Page 21 of Unbetrothed

Zichri walked alongside the horse and held the reins. On the other side of us, the lanky man declared, “I could have taken those ruffians myself.” He flashed a cocky grin in my direction.

A stout man clapped a hand on the lanky one’s shoulder. “You couldn’t even have taken one yourself.”

The lanky man shook his head. “You, Gonzalo, forget what a little motivation can do. With such vile villains on the loose, my muscles growl with anticipation.” The lanky fellow turned his turquoise eyes to meet my gaze. “Damsels, you are in safe hands.”

I mumbled under my breath, “You Himzos aren’t that much better.”

The horse rounded a curve, clomping a steady rhythm.

“You never said where you were headed.” Zichri patted the horse’s black mane. “We’ll take you wherever you need to go. It’s not safe for young ladies in these parts. No one patrols the mountain roads.”

“Yes, I understand. I’m certain no one will follow us where we go.” I swayed with the horse’s gait.

Laude’s heat soaked into my back. What a most undignified way to ride, but what excuse could I give to kick Laude off?

Zichri combed a hand through his hair. “Where will you be going?”

“We’ll pass it on the way to Himzo.”

The stout man—called Gonzalo—growled, “For the love of all that is good, where are you going? We don’t have all day. Besides, we’re not even heading to—”

The lanky man jabbed an elbow into Gonzalo’s gut. On closer inspection, something about the thin man looked familiar, but I had never met a Himzo before. I brushed the notion aside.

“What? I wasn’t going to draw a map for her.” Gonzalo rubbed his potbelly.

Perhaps we should slip away sooner than later.I felt my features contort with my anxious thoughts.

Zichri cleared his throat. “Maybe you’d feel more comfortable getting to know the men. Meet Gonzalo.” He pointed to the stout man and moved his finger to the lanky fellow. “This is Blas.” Blas did a two-finger salute and clicked his tongue. Zichri called up the two others at the rear. “That’s Milo and Jaime.”

I dipped my head. “It’s nice to meet you all. I’m thankful for your help. But I’m confused at why a fine group of Himzos would be in the unpatrolled territories of Giddel.”

Zichri eyed Gonzalo, who bowed his shiny head. Bright-eyed Blas turned his slender face away while Milo and Jaime slowed their gait. Should I press for answers? That’s what my brother would do, but I was no spy.

“This path is lovely,” Laude piped in. “All the trees for shade and the mountains ahead.”

“Yes, I couldn’t agree more.” Zichri smiled back at Laude.

“Is Valle de los Fantasmas on the other side of that mountain?” Laude pointed to the tallest peak looming in the distance. Her other hand dug into my dress.

The Himzos gasped, and the horse even seemed to tripa bit.

“Yes, but the path is longer than it appears.” Zichri clicked his tongue, patting the horse’s side. “Why do you ask?”

“Because that’s where we’re headed.” Laude straightened up, now clutching me again with both hands.

I pressed my palms into the horn of the saddle. She was supposed to follow my lead.

Zichri’s brows furrowed. “Is that so?”

Back straight, I maintained my austere expression. Mamá would not approve of me socializing with Himzos.Or anything about this trip. So, why am I worrying?“Yes, we were invited into Valle de los Fantasmas.”

Gonzalo spat in the dirt. “By whom? The ghosts?”

Blas jabbed him, laughing.

“For the love of the Ancient One, keep your sharp elbow out of my gut.” Gonzalo threw up his fists.

Zichri laughed. “Stand down. Blas, keep those bones out of Gonzalo’s gut. We won’t hear the end of it if you bruise his sensitive skin.”

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