Page 91 of Unbetrothed

The hard lines on his face softened, and Zichri chuckled. I took it as him resigning to my wishes, and it pleased me. He led me into a spin. My dress skirt floated around my body, refreshing me with a tiny breeze. I wanted to lock this moment in a bottle. Then I’d drink from it anytime I needed a perfect moment to wash away pain or hardship.

Papá sat next to Mamá on a plush loveseat. I didn’t know why my parents chose the parlor room for this conversation, but I was happy to be part of it.

Cosme lounged on the couch across from them, levitating his two daggers. Catching Cosme’s daggers by the handles, I rolled my eyes at how he flexed his gifting. “Could you please put these away? We don’t want Zichri to get the wrong impression.”

Cosme removed his suit jacket, revealing more daggers sheathed in the belts crossing the front of his chest. “You can never be too careful with Himzos for friends.”

Vexed, I dropped into a seat. There was no reasoning with Cosme. Zichri, Gonzalo, Blas, and Jaime would arrive soon, so I held back my tongue.

Laude entered the parlor with a pitcher and glasses of cool lime water, just like I asked her to do. I winked at her, letting her know to continue with our plan.

“Your Majesty, would you like me to bring out a shrimp cocktail?” Laude kept her head bowed in a most reverent way. She and I knew how Papá could not resist his favorite dish. It was always a good idea to make Papá as content as possible before asking big questions.

“Yes, that will do.” A hint of a smile passed beneath his mustache.

As Laude strode out, Zichri and the men walked in. Jaime misjudged the spacing in the doorway and collided with Laude. She flushed, giving Jaime a flirtatious grin that was hard not to notice.

“My humble apologies, miss.” Jaime dipped his head and continued to follow Zichri in. He glanced back, stealing an extra glimpse at Laude.

Cosme flared his nose. “See what I mean?” He must have been speaking about a previous conversation between our parents and him.

Thankfully, Mamá and Papá ignored him. Mamá held up her chin, smiling confidently. Papá lifted his thick brows, tenderly squeezing her hand, showing more affection than I’d seen in a long time. Near-death experiences do have a way of revealing how important people are to us. One nod of Mamá’s head and Papá got to his feet in respect toward our guests. The rest of us followed though Cosme grunted in disapproval.

Zichri bowed his head, almost touching his gruff chin to his simple white tunic. A respectful greeting rolled off his tongue. He stood in front of the plush armchair between Papá and me. I willed him to look at me, but he fixed his gaze in Papá and Mamá’s direction, as was proper.

“We’d like to thank you both as king and queen and a father and mother for saving our daughter,” Papá spoke in his formal tone of voice.

Zichri dipped his head in thanks. The door swung open, and Laude strode across the room with a tray overflowing with shrimp tails in bulbous cups. Another maid snuck in behind her with plates and cups, and a third maid slipped in with a pitcher of lime water.

Jaime stood behind Zichri, hands clasped at his back, smiling and watching Laude set a dish on a side table next to each seat. I hoped for their sake that Papá approved of Zichri and me. Though most personal maids don’t marry, I was confident Laude wouldn’t be my maid for long. Papá sat.

We all took our seats. I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted to scream, but I clutched a chunk of my woolen skirt instead.

Papá savored a shrimp while Laude poured him a glass of lime water. I tried not to appear too excited about priming Papá’s good disposition, but I caught Mamá arching a brow at me. How did she always see through me?

The other maids scuffled out the door.

Zichri took a glass of pulpy liquid from Laude. “Your daughter is extraordinary. I’d give my life for her again if the chance presented itself.”

“We have two matters to discuss.” Papá straightened up, wasting no time. “Because of our gratitude, we traditionally grant a token of our appreciation.”

My heart pounded. I had no idea how Zichri would ask for my hand or how Papá would respond. How I wished to use my gifting to search everyone’s hearts. But I decided not to use my gift for personal gain.

Laude trickled lime water into my glass.

“If you will permit, I would like a formal betrothal with your daughter.” Zichri stared unflinchingly at my parents.

Papá nodded to Mamá. I’d seen this a million times before. He gave Mamá the official response to Zichri’s request. Mamá shot me a knowing look. They must have discussed this beforehand.

Mamá turned her gaze to Zichri. “Prince Zichri of Himzo, I was opposed to this notion up until this morning when I spoke with the Ancient One. I allowed myself to listen and let go of my anxious thoughts. We have no objection to your request but our law …” Mamá’s melodic voice rang in my ears.

But our law. What could that mean? I wanted to stand in opposition, but Mamá’s training whispered through my mind.One should always listen carefully before saying a word.So I clasped my clammy hands together over my lap, begging in silence for the law to be reasonable.

Papá shifted in his seat. “That leads us to the second matter of business. Our law prohibits the union of unallied kingdoms with anyone on our royal court.”

Cosme perked up in his seat. Laude passed me my glass, and I held it to my lips, attempting to sip. The water sloshed from the way I trembled, making it impossible to drink.

“But,” Papá continued, “if you could arrange for a peace treaty between Himzo and Giddel, my daughter may choose whether or not she will have you as a future husband.”

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