Page 130 of The Study of Poisons
“You’ll always be my first love, Ambrose.”
He shook his head. “At least, you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
* * *
After leavingthe Commander’s office, Valek hurried to catch up with Yelena. The party had left the manor a few hours ago, but it wasn’t hard to track the group’s trail. There were twelve of them and the bubble of magic in the clearing meant they had stopped for the night. Even if the Commander decided to find an assassin tonight, Irys would be a formidable opponent.
Yelena sat by the fire. She appeared to be the only person still awake. Had she been waiting for him? Valek approached and she jumped to her feet and wielded her bo staff. Hmmm, she would also be a formidable opponent. He grinned.Sitia won’t know what hit them.
He stopped at the edge of the magical barrier and held out his hand. She grasped it with both of hers and he led her deeper into the forest. He wanted to ensure they had privacy. He found a tree with massive buttress roots creating perfect hidden hollows sized for two people.
“Why didn’t you come before we left?” she asked him. Her tone indicated she’d been hurt. No wonder she was moping next to the fire.
“I was busy making sure the Commander would have a hard time locating someone to carry out his orders.” Valek smiled. “It’s amazing how much work there is cleaning up after Brazell.” Too much.
“Who is tasting the Commander’s food?” she asked.
“For now, I am. But I believe Captain Star would make an excellent candidate. Since she knows who all the assassins are, I think her help will be invaluable.”
By Yelena’s vicious grin, he knew she approved of her replacement.
“Enough talk,” Valek said, guiding her to one of the hollows. “I need to give you a proper send-off.”
They lay between the roots, and he kissed her with a passion he’d never felt for another. He cherished and loved her with his heart fully exposed, showing her the depth and extent of his love, making the night’s memories last the year they would be apart.
With Yelena wrapped in his arms, Valek had a moment of sheer contentment. He held her as she slept.
This.
This is worth fighting for.
This is worth waiting for.
Unfortunately, the best night of his life ended with the sunrise. Yelena woke and smiled at him, but it soon faded. The time to part had come.
“An execution order hasn’t kept us apart before. There are ways to get around it. Wewillbe together,” Valek said.
“Is that an order?”
“No, a promise.”
THE END…AGAIN
