And if by chance she became pregnant, they slipped differentherbs into her food to end the pregnancy. She was never able to carry a child to term.”
My mind races through possibilities. “So how did Nico survive?”
Emilio’s smile is sad. “Those particular herbs in question were added to Sofia’s food only when she announced that she was expecting. They did not want her to build up a tolerance.” My hands clench into fists, and I find myself surprisingly upset. “With Nico, Sofia was not yet aware that she was pregnant. She had lost another child not long before and left the city to recuperate with her parents in Oht. So the first three months of her pregnancy were spent eating untainted food. Once she discovered that she was with child, and the pregnancy progressed well, Sofia and Stefano decided that the climate here agreed with her, and she remained in Oht for the rest of her pregnancy.”
“Away from the poisoner.” He nods and I begin to pace. “So Nico is born, and Sofia returns to Panah City. Why doesn’t Lorenzo have Nico killed? Why wait before killing Sofia?”
Emilio laughs bitterly. “Stefano began to piece the situation together. He carefully went through each of the house staff, removing anyone whose loyalty he doubted and thoroughly screening any new additions.”
He’s visibly agitated, and I worry he’ll strain his heart. “Perhaps it’d be better if you take some time to calm down. We can finish discussing this later. If something happens to you, Nico will kill me.”
He shakes his head. “I’m fine, and you need to hear all of this now, Master Zayd. It is the only way to fully protectNico. If you do not know what has happened, you might not be prepared.”
There’s wisdom in that, so I gesture for him to continue. “If you need to stop, please do. We can finish talking about this later.”
With a quick nod he keeps talking. “Sofia never conceived another child. It may have been that the amount of toxic herbs she ingested rendered her sterile. It may have been something else entirely. No one knows. But Nico was a strong, healthy baby, and things seemed to settle down after his birth. At least until he reached the appropriate age to formally learn to wield a weapon.”
I suspect where the conversation is going, and I don’t like it. “How old was he?”
“He had just turned six. As I am sure you have discovered in your morning training, Nico has a natural talent for close-quarters fighting. He would have made an excellent Shade. This innate skill was noticed by his fatherandhis uncle. Stefano wanted Nico to be able to defend himself, but he did not want to encourage the attention of those behind the poisonings. So Nico’s training continued as it would for any son of a nobleman, but he was not mentored to his full potential.
“There were no further attempts?”
He bobs his head back and forth. “Not for those few years. But Lorenzo happened to be present for one of Nico’s training sessions, and as any boy will do, he wanted to show off for his uncle. Lorenzo immediately saw his talent and the threat it posed. Stefano saw it as well, and the two got into an argument. Stefano threw veiledaccusations at Lorenzo, who stormed out. Four months later, Sofia was dead from poisoning, and the assassin was never discovered.” Part of me is grateful that I was too young in my training to have been given that assignment. “Then Lorenzo paid Stefano another visit. They met in his study, and even with the door closed, the screaming was so loud that Nico heard them from his room. Thankfully, he could not make out what they were saying. But a few of us were close enough to hear the details.”
“You mean youlistenedin.”
Emilio shrugs unapologetically. “Of course. Information is power. But Lorenzo made it easy. If he neglected to castSilence, who was I to mirror the error by not castingListen? He is an arrogant bastard and boasted loudly about his involvement. Could barely contain his pride as he accused Stefano of being a besotted fool unfit for business or politics and ordered him to renounce all claims to both. Lorenzo had political ambitions even then. Stefano refused, mostly out of anger and spite, but Lorenzo threatened Nico’s life. He swore that if Stefano did not renounce any claim for himself or his heirs, Nico would be dead within the fortnight. The next day, Stefano withdrew from public life and locked himself in his rooms, refusing to come out for weeks.”
“And he complied with Lorenzo’s demands?” He and his son may not be involved in politics, but they do have a very successful vineyard and winery.
“Yes and no. Stefano did publicly state he had no political ambition. And though he relinquished claim to theMedina lands in Amal, he kept Sofia’s family vineyard and winery, turning them into a thriving enterprise.”
