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“The investigators have uncovered very little,” Lord Vikhrov said. “But what they have uncovered points very subtly to the Arzumanyan family.”
“The Arzumanyan family?” Olympus blinked in surprise. “Why would they be involved?”
“Wait, aren’t they one of the other families that tried to take leadership of Good Port?” Lefric asked. “But they were eliminated from the running because they didn’t have as much money as the Hakobyans or the Lobes?”
I had no idea what they were talking about.
Lord Vikhrov did seem to know. He grinned. “Haven’t I always said this boy of yours is intelligent?”
“No, you haven’t always said that,” Olympus said, giving his father a sly look.
That made me feel even less like I knew what was going on. It was like I had been wandering in the eastern forest, my entire life suspended, while my friends had all moved on, had adventures, and acquired new friends and lovers.
And what did I have? I had Dmitri and denied orgasms.
“I can agree to keeping Eneko away from the estate while we undertake an investigation,” Lord Vikhrov said. He glanced across the boat to where Magnus and Eneko were still talking. Eneko seemed anxious and kept looking back at Lord Vikhrov. Lord Vikhrov went on with, “I don’t know where we might put him to keep him out of the way.”
“Keep him on this boat,” Dmitri said with a shrug, almost as though he didn’t care. “I know for a fact that it can be made into a prison, if needs suit.” He grinned at me sideways. “Right, pup?”
He still had his arm clamped around my waist, making me feel like I was in some sort of prison. He used his grasp to jostle me. The gesture was somehow humiliating and underscored my inferior position.
“That would actually work,” Lefric said, albeit grudgingly. “If Captain Andreas allows it.”
“I’m sure he would,” Olympus said. “He has been privy to our discussions about this matter.”
“Alright, then,” Lord Vikhrov said with a sigh, rubbing his face. “I agree to have Eneko detained on this boat while we search his quarters for any signs of treachery. But if we find nothing, he will be released to return to his duties.”
“I am willing to bet we find all sorts of incriminating evidence in his quarters,” Lefric said as everyone started toward the center of the boat.
I would have been happy to hang back and wait, but at that moment, Constantine emerged from the doorway leading to the cabins, escorting a weak and feeble Ludvig with him.
“Ludvig,” I said, breaking away from Dmitri, not caring if he objected to me leaving him or not, and rushing to my old friend’s side. “How are you feeling?” I asked once I reached him.
“Better,” Ludvig said on a sigh.
He looked a bit better. A bit. He had some of his color back, and his expression was no longer pinched with the fear of death. Instead, it was pinched with lingering pain and discomfort.
“I’m certain there are healers in Good Port who can continue your recovery,” I said, shoring up Ludvig’s opposite side from where Constantine was helping him. “And I would be willing to bet Lord Vikhrov will provide a comfortable and clean place for you to recuperate.”
Ludvig laughed softly. “Still looking out for me, Anton?” he asked. “You haven’t moved on with your life yet?”
“I don’t know what I have to move on to,” I said, barely audible, face heating.
Ludvig heard me anyhow and turned his head to send me a sorry look. I immediately glanced across the boat to the scene that was unfolding with Eneko, not wanting Ludvig to see how hopeless I felt.
“What do you mean, I’m not to leave this boat?” Eneko shouted. Evidently, they hadn’t wasted much time in telling him he was under suspicion. “I’ve done nothing wrong,” he insisted. “I’ve been a true and loyal servant to you and your family for nearly twenty-five years.”
“Which this why this is just a formality born out of an abundance of caution,” Lord Vikhrov said, though he didn’t sound convincing.
“I cannot believe you would do this to me, sir,” Eneko continued to protest. “After everything I’ve done for you, after my years of service. Can you not even tell me why I am suddenly out of favor?”
Everyone had clustered around Eneko in the center of the boat. Olympus and Lefric had moved to Magnus’s side, where Peter and Neil now stood. My other friends were around the perimeter of the confrontation, and since Ludvig seemed interested in it, we wandered there as well.
Dmitri hung back, moving to have a word with one of the dock workers from Good Port who had come aboard the ship during the mooring process.
“If you are innocent, then this is just a temporary nuisance,” Lord Vikhrov said, smiling at his steward. “This should all be over by supper, and then we can focus on providing the finest hospitality Good Port has to offer for our royal guests.”
“For which we will be grateful,” Magnus said. “Shall we proceed up to your magnificent estate?”
