Page 72 of Unbetrothed

I pitched my voice low. “I need to see Papá now. It’s an urgent matter.”

Myla grunted. She had known me since I was a baby and had heard this phrase before for trivial concerns. “You will do as I say, or else you will cause your parents more reason to worry. Furthermore, your father and brother sailed away yesterday.”

“What do you mean? Who protects the city?” A familiar ache throbbed in my skull. No one could overcome Giddel because of Papá’s gifting—the kingdom needed him.

“What do you call the men who captured you? Pull the hood down to your eyes.” Myla continued in long strides and turned into the servants’ entrance. Palace guards unlocked the gate for Myla and let us pass through.

Laude nudged my side. “Miss Myla, could I ready Princess Beatriz on my own?”

“Ha! You will do no such thing. A good lashing awaits you. Blanca told me how you asked her to help Princess Beatriz escape.” Myla pushed open a small back door into the kitchen. “Hurry behind me.”

Laude dragged her feet and hung her head. A string of dread pulsed from her to me as if our hearts connected. I reached for Myla, but stares from all sides bore holes into my cloak. The servants murmured behind the counters, yet even from a distance, their judgment plumed around them, overwhelming my senses.How do I shut off this connection to others?

We hastened across the cinnamon- and yeast-scented room. The chef stirred the caldron while another servant chopped vegetables at the counter next to the chef. At another counter, a servant rolled out dough. That person lifted a questioning eyebrow. Recognition crossed her expression, and instant disdain flooded her being. It was like someone plunged a dagger into my soul.

Myla turned a corner, and we entered a long, dreadful hall with doors on each side. “Get in this room. Blanca, come here to help.” From down the hall, Blanca rushed in behind us. White walls, two small beds, and one wardrobe filled the plain room. Laude scuffed the floor next to me. Mud clung from her knees down. Her appearance sharply contrasted Blanca’s clean clothes and neat hair.

I rolled my eyes at seeing Myla throwing towels and a basin at Laude. “How long is this going to take? Just let me speak to Mamá or one of the advisors.”

Myla slammed the door when she exited, leaving Laude and Blanca stripping my boots off and undoing my ratty braid. Helplessness threatened to overtake me, and I sensed Laude drowning in it too. Tear droplets coated Laude’s lashes.

I tipped Laude’s chin up. “This is too important. We must be brave.”

Laude nodded and worked a knot out of my hair with her fingers.

“Enough of this.” I grabbed Laude’s wrist. “You’re coming with me.”

I shoved my feet into my soiled boots, stood, and headed for the door, leaving Blanca holding a wet towel. She stepped back, wrinkling her face like an angry pug. A wave of her sentiments crashed into my body.

Laude led me out the maze of halls and up a stairway. She stopped to ask a male servant for Mamá, and he directed us into a meeting room on the second floor. It was hard not to notice how he quirked a brow up at the sight of us. A tugging feeling pulled my attention from one person to the next. They exuded derision. I chose to ignore the servants on account of the message we carried. Climbing another set of stairs, we ran into Myla, who lugged several dresses over a shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Myla said in clipped tones. “Young lady, consider your mother for once.”

I raised my chin in challenge. “Get behind me, Myla. As princess, I will do as I please. Only my family will hold me back.”

A venomous coil wound in her gut, and I interpreted bitterness and a sense of ruffled pride. That stabbed at my heart even more than regular servants hating me. She had read to me and played games with me when I was a child. Never had I imagined her harboring ill feelings toward me. I wanted to cut off this string that connected me to people. It had already turned into a curse—knowing all the judgment people carried within.

Stay calm. Keep moving.I pressed my shoulders back and slid a mask of indifference over my face, hiding my hurt. Laude followed me up the stairs and down the hall. Two soldiers from Pedroz, Lux’s kingdom, guarded the gold-plated door. Were Lux’s parents meeting with Mamá? How odd.

I burst into the meeting room with Laude in tow. Mamá sat behind Papá’s desk wearing a pursed-lip expression, as always. I wanted to run over and throw my arms around her body, but a man with cropped sandy hair sat across from her. My heart raced.Why is a man speaking privately with Mamá?

The man turned his head. It was Lux. His turquoise eyes widened, and a tight smile settled on his lips. I smiled back, but something heavy lay between Lux and me. We hadn’t argued before I left. With my gift blooming, he was a plausible suitor, even with him being betrothed. My heart was constrained.

I breathed in and out, slowly letting the gift pulsate from my body. An instant attachment formed between Mamá and I. Worry clung like leeches, draining the lifeblood from her. But Lux and I made no connection. Some sort of barrier wedged between us. I tried again with the same results. His gifting had something to do with changing the perception others had of him.Maybe his gifting runs deeper than he explained.

“Prince Lux, it is good to see you here. Mamá.” I rushed in to kiss her cheek. “Could I have a minute to speak with you? It is a matter of great importance.”

Mamá tipped her chin high. “So is this, my dear. I would prefer if you go up to your quarters and wait for me to finish.” Something in her voice sounded strained. This was not like her.

What could it be? Lux wouldn’t be cause for worry. A pang struck my forehead. Mamá stared intently. Could she be causing the pain?

Trying to think past the throbbing, I said between gritted teeth. “Mamá, stop that! You don’t understand the importance of my message.” Speaking proved difficult. “Himzos attack. This week.”

Mamá showed no sign of shock. “Darling, I need you to go now.” She screwed her lips shut like she does when there’s no chance of me winning an argument.

“What’s wrong with you?” I shouted in frustration. “We need to contact Papá. I know for a fact … that our enemy comes with a large army. And that the wards are down.” The pain spread behind my eyes, throughout my entire head. I massaged my temples, unable to think. The door creaked open.

“Myla, take Princess Beatriz to her room. I will be there once I’m done speaking with Prince Lux.” Mamá sounded distant and stern.

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