Page 51 of His Realm

“Meaning Zev.”

“Yes.”

“What happened to Leda?”

“Back at the palace, Isabella did all she could, but Leda was far too damaged. She haunted Isabella’s wing for many years until one night she added hemlock to the blood she drank with a sprinkling of datura. Isabella found her in the morning.”

“I hope she didn’t suffer,” I said softly.

“No,” Sabira assured me. “It was quick.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“We were all so very sorry,” Sabira murmured. “But she had some time at the end with Isabella where she was safe again, so that was good.”

“How did Isabella find her?”

“Alruna, Decimus’s first courtesan, sent Isabella a message to come collect her whore of a courtier from Ophir. She, of course, thought Isabella had sent Leda to Decimus because she was jealous of her and wanted to keep her away from Messina.”

“I bet Alruna was happy to have Leda gone.”

“I can’t say. All I know is that days after Leda passed, Alruna was dead as well.”

“How?”

“Same way as Leda: hemlock and datura.”

I stared at Sabira. “What happened?”

“Who’s to say,” she replied with a slight grin, glancing at Zev.

I turned to him.

He grunted. “It wasn’t me. As I said, I’ve never been back. And besides, what reason would I have to avenge a woman who so despised me?”

“Who else could have slipped into Ophir?” Sabira asked him. “Decimus has made it known you are welcome in his home, in his service, at any time.”

“Again, I have never been back, Countess.”

She nodded. “Then the truth is one I have always suspected.”

“What is that?” I asked.

“Gideon had her assassinated.”

“For what purpose?” Zev sounded so innocent when he asked the question.

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. I never knew Gideon to be sentimental in any way, and as far as I know, he was celibate his entire life, so it couldn’t have been for the love of Leda. But there must be a reason he had Alruna murdered.”

There was. He did it for Zev. Because Leda was his mother. But when I glanced at Zev, his flat stare met mine. The secret of Zev and Gideon’s love was known to only a few, and that, it seemed, did not extend to the queen’s sister.

“Regardless, Alruna deserved to die,” Zev stated flatly.

“Without question.” Sabira huffed out a breath. “But after that, Decimus closed Ophir’s doors, and now no one is allowed inside without an invitation.”

“So Ophir used to be like the palace? People could come inside and visit those who live there or walk the halls on the main floor?”

“Yes. Ophir was open to all before Alruna died.”