Page 69 of A Rose Among Snakes

I leaned closer to Velian and whispered, “Does he not recognize you?”

“No, he does. I think he pretends not to, so he feels more important than he really is.”

I swallowed a chuckle as I took in my surroundings, noticing the portraits on the walls. Most of them bore a resemblance to Leoro and Leoran with their dark hair and fierce features. Leoro’s portrait was a smaller version of the one in the hallway, and recognizing his true nature, I swore I could see the evil glimmering in his eyes. Even his smile seemed spurious as if it yearned to revert back to a snarl.

“What are you going to say to him?” I asked.

“I think I’m just going to tell him she’s missing, and I wondered if he has heard anything about it. I think I know him well enough to be able to tell if he’s lying.”

I chewed on my lip and bounced my knee. “Will I come in with you, too?”

“Yes, but you’ll stand further back. He doesn’t pay attention to whoever comes with me.”

The doors opened with a heavy groan that sent my heart galloping. Velian stood up, and I followed him, tugging my hood to make sure it was in place. The throne room was fairly simple—the same white marble from the ballroom covered the floor, and black candelabras were fastened intermittently along the deepburgundy walls. A stained-glass window depicting a growling lion sat above the two mahogany thrones.

The king sat on the throne to the left, legs crossed and one elbow propped up on the arm, his cheek resting in his open palm. He was dressed in all black, except for a maroon cape trimmed in black fur. A golden crown sat on his raven hair, his dark eyes watching Velian as we entered the room. Everything about his countenance exuded malice, from the curl of his lip to his cold, obsidian eyes; I wondered how I’d ever been fooled at the ball.

Velian walked up the burgundy aisle runner and I trailed a few feet behind. Velian stopped halfway to the throne and bowed deeply. I went to curtsy before remembering my disguise and corrected myself, hinging at my hips to bow.

“You may approach, Velian.” The king’s tone was dull.

Velian and I stood up straight, and behind his back, Velian motioned for me to stay where I was. He walked up to the dais, stopping before the steps and bowing once more.

“Why are you here?” Leoro had at least sat up straighter, but his face was still creased with aggravation.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my intrusion, but I wondered if you might be able to help me?” He paused, and when the king looked at him blankly, he continued. “My sister, Kezara, did not return home from the ball with us. I had received a note from her saying she had run off with the prince to be wed in secret, but I do not believe that is what happened. I am merely asking if you have any knowledge related to this incident that might point us in the right direction.”

The king’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Why, this is the first I’ve heard of such an extraordinary tale. My son has been here in the castle since the ball, preparing for his marriage to Princess Davony of Etheniar. It’s funny you should mention a note, as Leoran told me your sister sent him one saying she never wanted to see him again.” The king leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That was interesting to me because I wasn’t aware they were sneaking around together. Were you, Velian?”

Velian shook his head. “No, Your Majesty, I was not.”

“Hmmm… so you’re saying you do not usually keep track of your sister’s whereabouts?” He leaned back in his chair, and with a glint in his eye said, “I remember her at the ball. She was the one the men were all fighting over, correct? A lively one, isn’t she?”

Velian remained silent. The look in the king’s eyes when talking about Kezara made my skin crawl. There was something malicious lurking there, and he was unable to keep a smirk from creeping across his face.

“Well, Velian, I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but I wish you the best of luck in finding her. I certainly hope she hasn’t found herself in trouble.” He smiled in what I assumed was supposed to be an encouraging manner, but it made my blood run cold.

“Thank you, Sire.” Velian bowed once more and turned to me. His face was empty, but his eyes flashed with anger. As soon as he passed me, I bowed to the king and followed Velian out of the throne room. He marched through the castle and out the frontdoors not waiting for Fingley to open them. Fingley huffed and slammed them behind us.

Back on the lawn, we made our way to where the horses had wandered. Zavi jerked his head up when Velian grabbed the reins. The leather squeaked as his grip tightened around them, his knuckles turning white. Zavi butted him with his head and Velian stroked the stallion’s neck.

“He knows,” he said through gritted teeth, shutting his eyes. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

“What do we do now?” I asked, removing the hood from my head.

Velian looked at me, hopelessness dulling his emerald eyes. “I don’t know.”

His distress was so palpable I could feel it seeping into my chest. ‘A royal nudge’ had been our only clue and it seemed we had misinterpreted it. Or, more likely, Regalla was a fraud and we were off on a wild goose chase. Velian groaned and raked a hand through his hair. More bits of the wall around my heart crumbled as I saw through his confident and collected veneer, glimpsing a vulnerable, distraught older brother.

I was trying to think of something comforting to say when the front door opened and Leoran stalked out. He stopped in his tracks when he saw us, and then scowled.

“What are you two doing here?”

Velian returned the scowl and squared his shoulders, disguising his fear with distaste. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, sensing it was not going to be a kind interaction.

“Your Highness.” I curtsied in front of him. There was no sense pretending I was a man; he knew who I was. “We are looking for Kezara. She didn’t return with us from the ball, and we haven’t heard from her since. Do you know where she might be?”

Leoran scoffed. “How would I?”

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