Page 14 of The Study of Poisons
“I haven’t seen her.”
Odd. “Then you’ll need your antidote.” Valek returned to his office and filled a pipette with White Fright. Once she drank it, he headed out, but she didn’t follow. He gestured for her to come along. Now that she had recovered, she needed to continue her training. “I have to taste the Commander’s breakfast.” He set a quick pace. “It’s time you meet the Commander and watch how food tasting should be done.”
Valek led her through the main hallways of the castle. He usually avoided this route, but Yelena needed to see what the Commander had done when he’d taken over Ixia. As they traveled, Valek stole glances at Yelena’s expression.
She gawked at the ruined tapestries from the King’s era. They remained in their original places despite their soiled and torn appearances. It was a sign to all that the Commander abhorred opulence and wasting money on frivolous things like tapestries. He’d rather the money was spent to aid his people.
When they reached the broken doors that had once barred the entrance into the throne room but now gaped open, Yelena slowed. The impressive archway remained with its beautiful stonework, but the intricately carved wooden doors had been splintered by axes and now hung crookedly on their hinges. They remained in place to remind Ixians that once they had been prevented from having an audience with the King. Now, anyone in Ixia could schedule an audience with the Commander as long as they followed the proper procedures.
Once they crossed the threshold into the throne room, Yelena stopped in surprise. Valek suppressed a chuckle. The jumble of desks and loud buzz of activity that occupied the once grand throne room was overwhelming. The Commander had wanted his advisers and military officers nearby and clearly visible to all. His office was tucked into the back corner. Valek hurried through the maze, leaving Yelena behind. He was already late, and she’d find her way.
The Commander looked up when he entered. “You’re late.”
“Couldn’t be helped. Our new food taster survived My Love and I needed to give her the antidote.”
“Survived fully? Or just barely hanging on like that other taster? What’s his name? Took him a season to finally die. Poor bastard.”
“She appears healthy. I don’t know if she’ll have nightmares caused by the side effects of the poison or not. Time will tell.” And, depending on what happened with Reyad, she might already be experiencing them.
“Make sure she’s one hundred percent, Valek. I don’t like eating cold sweet cakes.”
Valek spotted Yelena hovering on the threshold of the Commander’s office. He didn’t blame her for hesitating to enter. The man sitting behind the desk held her life in his hands.
“Commander, this is Yelena, your new food taster,” Valek said, grabbing her wrist and leading her into the room.
The Commander studied her, focusing all his attention on her. Her stricken expression resembled a rat caught in the jaws of a trap.
He glanced at Valek. “From what Brazell’s been hollering about, I expected her to breathe fire.”
She stiffened.
“Brazell’s a fool,” Valek said as he visually assessed the tray of food for foreign objects. “He wanted the drama of a public hanging for his son’s killer. I personally would have taken care of her immediately. It would have been within his rights.” Valek sipped some tea and sniffed the sweet cakes, seeking odd odors. “Besides, it’s clearly written in the Code of Behavior that the next to be hanged gets the job offer. And Brazell was one of the authors.” Cutting a piece of one sweet cake from the center and the other from the side, Valek put both pieces in his mouth, chewing slowly. No strange tastes flavored the food. “Here.” He handed the plate to the Commander.
“Brazell does have a point,” the Commander said. He picked up his tea and stared at the contents. “When does she start? I’m getting tired of cold food.”
“A few more days.”
“Good,” the Commander said to Valek, then turned to Yelena. “You arrive with my food and taste quick. I don’t want to be looking for you. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Valek, I’m losing weight because of you. Lunch is in the war room. Don’t be late.”
“Yes, sir.” Dismissed, Valek headed for the door with Yelena right on his heels.
She didn’t say a word as they returned to his office, but she lagged whenever he increased his pace. They entered the room and he suppressed a sigh. Margg was dusting, or rather attempting to dust, his stacks of files and books on the table. He wished she wouldn’t bother, but he was grateful when she replaced his burnt candles for new ones.
Valek settled behind his desk and studied the food taster. “Yelena, you look exhausted. You make me tired just looking at you. Go rest. Come back after lunch and we’ll continue with your training.”
She opened her mouth, paused, and nodded before leaving. Valek waited a few more minutes before asking Margg why Yelena didn’t see her this morning.
“Oh, she was up and gone before sunrise,” Margg said, waving her feather duster. “I checked the baths just in case she needed help, but when I didn’t find her, I figured she’d find her way here.”
There was something not quite honest in her reply. Before Valek could question her further, she said, “I’ve news.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve been approached by Rand. He said that he knows someone who will pay me for information if I am interested.”
