Eyes of a Snake (Royal Blood Series Book 2) by Adina Chiles

Author:Adina Chiles [Chiles, Adina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing
Published: 2023-04-18T16:00:00+00:00

Fur coats move in every direction as people shuffle between the buildings that rest on both sides of the street. There isn’t a lot of room to move without running into someone who frantically cuts in your path.

“Umm. Excuse you!” Jewels shouts as someone steps on her foot and pushes past her.

“Watch where you’re going!” a man shouts back before disappearing into the crowd.

Jewels looks at me in bewilderment. “Is he serious?”

Raynna laughs. “People in Emery are always in a hurry. It’s our way of life. But we’re efficient and get things done.” She bobs her head over the crowd, stretching onto her tippytoes. “This way.”

We move off to the side near crates and barrels of fruits and vegetables. Lyam and the little boy pick some apples while the rest of us step onto wooden planks, in front of a building that reads Emery’s Tavern.

“Where are y’all supposed to meet the princess?” Raynna asks.

I reply, “She said at The Wandering. Have you heard of it?”

Raynna nods and points down the road.

In the distance, in bright yellow paint, I see a sign for where we’re headed.

“It’s a secondhand shop. There are a lot of collectibles there. You sure that’s it?” Raynna asks.

“Look.” Jewels points near the shop. “There is Neena.”

People surround the princess as she walks through the town. Children run up to her with gifts that she graciously accepts.

“People love her,” Raynna says. “She’s the little hope this town has left. If they do not find her mother, it’s up to her to take back the kingdom. Could you imagine that kind of pressure resting on one’s shoulders? Has to be a heavy burden.”

I force a smile, and while I don’t know the feeling, I can’t help but think that might be my future. The thought makes my breathing pick up. Having all those people surround you, shouting and pushing for your attention, sounds dreadful.

“Mel!” Jewels calls, snapping a finger in my face. “You ready?”

I don’t feel out of it, but she must have been trying to get my attention for a while. I nod, realizing everyone is waiting for me.

We walk the streets once again and my nostrils fill with the scent of warm corn, and then raw fish as we pass a couple descaling the dead creatures. We walk by the group that surrounds Neena. I casually meet her glance, but we keep moving like we are strangers.

Looking behind me, I see Minnie has stopped, her attention fixated down an alley. Falling back, I stop to see what holds her gaze.

It is Leo, the man who nearly ran her over with his wagon. Just like Lyam said, he pulls chickens and ferrets from his wagon.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, as we both watch him sell his livestock.

Minnie narrows her eyes. “I don’t trust him. I told you I’m good at reading people, and there is something about him that’s off.”

“We’ll keep an eye out for him,” I assure her. “But right now, we need to get to the shop.

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