Page 63 of A Rose Among Snakes

Velian looked pensive, and then his lips parted. “Your father?”

“I think so,” I whispered, my throat closing up. More tears fell and I didn’t try to hide them again. I felt broken. The man I had loved and admired my entire life was a reputably violent stranger. Amurderer.Was my mother aware of what her husband did to provide for our family?

“Mihrra, how did you figure that out?”

I sniffled and reached inside my dress for the chain around my neck, lifting it over my head. I placed the ring in his hand, and he grimaced as he inspected it.

“My father left that with me the last time I saw him. It’s the same engraving on the trunk that was stowed in the hiddencompartment of the carriage. I realized it was the design for the stained-glass window of the manor, too.”

He handed the ring back to me. “It’s the Blaise family crest. I also have one.”

“I know.”

His mouth turned down. “How? I don’t wear it.”

I looked down at the sand. “I saw it in the pocket of your jacket. The last time we were down here.”

“Ah,” he said. “That explains it. I can’t imagine what you were feeling in that moment.”

My heart fluttered, and I scooted back so we were no longer touching.

“It would make sense for Gory to have a ring, though. I think my father loved him like a brother, and Velshan Blaise hated everyone.” Sincerity shone in his eyes as he continued, “I cannot apologize to you enough, Mihrra. I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me.”

“Do you know how he died?” I asked with bated breath.

“I honestly don’t. My father, Gory, and a couple of other men took a shipment to Clavo, but Gory never came home. My father was upset and never talked about what happened.”

I nodded, taking in his words. I wanted to know what happened, but my head hurt with all the information I was trying to digest.

“When you found my ring, did you think I had something to do with his death?”

I rolled my lips together before saying, “No.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “You’re a terrible liar.”

I blushed, both discomfited and pleased by being so wholly seen by someone.

He grimaced again as he asked, “Do you hate me?”

“Why do you care what I think?”

His face melted into a soft smile. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you, Mihrra.”

My traitorous heart flopped in my chest, and the flush on my cheeks grew. “I thought you were just being nice,” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.

“I’m not that nice.”

“That’s what your sister said, too.”

Velian laughed, the sound warming my insides until I remembered his sister was the reason I sought him out in the first place. I wrung my hands in my lap, readying to share my fears with him.

“Velian, I have something to tell you. You’ll probably think it’s strange, and I’m not even sure what to make of it, but I think you need to know.”

His relaxed posture stiffened, back straightening as he waited for me to continue.

I swallowed. “I went back to Regalla today, and she told me Kezara is in trouble.”

“The fortune teller?”

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