“And?”

The medic gave me a shrewd look. “And I don’t spread gossip. How can my patients trust me to keep their health issues confidential if I’m chatting about others?”

“You can’t.”

“Exactly.”

But that wouldn’t stop the kitchen staff or the housekeepers. Perhaps a visit to the kitchens was in my immediate future. After all, I haven’t eaten all day. Too bad, the sound of a drawer rolling open ruined my appetite.

As Medic Mommy dipped her hand into the drawer, a strange mix of apprehension, fear and excitement flushed through me, leaving the tips of my fingers tingling. She grasped the vial between her thumb and index finger and held it up to the lantern light.

I stared at the liquid inside.

It was blue.

11

VALEK

After Yelena left his office, Valek tried to concentrate on the piles of reports. But his thoughts kept returning to his heart mate. Or rather, his wife. Amazed, he touched the bandage under his shirt, recalling the intense emotions that had ripped through him mere hours ago. Amid the maelstrom of confusion and betrayal caused by the Commander, one thing had been crystal clear.

Yelena.

Nothing else mattered. No one except her mattered. It was liberating and terrifying at the same time. If she’d said no... He shied away from that horrible thought. Instead he focused on the joy of her reply and the passion of their union. It still hummed in his blood. Along with the desire to keep her safe, which would be difficult because of the current situation.

Valek needed to evict the trio of unwelcome guests permanently. But how to do it? He agreed with Yelena that Owen would lie low for a while. Which was why he hadn’t insisted that she have an armed guard by her side at all times. Not that she’d allow it, or that the protector would be effective if Owen attacked. Hell, even Valek couldn’t keep her safe, not if a null shield was used against him.

Abandoning the reports, Valek descended to the lower level of the castle. He checked the storeroom that Yelena, Ari, Janco and Maren had used to train back when she had been the Commander’s food taster. Except for a thick layer of dust, nothing had disturbed the space. Valek would borrow a handful of rags to clean it. Hopefully, they could keep her new training sessions a secret.

Then he headed to the Commander’s office as ordered. The room’s entrance was located along the back wall of the throne room. When the Commander had taken control of Ixia, he’d removed all the intricate tapestries, the opulent jeweled throne and expensive decorations. In their place, he brought in desks, chairs and filing cabinets for his officers and advisers. The productive sprawl had no discernible organization or path, but Valek had traversed the expanse so many times, he could navigate it blind.

Onora stood with the Commander’s two personal guards outside the open door.

She hooked a thumb inside. “Food taster just brought his supper.”

“Any problems?”

“Other than being grumped at, no.”

“Good. You’re dismissed. Report back for duty at dawn.”

“Yes, sir.” Onora strode away.

When the taster left, Valek knocked and waited for permission to enter—a new aspect of their changed...shattered?...relationship. He concentrated on expelling all his emotions as the Commander remained silent for twenty minutes before allowing Valek to enter.

He approached the desk and stood at attention, keeping his gaze on the tidy surface. A lifelike glass snow cat glinted with the lantern’s amber hues, but the interior of Opal’s magic detector stayed dark—a relief. However, the pair of black snow cats Valek had carved for the Commander no longer decorated the desk. He noted the missing gifts without reacting, but their absence was like a slap in the face.

“Report,” the Commander ordered.

Valek filled him in on a few new items—reports of thieves using storms to cover their activities in MD-1, and a request for more soldiers in MD-5. The rest were all minor details he normally wouldn’t bother the Commander with.

The silence stretched. Finally, the Commander asked, “Have these Storm Thieves been caught?”

“No, sir. They’ve managed to evade capture so far.”

“Do you think magic might be involved?”

“It’s possible.”

“Then I want you to personally investigate this problem.”

“That will involve a trip to the coast, sir.”

“I expect it will. You have permission to travel to MD-1. However, I did not give you permission to assign Onora as my guard. It is a waste of her time. She is to work with you on all your assignments. Except when you leave for the coast—then she is to be in charge of security. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Valek fisted his hands. Onora wasn’t ready for the responsibility, but he couldn’t say anything. This was beyond painful.

“And you are not allowed to skulk about, either, investigating my guests.” Papers rustled. “Why is Captain Timmer in my dungeon?”

“He’s a sexual predator, sir.” Valek explained his abuse of Onora and Wilona. “I planned... Permission to inform Onora about his presence, sir?”

“Granted. Tell her she will have the pleasure of executing him in public. It’ll be a mandatory event for all my soldiers. They need to understand I will not tolerate such behavior.”

“Yes, sir.” For some reason Valek thought she’d balk at that order.

“Inform Colonel Qeb to schedule Timmer’s execution during the fire festival.”