Page 27 of Unbetrothed

“Enough of your silly notions. Those men will not be so kind if they discover who I am.”

CHAPTER 14

“SOMETHING IS AMISS WITHyou,” I said to Laude. Though the air was cool this morning, the red sunset last night forecasted a sunny day today. I cupped river water in my hands and splashed it on my cheeks. Cool liquid dripped down my neck and onto my chemise.

“Hmm? I don’t know what you mean.” Laude’s words came out mumbled. She held pins between her teeth as she raced wet fingers through her red tendrils. Then she twisted locks at the top of her head and stabbed the pins into her hair. Her upper lip stiffened with concentrated effort.

Laude stood on a large rock and stretched her boot onto another boulder, and proceeded to shore in this manner.

I wiped my face with a sleeve and joined her. “You understand why we can’t stay with them. I’m certain my markings make me distinguishable for even those who’ve merely heard about me.”

Her eyes met mine for a moment. What was going on in that head of hers? She cast her gaze down. “We should join the others.”

We continued along the rocky river shore when all five men came into view, loading the horse with our bags.

“It’s going to be a long walk up Mount Giddel.” Gonzalo smoothed his hand over Carmel’s neck. “If you have any trouble, we can carry the satchels, and one of you can ride Carmel.”

“I’m sure we can manage,” I said.

Crunch. Whack.

I whipped around toward the sound.

Laude sat sprawled on the rocky shore. “Ai-yi-yi! I think I twisted my ankle.”

Blas loaded Laude up onto Carmel, which inspired a twinkle in her sapphire eyes, and we were off on the rustic road up Mount Giddel, the rest of us walking alongside the horse. Why did she have to hurt herself? This ruined all my plans to run off.

Just when we turned the first bend, Laude and I locked stares, and a smirk slipped across her lips. Did she fake her injury? I stopped, craning my neck to get a better look at her ankle when Zichri smacked into me, and I stumbled forward.

After the awkward apologies, we continued for an hour or so on unforgiving stretches of road. When we finally stopped for a break under a mango tree, I took the opportunity to examine Laude’s foot. But upon reaching for her ankle, a hairy spider crawled onto my sleeve, and I screeched, my muscles frozen in fear.

Zichri darted to my rescue and laughed when he saw what he described as a “kind little fellow.” He gently shooed the creature from my person. Blas made no secret about his amusement either.

“Don’t worry, Cypress.” Zichri offered a hand to help me up. “We’ll be out of the wild soon enough.”

I pushed myself to my feet and pursed my lips. He chuckled. The deep sound of his laugh had an attractive quality. But I stuffed that sentiment away and arched my eyebrows in distaste. Why make him feel useful?

After the long day’s walk, I longed for a bath, a new dress, to kick off my boots, and ointment to soothe the burning itch attacking my markings. When would this torturous walk ever end?

A home with stucco walls peeked through the forest. Sunrays illuminated the yellow color of its walls with a brilliant sheen. Relief flooded my body. Rest would come soon.

“Is this the place?” I asked as I turned to Zichri.

Zichri’s eyes met mine, and my stomach did a strange flop. Perhaps I was simply grateful he hadn’t left me when I fell behind the rest of the group? Or the heat had weakened my resolve?

“You suppose well. Wait until you see the accommodations. They might even impress you.” His smile tugged up one cheek, inspiring a well-placed dimple.

I lifted a dubious brow.Doubt it.

Then more homes with flat roofs popped up along the road, offering a change from the sprawling jungle. Soon wagons lined the sides of the road, and the structures became larger. The roads were paved with cobblestone. A plaza with a large fountain in the center came into view.

“Cypress.” Zichri touched my elbow, drawing my attention to him. “I meant it earlier when I said I want to get to know you.”

Tearing my arm back, I inspected his drab white tunic and scuffed boots. Who was this Zichri? With tension between Himzo and Giddel so high, what type of merchant would risk his life for the purpose of trade? I tempered my suspicions with what I assumed was a graceful flutter of my lashes. “You are persistent. A lady can’t be rushed when getting to know someone new.”

The other four men and Laude chatted in front of an inviting arched doorway across the road. Laude bounced on her toes and clapped her hands, ankle not a concern. A flame of ire lit inside of me.

I strode ahead, ready to expose her lie, but got yanked back. A horse and carriage zipped past where I aimed to step. I gasped.

---