The Husband Poisoning Society, Chapter Forty-Three: The Life of a Duke

“No.” I shook my head.  “There is no reason for you to sacrifice yourself.”

Monique put her hands on her hips. 

“Leon is still dying.” I said. “I’m not letting him die on our behalf. I’ll turn myself in. I can cure him once I’m imprisoned.”

“That’s too big a risk. I’m not implicated. I’ll slip him the cure.” Lynn said. 

“And then you’ll implicate yourself. That doesn’t help us. I’m already their preferred scapegoat. I should do it.”

“We should kill them.” Ada said. “I tire of our men. We do not need them.”

“I don’t know how we would do that.” I said. 

Ada definitely had social change on the brain. She wanted to move mountains. And I was on her side. But I couldn’t think how to do it. We were a small battered group of fugitives. We were women, which meant Hyperborea afforded us no respect.

What options did we have? Could we steal a boat? But none of us were sailors. The Boro Sea was gentle compared to the open ocean. But sailing it and navigating it would still be beyond us. If Leon were with us, but he was dying.

And that was the other problem. We couldn’t flee. Not with Leon, Vincent, and Fiona all captive. We needed to get back into the castle, if we wanted to save Leon’s life. And I did want to save Leon’s life. I owed him both my life and my relationships with Amy and Fiona. I owed him my friendship with Lynn, and her safety. I owed that man everything. And Vincent. Vincent had saved my life several times, so I owed him my life as well. And above and beyond that he was my friend. And he was Fiona’s closest friend and confidant. And Fiona. I was in love with her. I was engaged to her. And I was not leaving her behind. 

“So. We need to get back into the castle.” I said, more to myself than to others. “But that only helps us save Leon. We have no leverage we can use to unmake this pickle we’re in. We are screwed like a prom queen in the back of a hot rod.”

“A what in a what?” Laila asked.

“Ren reads obscure books. She talks about things nobody else has heard of before.” Amy said. 

“Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Ignore me.” I said. 

Lynn put a finger to my lips and shushed me. Lynn stood with her eyes closed. We stood like that for a minute or two. Then Lynn opened her eyes, and she smiled.

“Okay, fine. You can turn yourself in. I’ve got a plan.”

“Really?” I said. 

“You’re right. They want you specifically as a scapegoat. Nobody else works for my plan.”

“What if they torture her again?” Amy asked. 

“What’s the plan, then?” I asked.

“Oh no. I’m not telling you. They tortured you last time. If you’re turning yourself in, you don’t get to know the plan. That way you can’t reveal the plan under torture.”

“I don’t like that you’re assuming I’m going to be tortured again.”

“We kind of have to assume that though, don’t we.”

I grimaced.

“Fine. If they decide to torture me again, I’ll sign the confession.“

Laila shook her head. “You’ll be signing your death warrant.”

“If Lynn’s plan doesn’t work we’re all dead anyway. “ I said. “And besides that. They already tortured me.”

“Are you saying, you’re used to it?” Laila asked.

“No.” I answered. “I’m thinking that if it comes out that my confession was forced by torture, then Agartha and the rest of Southern Karshvar will never accept it.”

“What if they just kill you?” Amy asked.

“Then they will have killed two Yssian nobles without a trial. The nations of the Boro sea will support Ys in such a conflict. They need me, and they need me alive. They need somebody to frame for Leon’s murder as well, after all.”

Amy’s shoulders slumped.  “I’m going to lose everything.”

“You aren’t losing me.” I said. “I trust Lynn. We will get through this.”

“Just stay alive. And keep Leon alive.” Lynn said. 

“You don’t have to do this. I can take the blame.” Amy said.

“No. They want me.” I said. “I’m the best candidate.”

“Then I am coming with you.” Amy said. 

“No. That’s not a good idea. We don’t need to risk more people.” I said.

“They wanted your accomplices. Here we are. They already have Fiona. At least we will be together.”

Ada jogged back to the group from the door. “Whatever you are doing, you must do it now. They are searching, going longhouse by longhouse. They will be here in minutes.”

I looked at Amy, “Lights, camera, action.”

Amy smiled, a tear rolled down her cheek. “Dearest, I have no idea what that means.”