Page 58 of Unbetrothed

I rolled my shoulders back. “Thank you for heading on this journey with me.”

“It is my pleasure.” Zichri bowed his head like a gentleman at court.

How I wish I could have seen Zichri that day at the ball. He must have been breathtaking, dressed in noble attire. I had been so caught up in how everyone saw me that I didn’t bother to pay attention to anyone else.

Uncle Uly leaned heavily on his staff as he got to his feet. “Forgive me, but I need to check on Blas.” He walked around Zichri, and when he reached the cabin door, he fixed a knowing gaze on me. The playful way he wagged his overgrown brows reminded me of Laude. Heat rushed up my neck. He tapped a hand over his heart before disappearing into the cabin.

“Uly supposes much.” Zichri took a seat on the stump next to mine. “I’m sure you need to get back home to your family.”

“I do.”

“We can escort you, but I must speak to my superiors first.”

“How? Messenger hawk?”

He laughed. “No. I’m not that gifted. We have friends”—he cleared his throat— “waiting for us just beyond the Himzo border.”

My brows furrowed. Was he lying?

“It shouldn’t take too long.” His sad smile cocked to the side.

“Don’t worry about it.” I stilled at his knee brushing against my leg. Trying to refocus, I pulled away from him. “Tell us the way, and I’m sure Laude and I can manage with the wagon and horses.” Would my words come back to haunt me?

He reached for my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. “I’m sorry for not telling you the truth.”

My heartbeat quickened. “I’m sorry too. I reallyshould not have been so hard on you. I lied, and I didn’t consider you and your friends. I wish I could make it up to you, but that’s quiteimpossible.” Aware that I sounded like Laude when she was nervous, I filled my lungs and exhaled before continuing. “You may have been right in thinking I wouldn’t have talked to you if I would have known about you being a Himzo prince. Let’s enjoy the rest of the trip.” I ran my fingers across his rough knuckles.

Zichri massaged the now faded markings on my hand. I needed to think of anything besides Zichri, but I allowed this intimate moment, enjoying his warm touch. There was no chance of us meeting again in any cordial fashion since we were on the verge of war. Even if Papá met to discuss trade, Papá would never allow Zichri to court me. We couldn’t sit in the woods holding hands and bantering the days away. This wouldn’t last. But I wished it could.

CHAPTER 29

“PRINCESSBEATRIZ, IWASso worried about you! We’ve been waiting close to the river.” Laude pulled me into a tight embrace. “What is your gift? Let’s see it!”

Judging by how she addressed me, she found out that the men knew my identity. “I—I’d rather wait until we’re alone.” I met her sapphire eyes with a meaningful look.

She bobbed her head and winked, beaming. “I have so much to tell you.”

A pace from Laude and I, Milo and Jaime patted Zichri’s shoulder in greeting. Blas winced when Milo and Jaime did the same to him. Questions arose about the lamps, food, and maps given to us by Uncle Uly.

Laude’s eyebrows rose and furrowed in question.

The Himzos, Laude, and I hiked through the forest midmorning, entering a cave hidden by a boulder near the falls just before noon. Uncle Uly told us the exact location and gave directions on how to get out through the mountain passageway. Many booby traps set by bandits in a bygone era waited for those who might wander into the cavern.

“Oh, Princess!” Laude said. “I was so angry at Milo and Jaime when they told me how they attended your ball. I swore to tell you as soon as you got back, and I chastised them for leading us to believe that they knew nothing about us.”

Laude continued to prattle on about the same topic over and over again. Pinching my mouth shut, I kept silent. I knew she did not exaggerate her reaction. The poor men must have been rolling their eyes when Laude first found out. I kept my focus on the rocky floor of the cave.

Zichri and Milo led our caravan from several feet ahead. Jaime and Blas trailed behind us. Blas still held his gut with a twisted expression as we tramped through the dark places in the earth. Lamplight caught in Jaime’s eyes. He watched Laude intently. She glanced back with a flirtatious raise of her brow before continuing her story again.

“Laude,” I whispered, “they can hear you. You needn’t go over the grueling details about how upset you were at the men. Zichri got an ear full from me already.” I dodged a protruding rock in the cave.

“Oh?” She squeaked. “But you shouldn’t be so mad at Zichri.”

“You just said that you were angry. Now you say I shouldn’t be mad at him. Which one is it?” I descended a narrow portion of the cave that Zichri and Milo ducked into a second before. They must have heard every word we said. What did it matter if they heard us anyway?They’ll be gone—back to Himzo—soon enough.

Laude peeked back and crouched through that part of the tunnel. Leaning in, she whispered, “Jaime says he’s never seen Zichri so taken by anyone. You and I both know that you’ve never felt this way either.”

I glared at her. She supposed much. What of Lux? She must have known how much I adored Lux, but I could not correct her out loud. Better to change the subject. “You seem to favor Jaime still.”

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