Page 60 of Unbetrothed

“Prince Zichri, I don’t want you getting any unwholesome ideas. No man will share my hammock until he commits to me for life in the presence of many witnesses.”

A hearty laugh slipped out of him. “I was just trying to say that you need a hammock of your own. Believe me when I say I wouldn’t want less than the best for you.”

My cheeks burned. Thank the Ancient One for this dark cave.

We decided that I’d gather fruits. He’d catch fish and hunt. I’d get the wood, and he’d stoke the fire. On and on we went, imagining this life where I’d have no worries.

A light reflected on a rock down the path, revealing the way out. Milo and Blas slipped out of the cave. Laude and Jaime trailed way behind us, too caught up in their own conversation.

As we drew closer, I covered my eyes to block the light. Zichri stopped at the opening. The pinched expression on his face let me know he didn’t want the daydreaming to end either.

Once we walked out into the daylight, our dream of living in the forest would evaporate into the wind. He was a man of his word, so he would go to his kingdom. I needed to ease my parents’ worry over me. I loved them too much to do any less. I also loved my brother, who I imagined may have shown signs of concern about me after so many days away.

I slid in front of Zichri, brushing his arm. He followed one step behind me. The light stung my eyes as my vision adjusted from the darkness to a blue sky. A tree-laden land stretched before us. Blas leaned against a boulder, and Milo paced with hands on his hips. Water slurped and swooshed nearby where Gonzalo would be waiting, but we didn’t move yet. Jaime and Laude tarried in the cave.

I curled my fingers in between Zichri’s, considering asking him if we could wander a bitlonger. But I was no fool. I knew this charade had to end … eventually.

CHAPTER 30

GONZALO DANGLED HIS FEEToff the side of a cliff, singing to himself. He lifted his bald head. “I was hoping you’d arrive soon. Everything in order?”

Zichri squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back. A sobering expression trickled down his profile. He opened his mouth to speak.

But Milo cut in, “We need to get back today. Where are the horses?” He puffed out his chest, hands on his hips.

Standing, Gonzalo towered half a head over Milo and boasted a wide torso. No wonder Milo couldn’t beat him in a wrestling match. Milo arched his back in challenge despite his rather precarious position under Gonzalo’s dead stare.

There must be something I can’t see between these two men. Gonzalo flared his nose and lazily pointed down a path. If only Gonzalo would have knocked Milo out of his cocky disposition.

All Gonzalo’s features relaxed when he shifted his gaze to the rest of us. “Did you get what you all were looking for?”

Zichri answered for me. “She found who she meant to find and more.” He kissed my knuckles and led me behind Milo.

My stomach wriggled with butterflies. But the shadow of Gonzalo’s question stilled my fluttering belly like a spider wrapping its prey. He wouldn’t be the last person to ask that question. I wouldn’t always have Zichri with me to give such easy responses. What would I do when I faced my parents? They deserved the full truth.

The tiny trail led to the three horses and the wagon with all our things in it. A large bag of assorted fruits waited in the wagon bed beside a pile of nuts. Gonzalo had prepared for our return. Gratitude swam in my heart.

Milo hopped onto the driver’s bench. “We’re headed straight to camp. No argument this time.” He passed Zichri a challenging look. His selfish manner snapped something within me.

“You may do as you please.” I stepped around to get on the other side of the driver’s bench. “This is my wagon. Laude could do just about anything, so we have no need for you to take us all the way home. Show us to the road. We will follow it to Giddel.”

Milo had a condescending purse to his lips.

Laude and Jaime strolled along the path holding hands. Without thinking, my gaze shot straight to Zichri. I needed to get away before I forgot myself and lived out our forest fantasy. The longer I stayed, the harder it would be to leave him.

Gonzalo cooed in Carmel’s perked ear and patted his neck. “Take us the last leg, won’t you?”

Zichri remained tight-lipped, watching from a distance.

“You, Princess, are not lord over us.” Milo narrowed his eyes. “We need to get back. The wagon and horses will get us there faster. You could stay in a nearby meadow. After we are done, we’ll march you to the road. Do you understand?” He remained in the driver’s seat, clasping the reins.

“You will do no such thing.” Zichri scooted next to me on the bench. “We’ll take the ladies to the main road and part ways there.”

“The back lane is much faster.” Milo shook the curls from his eyes. “And what of the wagon?”

“What of it? Even if we showed up with it, we’d need an explanation. I don’t plan on telling my brothers more information than necessary.” Zichri climbed on the wagon bed and extended his hand toward me. “Princess, would you do me the honor of sitting on the wagon bed?”

Milo grunted, then tipped his head back. I climbed out of the driver’s bench, triumph filling my lungs, and plopped on one of my trunks. Zichri’s cheek dimpled. A stained white tunic never looked so impressive on anyone else I’d ever met.

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