Page 44 of Unbetrothed

“You know where I stand.” Zichri’s voice was serious.

“Do I?”

Laude squealed in the distance.No!I sank onto my bottom and pressed my back against the hard bark, hoping they’d follow the shore to our campsite. What could Zichri have meant byYou know where I stand? Would he use me for the powers I would wield? It would make sense since no one in Himzo received gifts, and the powers Giddelians wield have held back Himzo invasions for many generations.

Milo’s gruff tone broke the silence. “Forget this. I’m going back to eat Jaime’s food.” Rocks crunched along the river and faded into the distance.

Water splashed. I kept still and waited, tipping my head to the side. Sounds of flowing water, birds tweeting, and insects buzzing rattled the forest.

Slosh.

I poked my head out from behind the trunk. Zichri raised his stick from the water, and a fish flopped at the end.

CHAPTER 22

IHID AGAIN BEHINDthe tree, back to the bark. The shadows under the jungle canopy seemed to grow darker, enveloping me in its ominous blanket. Zichri sighed. Then water sloshed, and crunching pebbles followed. I held my breath. The sound of footsteps waned and disappeared in the distance. Zichri had gone in the direction of our camp.

“Miss Cypress!” Laude called. Strain marked her voice. “Miss Cypress!”

The men would suspect I heard their private conversation if they found me here. I needed to move somewhere else. Traveling deeper into the forest, I hiked with no direction in mind. A pitter-patter of droplets played music on the treetops. Sprinkles of water dripped onto my nose. Still, I plowed ahead. Laude’s voice sounded farther away, but I didn’t care.

Zichri is using me, and Milo resents helping us.These thoughts drove me forward. Hadn’t I hoped to gather information? What was I thinking—trusting them? And why did it hurt so much to find out the truth? I picked up the pace, almost running across the muddied ground. Droplets soaked into my brown tunic.

What were Zichri’s brothers doing? Did Zichri have plans with them? An ache crawled up my neck, hitting the base of my head. My legs slowed their pace, and I stopped to rest, drinking in the earthy fragrance. I had to find out more. I had to face him as if nothing had transpired. Like he had no secrets.

A growl echoed through the jungle. I darted glances at the crooks of the vined trees and stepped slowly in the direction I had come. Glowing eyes from above stopped me cold. A large catlike animal stared down from a thick branch and licked its chops.

Oh, Ancient One!I clenched my teeth to keep them from chattering. With smooth, calm movements, I trod backward, keeping the animal in my line of sight, only glancing down to make sure a jutting root didn’t trip my foot.

The beast fixed its stare in my direction, still as a statue. My boots padded the forest floor. A verdant branch cut into my view of the creature, and I continued to walk until I could see it no more. I spun around. Thick blobs of rain blurred my vision as I shot through the forest like an arrow.

Why hadn’t I been more concerned about losing my way? Had I secretly hoped I would stumble across the ruins, and the whyzer would bestow the gift with the wave of his hand? Had I been thinking at all? My stomach shriveled.

The forest held me in its clutches. I couldn’t see mountains or much of anything. How was I going to get back? A flash of light tore through the sky. Thunder roared, and the ground trembled.

It didn’t take me long to imagine a giant cat prowling in the canopy. I pumped my arms harder, looking over my shoulder, and slammed into something.

I screamed.

“Cypress, Cypress! It’s me.” Milo grabbed my shoulders.

My breath rushed out in spurts.

“Found her!” His bellow sent another jolt through my body.

In the distance, Jaime’s voice responded, “Heading to camp.”

Milo stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled, piercing the air. Another person whistled from a good distance away.

“What are you doing so deep in the woods?” Milo’s narrowed eyes told me his mood had not improved.

“I got lost.”

He massaged his brow and tugged on his dripping hair before meeting my gaze.

His eyes rounded. He pulled out a dagger, knees bending in a fight stance. Was he going to attack me? He flung his weapon.

I gasped.

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