ALEXANDRE SAT BEHINDhis desk and looked at the sociopath before him. General Vinyes was a problem, and while Alexandre had excelled at handling almost all the problems his father had left behind, this was one he hadn’t quite worked out yet.
Vinyes was canny. It made him a more difficult foe than King Enzo, because while Vinyes was bloodthirsty and cruel, he did not fly off the handle. He had not quit in a rage when Alexandre had cut military spending. He had not voiced a true opposition to any of the peaceful measures Alexandre had enacted.
Vinyes went along, voicingconcerns, but never disobeying a direct order. So Alexandre had no real reason to get rid of him, and keeping him on board had managed to appease some of the members of the council who might not havelikedKing Enzo but had liked the power supporting a dictator had given them.
So Alexandre was always on the lookout foranythingthat might make getting rid of Vinyes a just, acceptable choice. Just as he felt Vinyes was always on the lookout for a way to depose Alexandre if he made the slightest mistake Vinyes could leverage.
“I have heard rumors your wife has returned from her…holiday,” Vinyes said.
Alexandre held himself very still. He did not like Vinyes mentioninganyof the women in this palace. There was something about the way he spoke that always made it feel like a threat.
But Vinyes hadn’tactedon anything that was or felt like a threat, leaving Alexandre with a frustrating impotent feeling.
Alexandre made sure his voice was devoid of any reaction before he spoke. “I’m not sureholidayis the appropriate word, as she maintained many of her duties while away.”
Vinyes made a noncommittal kind of sound. “Highly unusual, that.”
“I wanted Ines away from the stressors of the palace for a bit.” Alexandre tried for a smile but wasn’t sure he managed.
“No trouble, I hope?”
Alex held the general’s gaze. Flat. Cold. “None.”Clear.“Are we done here?”
“You have not given me an answer on the necessary training stipend.”
“Yes, I have. Quite a few times, in fact. My answer remains the same. Your men do not need training on weapons Alis will not be purchasing. We are not a military power, as I have explained on numerous occasions as well. I understand you disagree with that, but it is my choice and my choice alone.”
“Your people do not matter to you, Your Majesty?”
It was asked with such feigned concern Alexandre wanted to rage. But he sat behind his desk and regarded the general with cool disdain. “I cannot fathom what this has to do with my people, Vinyes. They have been quite vocal in their support of my peaceful measures, since the petty wars my father tried to enact were detrimental to our safety, our standing in the worldandour economic wellbeing.”
“I do not know of any people happy to be left unprotected.”
Alexandre wanted to rub his temples, where a dull pain pounded. He remained in his seat, behind his desk, looking at the general who had refused a seat so stood there in a military stance, stoic and commanding.
Except, he could stand there and look disapproving all he liked—Alexandre was in charge. Alexandre had every last say. Vinyes was nothing without Alexandre’s approval. And the man clearly knew it.
“The fact I maintain you and an army is protection, General. I have considered being rid of you both altogether.” Which he should have kept to himself, but he wastired. And he knew who to blame for that.
He wouldnotbe tired if he’d slept in his own bed last night. He would not betiredif his wife was following the perfect balance they’d created in the beginning of their marriage. Instead, she was making everything more difficult, and he was bound to make a mistake because of it.
You cannot allow mistakes.
“Get rid of me?” The general laughed, low and bitter. Bitter enough it put Alexandre on edge…and filled him with hope that the general would finallybreakand give Alex something to fire him over.
But the door swung open instead, distracting both Alex and the general.
“Alex, we need to discuss—” Ines appeared, then came up short as if surprised to find him with Vinyes.
“I beg your pardon. Your assistant wasn’t at his desk, and I did not know you were in a meeting.” But she didn’t leave. She smiled regally at Vinyes. “Good afternoon, General.”
“Good afternoon. It is so good to see you after such a…long time.”
There was something about Vinyes looking at Ines that made Alex’s bloodcold. So his words were equally so. “It is customary, General, as I’m sure you are aware, to bow to one’s queen on her arrival.”
A muscle in Vinyes’s jaw ticked, but he gave a perfunctory bow. “I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Of course,” Ines said sweetly. “Manners aren’t everyone’s strength.”
