Page 55 of A Rose Among Snakes (Gardens of Ruin and Revival)

Chapter Fifty-Four

Mihrra

A s the doors rattled against the walls, the sound reverberating through my body, I saw Kezara standing on the dais and my heart leapt in my chest.

Kezara was dressed in a resplendent gold and white gown with a gold veil behind her head, eyes round with alarm. Recognition dawned on her face, and she stepped forward, yelling,

“Velian!”

Leoro sneered and grabbed her arm, preventing her from running to her brother. There was no mistaking the sound of approaching guards.

“Let her go,” Velian demanded. He gritted his teeth and the muscle in his jaw jerked. His entire body was radiating rage in a way I’d never seen before.

Leoro laughed. “Or what?”

“I’ll kill you,” he replied. A host of guards appeared in the doorway behind us, blocking any escape.

“Seize them,” Leoro commanded. We were outnumbered, but it didn’t stop us from putting up a fight. The scuffle was short-lived and our weapons were confiscated as a guard held each of us by our arms. More guards hovered nearby, ready for the king’s next command. Leoro scanned our faces, pausing on Enverro.

“It seems you have a death wish, boy. I told you I would not spare your life again.”

Enverro didn’t reply, but struggled against the guards and spit on the ground, his lip bleeding. Kezara’s face lit up when she saw Enverro, and they held each other’s stares, a thousand emotions crossing each of their expressions.

“Let her go,” Velian repeated in a calmer tone than before.

“Ah, Velian, it’s too late, you see. Your darling sister is my wife, Queen of Terrune.”

My stomach plummeted to the floor as Kezara shifted her gaze to the side.

“No,” Enverro whispered beside me.

“Yes,” Leoro hissed. “I guess that makes us family now, brother. ”

Velian’s nostrils flared and his chest heaved.

Leoro stepped off the dais, leaving Kezara behind, and he walked to stand in front of Velian. “It also means that you better behave, or I will take it out on your sister.”

Teeth bared, Velian lunged forward and one of the guards punched him in the stomach.

Leoro tsked and paced in front of us, looking each of us up and down, glaring at Corman and Paolef, and then stopping in front of me. He crossed his arms over his chest and arched a thick, black eyebrow. “Velian, who is this delicious morsel you have brought here with you? ”

Velian leaned forward and shook his head at me, telling me to be silent, but staring into Leoro’s eyes, I saw red.

“Mihrra Nowen,” I answered, jutting my chin out. Velian groaned, but I continued, “I’ve been told you knew my father.”

Leoro assessed me with eyes so black the iris and pupil were nearly indistinguishable. “And who might that be?”

“Gorham Nowen, but I think you knew him as Gory Novenna.”

The king’s eyes widened, and he began to cackle, his head thrown back. “Gory Novenna. Now that is a name I have not heard in quite some time.” He stood close and held my chin with one finger. He brought his face within inches of mine and whispered, “Are you a troublemaker like your pathetic father?”

Something inside me unhinged as I surged forward and spat in his face.

He drew up to his full height and wiped his face, then paced back to the center of the room and said, “So much anger here. We should be celebrating! Terrune has a new queen!” He motioned for Kezara to join him, and she slowly walked to his side. He grabbed her by the arm and held her close to him. Kezara grimaced in pain.

“If you let her go, I will do whatever you want,” Velian said.

“Velian, you are going to do that so much better with her by my side. I will never let her go,” he snarled. He schooled his features and faked a yawn. “I’m growing weary of your pleading. Maybe I’ll get Enverro to replace you, hmm? I already know he’s a compliant little sycophant. ”

Enverro glared daggers at Leoro.

“I think you also know that when push comes to shove, Enverro doesn’t have what it takes. You need me,” Velian said. Enverro turned his hateful gaze to Velian.

Leoro snorted. “I don’t think I do.” He looked at the extra guards waiting for orders. “Kill him.”

“NO!” Kezara screamed, but Leoro silenced her with a slap across her face. Velian thrashed as the guards brought him to his knees, and forced his face to the ground. I fought my guards, my heart pounding and thoughts racing, but they held firm. Paolef and Corman began yelling and fighting back as well, but more guards stepped up to hold them tighter.

I could only stare at Velian’s face pressed to the cold, white marble as his eyes met mine.

“Don’t watch, Mihrra,” he ground out.

My mouth went dry, my tongue heavy as lead.

No.

Not him.

I would not survive losing another loved one.

My heart lodged in my throat as the guard stepped forward, unsheathing his sword and lifting it above his head. Kezara whimpered, but Leoro held his hand up in a warning to her. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the face of the man I loved, and suddenly, every thought eddied out of my head, save for a conversation we’d once had, and I knew what I needed to do.

“Wait.” But Leoro didn’t look at me, his hand poised to give the guards the signal to drop the sword and execute Velian .

“WAIT!” I screamed, desperation clawing through me as the guards’ arms drew me further back.

Leoro’s gaze flicked to me, brimming with annoyance. I was straining against the guards in vain.

“What?” Leoro rolled his eyes. “Are you going to tell me you love him?”

I forced myself to swallow.

“I challenge you to a duel.”

“Mihrra, no!” Velian shouted, the words muffled by the guard pressing his cheek to the floor.

Leoro quirked an eyebrow. “What did you say?”

I stood up straighter and took a deep breath. Icy cold calm flowed through me, and my voice rang out across the room, clear as a bell.

“I challenge you to a duel.”