Since she could remember, Princess Manar has only known one thing: venom. She was only three when she was thrown into the pit of Vanar, the snake that guards Arla’s afterlife called Gardenia. Sacrificed to Vanar by her parents, Prince Iyre and Princess Ranam, the young princess was left alone to be bitten by the eternal snake over and over again until she was on the very doorsteps of Death.

On the fourth day, the Snake Whisperer

was born.

***

Because she was half-snake, Princess Manar has always been able to easily detect beings from afar. Their vibrations were easily felt beneath her small feet. Because of this, Manar felt Brielle’s presence before she even entered the garden. She felt her curiosity, her pain, her sadness, her lust. Curious herself, curious to see the face belonging to the conflicting emotions, Manar lured her to her with two simple words,

‘Ahu resa.’

But when the princess arrived, Manar wasn’t prepared for the woman that stepped before her. A giant with daunting eyes.

When Manar introduced herself, she immediately noticed the shakiness in Brielle’s hands, the way her eyes widened, and the fear that swept over her.

Brielle took a big swallow. “I just saw you eat a snake.”

Manar laughed. “I didn’t eat it. Vanar cannot be eaten.”

Brielle took a step backwards, nearly tripping over a fallen branch. Manar reached out to her and grabbed her by the waist. “Watch your step.”

Her voice, soft and light.

Manar kicked the branch away before letting go of Brielle’s waist.

That’s when she saw the dagger in Brielle’s right hand.

Brielle noticed Manar eying the dagger, which prompted her to tighten her grip on the shiny weapon.

Manar noticed. “You can put that away now.”

“If you think for one second I’m going to put down my dagger when it’s just you and I out here…..you have lost your mind and essence and everything in between.”

Manar smirked, then lifted her head towards the night sky. “If I wanted you dead, I would’ve done that before you even stepped foot in this garden.”

“Is that so? The stories beg to differ.”

Manar whipped her gaze back to Brielle, eyes hardened and jaw tight. “I am not a Courier of Death. If those the stories you are talking about.”

Brielle slightly flinched. “What about the poor guy from Loso many days ago?”

Manar’s face immediately softened. “He was a threat.”

Brielle raised her eyebrows. “A threat?”

Manar smiled then began walking back towards the bench.

“He tricked me. He threatened Vanar, Gardenia.” Manar explained, then carefully took a seat on the bench.

Brielle folded her arms across her chest, clearly not believing Manar.

Manar let out a huge sigh. “I don’t kill. Vanar doesn’t kill. We are not Couriers of Death. We are Givers of New Life.”

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“That still doesn’t explain what happened.”

Manar bit her lower lip then waved Brielle over. “Come.”

“I don’t think so.” Brielle responded quickly.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” Manar assured.

Brielle cocked her head and took a long look at Manar. The woman began touching the ends of her hair. Her long, black wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face.

“I could make you, if that’s what you prefer.” Manar sang.

After a long moment, Brielle dropped her shoulders and scanned the garden floor, looking for more snakes.

Manar let out a tiny giggle.

“There are no snakes here.” She assured, the softness in her voice returned. “Only you and I.”

The two women’s eyes locked in an enchanting gaze as the moonlight casted a cool glow over the two and the scent of oranges lingered in the air.

“Fine.” Brielle huffed then stomped towards the bench. For some reason, Brielle felt compelled to stay with Manar.

As she walked towards the bench, Manar watched with a huge grin plastered across her face.

“If you didn’t kill him, what happened?” Brielle asked as she took a seat.

Manar slowly closed her eyes and her lips slightly parted. “You want to see?”

Brielle immediately put more distance between them. Her heart began racing. “See what?”

Manar’s eyes then shot up, revealing v-shaped, purple colored pupils.

“One moment, we were in bed sleeping. The next, he was hovering over me with a dagger in his right hand.” Manar said quickly, then gestured to her eyes. “You see, my eyes are always seeing. He didn’t know that.”

Manar paused. The young princess began playing with the hem of her lilac dress. “Then what happened?” Brielle asked softly.

“I’ve been alone with Vanar since I was three. No one comes to visit. Stefan doesn’t even bother me.” Manar began. “I can’t go to the Mountains. The magic of Trykar is too strong. The Desert is too hot.”

Manar paused again then ran her hands through her hair.

“I let that man in, my mistake. I won’t make it again.”

“What did you do?” Brielle asked slowly, eyes narrowed.

Manar turned her gaze to Brielle, her eyes landing on her lips. “I kissed him.”

Brielle frowned. “You kissed him?”

Manar then reached across the bench and brushed her fingers lightly against Brielle’s hand. For some reason, Brielle didn’t move her hand. Instead, she let it stay there and welcomed the woman’s touch. The small touches sent a jolt of electricity through the both of them. Then suddenly, Manar’s eyes began glowing.

“I kissed him again and again until the venom consumed every inch of his body.” She whispered.

Brielle jumped and snatched her hand away from Manar. “You DID kill him.”

Manar began laughing loudly. “No.”

Brielle suddenly stood.

“Sit down.” Manar uttered quickly, her eyes turning white as she did.

Brielle quickly took her seat.

“Actually, I cured him.” Manar revealed.

Brielle frowned again. “I’m not following.”

“I cured him.” Manar said quickly, then turned her head away from her. A sudden firework crackled in the skies, capturing both of their attention. The firework was in the shape of the moon.

“Then, I did it again. Again and again. Repeating the entire process until he jumped off that cliff to his death when he couldn’t take anymore.” Manar revealed, voice low and threatening.

Brielle’s body shuddered.

“But like I said, I didn’t kill him.”

“You led him to Death’s door.”

Manar shook her head. “You people are so afraid of me, yet you’ve forgotten who I am and my role in this life. I protect life and the lives beyond death. Even Stefan understands. Even Death has always known…..”

Manar paused.

“Known what?”

Manar turned her entire body towards Brielle. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. Brielle slightly turned her head away from Manar.

“No.” Manar murmured. “Look at me.”

Brielle slowly returned her gaze to Manar.

The air thickened, their chemistry crackled in the air.

“Guardians of Vanar are anchors. We are bridges between life, death, and rebirth.” Manar explained. “Without us, Salvation dies. Without us, there is only disorder. Our lives are given to the Gods the second we are born. Even Fate envies us. Even Fate wants us dead.”