Page 99 of A Rose Among Snakes

“You’re not the queen anymore,” Leoran said, striding into the room. I hadn’t even realized he had stayed in the hallway until then. “Once the king dies, his wife’s reign ends as well, right Mephostes?” Leoran was looking at the thrones, where the priest reemerged from hiding.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he said, voice trembling. “Her reign ends with his death, and responsibility passes to you.”

I turned helpless eyes to Leoran and he stared back at me, his face void of emotion. I held my breath, my heart stuttering as thoughts of being thrown into the dungeon flooded my mind.

“Release her,” he told the guards after what felt like an eternity. “She has done a great service to all of Terrune by freeing us from the coils of that vile snake. Release them all.”

I loosed a ragged exhale that burned my aching throat as the guards stepped away from me. I looked over at Velian, and before I moved, I was crushed from behind by Kezara’s arms. Crying, she buried her face in my shoulder as I wrapped my uninjured arm around her.

“Oh, Mihrra, I missed you so much! I’m so glad you’re alright.”

I was numb. I couldn’t find my words, or even determine what I felt at that moment. I tried to muster up a smile, but Kezara didn’t seem to notice my struggle as her eyes moved behind me and her face crumpled with fresh tears. She released me and threw herself into her brother’s arms, sobbing. They didn’t say a word to each other, but the relief was written all over Velian’s face, even as he never took his eyes off me.

Kezara pushed her brother to the side with a gasp, brushing past Leoran, and launched herself at Enverro. They hugged for a brief moment until Enverro pulled back, searching her eyes before drawing her in for a passionate kiss. I noted Leoran’s disheartened expression, but in my current state, I couldn’t feel any empathy.

Large hands braced my shoulders, and I came face-to-face with Velian. There was murmuring in the room and the rustlingof the guards’ armor, but everything muted the second he touched me. He gently took my face in his hands and inspected the cut on my cheek. He grasped the hand of my injured arm, his eyes flying wide and jaw dropping. I looked down and saw blood seeping from the gash, revealing exposed muscle.

“Mihrra, you need a physician immediately,” he said, ripping the sleeve off his shirt and pressing it to my wound to staunch the flow, but I barely heard him. Staring into his concerned eyes, the dam on my emotions ruptured. My knees gave out as violent sobs wracked my body. He caught me and helped me to the ground, sitting against the wall and pulling me into his lap. He stroked my hair, which had come loose during the fight, holding me tightly to his chest.

I cried tears of pain and fear, realizing how close I had come to death. I cried tears of sorrow for Denzen and the way he’d so readily sacrificed his life to save mine. I cried tears of guilt for taking lives—for Bomesson and his two men, and even Leoro. It was a weight I had never wanted to bear in life, and I knew my physical scars would not be the only reminders.

I cried for my father; for the horrible way he had died, and for the hole his death had left in my heart. The hole that never seemed to close, continuing to fester and bleed no matter how much time passed. I cried tears of anger knowing he was not exactly who I’d always thought he’d been.

I cried tears of relief that it was over; Kezara was alive, and Velian was free. Leoro was gone and all of his evil manipulations with him.

I was barely cognizant of the sound of approaching footsteps and Velian snapping, “Leave her alone.” I had no idea how long I sobbed into his chest. When my breathing became less labored and the tears slowed, I lifted my head and looked at Velian. He was still stroking my hair with overwhelming tenderness as he placed a kiss on my forehead and asked,

“Are you alright, love?”

I closed my eyes and nodded.

His hand moved from my hair to rub my back. “I thought I was going to lose you,” he said in a strangled whisper. I opened my eyes and watched the tears slipping down his cheeks. “I’ve never been so terrified, Mihrra.” He licked his lips and took a shuddering breath. My eyes prickled, but before I could say anything, he brushed a stray hair behind my ear and said, “You saved me again. How can I ever make that up to you?”

Heart cracking open, I placed a hand on his cheek, wiped away the wet trails, and rasped, “You don’t have to.” My mouth tugged upward. “You’re free, Velian. You’re finally free.” He beamed at me, placing a hand on my cheek as well, and rested his forehead against mine with closed eyes.

“And what exactly did you need to be freed from?” Kezara was standing across the room with her hands on her hips.

“I’ll tell you later,” he mumbled, not moving an inch. We stayed that way for several more moments. I breathed in his scent and let it soothe my aching soul and racing mind. I still trembled, but he kept a tight hold on me, grounding me and helping my body to recognize it was no longer in danger.

“Mihrra, I’ve sent for the physician for you,” Leoran said. Startled, I glanced around the room and found him sitting on the king’s throne looking forlorn. He gave me a tight smile and then shifted his gaze to Kezara. “Can I speak with you, Kezara?”

She bit her lip and released her hold on Enverro’s hand, walking up to Leoran. The two spoke in a hushed tone so no one else could hear, and before they finished, a maid entered the room announcing the physician had arrived. She stared wide-eyed at Leoro’s bleeding corpse on the ground but didn’t say a word. Velian got to his feet, still holding me like I weighed nothing, but the movement jostled my arm and I cried out as a wave of intense pain radiated from my arm. It pulsed throughout my body and I slipped away into blissful unconsciousness.

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Kezara

Try as I might, I didn’t think I would ever be able to wipe away the memory of Mihrra’s exposed flesh and the image of her limp body in Velian’s arms. Perhaps even more upsetting was the look of pure agony covering Velian’s face as he carried her out of the room. I’d never seen him like that before.

After my enlightening conversation with Leoran, Enverro and I joined Velian in the physician’s room. Sprawled out on a table, Mihrra remained unconscious, but Velian gripped her hand, his thumb rubbing circles along the back of it. The action was so sickeningly sweet that if it were any other woman I would have been thoroughly repulsed, but this union was exactly what I had been hoping for. I was desperate to know what had transpired between them while I was gone, but my concern for Mihrra’s well-being overrode that desire.

“Is she alright?” Enverro beat me to the question. His hand rested on my shoulder, the casual show of affection sending a thrill through me. This delicate, unspoken shift in our relationship was exciting, but for the first time, I found myself feeling self-conscious. Thankfully, my brother did not turn around. I looked up at Enverro, but his eyes were fixed on Mihrra, a wrinkle betweenhis brows. I leaned into him and his gaze flicked down to my face, just as I knew it would. One corner of his lip pulled up and he slid his hand from my shoulder to hug me around the waist.

“She will be. She just needs rest, and lots of it,” the physician said. He was a small, bespectacled man with close-cropped salt and pepper hair. Once he was finished, Velian scooped Mihrra up again and followed a maid tasked with showing us to our rooms. As Enverro and I turned to follow, the physician said,

“Wait, take this for her.” He handed me a linen pouch. “Rare Morozif leaves.”

I stared at him blankly.

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