Page 36 of A Rose Among Snakes

The same white marble as downstairs covered the floors and walls, and in the far corner sat a large, porcelain tub complete with a tall golden faucet. Across from the tub was a floor to ceiling mirror standing beside a vanity. I had heard of sophisticated plumbing, but I still was not prepared for the hot water that spurted from the faucet when I turned the handle. I could never have dreamed of this back home in Roben, where pots of water had to be heated on the stove.

When the tub was full, I assisted Kezara in undressing and stepping into the tub, then gave her some privacy. There was a knock at the door which signaled our belongings being delivered. Once the men left the room, I opened the trunks and hung up Kezara’s gowns in the wardrobe beside her bed. I grabbed the wrapped boxes holding our new dresses and opened the first one to reveal Kezara’s lavender gown. With great care, I unfolded it and hung it with the others.

Opening the second box, I shook my head as I pulled out my dress. It was heavier than the one I’d tried on thanks to the excessof sparkling beads. I chewed on my lip, still struggling with the idea of wearing this dress and having let Kezara purchase it for me.

“Mihrra,” Kezara called from the bath. “Will you bring me a towel, please?”

“Yes, one moment.” I hung up my gown, and rushed to the bathing room, grabbing a fluffy towel from a shelf. I spread it in the air, helping wrap it around Kezara as she stood from the tub and pulled the drain. Kezara dried herself and asked me to pick out a gown for her—nothing too extravagant, but not too bland, either.

I found a form-fitting velvet gown and brought it to her for her approval. Helping her into the dress, I noticed how similar the emerald color was to Velian’s eyes.

“What are you smiling at?” Kezara asked.

I pursed my lips, embarrassed my thoughts were conveyed on my face. “Nothing, really. You look beautiful.”

She bought my lie and smoothed her hands down the front of her dress, roughing up the texture.

“Thank you. We’ll style my hair when I get back. Can you just make it look neat for right now?”

“Of course,” I replied, using a brush to pull her hair back into a sleek bun.

“Has supper arrived yet? I’m famished.”

“I’ll check when we’re done.”

As I placed the last pin in her hair, a sharp rap sounded on the door. When I answered, a petite servant dressed in black shoved a cart through. She unveiled two platters of food without a word ormaking eye contact, bowed, and shut the door behind her when she left.

“The staff here are… peculiar,” Kezara said, squinting.

I laughed and nodded in agreement as I handed one of the platters to Kezara. We moved to the sofa and dug in; although the scent of roasted duck was mouthwatering, the meat was dry. I took a bite of bland, lumpy potatoes that gave me an even greater appreciation of Shandy’s cooking, and even Corman’s.

After we ate our fill, I pushed the cart back into the hallway and returned to the sofa. Now that I was warm and full, drowsiness began to settle in. Kezara on the other hand was pacing the room, trying to decide when to go and find the library.

“Do you think I should keep him waiting?”

“Maybe a few more minutes,” I said, stifling a yawn.

“Or maybe I should go now. Who knows how long it will take me to find the library? I don’t want him to think I’m not coming.”

“Then you should go now.” I bit back a laugh, amused by her restlessness.

“I think I will.” She stopped pacing and gave me a nervous smile. “Wish me luck!”

“I wish you the best of luck.” I may have had my reservations about their relationship, but I truly wanted Kezara to be happy. If she found that with the prince, then so be it.

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll be back later,” and she dashed out the door.

I yawned again and decided to take advantage of the alone time and drew myself a bath.

Chapter Twenty

The water was the perfect temperature; hot, but not scalding. The aches from travel washed away, and in the silence, my mind wandered back to the day before. Looking at my naked body, I examined the bruises from my attacker. Matching marks stretched across my thighs, another spreading across my ribs on my left side presumably from hitting the ground. I prodded at them, pain seeping through me. I had never been so scared in my life, and I didn’t want to ever be in that position again. If Velian hadn’t saved me when he did…

I didn’t want to think about the what-ifs.

Instead, I scrutinized the handprint from Regalla, the fortune teller, on my upper left arm. It was turning an ugly shade of yellow at the edges and I glared at it. There was no way to conceal it in my new dress.

I sucked in a deep breath and submerged my head beneath the water. I thought I heard a noise, but it was distorted. Water still clogged my ears when I resurfaced, but I was positive I heard something then. Shaking the water out, I deciphered loud knocking and Velian saying,

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