Page 24 of The Study of Poisons
“S-steps.”
“Yes, those. It’s bad enough we have to worry about someone assassinating me. To think I might be collateral damage for an assassination attempt on our food taster is just not worth the risk.”
“She’s worth that risk.” Valek held up a hand, stopping the Commander’s outburst. “It’s a small risk. I doubt they’ll try to poison her again. And there’s too many questions still unanswered.”
“Are the answers that important? Just go in and arrest everyone involved. Problem solved.” He waved his fork in the air.
If it were only that easy. “The answers are very important. A mass arrest would be like cutting down a tree. You get the trunk, limbs, and leaves, but the roots remain. Eventually they’ll grow new trees in unknown locations, and we’ll be back at the beginning.”
The Commander chewed for a moment, then he looked at Valek. The golden color and almond-shape of his eyes added to the weight behind his gaze. It pierced Valek’s soul.
“You care about her,” he said.
It wasn’t exactly a question. But there was no way Valek would lie to the Commander. Ever. He might omit certain details or fail to inform Ambrose of all his actions, but when asked a direct question, Valek would always give an honest answer. “Yes.”
“How much?”
“I like her. She’s intelligent and a survivor. I think she could be an asset to us. All the other food tasters have been…just prisoners, forced to do the job until they died.”
“Until you became annoyed with them,” he teased.
“Not all of them. There was…one…Firen who was allergic to those strange nuts Tesso brought you. No one knew. Not even Firen.”
“Your point?”
“My point is that she has the potential to become a part of our team. To do her job not because she has to, but because she wants to.”
“Why would she wish to do such a dangerous job?”
“To protect you.” And when the Commander appeared unconvinced, he added, “She’s going to learn who you are and what you’re trying to do in Ixia. She’ll realize on her own just how much better off Ixia is with you in charge. Plus, her sense of taste is keen. The job won’t be as risky for her. If she serves you loyally for a few years, she can be promoted.”
“Promoted? I don’t think that’s in the Code of Behavior.”
“It isn’t, but there’s nothing in there that says youcan’tdo it.”
“True. What would I promote her to?”
“A general or an adviser.”
Ambrose laughed. “How about your second-in-command?”
“If she can beat me in a fight, I would agree to that.”
“What if she falls in love with me?”
Now Valek laughed despite the strange pang in his chest over the thought. “Even better. Her desire to protect you would only increase.”
“What if she falls in love with you? And you fall for her, and you want to get married?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
The Commander turned serious. “Why not?”
“I’m already married.”
“You are?”
“Yes.”
