Page 7 of Unbetrothed

I galloped the last couple of steps and removed my boots to walk on the sand.

Lux caught sight of me. “Bea.” He stood and wiped the sand off his pants. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”

“Of course I’d come. I just had to throw Cosme off our trail.” I glanced over at the enormous castle above. The only windows to catch our swimming expedition were on the top floor. Only soldiers patrolled the back corridor, ready to ring the enormous bell in the front tower or light the logs in the back tower should an enemy arise. Their mischievous princess taking a swim with a friend wouldn’t be anything new, nor would they gossip about it to the suitors.

“Come on, Bea.” Lux stepped into the surf, letting the seawater rush around his ankles. “One last swim before you’re a nearly married woman.”

Why did he have to say something like that? It made this moment feel like the end. I let my robe fall from my shoulders and stepped next to him, hot sun rays kissing my forehead and shoulders. Warm water bubbled at my feet and pulled back into the sea. My eyes instinctively closed, soaking in the moment. This was my happy place.

“Good thing you got away from the party. You looked like you were walking through a living nightmare.” Lux’s tone held a sort of amusement to it.

“It wasn’t as bad as the nightmare I had last night.” I squinted at him, needing to gauge his response.

“What was it this time?”

“I had tentacles like an octopus and drained the life out of people from afar.”

Lux pressed his lips together. “It’s too bad you haven’t a gift. You might be a formidable enemy.”

But now I’m barely a bargaining chip. Useless.The words poured through my mind, stilling my tongue from speaking about my oath, about the ball, about Cosme’s warnings.

“I’ll give you a five-second head start,” Lux said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I smiled as a surge of energy rushed over me. I ran into the water and swam. The waves beat against me, but I lifted one arm up and then the other, inhaling every other stroke. The constant drum of my thoughts was swept away in the activity. Adrenaline pumped through my blood. Before I knew it, I reached the rocky barrier between the royal beach and open sea.

Lux laughed, a deep, rich sound. “You almost beat me. Six-second head start?”

“Never.” I crouched to dive.

“Wait.” Lux pushed himself onto a rock. “It’s the redheaded dolt. She’s waving.”

I lowered onto my bottom and perched on a giant rock next to Lux. “Why so soon?”

Laude’s squeaky voice cut through the rumbling of the sea. “Lady Myla’s searching for you.”

My heart sank a fraction.

“What’s that on your fingers?” Lux asked. “Did you paint them?”

The metallic coloring glowed in the brilliant midday light. I splayed my fingers over my lap. This was my chance to tell him about the oath. To ask him if retrieving my gift could change our futures. If I wanted to have more days out swimming and racing and talking to Lux, I’d have to risk his good opinion. Why was this so hard?

“We don’t have much time!” Laude’s voice cracked. She waved an arm and pointed to the palace with wild enthusiasm.

Lux chuckled. “You better go before she faints from overexerting herself.”

“Promise me you’ll rescue me at some point during the dance.”

He met my gaze, a sober expression sliding into place. “Of course, Bea. You know me.”

“Good.” I scooted into the water and swam to shore, remaining under the surface for as long as possible. The undercurrents tugged on my swimming dress. Pressure from the water hugged my body from every side, offering its condolence for a lost opportunity. My fingers brushed against the sand, and I righted myself.

“Princess, Lady Myla threatened to tell your mother about your little escapade if you do not come in right now.” Laude gnawed on her top lip.

My feet propelled me up the beach, up the rocky path, and to the servant’s entrance into the palace. I wrung the bottom of my dress, squeezing out the heavy seawater. My eyes automatically drifted toward where I left Lux, but he was gone. I strained to find him in the shallow water, but no signs of a human could be seen. My gaze darted to the rocky hedge to the east and then to the west. I caught sight of Lux’s back, walking over the giant rocks between the royal beach and the rocky shore.

An ache overwhelmed my heart. “Goodbye,” I whispered.

CHAPTER 4

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