Page 108 of A Rose Among Snakes

“You haven’t said much regarding your reputably handsome employer whom you spent so much time with. You know it’s all I’ve ever cared about from the beginning.”

“There’s not much to say…” I watched as she shot me a skeptical frown. “Except that he loves me, and we are going to get married,” I finished, flipping my braid over my shoulder, pausing with my hand in the air to show off my ring.

Taz gasped and stood abruptly, startling the cow who nearly knocked over the bucket. “You scoundrel. Don’t lie to me.”

I beamed at her and stuck my hand out for her to get a better view of the pink diamonds. She grabbed my hand and squealed.

“I knew it! I knew you would be the one he would fall in love with! I just had this feeling about it, Mihrra.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and catching up before I said goodbye. Back at home, I learned Velian spent some time with my mother, and I walked in on him helping her in the kitchen, the pair of them laughing about something they refused to share with me. Our supper was pleasant, and it was heartwarming to see how well Velian fit in with my family, even with all of Jem’s glowering.

After the meal, I decided I had something to show Velian. Taking his hand, I led him behind the house, to the edge of the woods that met the pasture. There, we trodded through overgrown brush until we reached it—my father’s memorial stone.

I wiped away the dirt and moss growing over the engraved words:

Gorham Nowen

Beloved Husband and Father

1710-1752

“I wish you were here,” I whispered. Velian wrapped an arm around my shoulders, hugging me close to his side, tucking his other hand into his pocket.

“He was a good man, Mihrra. Despite how he made money, he was a good man. He was honorable, and he loved his family more than anything else.”

“He would have liked you.”

“He did like me.”

I looked at him sharply. “What?”

“I knew your father, Mihrra. I met him when I was seventeen and my father brought me on my first Ziffem run. Gory was with us, and he was kinder to me than my own father ever was. We worked together countless times over the next six years.”

I clenched my fists as heat stung my eyes. “Velian, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

He took his hand out of his pocket and swiped an escaped tear on my cheek. “I was trying to give you time to process.”

I rubbed my eyes. “Fine. Anything more you need to share with me?”

He stared at the grave marker and frowned. “There’s one thing I should probably tell you.” I held my breath, and he looked down at me, grimacing. “Sometimes I snore, so if you don’t want to marry me anymore, I understand.”

I let out my breath and hit him in the chest. “You scared me. I thought it was going to be something bad.” I stuck my chin out like Kezara. “Lucky for you, I already know about your snoring.”

It was Velian’s turn to be surprised. “You do?”

“Yes, why do you think I slept so terribly that night at the inn?

Velian let out a rumble of laughter. “I assumed it was because you were thinking about how irresistible I am.”

I moved to face him, wrapping my arms around his torso. “You think too highly of yourself.”

Still laughing, he picked me up and spun me around. Placing my feet on the ground, he brushed his fingers through my loose hair and said,

“I didn’t think very highly of anyone or anything until you showed up in my home. You changed my life, Mihrra, and you’ve given me a hope I never thought possible. I’ll never understand why you chose to trust me after all my family has done to yours, but I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

I stood on my tiptoes, chest swelling with love, and pressed my lips to his. “You don’t need to make amends for your father’s sins. There is nothing you need to make up to me.”

“I don’t deserve you.” Velian brought his forehead to mine. “I can’t wait to marry you, Mihrra.”

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