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He looked around the table again, and his gaze ended up on Angelina’s face “Do not forget the cameramen were not the only ones involved Lieutenant Sasha Tcholek, as trusted to guard the queen and was then transferred to guard the crown prince, was part of the conspiracy”

She knew—all Zakhar knew—the king loved his wife But even though she’d been a witness on occasion to intiuarded, even though she knew their devotion to each other, seeing the king like this startled her And—she caught her breath at the realization—it ry on her behalf Alec, who she sensed could be just as ruthless as the king

She quickly pushed thoughts of Alec to one side, because the king was speaking again “I want three things,” he told theathered around the conference table he was one of the last absolute monarchs on earth—at the Zakharians’ insistence “First, I want further interrogation of the prisoner with the ai the entire truth behind the assassination atterounds of both would-be assassins Find the connection between them, my cousin, Lieutenant Tcholek and whoever else is involved Do the same for Lieutenant Tcholek”

He paused, poured water frolass and took a sip “Third, I want a coation of every oes for the queen’s security detail” He paused, and added softly, “And mine We are fortunate Lieutenant Mateja was quick-witted enough to take Tcholek down, but we cannot rely on her every time No stone unturned, is that understood? What nearly happened never happens again”

The chorus of assent seeentlemen You are dis the called out, “Captain Zale Lieutenant Mateja A moment, please No, Zax,” he told his cousin “You stay too, please”

The king waited until only the four of them remained and then ordered, “Shut the door, please”

Angelina obeyed, wondering what this was all about She didn’t have long to wonder “It has come to my attention, Captain, there still exists doubt and suspicion in so Lieutenant Mateja’s actions on Sunday” Captain Zale shot a sharp glance at Angelina “No, Captain Lieutenant Mateja has said nothing toto the queen Admirable, perhaps, on her part She is completely loyal to you But know this Of everymy own, the only officers above suspicion in my mind at this moment are Lieutenant Mateja and Colonel Marianescu,” he said, using his cousin’s ated—as every officer will be investigated—but that is a formality, Captain Keep that in mind You are dismissed”

When Angelina turned to follow Colonel Marianescu and Captain Zale fro stopped her “One more moment, Lieutenant, if you please”

When they were alone, the king said, “So the killing of Lieutenant Tcholek”

“Yes, Sire?”

“You did what you had to do, Lieutenant” His voice was soft but seriously intent “You are a fightingh on your conscience Nor the death of the other s happened, and you must live with theh not, perhaps, by your hand But you cannot second-guess yourself Not now Not ever”

Suddenly Angelina knew the source of the king’s information Alec, a little voice whispered in her ain

The king wasn’t finished “For a fightingReflexes rely on instinct If you doubt yourself, doubt your instincts, this could be fatal To you and the person you are guarding You cannot afford to doubt I have entrusted thein my world to you, but Ibehind you and move forith the same certainty of purpose you had before You ain someday in the line of duty I must know you will not hesitateif necessary”

Angelina stiffened “Yes, Sire”

The king assessed her in that disconcerting way he had “Good,” he said finally “Very good” He smiled his faint smile “And Lieutenant, for what it is worth, I would have done exactly what you did under the circumstances No more, no less Exactly what you did”