Page 23 of A Rose Among Snakes

The ‘L’ stood for Leoran, the Prince of Terrune. My stomach dropped as I looked over at Kezara who was still lying on her bed but had turned her face to watch my reaction.

“Kezara, I am so sorry. I feel incredibly foolish. Please forgive me for my comment in the carriage today.”

“It’s fine, Mihrra. I’m the fool for thinking this could ever possibly work out in my favor. I don’t know why I never considered this as a potential outcome.” Her face crumpled as she succumbed to her sorrows. I sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair. After a few minutes, she looked back at me and said, “Will you please tell Velian I’m not feeling well and won’t be joining him for supper?”

I ignored the way my heart skipped at the mention of his name. “Of course. Do you want me to bring your meal up here?”

Kezara’s lips pursed in thought. “I guess I’ll take something light. You choose. I might not eat much.” I nodded and walked to the door, but as my hand turned the knob she said, “Will you bring me a bottle of wine, too?”

I smiled. “Any preference?”

“Not at all.”

I nodded once more and shut the door behind me, processing what I’d just learned while descending the stairs. I had been in the presence of the prince without knowing. I don’t think I would have acted any differently, but regardless, it was hard to comprehend. Taz would lose her mind if I told her. The thought of her reaction created a swell of homesickness in my chest, but it slipped down into my belly and grew fluttering wings as I stopped in front of the dining room. Before going to the kitchen, I had to deliver the message to Velian.

I pushed open the paneled door and found him seated at the head of the dining table gazing out the windows overlooking a small orchard. He apparently hadn’t stayed long at the beach since he had time to comb his hair and don a brown jacket before coming to the dining room. Velian didn’t look over when I entered, so I cleared my throat.

He shot me a perplexed scowl and asked,

“Where’s Kezara?”

“She sent me to inform you she’s not feeling well and will be dining in her room this evening.”

“Is she alright?”

“Yes, it was just a long day and she has a headache. Nothing a good night’s rest can’t fix.” I smiled to reassure him, attempting to divert his suspicion; he had already proven to be extremely perceptive. He simply bobbed his chin once and returned to staring out the window.

“Thank you. Please let me know if her condition worsens.”

“I will.” I frowned at the back of his head before turning around and heading for the kitchen. Perhaps he truly did not appreciate my continued intrusions on his alone time. Thinking back on that night in the greenhouse only filled me with a burning embarrassment.

The kitchen was chaotic, but I told Narell that Kezara would be dining in her room. Without question, she began plating a single serving of everything. While she was busy, I went over to the pantry and selected a bottle of red wine. Narell left a platter on the table, adding a wine glass and corkscrew before I carried it upstairs.

When I entered her room, Kezara was sitting up in bed clutching a pillow in her arms and staring out the window. Wolf had climbed up onto the bed and curled up at her feet, his sides rising and falling in time with his soft snores.

Kezara was still dressed in her full gown, so I asked, “Do you want my assistance with putting on something more comfortable?”

She sighed and moved behind the dressing screen where I unbuttoned the back and loosened the corset. A couple of minutes later, Kezara emerged wearing only a chemise and crawled backinto bed. I had left the platter sitting on her vanity and once she was comfortable, I brought it to her. Lifting the cover of the lid and taking a deep inhale, Kezara’s eyes lit up. Shandy had made roast beef and gravy served with fresh bread, a baked potato, and a slice of chocolate cake.

Picking up the empty wine glass, she glanced over at the vanity where the bottle of wine sat. Before she could ask, I was moving for it, using the corkscrew to open the bottle and pouring her a tall glass. Kezara closed her eyes and took a sip, the corners of her mouth pulling up into a delicate smile.

“That’s exactly what I was hoping for,” she said, and then guzzled the rest of the glass in seconds. My eyes were wide as I stood there watching her wipe her mouth and catch her breath. She held her glass out and I refilled it, but not as high as before. “I’ll go easy, I promise.”

“Please do,” I said with a chuckle.

“I’m sure you are much hungrier than I am, Mihrra. Please, help yourself.” She slid the tray across the silk comforter toward me, and I hesitated but my growling stomach gave me away. I grabbed a slice of bread and shoved it in my mouth. Kezara giggled and patted the bed indicating I should sit down.

Over the next hour, we chatted and shared her meal. I regaled her with stories of my childhood; adventures in the woods, chasing livestock through the fields, and all the skills traditionally taught to boys that my father showed Ambrelle and me.

“You’re telling me you can build a fire, hunt, andsword fight?” Kezara’s pitch raised, disbelief lacing every word.

“I’m a little out of practice, but yes. I suppose my father couldn’t wait for our younger brother to be old enough to learn all those things. He also said he wanted us to be able to defend ourselves if necessary.”

“That must have been nice.” Kezara’s smile was half-hearted. “I think my father wished I was never born. He barely spoke to me, and he never said it, but I knew he blamed me for my mother’s death.”

Her tone was light, but there was deep pain behind her words that tugged at my heartstrings.

“Why is that?”

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