Page 50 of A Rose Among Snakes (Gardens of Ruin and Revival)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Kezara

I had been moved to a new room after the maids cleaned me up the day before. I couldn’t put into words how relieved I was to see light and color after being in Leoro’s dungeon of a bedroom. After my morning meal, two maids bathed me and dressed me in a black gown, which I hated to admit was quite beautiful. It was a heavy velvet with a plunging neckline, the space covered with black tulle to add an illusion of modesty. The sleeves were long and tight, constricting my movements, but maybe that was the point. Perhaps the gown was a symbol, a reminder of my imprisonment. I hadn’t been allowed out of my room the past two days, and though I was wary about the maids’ reasons for getting me dressed, I was ready for a change of scenery.

They pulled my hair back, securing it in a tight twist at the back of my head. My heart, and my scalp, ached for Mihrra. Staring at my reflection was alarming. Where I was used to seeing olive skin and round cheeks, my face was gaunt and pale. Though exacerbated by the severe hairstyle, I was staring at a ghost of myself.

Once I was presentable, the maids ushered me to the door and knocked twice. The door swung open to reveal a guard gesturing for me to follow him. As I stepped into the hallway, another guard moved into place behind me, and they escorted me through the castle.

“Where are you taking me?”

My question was met with stony silence.

Through the meandering halls, they marched me up to a set of tall, wooden doors that opened with exaggerated creaks, revealing the throne room. A large stained-glass window provided the only natural light in the room, though the depiction of an angry, brown lion dimmed the sunlight pouring through. Where the ballroom had been bright and inviting, this room was dark and sinister—much like Leoro himself, who sat on a mahogany throne, watching me through narrowed eyes. My heart lurched as I looked at Leoran seated beside him. His jaw hung open, but there wasn’t a trace of the anger I expected.

“Please bring her forward,” Leoro said, his authoritative voice ringing off the stone floor. With rough hands, the guards grasped my arms and propelled me forward to stand at the edge of the dais. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Leoran, wondering what he must think of me and if he would be my ally in this. I was bursting with the need to tell him how sorry I was about the letter and the unfortunate truth I now understood. But in the interest of self-preservation, I kept my mouth shut, hoping my eyes conveyed my feelings. The guards released me, and I stumbled into a curtsy. Leoro stood and glided down the two steps to lift my face with a single finger under my chin. Turning my head from side to side, he appraised me .

“Much better. You were beautiful before, but ahh… simply stunning now. Wouldn’t you agree, son?” Leoran didn’t say a word, staring at me with sorrow flooding his dark eyes. “She’ll make me a beautiful bride, don’t you think?”

Leoran’s gaze shot over to the back of his father’s head, his lips curling. “What?”

Leoro looked over his shoulder at his son, then back to me. “Yes, son. Meet your future stepmother.” The words were heavy, but I shut my eyes in acceptance.

“You cannot mean it,” the prince said. “Why?”

“Maybe I’ve fallen in love,” Leoro replied, his tone flippant.

I opened my eyes to see Leoran standing, chest heaving, and his father faced him with his arms crossed.

“You lie.” Leoran stepped off the dais, fists clenching and unclenching.

Leoro threw his head back and laughed, an unsettling maniacal sound, and backhanded Leoran across the face.

My breath caught in my throat.

Stunned, the prince stumbled back a step, pressing a hand to his cheek, glaring daggers at the king.

“Watch your mouth, boy.” Leoro snapped his fingers. “Guards, please escort my son out of the room until his childish fit is finished.”

The guards grabbed his arms, and Leoran thrashed against their strong grips. Unable to shake them off, he stared at me as he was dragged away. Rage and heartache warped his features as he yelled, “Don’t do this, Father! Please, I’ll do anything! ”

The doors slammed shut and King Leoro sat back down, still chuckling.

I was trembling with fury and fear, every bone in my body crying out to run or fight back, but I stood still, forcing my hands to remain relaxed. I took a deep, steadying breath before asking,

“Why do you want to marry me?” My voice was so quiet I wasn’t sure he heard me. From his throne he studied me in silence, twirling the end of his graying mustache.

“Control,” he finally said, “among other things.”

I furrowed my brows. “Over me?”

“Definitely.” He grinned, his teeth glinting in the candlelight. “You see, dear, my wife tragically died several years ago, and my advisers tell me that since my mourning period has come and gone, the people wish to have a queen once more. I had planned on keeping you in the dungeon to use as leverage, but I changed my mind upon seeing you again. I long to keep my subjects happy, and my marriage to a beautiful young woman will present the ideal image.” His eyes raked over me, and bile crept up my throat. “Admittedly, I couldn’t resist taking away my disappointing son’s favorite toy, either. And it will keep your brother in line, as well.”

My brows drew closer together. Velian was the last person I expected him to bring up. “My brother?”

Leoro nodded.

“What do you need my brother for?”

He stood up and stalked toward me, a wolf sizing up its prey. “We have a business arrangement he wants out of, and I can’t let that happen. ”

I clenched my jaw to mask my shock. “What business?” I stood stock-still as he ran a finger along my cheek and jawline, ice following the trail, and my stomach roiling with disgust.

“You don’t know? That’s surprising.” He grabbed my face between his thumb and fingers. “Oh well, you don’t need to worry your pretty head with such things.”

I wanted to recoil, bite, scratch, and kick, but I stayed still, playing the part of a compliant wife-to-be.

Wife .

My mouth went dry at the realization.

“Other things,” I whispered.

“What was that? Speak up.”

I swallowed. “You said ‘control, among other things.’ What other things?”

His fingers tightened on my face, branding me with their hateful touch, and a lupine smile contorted his features. “Afraid of fulfilling your wifely duties? Come now, we’ll enjoy creating more heirs to the throne, and hopefully one will be more satisfactory than Leoran.”

My stomach heaved, but I tried steering the conversation in a different direction. “Well, Your Majesty, there appears to be a flaw in your plan because it’s clear my brother doesn’t care about me.”

Still holding my face, he said, “I wouldn’t be too sure of that. He was here three days ago asking about you.”

He must have noticed the spark of hope in my eyes because he brought his face closer to mine, the reek of alcohol clouding around me. “Just understand though, if he tries to rescue you… I will kill him.” He slammed his lips into mine, and the metallic taste of blood pricked my tongue.