Page 66 of Unbetrothed

“Thank you, Gonzalo, for your kindness on our trip.” I dipped my head in respect, even after overhearing his horrid comment about Laude. I could not blame him for thinking Laude was a mere servant, especially since I had thought the same for so long.

The steed’s soulful eyes stared down at me. “What’s his name?”

“Muck.” Gonzalo entered the stall and fastened a saddle on Muck’s back. “Take good care of the beast.”

I smiled warmly at Gonzalo’s kind gesture and whispered to Muck, “Will you fly me to my people?”

Muck tipped his head in my direction.

“Laude can take Jaime’s horse.” Gonzalo grabbed another saddle. “You two ladies need to get off this land soon if you want to get home.” He placed the saddle on another dark steed with a white patch between his eyes. “Where did you leaveyourhorses?”

“In the meadow.” I petted Muck while Gonzalo helped Laude into the saddle. How will Mamá and Papá respond when I tell them about the Himzo invasion? Their faces flashed through my mind.They’ll be so proud of me for protecting our home. Mykingdom will finally love and embrace their princess.

Then it hit me. Papá could squash any attack with his ability to control others’ bodies. How would they subdue Papá? There was more to the plan than what I heard, but we were already set to leave. Why hadn’t I listened longer?

Gonzalo walked the steeds out of the tent. “Follow the east road to the junction. Your patrol should be there.”

I climbed onto Muck and tugged on the reins. He wasted no time dashing forward.

Hooves clomped in the mud behind me. I startled. Had the Himzos caught me? But it was Laude’s slender figure in a cloak racing to catch up.

Tiny droplets splattered onto my skin as I bolted toward the road. One thought hammered through me:The Himzos threaten everyone I love.

CHAPTER 32

MUCK’S HOOVES POUNDED THEpath. I had no idea how much farther we needed to go. My thighs burned, and I could sleep sitting up if I didn’t fear falling off the steed. Laude fell far behind on the trail. I slowed my speed. So long as we kept moving, we’d make it in time. That was the hope.

Laude groaned. “Please, miss, can we stop? I need another break.”

I hesitated but agreed, knowing she would never ask unless necessary. We pulled over. She hastened behind the high grasses on the side of the road, and I did the same, the drizzle chilling my bones. A strong wind rustled the trees, making it difficult to listen for the patrol or unsavory characters.

Once done, I stood on the muddy road. Moonlight peeked through the clouds, casting deep shadows in the forests surrounding us, and clouds overtook the skies again.

I lifted my voice to the Ancient One. “If you care, please make the road straight. If you hear, will you give me an ability to protect my people?” A rush of cold wind flapped around my cloak, hurrying me to Muck’s side.

Laude raced to the horses. “Miss, we should rest. You look just as exhausted as the horses. And I’m sure you have good reason to rush, but I’m a little confused.”

Her tender voice reminded me she served in love rather than obligation, and she showed implicit trust in my judgment. Those thoughts warmed the walls of my heart.

“We must continue,” I patted her arm, “and pray that these steeds can endure. I’ll tell you as we ride.”

Dark semicircles sat beneath Laude’s eyes. She looked more like a wilted flower than a lady on a horse.

I maintained a trotting pace while working up the courage to vocalize my thoughts. “I overheard Zichri speak …” My throat thickened. I glanced over my shoulder, still expecting a Himzo rider to crest the road. Surely, Zichri would be upset about me stealing Muck.

“Tell me, miss. I am brave.”

Hadn’t I told her to be brave? A nervous laugh escaped my mouth. “Yes, you are,indeed. It’s not you. It’s that Zichriand the others met with a traitor of Giddel to arrange an attack on our kingdom.”

“No! That can’t be. But Jaime and all the men were so kind. No, miss.” Laude shook her head, disbelieving.

I pictured the candlelight shining over the sea of faces at my ball. Anyone could have slipped in if they had the right connections. A memory of dancing with Blas shot into mind in that instant. No one else had such potent blue-green eyes besides Lux. And hadn’t strange men been watching and laughing when Blas danced with me? Lux had intervened, so I had no time to process my misgivings.

“Consider all that time they were with us,” I said. “They didn’t share why they went to Giddel. Did Jaime tell you anything contrary to what I say now?”

“He didn’t, but …” She gasped. “He did say they’d met with someone at the ball. And now thatI think of it, he said that they barely made it due to the wards. Ai-yi-yi! I must have been so blind. Jaime even warned me to stay in the palace with all the problems between the kingdoms.” She drifted into thought for a moment and widened her eyes. “He was trying to warn me!”

“Zichri was keen on knowing the exact location of my room.” It occurred to me that he would not be certain of my whereabouts in the palace unless I was asleep. “They’ll attack at night. If Papá sleeps, he can’t stop the Himzos. The wards are down. No one will expect an attack either.”

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