Page 126 of Esperance

Amryn had followed him, of course. She hurried to Tam’s side, her face leached of all color.

Carver pushed through the crowd. His stomach dropped when he glimpsed what lay crumpled in the alcove.

Rivard, lying in a pool of his own blood, a dagger in his heart.

“I was on my way up to our room,” Tam said, her voice shaking as much as her hands, which were folded on her lap. “I-I turned the corner, and . . .”

Amryn laid a comforting hand on Tam’s shoulder.

“Take your time,” Trevill said gently.

They were in Tam and Rivard’s suite, the sitting room brightly lit with every available lamp. Amryn and Jayveh sat on either side of Tam on a long settee. Trevill was in the chair angled toward them. Carver, Argent, and the high cleric stood slightly apart, observing.

The rest of the crowd had been ordered back to their rooms by the high cleric. Tam had clung so fiercely to Amryn and Jayveh that Trevill had allowed them to stay.

Rivard’s body was still in the hall. The note that had been clutched in his hand was in Trevill’s pocket, but the words were seared into Carver’s mind.

Vengeance is mine.

The tone and wording of the message was too similar to the one found with Cora, and they’d both been killed with a dagger through the heart. The handwriting seemed alike as well, though that would take a closer study to be sure. Still, it seemed likely that their murderer was the same.

Tam took a deep breath, and that seemed to steady her a little. “At first I didn’t even realize he was dead. The shadows were thick in the alcove, and . . . I thought maybe he’d drunk too much brandy. He—he’s done that before. I called out to him, but he didn’t answer. And then I saw the blood, and . . .”

Trevill leaned forward. “Tam, this is important. Did Rivard mention feeling afraid, or nervous?”

“N-no. But we really didn’t talk much.” Fresh tears swam in Tam’s eyes. “I-I’m sorry.”

Trevill’s tone was endlessly patient. “That’s all right. When was the last time you saw him?”

“In the sitting room, after dinner.”

“He spoke to General Vincetti,” Zacharias said. “And he left the room directly after.”

Trevill twisted to Carver. “What did you and Rivard discuss?”

“Nothing of importance,” Carver lied, even though his insides knotted. Rivard had just shared his suspicions about Amryn and the cleric from the library, Felinus. Was that a coincidence?

“He walked out rather quickly,” Zacharias said. “And it’s no secret there is animosity between you.”

Argent groaned. “Not this again. You accused Carver of murdering Cora, and now you think he killed Rivard?”

Zacharias angled his chin. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but these questions need to be asked.” He looked back at Carver. “For all we know, you were the last person to talk to Rivard. And you nearly killed him once before.”

Carver’s throat dried.

Zacharias looked far too triumphant. “Rivard told me everything. I know all about the history between you. How you nearly beat him to death three years ago.”

Tam sucked in a breath. Jayveh’s eyes flew wide. Amryn just looked worried.

Trevill straightened in his chair, his brows lowering as he viewed Carver. “Is this true?”

“Yes,” Carver answered, his tone stiff. “But I didn’t kill Rivard.”

“Rivard was very open about what happened,” Zacharias said. “How his actions set your brother on a path that nearly led to his death. And you can’t tell us that it’s all in the past and you’ve forgiven him, because you clearly haven’t. You attacked him on the training grounds.”

Carver bristled.

“This is insane,” Argent snapped.