Page 14 of A Rose Among Snakes (Gardens of Ruin and Revival)

Chapter Thirteen

O utside of Kezara’s room, I made my way to the balcony overlooking the foyer and leaned over. Mrs. Shulling was standing on the threshold of the open door accepting an envelope from a man garbed in a ridiculous ensemble. He wore a white tunic pinstriped with red and gold. Ruffles trimmed his sleeves and the bottom of the tunic, flaring out over the white breeches clinging to his legs. The toes of his boots were pointed and curled, and the red feather protruding from his hat waved as he turned and walked out of view.

Velian walked up behind Mrs. Shulling and took the envelope from her. I didn’t see the trumpeters, but all the fanfare pointed to royalty. I backed away on silent feet and went back to Kezara.

“What is it?” she asked as soon as I shut the door behind me.

“I’m not entirely sure, but I think a letter from the king was delivered. Mrs. Shulling answered the door and received an envelope from someone, and then handed it to your brother.”

Kezara’s face fell. “The ball.” A single tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m sure it’s an invitation to the ball announcing Leoran’s engagement.” Another tear fell, and she swiped it away. I had no words to comfort her, but a knock at the door broke the silence .

“Kez, may I come in?” Velian asked.

“Yes,” Kezara replied.

I backed away from her bed saying, “I will give you two privacy,” but Kezara grabbed my hand.

“No, please stay.”

I pressed my lips together but returned to my position as Velian entered the room. He hesitated a moment upon seeing me standing there, but he shifted his focus to his sister instead.

“Mihrra tells me you are not feeling well.” He stood at the foot of her bed with his hands behind his back, his face tight with concern.

“Only a headache, so there’s no need to worry.” Kezara flashed a brief grin.

Velian eyed the half-empty bottle of wine on her bedside table. “Yes, wine normally is the perfect cure for a headache.”

Kezara rolled her eyes. “So is your pestering,” she retorted. “I told you I’m fine, so if that’s all…” she gestured with a shooing motion.

“I have some information I thought might cheer you up.” He pulled his hands from behind his back and waved an envelope in the air. I glanced over at Kezara and saw her jaw clench momentarily, and then she raised her eyebrows.

“What is it?” she asked. Velian handed her the envelope. She turned it over and examined the royal seal. Her throat bobbed, but she opened it, pulling out an elegant invitation. Kezara kept her face blank while reading it, and then looked back at her brother. “Very intriguing. Do you want to go? ”

“Do I ?” Velian exclaimed, his brows shooting up his forehead. “Do you not want to? The invitation says we can stay at the castle, as well.”

I watched as Kezara took a steadying breath before exclaiming, “Of course, I do!” She shifted to me. “We’ll go dress shopping tomorrow, Mihrra! You’ll need a new dress, too, because you’re coming with me.”

I was not prepared for that. “I am?”

“She is?” Velian asked at the same time. My face heated as our eyes met. Why did he sound so opposed to it?

“Absolutely she is. I will not be taking any chances with the royal staff.” She raised her chin and sniffed. “Is there even a woman still living in the castle? I’m sure the staff are all out of practice. Mihrra has to come, no question about it.” She had a fair point. The queen of Terrune had passed away several years ago, and the king’s only child was a son, Leoran.

“So be it,” Velian said, pushing his hands into his pockets. “The ball is next week, but it will take us two days to get there by carriage. I assume that is how you would prefer to travel rather than horseback?” He looked pointedly at Kezara, and she answered him with an exaggerated nod. “You have four days to get everything ready then. I’ll let you get some rest now. I just wanted to give you something to look forward to.” He stared at his sister and didn’t move, though his words sounded like a parting.

Kezara crossed her arms and pointedly glanced between him and the open door .

Velian continued, “Kez, there will be other men. Don’t waste your time on the ones that don’t deserve a second of your attention, let alone your tears.”

Kezara raised her chin in defiance. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Velian threw her a sympathetic smile over his shoulder as he headed for the door. He paused in the doorway, his hand resting on the frame, and looked at me, making my heartbeat jump. “Don’t let her drink too much.” The gentle smile was still on his face, but it tightened before he beckoned for Wolf to follow him and closed the door behind them.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Kezara swung her head over to me, glaring daggers.

I held my hands up in surrender. “I didn’t say a word, I promise.”

Her eyes softened, but she grimaced, saying, “He’s so nosy.”

“I think he’s far more perceptive than you give him credit for, and he loves you.”

Kezara clucked her tongue, shaking her head. “Don’t fall under his spell, Mihrra.” She grabbed the wine bottle and raised it to her lips, tipping the rest of the contents into her mouth.

Too late.

I sent Kezara to sleep with a large glass of water and we both retired early. I was combing through my hair when Narell entered .

“Oh, Mihrra, I didn’t think you would be in here.”

I paused with the brush in hand. “Kezara went to bed early.”

“You sure spend a lot of time with her—more than her previous maid ever did. She must like you.” She reached behind her back to untie her apron and wrinkled her nose. “How do you stand it?”

I frowned. “She’s very kind to me. Have you had a different experience?”

“No, but she’s so… spoiled.”

I snorted and went back to brushing my hair. “You wouldn’t say that if she was a boy and just as handsome as Velian.”

“Hmmm… maybe not. I wouldn’t get any work done if there were two of them. I’d be too distracted!” Narell plopped onto her bed and sighed loudly. “Did you hear what all the commotion was earlier?”

“It was an invitation to a ball at the castle celebrating the prince’s engagement.”

Narell whistled. “I assume they’ll be gone for a few days then, which means we get a holiday,” she said, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

I picked out the honey-colored hairs wrapped around the bristles of the brush. “Kezara requested that I accompany her because she doesn’t trust the castle maids to get her ready. A holiday sounds nice, though, so I’m happy for you. Will you stay here?”

Narell didn’t respond and when I flicked my eyes up to her face, I caught her in the middle of undressing. She was frozen with her frock halfway off her shoulder, glaring at me. When our gazes met, she tried to rearrange her face into a surprised expression but failed.

“Heavens, that sounds like a lot of work, but lucky you.” Her flat tone revealed the insincerity of her words.

I opted for a smile rather than words, but she turned around and blew out the lamp. Only the dimming evening light seeping around the closed curtains let me see the one last hateful glare she threw at me before she crawled into bed and faced the wall. I sat there in confused silence, baffled by her resentment.