Page 39 of A Rose Among Snakes (Gardens of Ruin and Revival)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Mihrra

W e rode through the night, reaching Clavo by the morning. The journey proved to be significantly faster on horseback. The pounding of hooves and the wind whipping my face were exactly what I needed to work out the vestiges of my anger toward Velian.

In the darkness, I came to terms with the truth of his story. I was furious, yes, but not only with him. I was mad at myself for being so blind to the possibility that he was anything other than what he presented himself as. There was also the needling thought at the back of my mind, pinching and prodding until I acknowledged it; would I have made a different decision if in his position?

Besides that, there was the matter of the situation I had put myself in. I had no idea what dangers lurked ahead of us, but I would have gone out of my mind waiting for answers about Kezara. While Velian may be involved in sordid affairs, I had no concerns for my physical safety around him. My heart on the other hand… I kept it walled up, unwilling to concede that part of myself .

The aroma of baked goods floating through the Stone City made my stomach growl. I had been too anxious to think of eating last night, but I was starting to feel the consequences during our ride. People milled about the city until a bloodcurdling scream reverberated off the stone, halting every person where they stood. An emaciated man thrashed in the arms of city guards, teeth gnashing and eyes wild. He doubled over, screaming again, and the guards dragged him into the shadowed alley. A moment later, his agonized cries cut off; my stomach plummeted to my feet. I pulled Eamis to a stop and looked ahead to Velian. He stared at the dark alley, his jaw working and his shoulders held tight.

“Velian,” I breathed, “did they…”

“Yes.” His throat bobbed and he turned away, urging Zavi to keep moving.

I had known the effects of using Ziffem long-term were catastrophic, but I’d never seen it in person. I relaxed my reins and pushed Eamis into a trot to catch up with Velian.

“Why?”

His expression was grim and I wondered if he blamed himself for his part in that man’s demise. I would have.

“Because he was too far gone. It was a mercy, really.”

“There’s nothing that can be done to help them?”

He shook his head, keeping his eyes straight forward as we wove through the crowded streets. “No.”

And because that brick wall in my chest was wobbling I asked, “Are you alright? ”

He turned to me, the corner of his mouth turning down. “No.”

We didn’t speak any more as we made our way up the hill that led to the castle. We reached the closed gates, and a guard called down asking for our identities.

“Velian Blaise,” Velian shouted. Recognition dawned on the guard’s face as he turned a crank. The portcullis rattled as it was raised, the horses sidestepping before hurrying to pass beneath. We trotted all the way to the front door of the castle, dismounting and ground-tying the horses.

“Am I coming in with you?” I asked.

“Yes, just pull your hood up. They will assume you’re a new hire and no one will pay attention to you.” Velian took hold of the hefty gold knocker and slammed it three times. A moment later, the door creaked open, and standing in the doorway was Fingley, still bored.

“Sir?” he asked.

“I am requesting an audience with King Leoro,” Velian said.

“And you are?”

Crossing his arms, Velian provided his name.

“Of course, sir. Please follow me to the sitting room where you will wait to see His Royal Majesty.”

Fingley led us straight down the hallway to a narrow room and gestured for us to take a seat on the settee. The only other seat in the room was an elaborately carved wooden throne designated for the king. Neither of us dared to take it, so we sat squished together on the settee. Fingley narrowed his eyes, looking me up and down like he saw through my disguise. I resisted the urge to fidget under the scrutiny and he left the room, muttering under his breath.

I leaned closer to Velian and whispered, “Does he not recognize you?”

“No, he does. I think he pretends not to, so he feels more important than he really is.”

I swallowed a chuckle as I took in my surroundings, noticing the portraits on the walls. Most of them bore a resemblance to Leoro and Leoran with their dark hair and fierce features. Leoro’s portrait was a smaller version of the one in the hallway, and recognizing his true nature, I swore I could see the evil glimmering in his eyes. Even his smile seemed spurious as if it yearned to revert back to a snarl.

“What are you going to say to him?” I asked.

“I think I’m just going to tell him she’s missing, and I wondered if he has heard anything about it. I think I know him well enough to be able to tell if he’s lying.”

I chewed on my lip and bounced my knee. “Will I come in with you, too?”

“Yes, but you’ll stand further back. He doesn’t pay attention to whoever comes with me.”

The doors opened with a heavy groan that sent my heart galloping. Velian stood up, and I followed him, tugging my hood to make sure it was in place. The throne room was fairly simple—the same white marble from the ballroom covered the floor, and black candelabras were fastened intermittently along the deep burgundy walls. A stained-glass window depicting a growling lion sat above the two mahogany thrones.

The king sat on the throne to the left, legs crossed and one elbow propped up on the arm, his cheek resting in his open palm. He was dressed in all black, except for a maroon cape trimmed in black fur. A golden crown sat on his raven hair, his dark eyes watching Velian as we entered the room. Everything about his countenance exuded malice, from the curl of his lip to his cold, obsidian eyes; I wondered how I’d ever been fooled at the ball.

Velian walked up the burgundy aisle runner and I trailed a few feet behind. Velian stopped halfway to the throne and bowed deeply. I went to curtsy before remembering my disguise and corrected myself, hinging at my hips to bow.

“You may approach, Velian.” The king’s tone was dull.

Velian and I stood up straight, and behind his back, Velian motioned for me to stay where I was. He walked up to the dais, stopping before the steps and bowing once more.

“Why are you here?” Leoro had at least sat up straighter, but his face was still creased with aggravation.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my intrusion, but I wondered if you might be able to help me?” He paused, and when the king looked at him blankly, he continued. “My sister, Kezara, did not return home from the ball with us. I had received a note from her saying she had run off with the prince to be wed in secret, but I do not believe that is what happened. I am merely asking if you have any knowledge related to this incident that might point us in the right direction. ”

The king’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Why, this is the first I’ve heard of such an extraordinary tale. My son has been here in the castle since the ball, preparing for his marriage to Princess Davony of Etheniar. It’s funny you should mention a note, as Leoran told me your sister sent him one saying she never wanted to see him again.” The king leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That was interesting to me because I wasn’t aware they were sneaking around together. Were you, Velian?”

Velian shook his head. “No, Your Majesty, I was not.”

“Hmmm… so you’re saying you do not usually keep track of your sister’s whereabouts?” He leaned back in his chair, and with a glint in his eye said, “I remember her at the ball. She was the one the men were all fighting over, correct? A lively one, isn’t she?”

Velian remained silent. The look in the king’s eyes when talking about Kezara made my skin crawl. There was something malicious lurking there, and he was unable to keep a smirk from creeping across his face.

“Well, Velian, I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but I wish you the best of luck in finding her. I certainly hope she hasn’t found herself in trouble.” He smiled in what I assumed was supposed to be an encouraging manner, but it made my blood run cold.

“Thank you, Sire.” Velian bowed once more and turned to me. His face was empty, but his eyes flashed with anger. As soon as he passed me, I bowed to the king and followed Velian out of the throne room. He marched through the castle and out the front doors not waiting for Fingley to open them. Fingley huffed and slammed them behind us.

Back on the lawn, we made our way to where the horses had wandered. Zavi jerked his head up when Velian grabbed the reins. The leather squeaked as his grip tightened around them, his knuckles turning white. Zavi butted him with his head and Velian stroked the stallion’s neck.

“He knows,” he said through gritted teeth, shutting his eyes. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

“What do we do now?” I asked, removing the hood from my head.

Velian looked at me, hopelessness dulling his emerald eyes. “I don’t know.”

His distress was so palpable I could feel it seeping into my chest. ‘A royal nudge’ had been our only clue and it seemed we had misinterpreted it. Or, more likely, Regalla was a fraud and we were off on a wild goose chase. Velian groaned and raked a hand through his hair. More bits of the wall around my heart crumbled as I saw through his confident and collected veneer, glimpsing a vulnerable, distraught older brother.

I was trying to think of something comforting to say when the front door opened and Leoran stalked out. He stopped in his tracks when he saw us, and then scowled.

“What are you two doing here?”

Velian returned the scowl and squared his shoulders, disguising his fear with distaste. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, sensing it was not going to be a kind interaction .

“Your Highness.” I curtsied in front of him. There was no sense pretending I was a man; he knew who I was. “We are looking for Kezara. She didn’t return with us from the ball, and we haven’t heard from her since. Do you know where she might be?”

Leoran scoffed. “How would I?”

“She wrote us a note saying she ran off with you to get married.”

Leoran’s face scrunched. “That was the plan, but she wrote me a note telling me she never wanted to see me again.” His voice quavered, and I stepped forward to place a comforting hand on his arm. Velian cleared his throat, but I ignored him.

“You know she loves you. She is truly, madly in love with you.”

Leoran stared at me intently, his dark eyes shining, but unlike his father, no malice lurked there. “Do you think so?”

“I do,” I replied, squeezing his arm before dropping my hand. “Now, do you have any idea where she might be?”

Leoran pressed his lips together and scratched his chin before his face melted with dread. “My father was furious with me that night. I’d told him I loved Kezara and he couldn’t make me marry Davony. Instead of continuing to yell at me, though, he just called me foolish and dismissed me from the room. At first, I thought he was conceding, but the next morning when I found a note from Kezara, I forgot all about my argument with him.” His eyes were swimming with fear and his voice lowered. “I know my father has an unconventional way of dealing with people who cross him by having them-” He stopped.

“Having them what?” Velian interjected .

The prince swallowed hard. “Having them removed.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

Leoran shrank back as Velian stomped over to him with clenched fists. I stepped in front of Velian, stopping his threatening approach, and drew Leoran’s attention back to myself.

“He has someone abduct the subject and keep them hidden somewhere else. He doesn’t want to keep them at the castle in case word gets out and tarnishes his reputation. There is nothing more important to him than that.”

“Where does he keep them, and do you know who the abductor is?”

“I don’t know where they are kept, but his name is Enverro. Enverro Machendren.”

Velian bumped into my back. I shoved my shoulder into him, and asked, “Is he in Clavo?”

“I honestly don’t have any idea where he might be. I’ve only overheard his name mentioned, and my father is unaware I know anything.” His head dropped. “I wish I knew more. I can’t bear to think of any harm befalling her.”

“Thank you, you’ve been very helpful, Your Highness,” I said.

His head snapped up. “Let me come with you.”

“No,” Velian said. “If you disappear, your father might think we are onto him, and if she’s still alive then you might threaten that. We need you to forget this conversation ever happened and act normal. Do you understand?” Leoran nodded. “Anything you do out of the ordinary now could threaten Kezara’s life,” he warned .

“I understand,” Leoran snapped.

“Good.” Velian looked down at me. “Let’s go, then.”

He gave me a leg up into the saddle, jumped into his, and we were off. I turned around to see a downcast Leoran watching us leave, giving him a wave as the castle gates closed behind us. We thundered down the hill but slowed to a walk upon re-entering the Stone City.

“We’ll stay here for the night,” Velian said. “We can walk around town and see what we can find out, but the horses need a rest. We’ll head for the next town in the morning.”

I nodded in agreement, and we twisted through the busy streets until we reached an inn. Leaving our horses with the stable boy, Velian paid for one room to my surprise. After receiving the key, we made our way up the stairs to find our room furnished with one bed, a rug, and a small side table.

“Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the floor,” he said with a chuckle.

I crossed my arms and pursed my lips. “I can get my own room.”

“This is not the safest town. I would feel better if we stayed in here together.”

“Understood,” I replied curtly, shifting on my feet.

“Let’s go downstairs and eat. Then we can see if anyone knows anything about this Enverro Machendren.”