Page 49 of A Rose Among Snakes

My captor stood and crossed the small space to a counter, where there appeared to be a plate of food. The curtains were drawn over the windows, but the harsh glow of midafternoon light seeped through the sides. His back was turned to me, but his arm moved, matching the sound of a knife rhythmically hitting the counter.

The panic that had been threatening to overtake me was giving way to fury the longer I dwelled on the memories. I could only think of how unfair it was, and how confusing. Heat raced through me, fiery and fast, dulling all my physical pain. Keeping my eyes on the man, I felt around the ground until my fingers made contact with a berry-sized stone. I gripped it in my hand, and silently struggled to my feet. Grabbing the bars in front of me with one hand, I stuck my other arm through the gap and wound up.

With all the strength I could muster, I flung the stone through the air, hitting the back of his head with more accuracy than I expected. He grunted and bent over, and standing back up, he removed the hood and placed his hand over the injury. He wheeled around and I squared my shoulders, standing my ground. Once he was close enough to grab me, my breath caught as I recognized him.

“You.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mihrra

We stopped for the night in a wooded glen. Only when I asked did Velian tell me we were south of Canderren in Kerf, where the Duke and Duchess, Nimor and Ozella, lived. I told Milner not to set up the tent for me, opting to sleep inside the carriage instead. He sighed with relief and I followed him to where they were starting a fire. This time the task was assigned to Denzen.

“That was quick,” Corman remarked as he brought over the iron stand and a pot. He placed them on the ground, his black hair swinging in front of his face.

“We don’t all need a woman’s touch to get a fire started.”

Corman straightened and shot me a wry look, while Denzen flashed him a cruel wink. I prickled, feeling insulted, but kept my head down. Velian sat against a tree and cleaned his nails with a knife, a fierce scowl on his face. My heart hurt for him, but I kept my distance. If he wanted comfort, he wouldn’t have sat so far away.

Seated around the fire, we ate a venison stew prepared by Corman as the sun sank below the horizon. Across from me, I kept catching Paolef watching me with his piercing eyes. Thoughhe seemed merely curious, I still squirmed, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. I hadn’t realized the extent to which I had counted on Kezara’s vibrant personality as a shield until she was not around.

Paolef was quiet. He didn’t joke like Denzen or chatter like Corman; he observed, and I had a feeling that when he did speak, it was only when necessary. I was grateful when Milner sat beside me and made polite conversation.

Once it was dark, I retired to the carriage, but sleep evaded me. I was anxious, the memories of the attack still fresh, so I stared at the black ceiling. From outside, their voices filtered in.

“Cheer up, Boss. Maybe you’ll have less headaches now,” Denzen said.

Something crashed in the brush as Paolef’s deep voice admonished, “Shut up, Denzen.”

“I’m kidding. I’m sorry it happened that way. You had no idea about her and Leoran?”

Velian didn’t say anything, or if he did, it was too quiet for me to hear.

“So does that mean her maid has some free time then?” Multiple sounds of crashing brush made me assume they were throwing things at him. “Unless you have a claim on her, Boss?”

My cheeks flushed and my palms grew clammy. I did not appreciate being discussed like I was livestock at an auction, but I wanted to hear his answer.

Corman piped in before Velian had a chance, though. “Of course not. The Boss isn’t going to settle down anytime soon, especially not with the help.”

I bit my lip as tears stung the back of my eyes. And that’s why everyone advises against eavesdropping. He was right. I was foolish to think Velian would ever look at me that way.

“Really? We are ‘the help’ as you said, Corman, and do you not think of him as your brother?” Paolef questioned.

“Well, of course-”

“So, you’re saying,” Denzen interrupted, “that he has to pay us to be his friends?”

More crashing and Velian finally said, “Shut up, Denzen.”

“Alright, alright, I’m done,” Denzen chuckled.

They continued talking, but I pulled the blanket over my head to muffle their voices.

I’m not sure when I fell asleep, but I woke to the sky turning a light, dusty blue and readied myself for an early start.

We arrived at the manor by mid-morning, where Velian headed directly for the stable. I exited the carriage and went to the rear compartment to grab my bag.

Franz was there, wearing his usual warm smile, helping Corman, Paolef, and Denzen unload the carriage. I watched as Paolef opened the secret compartment and pulled out a hidden case, settling it discreetly in the shadow of Kezara’s trunks. Something about the handle caught my eye and I leaned forward for a closer view.

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