Page 16 of A Rose Among Snakes (Gardens of Ruin and Revival)

Chapter Fifteen

W e made our way through the busy streets, dodging grimy dock workers hauling crates around and belligerent vendors shouting their wares. We reached the tavern and walked through the dim room that always seemed to be teeming with patrons no matter the hour. This time, I noticed the whispers as Kezara strolled by with her chin held high. I openly glared at a woman who watched Kezara with a sneer. Once she noticed me, she brushed a hand down her bodice and averted her gaze. I scoffed as we passed her, making our way directly to the courtyard. Kezara burst through the door, but the prince was not there yet. She took a seat, and I made sure to settle myself at a table not in the sunlight.

I watched as she fidgeted in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs, her propped-up foot bouncing. She shot me a nervous glance and I offered an encouraging smile. The sound of the iron gate squeaking open drew both of our attention as the prince walked in, dressed more inconspicuously than he had in the past. He wore a black tunic and pants, black boots, and a charcoal-colored cloak, tattered and fraying at the edges.

He pulled the hood off his head and stood there staring at Kezara. She held his gaze for a moment before she jumped out of her seat and threw herself into his arms. As they embraced, the prince’s guard came to stand by me. I glanced back at the couple to find them locked in a passionate kiss and I turned away to give them privacy.

“I suppose you must be pretty used to this,” I whispered. The guard was facing me, but looking over my head toward the tavern door. He dipped his eyes to me, then fastened them back on the door, clearly not in the mood for conversation.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat. If only Kezara had been honest with me I would have brought some sort of entertainment, like a book. I clung to the fact that Milner would be returning at seven, and by the look of the sun, we weren’t too far from that time.

“Mihrra,” Kezara called, beckoning me toward their table. I nearly jumped, not expecting to be addressed, but I stood up and walked over to the happy-looking couple. As I curtsied, Kezara said, “Mihrra, meet Prince Leoran.” When I straightened, I saw Kezara beaming up at him. Their hands were intertwined, and her mood was a far cry from where it had been the night before.

“Your Majesty,” I said with a slight tremble. Never in my wildest imaginings had I thought I would stand before royalty.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Mihrra.” He bowed his head to me, and I looked him in the face for the first time. He was tall—though not as tall as Velian—and boyishly handsome, with dark eyes, and black, wavy hair that brushed past his heavy eyebrows .

“Leoran wants us to go visit the fortune teller around the corner and see if there’s any future for us.” Kezara didn’t take her eyes off him, and he stared right back. They acted like newlyweds, not a couple that had been told they couldn’t be together. The delusion in their expressions made a tendril of worry squirm through me.

“Is that the wisest idea?” I asked.

Leoran’s reply was curt. “The decision has been made.”

I blushed, properly chastised. Perhaps I was too comfortable with Kezara and I had completely forgotten my societal role as a maid.

“Let’s go,” Kezara said, patting Leoran’s arm in excitement.

They strode out through the vine-tangled gate and into the swarming streets with me and the guard hot on their heels. We zigzagged through the throngs, assaulted by the salty air rife with sweaty bodies and spiced meats; the haunted, Ziffem-induced laughter echoed off the buildings. I couldn’t stop the shiver that coursed through me as Leoran led us down an alley lit by a single lantern that conjured memories of my last trip through an alley. In the back corner was a door with a sign hanging over it: ‘Readings with Regalla.’ He walked up to the door and knocked twice. A moment later, an attractive, middle-aged woman, presumably Regalla, opened it enough to peek out. Within a face framed by wine-red curls, warm brown eyes set in deeply tanned skin looked Leoran up and down with a hungry glint. She smiled and opened the door completely, the bangles on her wrist clinking with the movement .

“How may I help you?” she asked in a low, sultry voice, a hint of an accent curving her vowels.

“We are looking to have our fortunes read.” Leoran pulled Kezara into view, who stuck out her chin in her usual display of contempt.

The woman made a pouting face, but said, “Very well, come in.” We followed her inside and stood cramped together. It was a tight room draped in colorful tapestries and primitive artwork depicting human figures covered in runes. The lit candles on every available surface made for a sweltering atmosphere which only added to the suffocating feeling. Regalla sat at a round table, motioning with tattoo-covered hands for Kezara and Leoran to sit across from her. They took their seats while the prince’s guard and I stood with our backs against the wall.

Regalla reached out her hands, taking one of each of theirs, saying, “You two hold hands as well.”

They did as they were instructed, and she closed her eyes, humming to herself. Gently swaying, her head dropped back to face the ceiling as she chanted in a language I didn’t understand. The swaying increased with the volume of her voice as the candles began to flicker. Our shadows grew shorter, creating the sense that the walls were closing in.

Each breath came faster and shallower as if my chest was caving in with the walls. My palms were slick as my throat constricted, and I caught the scowl pasted on the guard’s unflappable face. He met my panicked gaze, the reflection of my own terror glinted in his eyes. He gripped the handle of his sword. In front of us, Leoran and Kezara stared at each other, mouths parted in stunned silence.

As abruptly as it began, the chanting stopped and Regalla opened her eyes to look at the couple facing her. Her face was blank until a slow grin began to creep across. She turned to Leoran first and batted her eyelashes.

“You are a man of great power, but there will be trouble ahead for you. However, you will come out on top and end up with what you want.”

Leoran beamed and his tense shoulders lowered. Regalla turned her attention to Kezara and her expression stiffened.

“You, my dear, are a fiery one. Hold onto that flame because you have a very important trial standing before you. You will have to fight for your happiness.” Kezara frowned, seeming less assured than Leoran, but he squeezed her hand and she gave him a faint smile.

“Thank you, Ms. Regalla,” Leoran said.

“The pleasure was all mine, I assure you.” Her thick lashes fluttered.

Kezara scoffed and glared at the fortune teller as she stood and linked her arm through Leoran’s, hauling him to his feet and pulling him close. The couple made their way to the door after Leoran dropped a few coins in the clay pot sitting on the table. The guard followed closely behind, and I stepped in line ready to join the procession until a hand gripped my arm. I turned to find Regalla inches away from my face, her brown eyes wide, glazed over, and darting from side to side, like she was seeing things I could not. Her grip tightened and I barely kept a whimper from escaping my lips.

The fortune teller’s eyes cleared and she leaned closer, whispering, “You will find what you are looking for, but at what cost? Be careful who you trust, girl. Not everyone is as they seem.”

I froze. While vague, her words reminded me of the promise I’d made to Jehiam, but there was no way she knew anything about that. Beyond the shock, I felt a stirring of guilt deep in my belly. I had been here for two weeks and hadn’t even tried to discover anything about my father. After the ball—that’s when I would start.

Thankfully, Kezara broke the silence between me and the fortune teller by impatiently shouting my name.

Regalla loosened her grip on my arm, but the urgency never left her face. I scurried out the door and did not look back.

We all stood in the alleyway, staring at each other. Kezara sighed and dramatically said,

“What a fraud.”

“What do you mean?” Leoran asked. “She knew I was in a position of power without me saying so.”

Kezara reached out and grabbed his hand, holding it in front of his face. “You are wearing a ring, with the royal crest, no less.” Leoran formed an ‘ oh ’ with his mouth. “I’m sure she gives the same fortune to everyone. Ours were essentially identical, just worded differently. ”

“Isn’t it encouraging, though? Our fate is the same.” He grabbed both of Kezara’s hands and held them to his chest. Her answering smile was tight.

His trusting and naive assessment of Regalla had me struggling to keep from sighing.

“Mihrra,” Kezara turned to me. “What did she say to you?”

Caught off guard, I stammered, “Ummm… not much. I didn’t understand it. I think she left a bruise, though.” I rubbed the tender spot on my arm.

“She’s a lunatic,” Kezara said. "We need to get going. I’m sure Velian will be wondering where we are. I didn’t tell him how long I planned on being gone.”

“Are you coming to the ball?” Leoran asked. “We still have so much to discuss, and I’m sure we’ll find some time then, either before or after.”

“Yes, we’re coming,” Kezara replied.

Leoran wrapped her in his arms, holding her against his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he said, “I will see you then. Goodnight, my love.”

She tilted her face up and they kissed again while the guard and I looked anywhere else.

They pulled apart and Leoran said, “You two can leave first, and we will follow behind to make sure you arrive safely.”

“Thank you,” Kezara said, standing on her tiptoes and placing one last kiss on his lips. When they parted, she walked over to me, and we strolled out of the alleyway into the crowded streets .

The path back to where Milner would meet us was easy but extensive. Neither of us spoke, processing all that had occurred. We arrived at the carriage and the silence continued all the way back to the manor. When we pulled up, Kezara informed me she was tired and not hungry for supper. She would undress herself and I was to take the night for myself; I was too exhausted to object.

We were greeted by Wolf’s jubilant barking as we walked through the door, but the dog stayed with me as Kezara made her way upstairs. I sauntered toward the kitchen with Wolf by my side when Velian stepped out of his study, cutting off my path.

“Mihrra, are you alright?” Both his face and tone were honed with intensity.

I furrowed my brows. “Yes, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“And Kezara? Where is she?”

“She’s upstairs getting ready for the night. She’s fine, it was simply a long day.”

Velian relaxed, his face softening and his shoulders dropping. “I was worried something happened. I was about to head into town and search for you.” His brows knit together. “What took so long?”

“We were shopping all day and lost track of time.” My stomach knotted with the lie, but I refused to betray Kezara’s trust.

Velian scowled, his emerald eyes darkening to a deep, pine green. A bitter edge crept into his voice as he asked, “Who is he, Mihrra, and why is he such a secret? ”

I bit my lip and stared at the ground. It was impossible not to give in to his fierce gaze. Wolf sat down next to me and let out a soft whine, picking up on the tension.

“Mihrra,” Velian repeated, softer this time, while reaching out his hand to touch my arm directly where Regalla had latched on earlier.

His gentle touch sent sparks through my body, but there was definitely a bruise developing, and I jerked my arm away reflexively, placing a protective hand over it.

He pulled back, wide-eyed.

“I’m sorry, did I hurt you? What happened?”

“Nothing, it’s fine.” I lowered my voice to a whisper and flicked a glance around to ensure there were no ears straining for gossip. “Velian, I made a promise to your sister, but I assure you, she is not in any danger.”

“Why is she keeping him hidden from me?”

“I don’t know,” I lied again.

His entire mood darkened as he wiped a hand down his face. “Fine. I’ll leave you be. Have a good night, Mihrra.” He stepped to the side to let me pass, avoiding eye contact.

“You as well,” I muttered, skirting past him. A coal of anger ignited in my belly, making my temples throb as I tried to make sense of his erratic mood.