Page 28 of A Rose Among Snakes

“Leoran wants us to go visit the fortune teller around the corner and see if there’s any future for us.” Kezara didn’t take her eyes off him, and he stared right back. They acted like newlyweds, not a couple that had been told they couldn’t be together. The delusion in their expressions made a tendril of worry squirm through me.

“Is that the wisest idea?” I asked.

Leoran’s reply was curt. “The decision has been made.”

I blushed, properly chastised. Perhaps I was too comfortable with Kezara and I had completely forgotten my societal role as a maid.

“Let’s go,” Kezara said, patting Leoran’s arm in excitement.

They strode out through the vine-tangled gate and into the swarming streets with me and the guard hot on their heels. We zigzagged through the throngs, assaulted by the salty air rife with sweaty bodies and spiced meats; the haunted, Ziffem-induced laughter echoed off the buildings. I couldn’t stop the shiver that coursed through me as Leoran led us down an alley lit by a single lantern that conjured memories of my last trip through an alley. In the back corner was a door with a sign hanging over it: ‘Readings with Regalla.’ He walked up to the door and knocked twice. A moment later, an attractive, middle-aged woman, presumably Regalla, opened it enough to peek out. Within a face framed by wine-red curls, warm brown eyes set in deeply tanned skin looked Leoran up and down with a hungry glint. She smiled and opened the door completely, the bangles on her wrist clinking with the movement.

“How may I help you?” she asked in a low, sultry voice, a hint of an accent curving her vowels.

“We are looking to have our fortunes read.” Leoran pulled Kezara into view, who stuck out her chin in her usual display of contempt.

The woman made a pouting face, but said, “Very well, come in.” We followed her inside and stood cramped together. It was a tight room draped in colorful tapestries and primitive artwork depicting human figures covered in runes. The lit candles on every available surface made for a sweltering atmosphere which only added to the suffocating feeling. Regalla sat at a round table, motioning with tattoo-covered hands for Kezara and Leoran to sit across from her. They took their seats while the prince’s guard and I stood with our backs against the wall.

Regalla reached out her hands, taking one of each of theirs, saying, “You two hold hands as well.”

They did as they were instructed, and she closed her eyes, humming to herself. Gently swaying, her head dropped back to face the ceiling as she chanted in a language I didn’t understand. The swaying increased with the volume of her voice as the candles began to flicker. Our shadows grew shorter, creating the sense that the walls were closing in.

Each breath came faster and shallower as if my chest was caving in with the walls. My palms were slick as my throat constricted, and I caught the scowl pasted on the guard’s unflappable face. He met my panicked gaze, the reflection of my own terror glinted inhis eyes. He gripped the handle of his sword. In front of us, Leoran and Kezara stared at each other, mouths parted in stunned silence.

As abruptly as it began, the chanting stopped and Regalla opened her eyes to look at the couple facing her. Her face was blank until a slow grin began to creep across. She turned to Leoran first and batted her eyelashes.

“You are a man of great power, but there will be trouble ahead for you. However, you will come out on top and end up with what you want.”

Leoran beamed and his tense shoulders lowered. Regalla turned her attention to Kezara and her expression stiffened.

“You, my dear, are a fiery one. Hold onto that flame because you have a very important trial standing before you. You will have to fight for your happiness.” Kezara frowned, seeming less assured than Leoran, but he squeezed her hand and she gave him a faint smile.

“Thank you, Ms. Regalla,” Leoran said.

“The pleasure was all mine, I assure you.” Her thick lashes fluttered.

Kezara scoffed and glared at the fortune teller as she stood and linked her arm through Leoran’s, hauling him to his feet and pulling him close. The couple made their way to the door after Leoran dropped a few coins in the clay pot sitting on the table. The guard followed closely behind, and I stepped in line ready to join the procession until a hand gripped my arm. I turned to find Regalla inches away from my face, her brown eyes wide, glazed over, and darting from side to side, like she was seeing things Icould not. Her grip tightened and I barely kept a whimper from escaping my lips.

The fortune teller’s eyes cleared and she leaned closer, whispering, “You will find what you are looking for, but at what cost? Be careful who you trust, girl. Not everyone is as they seem.”

I froze. While vague, her words reminded me of the promise I’d made to Jehiam, but there was no way she knew anything about that. Beyond the shock, I felt a stirring of guilt deep in my belly. I had been here for two weeks and hadn’t even tried to discover anything about my father. After the ball—that’s when I would start.

Thankfully, Kezara broke the silence between me and the fortune teller by impatiently shouting my name.

Regalla loosened her grip on my arm, but the urgency never left her face. I scurried out the door and did not look back.

We all stood in the alleyway, staring at each other. Kezara sighed and dramatically said,

“What a fraud.”

“What do you mean?” Leoran asked. “She knew I was in a position of power without me saying so.”

Kezara reached out and grabbed his hand, holding it in front of his face. “You are wearing a ring, with the royal crest, no less.” Leoran formed an ‘oh’ with his mouth. “I’m sure she gives the same fortune to everyone. Ours were essentially identical, just worded differently.”

“Isn’t it encouraging, though? Our fate is the same.” He grabbed both of Kezara’s hands and held them to his chest. Her answering smile was tight.

His trusting and naive assessment of Regalla had me struggling to keep from sighing.

“Mihrra,” Kezara turned to me. “What did she say to you?”

---