Page 77 of A Rose Among Snakes

“I’m not a boy,” I hissed through my teeth.

Recognition flitted across his face before I sliced his throat open. He dropped to the ground with a thud and I left him there, rushing to Velian’s side. He was breathing heavily and blood stained his shirt beneath his fingers pressed against his lower abdomen.

“Velian,” I whispered, kneeling and placing my hand over his.

“I’m fine, it’s just a scratch.” He removed his hand and picked up his sword. “Can you help me up?”

He seemed steady enough, once standing, and I released his hand only to find mine were shaking. I tried wiping them on my pants, but Velian grabbed them.

“Are you hurt?” After examining them he let go and wiped at the blood on my cheeks.

I shook my head. “No, no, it’s not my blood.” I met his stare, which was so intense I had to look away, and noticed Zavi who could not appear more unbothered by all the commotion. “Are you still able to ride?”

“I think so, but are you alright? How did you even do that? And without a scratch on you?”

“Really, I’m fine. My father taught me well." There was so much energy coursing through my body I couldn’t stop trembling. "Should we keep going, or do you need to rest?”

He continued staring at me in disbelief, as if waiting for me to crumble, before he nodded once. “We should keep moving.” He ambled his way over to Zavi and picked up his reins. The gray stallion lifted his head and snorted, continuing to chew on the mouthful of sweet meadow grass. Velian returned his sword to the saddle, grabbing the flask of water, and lifting the corner of his shirt. He kept his back to me as he poured water on the wound before taking his time climbing up. I made my way back to Eamis and waited for Velian to approach. I watched him worriedly as he settled into the saddle, only expressing his pain with a sharp inhale through his nose.

“Shouldn’t we treat that right now?”

He gave me an assuring smile. “It’s alright, we’re not far from Hawling. I think it’s starting to clot anyway.”

I frowned, not assuaged.

“It appears I owe you an apology,” he said. I tilted my head in question. “You don’t need me to protect you after all. You saved my life.”

I gave him a shaky laugh and shrugged. “I guess we’re even now. My debt is repaid.”

He chuckled, then quickly groaned and clutched his side. "No, I owe you much more. Besides…" he paused and looked pointedly at my lips. “That’s not really how I’d hoped you would repay me.” He squeezed Zavi with his legs and threw me a wink as they headed back to the path.

My jaw dropped as Eamis followed them, unprompted. Velian gave me one more glance over his shoulder, and finding mestaring, flashed a devastating smile, dimples and all. I darted my gaze down to my hands, my cheeks warming with embarrassment. Even as my head felt light, I avoided looking at the bodies on the ground, not yet able to face what I had done. My mind replayed the image of Velian on his knees with death looming overhead. Even the memory knocked the air from my lungs, and I was hit by the realization that I was not simply settling a life debt owed. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything bad happening to Velian, and I knew it was too late.

Every last brick around my heart crumbled into dust, floating behind me on a mountain breeze.

Chapter Forty-Three

Mihrra

The narrow mountain path widened as we approached the village of Hawling. Thatch-roofed homes were scattered all around the land, perched high on cliffs and nestled deep in the valleys. It was more quaint than Clavo, but no less impressive. The sun had already passed below the tree line, and as we had to travel slower for Velian’s sake, we arrived later than planned. Ahead was a campsite on the outskirts of town where three men stood dressed in black.

“There they are,” Velian said, pointing to the men. He pushed Zavi up the hill and all three men lifted their heads. Paolef, distinguishable by his towering height, brushed his cloak to the side and revealed the sword on his belt. His shoulders relaxed as we got closer and he pulled his hood back from his face, revealing piercing light brown eyes and a bright smile contrasting his ebony skin.

“Oh, Boss, it’s you,” Corman said. “What took so long?”

Denzen greeted us with a wave, grabbing Zavi’s bridle as Velian stopped under a fir tree. He dismounted with a great deal of effort and grunting.

Paolef frowned at him. “What happened?”

“Bandits,” Velian gasped as he landed on the ground. Paolef moved forward to offer a hand, but Velian brushed him off and rolled his shoulders. “The same ones from Canderren.”

Denzen stepped forward with a fierce scowl. “Where are they now?” He glared at the road behind us.

“Dead.”

“Are you sure?” Paolef asked.

“I don’t know. Mihrra, are you sure?”

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