Page 47 of A Rose Among Snakes

Waking up to reality was like being kicked in the gut by a horse.

I left Velian’s room and returned to my own, making quick work of packing away both mine and Kezara’s belongings. The tedium did nothing to alleviate the unease clouding my thoughts. Something with her departure felt off, but I had no proof other than a gut feeling.

The castle servants helped take the trunks and bags downstairs and loaded them into the waiting carriage. Milner stood by the back and frowned as I approached.

“Are we waiting on Ms. Blaise as well?”

I shook my head as I accepted his assistance into the carriage. Settling myself on the ocher velvet of the bench I said, “She’s staying back.”

Milner raised a questioning eyebrow, but not wanting to spread rumors, I simply shrugged and sat back.

“Does Velian know?”

“Yes, she left him a note.”

Milner let out a low whistle. “That explains his mood then.”

“Where is he?”

He hitched a thumb in the direction of the stable. “It’s been a while.”

I chewed on my lip, debating whether to stay in the carriage or not. With a grimace on his face, Milner stared at me, as if hoping I would go and check on him. I held out a moment longer before saying, “Fine, I’ll go.”

The grimace was replaced by a smile as he helped me to the ground, and I marched in the direction of the enormous stable. Despite the chorus of neighs echoing off the cool, stone walls, half of the stalls were empty. I wandered through the maze of halls before finding Velian. He was facing a spot-faced stable boy who had a tight grip on Zavi’s reins. Beneath the mop of brassy hair, his gaze jumped around the room as Velian pocketed a few coinsbefore accepting the reins. The boy’s lips parted when he saw me, and he spun on his heel, vanishing around a corner like a ghost.

Velian turned around, and if he was surprised to see me he gave no indication as he asked, “Are we ready?”

“Yes, I was just coming to check on you. Milner said it was taking a while.”

“Of course, they were busy so I had to wait.” With a tender hand, he stroked the side of Zavi’s face. It was possible I was still on edge from the morning, but something in his lack of eye contact prickled my scalp. There was no time to dwell on it before he led Zavi out of the stable. Milner helped me back into the carriage, whispering his gratitude for retrieving Velian.

The gnawing feeling in my stomach made it hard for me to get comfortable, but I folded my hands in my lap as the carriage lurched forward. I shut my eyes, wishing I could sleep the entire journey home.

Home.

The thought rattled through my brain, making me wonder when I had started thinking of Blaise Manor as home instead of Roben. I was looking forward to Shandy’s cooking, being greeted by Mrs. Shulling’s warm smile, and sleeping in my feather bed. What would Mrs. Shulling make of Kezara’s disappearance?

My eyes flew open as fear zinged through my body. If Kezara was not at Blaise Manor, did that mean I was out of a job? I couldn’t be. I hadn’t had any time to look into my father’s death yet, and I refused to return to my family without it.

I stared out the window, digging my nails into my palm as I tried to come up with a defense if Velian wanted to let me go. I didn’t notice when the carriage had come to a stop, but the stone engulfing my vision told me we were still in Clavo, confirmed a moment later by a woman’s wild cackling. A knock at the door made me jump and I turned to find Velian standing outside. I scooted across the bench and opened the door.

“I have a short bit of business to attend to. Please wait here in the carriage with Milner. We’ll be back soon.” I looked over his shoulder to where Corman, Denzen, and Paolef sat on their horses, watching everyone who passed by with wary eyes. I hadn’t seen them in the castle and didn’t know when exactly they had rejoined us. They dismounted in unison and headed toward the rear compartment of the carriage, jostling the entire vehicle as they opened it.

“Mihrra.” Velian’s curt tone pulled my attention back to him. “Can you promise me you will wait here? It will be quick.”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Good. Draw the curtains,” he commanded, closing the door. I bristled at his harsh attitude but did as I was told. I sat in silence, stewing in my anxious thoughts that revolved around whether I was soon to be unemployed and if we would be attacked again on our way home.

No more than ten minutes later, I saw motion through the lace curtains and realized it was Velian, waving to notify me of his return. As he readied to swing up into the saddle, an old woman approached him, clothed only in a sleeveless, threadbare dress, head down and hands outstretched. Velian paused and spoke to her, though I couldn’t hear. A moment later, he fished some coins out of his pocket and pressed them into her waiting palms.

She dipped her chin, a faint “Bless you, my lord,” breaking through the walls of the carriage.

He gave her a sympathetic smile as he mounted Zavi, and we were off.

Watching the interaction distracted me from my worries, filling me with bittersweet thoughts of what-ifs, but I gave my head a vigorous shake, grounding myself in reality. I wrapped my arms around my sides, praying we wouldn’t stop in Canderren again.

PART TWO

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