Page 24 of A Rose Among Snakes (Gardens of Ruin and Revival)

Chapter Twenty-Three

“ W e should get you something to eat,” Velian said to Kezara.

She did not object and we led her toward the back of the room, settling her in an upholstered chair against the wall. Velian flagged down a servant with a tray, grabbed some food, and brought it back to us.

“Here,” he said, placing a slice of bread slathered in an orange paste in her outstretched palm. She stuffed it in her mouth and asked for another, batting her eyelashes at Velian until he went in search of more. A servant with a tray of sparkling wine walked by and Kezara’s face lit up as she reached her hand out, but I grabbed her arm and pulled it back.

“I think you’ve had enough.”

She stuck her lower lip out. “No fun, Mihrra. The evening is only starting.”

“You’ve been having plenty of fun. Probably more than anyone else in this room.”

“I think you’ve been having fun, too. I saw you and Velian dancing.” She poked me in the arm, and added in a sing-song voice, “I knew you would.”

“He was just being polite.” But I remembered how close our faces had been before we were interrupted, and I hoped Kezara wouldn’t notice my cheeks heating up.

“He’s really not that polite.” Kezara’s wry look would have been more effective if her eyes were not half-lidded from wine.

“Who’s not that polite?” Velian stood in front of us with a whole tray of food.

“Speak of the devil…” Kezara said, looking him up and down. Velian winked at me, sending my stomach somersaulting as he took the available seat on the other side of Kezara.

Through the crowd, the man in green approached and took a knee in front of Kezara. She held her hand out and he took it saying, “My lady, would you grant me the honor of your company for the rest of this evening?”

Velian grabbed him by his collar and hauled him to his feet. The man yelped a protest and turned to challenge Velian, only to discover he was several inches shorter and not nearly as muscular.

“Go,” Velian said in a low voice. The man in green gulped and offered an apologetic smile to Kezara as he scampered off.

“I need to use the ladies’ room,” Kezara announced as if nothing had happened.

“I’ll come with you,” I said. I linked arms with her and we made our way out of the ballroom and back to the hallway, wandering around until a servant directed us to the lavatory.

When I tried to follow her into the room, Kezara placed a hand in the center of my chest and said, “I am not a child, Mihrra.”

I raised my hands in surrender and backed away as she closed the door. This evening’s behavior says otherwise. While waiting for her, I became aware of my own needs, so when Kezara emerged I told her to wait for me. Kezara nodded and leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. I went as quickly as possible, but it still took some time with all the layers of my dress. When I came back out Kezara was not there.

“Not again,” I groaned.

The entire way back to the ballroom, I scanned every face for Kezara. I made my way to where Velian was sitting, laughing with the woman next to him. I swallowed the bitter taste of jealousy and walked up to him regardless.

He glanced up and said, “Mihrra, this is Ozella and Nimor, the Duchess and Duke of Kerf.” I curtsied, feeling stupid for not having noticed the man next to the woman. “This is Mihrra, Lady’s Maid to Kezara.” Velian did a double take. “Where is she?”

“I was hoping she came back here,” I said, grimacing.

“I apologize,” he said to Ozella, “It seems my sister is not where she is supposed to be. Please, excuse me.” He stood and bowed stiffly, then turned on his heel and offered me his arm, steering us toward the exit of the ballroom. “Where did you last see her?”

“She didn’t wait for me after she finished in the lavatory.”

“I’ll check this side of the floor, and you check the other. Meet back at the main hall in ten minutes?”

I agreed and headed in that direction. Checking all the dark corners and unlocked rooms, I wandered around until I remembered Leoran requesting to meet Kezara outside the library the night before. A servant was standing in the hallway and I asked where the library was. He pointed further up the hall and to the right, and I thanked him before I took off.

As I approached the wooden doors, a giggle seeped out of an unlit alcove, the musical quality betraying her.

“Kezara,” I whispered. I was met with silence, and then the repulsive sound of wet lips releasing each other. Kezara poked her head out of the darkness and gave me a lopsided grin. Her head disappeared followed by more kissing and whispering, then she staggered out, all smiles. Her cheeks were flushed and rebellious curls had fallen from their pins, spilling in front of her face. Behind her, Leoran crept out, also smiling, but he trotted off in another direction. Kezara hugged my arm when she reached me and rested her head on my shoulder.

“We are going to run away together,” she whispered, dreamily.

I resisted the urge to groan. What an asinine plan—the prince couldn’t run away. The more I learned about him, the less hopeful I was for the future of Terrune in his hands.

Keeping my tone the opposite of my thoughts I said, “Oh, that’s interesting. When?”

“Soon. He said he has some things to take care of first, but then we will finally be together.” I struggled to keep her upright, but at the end of the hallway, Velian stepped around a corner and rushed over.

“Is she alright?”

I nodded. “I think she needs to go to bed, though. ”

“Nonsense,” Kezara protested, but she let him scoop her up and wrapped her arms around his neck. I followed them up the staircase, and once back in our room, I pulled the bedsheets back so Velian could lay her down. Kezara did not budge after being placed on the bed, and not wanting to disturb her I didn’t bother removing her dress or shoes.

Velian sighed and wiped a hand down his face in a familiar gesture of frustration. “Just when I think she’s maturing she does something stupid like drink too much and get men to fight over her.”

“Love makes you do foolish things.”

“Love or infatuation?” It was a rhetorical question and he didn’t wait for a reply. “I’ll leave you two to rest. I’m going to bed, too, but let me know if you need anything.”

“I will. And thank you for saving me earlier. Again.” I fought the urge to look away in embarrassment.

“It was my pleasure.” He took my hand and kissed the back of it. “Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?”

A blush bloomed on my cheeks, and I dropped my gaze to my feet. “No, you didn’t.”

“Well, you do.” He released my hand, and I glanced up to find a roguish smile on his face, emerald eyes dancing. “Goodnight, Mihrra.”

“Goodnight, Velian.”

He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. My skin burned where his lips had touched .

Sheets rustled as Kezara turned in bed. “ Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight? ” She mimicked, and my blush flamed. “I told you, Mihrra.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“No, I was pretending so he would leave.” Even in the dim light, I watched her struggle to keep her eyes open. “Can you believe I’m going to get married? That’s what he said. He needs to find a priest who will marry us in secret, and then his father cannot do anything.”

“I’m very happy for you, Kezara,” I said, but it wasn’t true. I hoped that with sleep and a sober mind, Kezara would see it was a terrible plan.

“I will write to you every day that I’m away, Mihrra. I promise.”

“What about your brother? Are you going to tell him in the morning?”

“No, but he’ll be fine. He has you now.”

My stomach flipped at her words, a thrill shimmering up my spine.

“See, you aren’t objecting anymore.”

I laughed. “You need to sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.” I pulled the blankets up around Kezara’s chin. “Goodnight.”

Kezara closed her eyes, unable to fight sleep any longer. “Goodnight, Mihrra. Thank you for always supporting me.”