Page 88 of A Rose Among Snakes

“Definitely.” He grinned, his teeth glinting in the candlelight. “You see, dear, my wifetragicallydied several years ago, and my advisers tell me that since my mourning period has come and gone, the people wish to have a queen once more. I had planned on keeping you in the dungeon to use as leverage, but I changed my mind upon seeing you again. I long to keep my subjects happy, and my marriage to a beautiful young woman will present the ideal image.” His eyes raked over me, and bile crept up my throat. “Admittedly, I couldn’t resist taking away my disappointing son’s favorite toy, either. And it will keep your brother in line, as well.”

My brows drew closer together. Velian was the last person I expected him to bring up. “My brother?”

Leoro nodded.

“What do you need my brother for?”

He stood up and stalked toward me, a wolf sizing up its prey. “We have a business arrangement he wants out of, and I can’t let that happen.”

I clenched my jaw to mask my shock. “What business?” I stood stock-still as he ran a finger along my cheek and jawline, ice following the trail, and my stomach roiling with disgust.

“You don’t know? That’s surprising.” He grabbed my face between his thumb and fingers. “Oh well, you don’t need to worry your pretty head with such things.”

I wanted to recoil, bite, scratch, and kick, but I stayed still, playing the part of a compliant wife-to-be.

Wife.

My mouth went dry at the realization.

“Other things,” I whispered.

“What was that? Speak up.”

I swallowed. “You said ‘control, among other things.’ What other things?”

His fingers tightened on my face, branding me with their hateful touch, and a lupine smile contorted his features. “Afraid of fulfilling your wifely duties? Come now, we’ll enjoy creating more heirs to the throne, and hopefully one will be more satisfactory than Leoran.”

My stomach heaved, but I tried steering the conversation in a different direction. “Well, Your Majesty, there appears to be a flaw in your plan because it’s clear my brother doesn’t care about me.”

Still holding my face, he said, “I wouldn’t be too sure of that. He was here three days ago asking about you.”

He must have noticed the spark of hope in my eyes because he brought his face closer to mine, the reek of alcohol clouding around me. “Just understand though, if he tries to rescue you… Iwill kill him.” He slammed his lips into mine, and the metallic taste of blood pricked my tongue.

Chapter Fifty

Mihrra

Deep into the night, we discussed our plan for sneaking into the castle by posing as a troupe of minstrels. Before going to bed, I insisted on burning off excess energy by sparring with whoever was willing. Enverro was the only one who stepped up, and after I disarmed him three times, he bowed out, muttering something about Kezara never letting him hear the end of it. With no other takers, Velian called me over and pulled me next to him on the ground, encouraging me to rest.

Though I was comfortably tucked into the warmth of his side, sleep evaded me as I tossed and turned, my mind a whirlpool of thoughts. When I wasn’t replaying our kiss, I was imagining how my father had looked as King Leoro ran him through with a sword. I was relieved when night finally released its inky curtain over the sky and lavender light began to glow on the horizon. I nibbled on the crusty bread Velian offered me, my belly already full of burning embers that I had kept smoldering all night long. In no time at all, the campsite was packed and we were on our way.

During our ride, the men were energized, driven by purpose and the promise of a challenge. They were all used to dangerous expeditions and thrived in compromising situations. BehindVelian, I clung to him in silence. My mind was still a tempest, creating scenarios where Kezara was harmed, which added kindling to my simmering mood.

In the mountain pass, we rode by the field where I had killed the bandits. The bodies were no longer there, likely having been dragged away by scavengers. Velian squeezed my hand fisted in his shirt, glancing over his shoulder at me, but I kept my gaze on the field. It should have filled me with guilt, but I felt nothing. I stared at the spot where Velian had knelt, wounded and weaponless, and a buried memory resurfaced.

I was thirteen, and my sister, Ambrelle, was eleven. We stood side by side, the tips of our wooden swords resting against the ground. Our father crouched before us with his hands resting on each of our outside shoulders.

“Now I need you both to promise me something. Should your, or any of our family’s lives be in danger, you will not hesitate. You will do just as I have trained you, and you will value your own life above your attacker’s.”

We stared at him, wide-eyed and silent, and his grip tightened.

“Promise me, girls.” His gold-brown eyes were intense, and I was alarmed by his fervor.

“Yes, Father,” I said, my voice strong despite the wariness I felt.

“Good,” he said, rising to his feet to tower over us. “You will never regret protecting those you love.” He picked up his wooden sword from the ground and shifted into a defensive stance. “Now, let’s put the promise into practice.”

As I stared at the meadow, I realized he was right. I did not regret killing those men to save Velian’s life. I only worried about what that meant for who I was turning into.

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