Page 80 of The Study of Poisons
Valek suspected that might have been the case. “Mixed?”
“Soldiers from all over Ixia.” Ari swept a hand out, indicating the people around them who wore different colored training uniforms. Purple bruises stained his thick knuckles; he’d either been punching the heavy bag or another person recently. Perhaps more than one person.
“Ah. Anything else?”
“Yes, ‘attacked’ is a strong word, sir.”
“Oh? What word would you suggest?”
“Disciplined. They learned a valuable lesson and it was a good example for the other soldiers.”
“Would Janco agree with this…word?”
“Most definitely.”
“Anyone else?”
“Lieutenant Maren likes that word as well. According to Janco, she’s ‘very particular with her vernacular.’”
Valek laughed. “I stand corrected. I’ll consider this matter settled.”
“It is.”
“And future incidents?”
“Will be handled.” Ari flexed his arm muscles.
“Good.” A bit of weight lifted from his shoulders knowing the three of them would protect Yelena from drunken soldiers. Now he needed to keep her safe around drunken generals and their advisers.
Valek said goodbye. He hurried to the castle. The brandy meeting would start after dinner and last late into the night. It was best to attend with a full stomach.
* * *
His dress uniformhung between his sneak suit and his camouflage outfit. Valek yanked it out and tossed it on his bed. No need to worry that the damn thing might wrinkle. The thick, itchy fabric refused to bend. Not to mention it was almost impossible to pierce. A good quality during a knife fight, but the uncomfortable and tight cut of the black uniform made fighting in it difficult.
Valek buttoned up the jacket. Pain pricked his chest. One of the medals had lost its back. He longed to rip them all out. The Commander insisted on giving him them over the years. Six obnoxious rows of them plus the red braids hanging off his shoulders, given to him for bravery or something like that. If he were truly brave, he’d attend the meeting in his regular uniform.
He yanked the offending medal out and moved another to its place. Surely the Commander would be too busy to notice. Except that wasexactlythe thing he would notice. Sighing, Valek searched for the missing back.
By the time he finished dressing, Valek wanted to tear his clothes off. It would be a long night. He descended to the living room where Yelena waited. She took one look at him, covered her mouth, and laughed at his ridiculous uniform.
He didn’t blame her. “Enough. I have to wear this damn thing once a year and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s one time too many.” Valek tugged at the tight collar. “Ready?”
She joined him at the door. Her gaze swept over him, and he expected her to burst into giggles again.
“You look stunning,” she said.
“Really?” Valek glanced down at his clothes in surprise. Stunning? Valek straightened and stopped yanking on his collar.
“Yes. You do,” she said.
Warmth spread. He’d heard about women liking a man in uniform, but he’d never experienced it before. Despite hating everything about it, Valek would wear his dress uniform everyday just to keep Yelena smiling at him.
* * *
The Commander’swar room bustled with activity. Valek scanned the room, counting generals and their advisers. Only two advisers per general were permitted to attend the meeting. Valek recognized most of them. Servants set out platters of food and drink, and then lit the lanterns that hung between the long, thin, stained-glass windows. The colors muted due to the setting sun.
General Brazell glared at Yelena. But instead of stepping behind Valek and hiding like she’d done seasons ago; she stood her ground. Good for her. Adviser Mogkan, though, gazed at her with a cunning appraisal. Valek fought the urge to slap the man upside his head.
