Page 79 of A Rose Among Snakes

Denzen spit out his water. “Why do you have a sewing kit?”

Corman squared his shoulders. “For this exact reason.”

“Well, do you actually know how to sew, little seamstress?”

Corman’s cheeks flushed. “No.”

“I do,” I said.

Velian jerked his chin. “Get the kit, Corman.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Denzen and Paolef stood up announcing they were going to get more firewood. After delivering the sewing kit, Corman followed them, leaving Velian and me alone. I found the slimmest needle in the tin and held it as close to the flames as I could bear to clean it. After it cooled, I scooted back over to Velian and threaded the needle.

I cleaned the wound with a cloth and water, then asked, “Are you ready?” My hand trembled as I held the needle up. I’d never stitched a wound on a human. A cow once, but never a person.

Velian removed his shirt and set it on the ground next to him, scooting down to lie flat on his back. I placed my hand on his warm skin and fixed my eyes on the wound rather than letting them wander over his well-defined abdomen as they wanted to. I’d seen it before, that night on the beach, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to drink it all in again. Instead, I pinched his skin and pushed the needle through. When he winced and sucked in a deep breath, I paused, grimacing. He nodded at me to continue.

“Distract me,” he said. “Tell me something I don’t know about you, Mihrra.”

I searched my brain for something to tell him and landed on a favorite childhood memory.

“I got caught stealing once.”

Velian raised his eyebrows.

“I was only nine, and my best friend, Taz, convinced me to sneak into our neighbor’s apple orchard. No one knows what his secret is, but he grows the sweetest apples in all of Terrune. Taz has never been one to follow the rules, so she decided that day sheneededan apple, and couldn’t wait to buy one when he came back from the market in Frommhelm.” I pulled the thread taut and pushed the needle back through Velian’s skin, the motion becoming easier with each pass.

“Well, one apple turned into many, and before we knew it, we were half-asleep, lulled into safety by full bellies and warm sun. We never heard him, but suddenly Mr. Freidl’s dog was right there barking at us. We jumped up and started running, but the dog cornered us in front of Mr. Freidl’s house, and he was not pleased to see us. He marched us home and brought me right in front of my parents and told them I’d been stealing his apples.

“My mother was furious and apologized to him profusely, but my father didn’t say a word. I remember his face being distinctly expressionless, and once Mr. Freidl walked away, my father burst into laughter. He laughed until his face was red and tears streamed down his cheeks. My mother tried to scold me, but it was useless. He asked me if it was worth it, and when I smiled and told him it was, he laughed even harder.”

“Why was he laughing?”

“I think it was because it was so out of character for me.” I pulled the thread tight and started on another section. “I’ll never forget the way he laughed. It was infectious, and soon he had my mother laughing about it, too.”

After a sharp exhale, he ground out, “You were close with your father.”

“Yes, I was. I miss him every day.” I pulled another stitch through, as I squinted around the tears blurring my vision. “Now it’s your turn, but I have a question for you.”

“Go ahead,” he said, wincing as I tugged the thread.

“Why haven’t you married yet?”

I glanced up as he blinked at me in surprise. I flushed, stunned by my boldness, and went back to stitching.

“I suppose I… just haven’t… found the right one.” He spoke in between held breaths as I worked faster.

“But surely you’ve met your share of beautiful women, and they practically throw themselves at you.”

Velian smirked and shook his head. “Except the one that I wish would.”

I kept my eyes fixed on the wound as the flush spread to my ears. In my discomfort, I pulled the thread tighter than necessary.

“Easy,” he groaned, throwing his head back. I lightened my touch, and he continued. “Honestly, with the business I was forced into, I didn’t think it was fair to bring anyone else into it.”

“Last one,” I muttered, pushing the needle through his skin once more. I finished it with a knot and admired my handiwork. It wasn’t perfect, but the wound was closed.

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