Page 59 of The Study of Poisons
He paused outside Yelena’s door. The desire to discuss his concerns with her pulsed in his chest. In the past couple months, he’d learned to trust her opinion. And she’d been—
Another thought occurred to him. Yelena became the official food taster around the same time Brazell gifted the Criollo to the Commander. Could she be the reason for his…mellowing? Could Ambrose be in love with her?
A truly staggering thought, Valek backed away from her door as if it were on fire. In all the years they’d worked together, the Commander hadn’t shown the slightest interest in anyone. Well, not to Valek. Ambrose always kept his personal thoughts private, but Valek had learned to read the very subtle—practically nonexistent—cues that reflected his friend’s concealed emotions.
But now? The cues were no longer elusive. They shouted in comparison. However, the Commander had exhibited more passion for the snow cats than Yelena.
Valek sank onto the couch as a tidal wave of relief left him shaky. He thought he had a firm grip on his own emotions regarding Yelena. Obviously not. They’d been living in this domestic bubble, but she’d never indicated any interest in him other than a professional one. Which was exactly as it should be. They worked together and it would ruin their relationship if he professed his love and she ran away horrified.
With that thought, he gathered the messy octopus of his emotions, wrangled it into a box, and shoved it deep enough inside him to ignore. He would be content with having her close and with being able to solve puzzles together.
Of course, he was in utter denial, but wishing for something out of his reach or control was a waste of time and energy.
* * *
Two weeksinto the cooling season, Valek waited until Yelena left the training room to go taste the Commander’s lunch before he entered. Ari, Janco, and Maren were putting away the practice weapons and chatting. The air was hot and stuffy and fogged with the distinct odor of sweat.
It said quite a bit about their relationship with Valek when they didn’t snap to attention once they spotted him. Part pleased and part annoyed, he didn’t waste time with pleasantries.
“I’ve a mission for you,” he said.
That straightened their spines.
Janco’s gaze brightened with glee. “Finally! I’m so bored with all this training. We’re supposed to be scouting for the Commander’s elite guard, but he never goesanywhere!”
“Careful what you wish for,” Maren muttered.
Ari shot his partner a warning look, but it was ignored as usual. “Do you need us to scout for you?” he asked.
“No. I already know you can scout. I’d like to determine if you can each lead a small team on a smash and grab mission.”
Janco rubbed his hands together. “Ho boy! Can’t wait.”
Maren cocked her hip. “We’ll need to clear it with our commanding officers.”
Raising a single brow, Valek waited.
“Oh. You outrank our commanding officers.”
“I outrank everyone except the Commander.” Not a boast, but a reminder.
Scratching his ear, Janco asked, “How does that work? You don’t have a military rank.”
“Neither does the Commander,” Valek said.
Janco opened his mouth and then closed it. A crinkle of confusion popped between his eyebrows.
“It’shisarmy,” Ari said. “Hechosehis title.”
“And appointed me his second-in-command.”
“Why don’t I know this?” Janco asked.
“Because it’sancienthistory,” Maren snarked.
“Nice.” Valek appreciated the well-timed dig at his age. Even though, at thirty-three, he was about seven years older than Maren and Janco, and five years older than Ari.And fourteen years older than Yelena.
Janco continued to complain. “They should teach it to all the soldiers.”
