Page 16 of Unbetrothed

“Your markings are changing already,” Laude said in a chirpy tone. She nibbled a piece of toast. “We might not even have to go to you know where.”

I pinched my lips together. She must have mistaken the change for me receiving my gift. Not many Giddelians remember attaining their special power since most people get it so young.

The driver trudged toward us. “Princess Beatriz, we need to check this part of the path to see if it’s safe for us to travel. Could you wait for us here at the well? It should take no longer than an hour to get there and back. Cata cooled some water for you girls with her gifting.” His scraggly eyebrow lifted as if meaning to remind me of my lack of gifting.

“Yes, sir.” Laude hopped up. She pushed our trunk of food to the end of the wagon, leaving the other two trunks.

“Laude,” I snapped. The decision to stay should have been mine.

“Do you need help with that?” The driver lifted the trunk with a grunt. “Will our princess not go without some comforts for an hour?”

How dare he!I snapped my mouth shut.When I get back, I’ll make sure he gets discharged.But for now, this man was our guide and protection. He lugged the trunk over to the well and placed it on the grass. Then he ambled behind Cata and Mattha, who trudged to the wagon. A warm breeze eased the knot of tension between my shoulders. It was only an hour delay.

Cata slapped the driver’s back. “You aren’t gonna do all the adventuring without us.”

“You two will hold us back.” The driver spat out the side of his mouth.

“Don’t you dare, old man.” Mattha shook her head and climbed up the side. Cata heaved herself into the wagon behind her fellow maid.

“We should replenish the water, Princess,” Laude called. She filled a cup with some of Cata’s cooled water.

The wagon rolled away through the trees, and the plod and bump of the horses and wagon faded. The wind rustled through the leaves. Twigs cracked somewhere in the forested area, setting off my adrenaline. Were there ferocious creatures here? I whipped my head toward Laude. She scrunched her nose in concentration while she poured water into our waterskin. Afterward, she grunted with each turn of the crank, jutting out the side of the well.

I sat on our trunk. “Laude, why did you choose Cata and Mattha and those two men?”

“I asked Blanca, but she didn’t think it was a good idea. She also didn’t want to lose her position in the palace. So she told me to ask Cata and Mattha since they might be willing togo on a secret trip. Cata said she’d arrange the horses and wagon.” Laude’s forehead glistened from her efforts.

Sweat trickled down my forehead. Would I see that wagon again? I dabbed the sweat with the back of my hand. They would not take my money and run. Would they?

“Don’t worry, Princess. I’m sure they’ll be back sooner than a coin flip.” Laude pulled the pail to the ledge of the well and beamed with triumph.

Which mountain was Mount Giddel? Trees encircled us as far as the eye could see. “Do you know this area?” I asked.

“Princess, you know I’ve grown up all my life in the palace. The only places I’ve visited are palaces, gardens, and chateaus with you.”

My stomach plummeted. How had I been such a fool? Laude, though loyal, hadn’t any worldly experience. She wouldn’t know a trustworthy maid from a swindler since she’d grown up with more privilege than most of the other maids in the palace.

“Naïve. Naïve girl.” My harsh tone cut through the air.

“I’m sorry, Princess.” Laude’s voice rose an octave in shock. “I should have prepared better for our trip, but I didn’t have time, and I know it wasn’t your fault because you had all those suitors—”

I tipped my head back and grunted. “Enough of the rambling, Laude. The others aren’t coming back.

“No, Princess, they’d never do that to you. That would put you in danger if we had no one else. And imagine if a Himzo soldier snuck onto our soil and found you. No, you’ll see. They’re going to make sure the road ahead is safe.” She bobbed her head and slurped water from a cup.

“Did you not notice them whispering among themselves and the greedy way they eyed the coin bags?”

“That’s just Cata and Mattha’s way. I’ll put three pennies on their good names.” She searched her skirt pockets.

I scratched my arms. “Pennies? Have we come so low?”

A strangled chirp escaped her throat. “Forget the pennies—I left those back home—but you will declare me your greatest friend once the wagon returns.” Hope danced in her smiling eyes as she stared down at the road.

I let out an exasperated breath. What else was there to do than hope?

CHAPTER 9

“IDON’T THINK THEY’REcoming back, Your Highness,” Laude admitted after hours of denial.

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