Page 34 of A Rose Among Snakes

Minutes later, everything was packed and we were on our way. I rested my head against the window of the carriage and the gentle jostling soon rocked me to sleep. Sometime later, I woke as the wheels of the carriage hit paved streets, the bump knocking my limp body over. Slumped down in her seat across from me, Kezara glanced around, a deep frown creasing her forehead. I pulled the lace curtain back and saw we had entered a city enclosed by massive stone walls.

Gray stone covered every surface, meaning we had reached Clavo. The Stone City was where King Leoro held court in his castle perched on a hill overlooking the city. Clavo was a haven for all who felt displaced thanks to King Leoro’s reputation of benevolence and generosity. When the crown passed to him, he opened up the gates to allow refugees from both Etheniar andthe island territory of Quemina to give them opportunities they didn’t have in their homelands. He did his best to keep taxes low, and in turn, the citizens of Terrune respected and appreciated him.

People lined the streets; vendors were selling their goods, patrons brandishing money, but more still sat in the shadows. Gaunt, skeletal faces with hollow eyes stared into space, either huddled under tattered cloaks or standing, exposed by the rags clinging to their bodies by threads. Others were lost in hysteria, blinded by their false euphoria as they danced and stumbled around. A man rubbed blue powder onto his gums, making no attempt to hide the Ziffem.

My chest ached and burned, heartbreak and fury warring for dominance. It was a choice, and it affected everyone around them. I could only hope Jehiam had learned his lesson and was making better choices.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw it; only a week after my father’s death, small pouches appeared on everyone’s doorsteps in Roben. There had always been talk of a miracle crystal you ground up and rubbed on your gums to make all your troubles disappear, but it felt like a myth. My mother disposed of the bag on sight. But not everyone could resist.

It wasn’t long before many villagers were dependent on it. I watched as people I knew well wasted all their hard-earned money and possessions trying to get more and more of the exorbitantly expensive drug. Roben suffered for a few years, but those who did not fall prey worked to help those who would accept it. Thosewho did not were driven out for the sake of the community. I knew my father would have been involved if he had lived to see it. Then again, perhaps it was for the best he didn’t have to see his son nearly kill himself using it.

I’ll never forget thinking I was going to lose yet another family member. I continued staring out the window but focused on the buildings instead of the people.

I had never seen so much Ziffem out in the open before. Clavo was a noble city, but it seemed people were taking advantage of it with their flagrant disregard for the law. I had assumed the royal city would be clean and sophisticated, but the reality made me sad. Thankfully, the gray stone gave way to lush grass dotted with wildflowers as we emerged from the walled city. The carriage tilted back as we switchbacked up a steep hill. The top of the hill was quite a way off and we were moving slowly, so I sat back in my seat. I glanced over at Kezara who had been oddly quiet and found her staring blankly at the wall in front of her, wringing her hands in her lap.

“Kezara?”

She startled and focused on my face.

“Is everything alright?” I asked.

She pasted on a tight smile. “Yes, of course. We’re going to a ball!” I only stared, waiting for the facade to drop. Kezara’s smile wavered as she whispered, “I’m not sure how we’re going to fix this, Mihrra. I’m going to lose him.”

I reached across the space between us and patted her hands. “I don’t think so. Love always finds a way.” Her eyessparkled with tears, and I added, “Or so I’ve been told. I’ve never actually been in love, so what do I know?”

Kezara let out a musical laugh, shaking her head. She squeezed my hand and said, “We haven’t known each other very long, but you feel like the sister I’ve always wanted.”

“You too,” I said, returning the squeeze.

“Except you already have a plethora of sisters.”

I pulled my hand out of hers and pressed my fingertips to my chest, feigning reproach. “Not a plethora. Just two… and two brothers.”

She groaned. “Brothers. I definitely don’t need another one of those.”

Thinking of Jem, I nodded and laughed. I wondered if little Sashir would grow up to be a troublemaker like Jem, or if he would remain a rule-follower such as Ambrelle. Savine was the more fiery of the twins, so maybe she would follow after Jehiam, instead.

Guilt stabbed my ribs as it usually did when I dwelled on my family. Here I was about to attend a ball hosted by King Leoro, and at home, my youngest siblings were no doubt learning how to work the farm to help keep our family afloat.

I decided to change the subject. “You know… You never told me how you and Leoran met in the first place.”

Kezara sat up straighter, twirling a curl around her finger.

“Prepare yourself, it’s scandalous.”

“Is it?” My eyes widened, afraid for what Kezara deemed scandalous enough to warrant caution.

“No, I’m teasing. I was in town six months ago to meet Rosida—I know, there’s no need for that face, Mihrra. Anyway, she was running very late so I decided to wander amongst the stalls after escaping Henella. I was admiring a beaded satchel when someone bumped into me from behind. I was prepared to give the assailant a verbal lashing but found myself staring at the most handsome man I’d ever seen.

“We ended up strolling the streets together, and he bought me a flower to put in my hair. He told me he had to leave, but asked for my name first, promising to write. He disappeared before I could ask his name, though. He was true to his word, and a letter arrived two days later asking me to meet him in secret again. We met at the tavern, and he revealed his name, which was quite a shock, but certainly not an unwelcome one. We’ve been meeting ever since, and the rest is history.” Her expression was lighter, the dark cloud over her dissipating with every word she spoke. The unmistakable joy Leoran brought her had me softening my opinion of him. She deserved to be happy.

Chapter Nineteen

Blaring trumpets blasted through the air as the carriage rolled to a stop outside the castle wall. A moment later, the creaking of a rising portcullis signaled our permission to enter. Once inside the wall, we were greeted by green lawns and flourishing gardens. The castle ahead was grand, boasting looming towers. Dark gray stone encased stained-glass windows and an ornate door brushed with gold. As the carriage followed a circular path, we wound around a lily-covered pond and rolled to a stop in front of the door. Within seconds, Milner opened the carriage door. His hair, which was usually combed to perfection, was windswept, revealing a bald patch. He assisted Kezara first, then me, and we stood next to each other in the paved courtyard, eyes wide with awe.

Milner, Corman, Paolef, and Denzen started unloading the carriage while Velian dismounted Zavi and came to stand next to his sister. He released a sigh and stretched his back, twisting his torso from side to side as he craned his neck to take in the full height of the castle.

“Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm to Kezara. She nodded once, taking his arm as they strolled forward while I trailed on theirheels. Before Velian could lift the heavy gold knocker, the door squeaked open and a middle-aged man dressed in a maroon frock coat stood in front of us. He had drooping eyes and loose jowls. I bit my lip to contain my laughter; I’d never seen a human so closely resemble a dog. His expression was bored, but he greeted us with a sweeping bow.

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