Page 2 of A Rose Among Snakes

“I’m up for the challenge.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” Taz gave me a lopsided grin. “Rumor has it Kezara Blaise is quite the spirited young lady.”

“It’s a shame that raising four younger siblings hasn’t given me any experience in that area,” I said with a sardonic twist of my lips.

Taz snorted. “No, Jem hasn’t given you any trouble whatsoever.”

“I don’t want to talk about Jem.” I rolled my eyes and took another sip of wine. “Since you are such a world traveler and seem to know exponentially more than I, what else do I need to be prepared for?”

“Well, since you asked, rumor also has it Kezara’s older brother is quite handsome. A bachelor, too.”

“And?” I asked drily.

“Andwhich one of your many life experiences have prepared you for that?”

“What is there to prepare for? I’m sure we’ll never interact.”

“Maybe not, but you never know,” Taz said in a sing-song voice.

“We can’t all have every man falling at our feet like you do, Taz.”

“No, but you certainly could if you gave any the time of day.”

“There’s no time for silly romantic dalliances when you have a family to provide for. You know that,” I added, a tad reproachful.

Taz frowned, looking appropriately shamed. “I’m sorry, Mihrra, you’re right. I do know that.” She gestured with a hand to the celebrating villagers. “Look at your family, though. Look at the joy on all their faces.”

I did see it; my younger sister, Ambrelle, was twirling around in the arms of her new husband, Kersen. My mother stood off to the side, hands clasped in front of her beautiful face, eyes crinkled with a glorious smile. The twins, Savine and Sashir, were all of ten years old, but they were dancing their hearts out like they only had hours left to live. And Jehiam…

I narrowed my eyes, scanning the field for my brother’s shaggy, golden head. The last time I’d seen him was when he jumped out of his seat the moment the ceremony ended. Being too preoccupied with my conflicting feelings of joy for my sister andembarrassment that I was not the first to marry, I did not see where it was he had disappeared to.

“Do you see Jem?” I asked.

Taz was humming and swaying along to the music, a rosy flush from the wine blossoming on her cheeks. I repeated my question with an elbow to her side.

“What? Oh…” She pursed her lips. “No, I don’t.”

I groaned and dropped my chin to my chest. “I should go find him.” I picked up the several layers of my light blue skirt and turned toward the woods.

“I’ll come with you,” Taz offered.

I gave her a tight smile of appreciation, worry pricking at the back of my mind, and stepped into the bramble.

We crashed through the brush, teetering in our high-heeled boots donned especially for the wedding. Wine-induced giggles and squeals escaped our lips as we went. Taz cursed as she tripped over a root, red liquid sloshing over the rim of her goblet as she almost fell to her knees.

Breaking through the undergrowth, we reached the dirt road winding through the dark forest. It was only late afternoon, but the thick canopy of branches overhead blocked out the sun’s rays making it considerably darker. Goosebumps raced up my arms from the temperature drop.

“Alright, so when are you going to tell your family then?” Taz asked, panting slightly.

“Tomorrow. I leave in two days.”

Taz gasped.

“I know, it’s fast, but I think it will be better this way. My mother is not going to take the news well, and I didn’t think today was the best day to upset her.”

“Orit’s actually the perfect time since she’s so happy.”

I turned toward her, my expression incredulous. “You have sorely misunderstood my mother then. Thereisno perfect time to tell her.”

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