Page 33 of A Rose Among Snakes

Never again would I let myself be soeasily overtaken.

Once the pit in my stomach faded, I started to fall asleep only to be jerked awake by the sensation of someone grabbing my ankle. Then my reflection on the incident would resume, and the cycle continued until light began to peek through the gap between the tent and the ground.

Beside me, Kezara was sound asleep, and I did my best to get up and dress myself without disturbing her, my stiff muscles adding to the difficulty. I tiptoed out of the tent, meeting the chilly breeze. I wrapped my arms around my body and made my way over to the dying fire. Milner, Denzen, Corman, and Paolef slept on the ground around the site. Quietly, I stoked the fire with a stick to revive it, feeling a rush of warmth from the awakening coals. A kettle sat next to the fire and I opened it, the bitter scent of coffee floating out. I grabbed the iron stand, placing the kettle over the fire to reheat it.

While I waited, the breeze blew again, carrying the sweetest floral aroma. I glanced around and located the source; three black locust trees, their branches laden with white flowers. At the base of one, Velian sat facing the road. He was so still I wasn’t sure if he was awake or not, so I waited for the coffee to be ready, pouring it into the only clean mug present. I crept around the men, trying my best not to make noise or spill hot coffee on them, and made my way over to Velian.

His head whipped around sharply at the sound of my approach, his hand twitching toward a knife at his hip. His fierce expression softened when he realized I was not an attacker, and he moved to stand, but I motioned with my free hand for himto remain seated. I crouched by him instead, offering the cup of coffee. Lifting it to his lips, he took tentative sips of the steaming drink. Stubble shadowed his face, and faint dark circles sat under his eyes, but somehow it didn’t detract from his appeal—especially the stubble.

Keeping my voice low, I asked, “Have you slept at all?”

He grimaced. “I tried to at first, but there was no use, so I told Corman to go to bed. Did you?”

I bobbed my head from side to side. “Not really.”

Velian nodded as if he understood what I didn’t say. He turned his gaze back to the road and took another sip.

“Did anyone come by the road?” I asked.

“No, it was a quiet night—aside from Milner’s snoring, anyway.” A crooked smile transformed his face, eliciting a quiet giggle from me.

We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, but I couldn’t keep my mind in the present moment. “What did you do with… um… his body?”

Velian looked at me, his expression blank. “He’s just behind our campsite under a blanket. They can deal with him if they want.”

I worried my lip, measuring the emotions coursing through me, then said, “Good.”

He tilted his head to the side and frowned. “Good?”

I turned my attention to the road. “Yes, good.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because my father died when I was fifteen and we were never given the chance to bury him. I’m sure, as awful as the man was, he must have someone who cares for him. They might want to give him the burial he deserves.”

I felt Velian’s eyes roving over my face, studying me in the silence.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

His tone was gentle; tender like he was crooning to a frightened animal. My throat closed up, but I choked out,

“Thank you.”

“My mother-” he began, but the sound of the tent flapping open cut him off. Kezara poked her head out and loudly whispered,

“Mihrra!”

I waved my hand at her and she relaxed when her eyes landed on me. She waved back and retreated into the tent.

“I should go help her,” I said.

“Absolutely,” Velian chuckled.

I stood up and maneuvered my way around the men lying on the ground, now stirring, thanks to Kezara’s theatrics.

In the tent, I helped Kezara get cleaned up and ready for another day of travel. We emerged and ate a small breakfast of eggs and bread, prepared by Corman. The meal was rather lacking in comparison with the finery made by Shandy every day, but I had higher hopes for meals at the castle.

The camp was packed, and I decided to load my own bag into the carriage. Opening the rear compartment and readying to placemy bag in there, I remembered Kezara’s trunk needed to go in first. I scooted a couple of wrapped packages over to make room, assuming they were engagement gifts, only to discover another compartment beneath them. Curious, I placed my finger in the notch and lifted the lid, seeing a dark bag. But the thudding of a trunk hitting the ground behind me pulled my attention. The lid to the compartment slipped out of my fingers, and then Velian was there, making room for the trunk. He shifted so his broad back blocked my view, but not before I noticed him discreetly close the secret compartment. He didn’t acknowledge me, and it was enough to tell me I was in the way. Stuffing down my curiosity, I took my place at Kezara’s side, waiting in the shade of the trees, letting the sweet, floral breeze wash over me.

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