Page 34 of The Study of Poisons
Valek tossed a piece into his mouth. As the dessert melted on his tongue, the nutty aroma was enhanced. Both sweet and bitter flavors coated his mouth.
The Commander’s eyes widened in surprise after he popped a cube into his mouth. Then his tongue dashed along his lips and teeth, sucking all the remaining flavor from them. He immediately grabbed another piece.
Unsettled by the Commander’s reaction, Valek said, “It’s sweet. Different. But I don’t taste anything unbelievable about it.” He wiped the brown flakes from his hands.
Now Yelena exchanged a look with the Commander. Valek suspected he’d missed something important. Perhaps this dessert didn’t have the same effect on him. He’d have to keep a closer eye on them to see if this Criollo was addictive.
* * *
Valek dressedin his kitchen server’s uniform and pocketed a glass jar filled with the fake blackberry poison. He headed to the kitchen. Dinner had just finished, but there was always the bustling clean-up activity after each meal.
He spotted Margg and an animated group huddled around Rand. It wasn’t the best time to look inconspicuous. About to leave, Valek stopped when Margg’s voice cut through the din.
“I’ll bet that little rat won’t last an hour,” she said. “I’ll give fifty to one to anyone stupid enough to think the rat will last the day. And one hundred to one to the sucker who thinks she won’t be caught.” The room erupted with the sounds of betting.
The voices pounded against Valek as he grappled with the realization that Yelena had told Rand about being the fugitive for the exercise. Margg had to be talking about her, since she only referred to Yelena as a rat. Granted, he hadn’t told Yelena to keep it a secret, but he didn’t think heneededto. She’d been so concerned about Brazell finding out.
Fury replaced shock, and he cursed long and hard.
“I’ll bet a month’s wages that Yelena stays free all day,” Rand’s voice boomed out. Silence followed.
Then Margg laughed. “You’ve been in the kitchen too long, Rand. The heat’s cooked your brain to mush. I think you’re starting to like the little rat. Better lock up your knives when she’s here or she may—”
“All right, that’s enough,” Rand said. “Dinner’s over. Everyone out of my kitchen.”
Valek shuffled out with the rest of them. He seethed with anger and walked the hallways without a destination in mind. His thoughts sizzled and for the first time in decades, he had no idea what to do.
Eventually, he looped back to the kitchen. As he neared, Rand’s voice reached him. “…Sammy, Liza and maybe Dilana. Why?”
“When are you leaving?” Yelena asked.
Valek pressed his hands against the wall to keep from running into the kitchen and doing something they’d regret.
“After dinner,” Rand said. “It’s the only time everyone is free. The Commander always orders an easy meal for the first night of the festival so the kitchen staff can leave early. If you want to come, just meet us here tomorrow.”
The fire festival. Rand had invited her to join them. At least she didn’t immediately agree. Although the fact she was considering it showed just how wrong he’d been about her intelligence. Needing to move, Valek strode through the hallways. The Commander would gloat about being right if he wasn’t angry at Valek for defending her so many times.
Years later, or so it seemed, Valek was back at the now dark and empty kitchen. He swapped out the blackberry poison. And that just increased his rage. Rand had tried to poison her and now they were friends. Perhaps he should warn her.
No.
The Commander’s orders sounded in his head,if she becomes too troublesome, I expect you to handle it.
Time to handle it. Valek returned to his office and changed back into his adviser’s uniform. Grimly, he tucked his new cloud-kissed dagger into his belt. He hadn’t thought he’d need to use it so soon.
With an icy determination crusting over all his emotions, he headed to his apartment. Yelena had lit the lanterns, but she wasn’t on the couch. Her door was closed but not locked. He allowed a moment of annoyance.Did the woman have any self-preservation instincts?
Light spilled in behind him as Valek entered and paused, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness.
Yelena slept curled up on her side. He fingered the hilt, but decided she needed to know why she was about to die. Approaching the bed, he grabbed her shoulders, yanked her from the blankets, and slammed her into the wall.
She stared at him in horror. Her loose hair framed her oval face. Yelena weighed almost nothing. He shifted his hold, freeing a hand so he could draw his dagger.
“Valek?”
CHAPTER8
If she becomes too troublesome, I expect you to handle it, the Commander had ordered.
