Page 13 of A Rose Among Snakes

She ducked her chin, a pink tinge creeping into her cheeks. “I apologize for whisking you away like that, then. Let me show you to your room.” She opened the front door and led me down the broad hallway, past the closed doors of Velian’s study, until we reached a quaint sitting room boasting vaulted ceilings and enormous windows. A glass door revealed a covered patio featuringan iron furniture set. Across from the sitting room was a narrow hallway, which Kezara turned down and stopped in front of the second door on the left. She knocked twice, waited for an answer, then turned the knob.

The room was small but pleasant. Each side was a mirror image of the other; a bed with a wooden nightstand and matching armoire. A single window sat between the nightstands, letting in a stream of sunlight. My bags sat beside the bed on the right, waiting for me to unpack them.

“Here we are,” Kezara said. “This is where my former maid slept, so I’m sure it’s where you’re meant to, as well. Go ahead and get settled in, and then would you please come help me get ready for supper?”

“Of course. Thank you, Kezara.”

“Great, see you soon.” She smiled and walked out, closing the door behind her. I sat on the edge of my bed and flopped backward expecting the crunchy support of a straw mattress, but I sank in, cocooned by a fluffy cushion of feathers. How wealthy were the Blaises that even their servants slept in luxury? I marveled at the comfort of it, wondering how it was possible I was in this position. Taz would be incredibly jealous.

Groaning with reluctance, I made myself sit up. I got to work unpacking my bags, placing my blouses and skirts in the armoire. I reached for the compact, wooden box holding the meager amount of jewelry I owned. I opened it and picked up the gold ring that had belonged to my father. The last memory I had of him washed over me as I turned it in my fingers.

The sun had barely risen, hiding behind dark, angry clouds. I met my father in front of our home, opening the door he had just closed while trying to leave without waking us. He cupped my face in his immense, calloused hands.

“Help your mother and look after your brothers and sisters.” He kissed my forehead, then reached into his pocket. He grabbed my hand, turned my palm over, and placed the ring there, closing my fingers around it. “Hold onto this for me, will you?”

The abnormally tense set of his jaw and tightness around his eyes unsettled me, but I nodded. He pulled me into a firm hug, told me he loved me, and then mounted his horse. Fat raindrops trickled from the sky as he rode away, his cloak flapping in the wind.

My chest ached with the memory, and I ran my finger over the ruby in the center of the gold band. Engraved on either side of the gem were two snakes, each with their bodies curling around it, mouths open as if trying to devour the ruby. I held it up to my lips, kissing it, then pulled a delicate, silver chain from the box. After looping it through the ring, I fastened it behind my neck, tucking it under the neckline of my dress.

I moved to the small mirror hung on the same wall as the door, and studied the freckles blooming across my nose, made more prominent by the sun. Beneath them, my skin was turning a faint pink, further evidence of my exposure. I frowned, the expression deepening as I looked at the dark eyebrows I’d always felt were too strong for the rest of my features, especially compared to the delicate azure color of my irises. A few wild strands of hair had pulled loose from my braid, and after weaving it back intosubmission, I left my new room to find Kezara, hoping no one would notice the burn developing on my face.

Chapter Seven

It wasn’t until I was standing in the sitting room that I realized I didn’t have the faintest idea of where Kezara’s room was. I wandered around the hallway for a moment and listened for any sign of someone to ask, but was distracted by the enticing scent of roasting meat wafting through the air. I sniffed, turning in the direction of the smell, following my nose deeper into the manor. Past the open double doors of the dining room, I turned a corner and heard the kitchen before I saw it. Behind a cracked door, the sound of dishes clattering and food sizzling in pans trickled through. With a soft press, I pushed the door open and stuck my head in to confirm the pathway was clear.

A tall woman with gray hair tucked under a white cap was standing behind a monstrous stove, tossing vegetables in a frying pan. The scent of garlic and rosemary hit my nose making my mouth water. As I pushed forward a little more, the door creaked, and the cook glanced over her shoulder.

“Hello,” she said, her booming voice rising above the din.

“Sorry to interrupt. I’m looking for Mrs. Shulling. Do you happen to know where I might find her?”

“No, love, I’m afraid I don’t. Hold on.” She cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled, “Narell!”

Out of an expansive pantry came a pretty woman around my age. She was tall and lean with high cheekbones and a tawny complexion. Her black hair was pulled into a tight bun behind her head, and she arched an eyebrow as her brown eyes landed on me.

“Yes, Shandy?”

The cook jerked her head in my direction. “She’s looking for Mrs. Shulling. Do you know where she is?”

Narell shook her head. “I don’t.” Then cocking her head to the side, she asked, “Are you the new maid?”

“Yes, I’m Mihrra.”

Her face lit with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Mihrra. I’m Narell and this is Shandy. I think you and I are sharing a room.”

“Nice to meet you, too. Could you point me toward Kezara’s room?”

“Oh, of course. Go up the stairs, take the first right and her door is at the end of the hallway. There’s a flower carved into her door, you can’t miss it.”

“Wonderful, thank you.” I clasped my hands together in a gesture of gratitude. “I suppose I will see you later this evening, Narell.”

Narell waved as I left the kitchen to traverse the lengthy hallway at a brisk pace. Back in the foyer, I climbed up the staircase, running my hand along the wooden banister, admiring the intricately carved balusters. At the top, a dazzling display of lights cast a rainbow of colors on the cream-colored rug and muted cornflowerblue walls. Looking behind me, I could somewhat make out the image in the stained glass window; a red rose in the center engulfed by green vines on either side. The sparkling light filled me with a sense of relaxation, soothing the tension in my shoulders.

Taking a slow breath, I turned and walked down the hallway, passing several doors until I came to the one at the end. I knocked on the door in the space below the engraved rose, and turned the handle after Kezara called out her permission. I stepped into the room, accosted by the scent of rosewater and the wet nose of a giant, scruffy dog. I retreated a step, bringing my hands up to shield myself from its affection. I liked dogs, but having one appear in your face when you’re not expecting it is another thing entirely. The dog backed off but stood in front of me panting and wagging its tail.

“Wolf, come,” Kezara said.

Wolf lumbered over to her on spindly legs and curled up at her feet where she sat on a round, tufted ottoman before her vanity. Laying down, the dog’s neck was long enough to rest its head in Kezara’s lap as she rubbed its ears.

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