Page 103 of A Rose Among Snakes

“He will be,” Velian said, his expression grave.

I swallowed, ignoring the stab of pain it caused, and whispered, “I’m so sorry about Denzen. It’s my fault.”

“No, it’s not,” Velian said, as Paolef shook his head.

“He would have been proud of your sacrifice, too,” Paolef said.

Sacrifice. The word struck me, but that’s what it was, for in saving them all I had destroyed a piece of myself. Again, my father was right in that I’d never regret saving a loved one, but he mentioned nothing about the repercussions on my soul.

“Besides,” Paolef continued, “he died doing what he was meant to do.”

Trying for a lighter tone, I said, “Defending damsels in distress?”

“Defending family.”

I looked up at him as my jaw went slack. It was a strong statement, a claiming one. I knew what it was like to be a part of a close-knit family, but it was an entirely different feeling to be invited into one like this. His intense eyes were warm, with no trace of resentment toward me, no indication he wished his friend hadn’t given his life for mine.

My aching throat constricted. “Thank you.”

Velian placed his hand over mine, and as I shifted my gaze back to him, I saw Corman staring at me, a watery smile on his face.

How? How was it possible for these men to not only find me faultless but consider me family? It was overwhelming, and I did not have the energy to process it.

I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I woke up in Velian’s arms, the first light creeping above the horizon. My body hurt significantly more that morning, and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out when I sat up. Velian kept our pace slow again, and we made it back to Blaise Manor by mid-afternoon.

As we climbed the hill to the manor, it was apparent that all the staff were coming out to greet us, Mrs. Shulling at the head of the group. Velian dismounted and the elderly housekeeper wrapped her arms around him. He obliged, hugging her back, and after escaping her embrace, reached up to help me down. The second my feet touched the ground, she threw her arms around me, sniffling, and I winced.

“Careful, Mrs. Shulling,” Velian said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “She’s injured.”

Mouth agape, Mrs. Shulling pulled back but left her hands on my shoulders, her eyes running over me, and stopping at the bruises on my throat. She gasped.

“My dear, whatever happened?”

I stared up at Velian, unsure of how much to reveal.

“She fought off an attacker, saving my life.”

Mrs. Shulling’s eyes widened, but before she could say more, Kezara walked forward and the old woman let out a whimper and pulled her into an embrace. Kezara startled, raising her brows, but sank into the hug, closing her eyes and squeezing tight.

“I was so worried about you, dear,” Mrs. Shulling said, releasing Kezara. She stepped back and examined us all, frowning when she looked at Enverro, then composing herself with a smile. “Supper will be ready shortly, so why don’t you all get cleaned up and meet in the dining room?” Before turning on her heel to go inside, she looked us all over and said, “It’s good to have you home.”

Kezara forced me upstairs into her room and asked a curious Mausette to pause her kitchen duties and bring up hot water for a bath. I reveled in the scalding water, and then passed out in Kezara’s bed for a couple of hours while she cleaned herself up. She woke me gently and informed me it was time for dinner. Sleep still clung to me, but a gnawing hunger motivated me to get up. We ate in the dining room, including Corman, Paolef, and Enverro. Velian seated me beside himself, and I did not miss the scornfullook Narell wore as she watched Velian serve me, but I could not be bothered to care.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Mihrra

Denzen was laid to rest in the Blaise family cemetery behind the gardens, the same place Velian’s grandparents and parents were buried. Corman and Paolef said they preferred to finish burying him alone, so after Kezara and Enverro paid their respects and slipped back inside, Velian and I stayed behind to say our goodbyes.

I threw a white rose on the wooden coffin as Paolef and Corman shoveled dirt atop it. Tears slid down my cheeks as I whispered,

“Thank you. I didn’t get to say it before… but, thank you.”

Velian wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“He knew,” he murmured into my hair. We stayed there for another minute, and I wrapped an arm around his waist for both comfort and support as lethargy settled into my bones.

Velian led me to the bench in the garden, and as we sat down, he scooted close and pulled my legs over his lap. I leaned into him and rested my head on his shoulder, careful to give my injured arm space between our bodies and the bench. I placed my other hand on his torso, feeling the ripple of strong muscles beneath his thinshirt. He put one arm around my back to rest on my hip, the other hand laid on top of my knees. I knew I should have gone to bed, but I didn’t want the moment to end. As my eyelids grew heavier, Velian asked,

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