Page 72 of A Rose Among Snakes

“My, my, look at you, darling.” He sat down and leaned back, crossing his legs with a chuckle. “You’re half starved. Haven’t you been feeding her, Enverro?”

“Yes, Sire, just as you’ve instructed, but she did refuse food the first few days.”

Leoro raised one eyebrow. “Beautifulandstubborn. No wonder my son was so taken with you.” His leer made my stomach roil. “We do prefer our women with a little… pluckiness.” He eyed me like a wolf salivating over a helpless lamb.

“I would have thought you’d prefer them docile and mindless,” I spat.

“Interesting,” he mused, running a thumb and finger over his mustache. “You remind me of someone I once knew.”

“How unfortunate for them to be an acquaintance of yours.”

“Sire,” Enverro cut in, “is there anything I can do for you?”

Without removing his lustful gaze from me, the king stood and replied, “No, I think you have served your purpose.” My heart stopped as he moved his hands toward his sword.

I could no longer contain myself. “No, don’t hurt him!”

Leoro’s eyebrows raised as he squinted at me. “What's this… Do you care for him, dear?”

“No, it’s just… He’s only done what you’ve told him to.” Bolstered by a wave of outrage I squared my shoulders and jutted out my chin. “This is between you and me. Leave him out of it.”

Enverro gaped at me.

The king, however, laughed—the sound low and menacing. He clapped his gloved hands together and said, “I like you, girl, but you’re trouble. I can’t decide whether to kill you or make you my queen.” He continued his approach toward Enverro, still talking to me. “Either way, you are coming with me back to the castle. Depending upon your behavior, I’ll either throw you in the dungeon or keep you somewhere more comfortable. What do you think, Enverro? What does she deserve?” The king placed a hand on Enverro’s shoulder, who was still gaping at me.

Come on,I silently urged him.Fight back, Enverro.

Recovering, he mumbled, “She’s been uncomplicated, Sire.”

My heart sank.

Leoro narrowed his eyes at Enverro. “You seem different.” He looked between the two of us and said, “Ah, you’ve fallen for her charms, I see. How pathetic.”

Enverro turned to him. “Your Majesty, forgive me, but-”

“It appears I have once again caught you trying to take what is mine.” In a flash, Leoro unsheathed the sword and pointed it at Enverro’s chest, backing him into a corner.

“She’s not yours,” Enverro said through his clenched jaw.

Leoro’s lip curled in a snarl, raising his sword above his head as Enverro’s back hit the wall.

My entire body trembled and time stood still. My breaths were ragged in my chest as Enverro closed his eyes to the oncoming blow.

No. Not like this.

I shook my cell door and screamed, “STOP!”

Leoro’s sword hovered above his head as he flicked his eyes over to me. I was standing on the other side of the cell, my rattling having broken the unsecured lock. Without a second thought, I grabbed the king’s arms.

“Please. I’m begging you. Don’t hurt him.”

Leoro lowered his arms and with one hand grabbed my face, wrenching me toward him.

“Do not ever interfere with my decisions.” The reek of alcohol stung my nose as his breath fanned across my face, bringing forth a nasty memory of my father. He released me and grasped my wrist, pain flaring up my arm from his tight grip. He turned back to Enverro and thrust his arm forward, using the pommel of the sword to hit Enverro in the mouth. “You have served me for nine years, but I no longer require your services. I have spared your life twice now, and it will not happen a third time, so make yourself scarce.” He placed the sword back in the scabbard. “For the journey back, I need rope and your sleeping concoction.”

Enverro’s eyes flicked to mine as he wiped blood from his mouth. He rummaged through the cabinet beside him, emerging with ropes and a clear bottle with a purple liquid sloshing inside. He soaked a cloth with the liquid and stood directly in front of me.

“Enverro,” I begged, though for what, I wasn’t sure. At that moment my only thoughts were of his safety. I needed him to survive the king and get his freedom back.

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