Page 17 of A Rose Among Snakes

“Alright, I can take a hint.” I sat up. “Where is the greenhouse then?”

“It’s out back, right behind the house. You can’t miss it. I would go with you, but…” she motioned to the night clothes she was dressed in.

“That’s alright, I’m sure I can find it. What does the plant look like? Or will it be obvious?”

Narell shook her head. “No, the greenhouse is fairly big. It will be in the center, though. It’s a green plant with long, thick leaves that stick straight out. You remove one of the leaves, break it open, and put the clear gel on your burn.”

“Are we allowed to just help ourselves to things around here?”

Narell chuckled. “For the most part, yes. Velian seems to prefer an informal environment. Just don’t go into his study. Apparently, a former maid was let go for entering without his permission.”

Shock had the hair rising on my arms, but it did nothing to quell my curiosity. “Have things always been this… casual?”

“What do you mean?” Narell cocked her head to the side, continuing to brush her hair.

“I was surprised when Velian asked me to call him by his first name, and Kezara, too. At the last house I worked in, the lady had me call her M’lady and the staff kept a more traditional relationship with her. Here it’s alarmingly informal, and well… I guess I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Oh, right. I’ve only been here a year, but I heard it was a very different home when Velshan Blaise was still alive. When Velian inherited the manor and business, he asked to be called by his first name instead of Mr. Blaise. Mrs. Shulling refuses to change, so he gave up on her. It took me a while to adjust, but I don’t interact with him very often, unfortunately.”

“Why do you say ‘unfortunately?’”

Narell blinked rapidly, her lips parting. “Did you see Velian? The hair, the smile, theeyes?Dreamy.” She fanned herself.

Of course, I had. In fact, I was putting tremendous effort into not dwelling on those exact aspects of my employer. I decided to change the subject.

“Are you sure it’s not a problem for me to go into the greenhouse?”

“Positive,” Narell said, nodding. “Milner burns pretty badly sometimes while waiting for Kezara andhe helps himself.”

“Alright, I’m going then. I’ll be back in a bit. Don’t feel obligated to wait up for me.” I stood on my aching feet and walked out the door as Narell pulled back her bedsheets.

Chapter Nine

Imade my way through the sitting room to the glass door on the back wall. It snicked shut behind me as I stepped out into the cool evening air. Off the flagstone patio, an unpaved path curved around the back of the house. The last of the birds called their night songs as I followed it, the rays from the setting sun guiding my way.

The greenhouse appeared around the corner, and I pulled the handle only to be hit in the face by the thick, warm air inside. The musty scent was strong but was laced with a sweet, floral perfume as well. Plants covered nearly every surface inside, verdant vines twining among the iron framework up to the ceiling. I pursed my lips, sinking into a feeling of overwhelm, ready to call it quits when I remembered Narell saying the plant was in the center of the greenhouse.

Heaving a sigh, I plodded around, reading the signs that were next to some of the plants, wishing someone had mentioned the name of the particular plant I was in need of. My eyes scanned the planter in the middle, landing on a plant with long, thick arms that stuck straight up. I moved in for a closer inspection, and as Ireached my hand out to touch it, the sound of someone clearing their throat jerked me upright.

I whipped my head in the direction of the sound to catch sight of Velian sitting in a chair off to the side. His legs were stretched out with his feet crossed at the ankles. With his white sleeves rolled up to his elbows, he held a book in one hand. In his other, he twirled a glass filled with amber liquid on the table beside him. And there I was, once again, interrupting him.

“I apologize, sir-err… Velian. I’ll go.”

As I stumbled over my words, Velian set his book on the table and walked over to me.

“You look lost,” he said with a crooked smile. “Can I help you find something? Some aloe vera, maybe?”

My breath caught in my throat as he stood directly in front of me. No, I was never going to get used to him. It took me a moment to register what he said, as I stammered, “A… Aloe vera?”

His eyes flicked up to my forehead as he inclined his head toward it. “Your burn. Aloe vera will help soothe it.”

I put a hand up to my burn as if I could hide it. He moved closer, his eyes fixed on mine. This close, I observed that similar to the flora surrounding us, there were many shades of green along with flecks of amber in them. My heart pounded in my ears as he stood only inches away from me.

“Excuse me, it’s behind you.”

Right.

I stepped to the side, wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt. Were all greenhouses thisstifling?

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