Page 81 of Unbetrothed

Every breath took effort. A force pushed on my spirit. Was this Lux’s gift or Papá’s? Stumbling to keep step with Lux, I remained docile so as not to incur wrath on myself in front of Papá.

“What do you want, Lux?” Papá marched up to Lux with hostility burning from his glare to the tips of his trimmed beard.

“You’ve come far enough, old man. Bow to me, and I will make your execution a quick one.”

I snapped my head toward Lux. It never occurred to me what he had planned for Papá. Footfalls gathered behind us. I snuck a look over my shoulder. Zichri and his men drew near like fawning subordinates ready to fight Lux’s battles. I twisted back toward Papá with my chin raised high. Those Himzos didn’t deserve even a glance.

“Oh son, you are weak,” Papá said. “Your reign will end poorly for you. All those in this room take note thatI said these words.” He lifted a brow, daring Lux to kill him on the spot.

Lux tightened his fingers around my bicep. He pointed the tip of his dagger at my neck. “Say it again, old man.”

Papá’s dark mustache twitched.

But Lux yelped in pain and released his grip. The dagger sliced into the flesh of my arm as it fell, and I screamed. Rivulets of blood trickled to my fingertips and splashed on the white marble. The sound of metal rang through the room. I whipped my head toward Lux, who arced his sword to strike Zichri, but Zichri parried the blow with his blade.

What just happened?

The air thinned, making it easier to breathe. I was certain Lux blocked our gifts from being used. Papá lifted his arms to each side of him, forcing the soldiers to stand against the walls like statues. Red anger raged out of his body. The clang of metal against metal filled the space. I stooped toward the forgotten dagger and sliced the cord wrapped around my wrists, hoping no one saw.

Lux glanced at his unblinking soldiers and lunged toward Papá. I shot to my feet when Blas and Gonzalo darted in front of Lux but froze mid-stride. Papá must have taken control. Lux wound his arm back for a killing blow to Blas, but Milo blocked it. Jaime appeared at my side, blade out and ready to defend.

Lux and Zichri continued to spar, moving toward the exit until they disappeared out the double doors.

“Why do you not help Zichri and end this fight now?” I turned to Jaime, but he was unmoving.

“Papá, these men are my friends. Let them help Zichri.”

But Papá kept his arms up while stepping toward me. “Dear Beatriz, you should not assume their friendship with you. This all may be a ploy to garner power for themselves.”

I hugged Papá tight, realizing that he could execute each man in this room without differentiating my Himzo friends from the enemy. “Please, Papá. You could do as you please with the rest of the men, but do not harm these four and Zichri, the one who fights Lux.” I placed a hand over Papá’s heart. My skin shone like a gold coin in the sunlight. Had it been happening this whole time? It wasn’t like when I made my oath or when I arrived in Giddel.

Papá’s loving eyes filled me with hope. “I will do as you say. Where is your mamá?”

“She fights in the bell tower. Soldiers lined up to attack her, but she makes all of them fall.”

Papá smiled with pride. “That’s my queen.”

“Should we get her?”

“I can’t move from this room unless you want all these soldiers after us.”

I considered for a moment. “Could you release these four Himzos? We can retrieve Mamá together.”

Father examined my Himzo friends under his dark brows, seeming unconvinced.

I tapped Papá’s heart, releasing the trust I felt for them.

Papá exhaled loudly. “Only because you ask.”

Jaime blinked, Blas shook his head, and Gonzalo grunted all at once.

“Thank you, Papá.” I flew to the doors. “Come now, good Himzos.”

Milo raced toward me without the slightest hesitation. All the other men followed close behind him. The corridor was empty, but clashing swords echoed through the corridor. No one had won yet.

CHAPTER 42

PRESSED AGAINST WOOD PANELING, I allowed myself a breath before entering the tower corridor.

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