Page 84 of Unbetrothed

I turned my gaze to his face. I swiped my cheeks, unable to contain the deluge pouring down.

“I told you I’d come back,” he drawled. “The forest awaits.”

I clung to him, laughing.

Mamá cleared her throat. “Darling, Cosme needs to take him to the hospital room. He’s going to need recovery time. His wounds are deep.”

Cosme lifted a hand, levitating Zichri from the floor. I followed close to his side, blood splashing on my bare feet. A soldier clapped. More followed. Invisible strings tethered to my senses, pouring over me the warmth of their jubilation.

I glanced back and slipped on a patch of blood. Mamá steadied me, nearly slipping herself. However, Milo and Gonzalo swooped in, holding tight to our arms, while Blas and Jaime followed closer than a shadow.

We crossed through the bustling main corridor with vaulted ceilings and grand paintings of the Giddelian city and countryside. Several men gasped. Himzo soldiers slowed their pace as they watched their prince levitated. Milo and Lucas stopped to talk with a Giddelian captain when we turned into the back corridor. After several paces, we entered the infirmary hall.

Beds lined the outer walls, and servants erected a center aisle with squat cots.

Cosme lowered Zichri onto a plain bed. Nurses raced to Zichri’s side. I reached for his hand, but Mamá barred my way with her body. He seemed so defenseless and unawake to the world.

“Let the nurses and healers work on him. There was much I left undone.” Mamá’s tired eyes saw through me like they always had. “But nothing.”

“Is he going to make it?” I sensed her trembling spirit weaving into my own anxiety.

She sighed. “Healing hands don’t bring back the dead, and he nearly died.” Tucking a stray hair behind my ear, she added, “But, he’s strong.”

“I can’t leave his side.”

“You must.” Mamá flicked a look past me at Blas, Jaime, and Gonzalo. “All of us must leave the room. Many more wounded will be brought in, and we mustn’t be in the way.”

Three healers and a nurse touched and prodded Zichri’s body. Blas climbed a window sill on the outer wall to get a better view. The others stayed back, watching small bruises disappear at a simple touch. Zichri winced at each new healing, sometimes groaning in pain.

“Could I at least say a parting word so he knows I’m not leaving him? Please?” I leaned my head on Mamá’s shoulder.

She cupped my face. “Make it quick.” Then she signaled to Cosme, who stood with Zichri’s group. “Himzo boys, come with me.”

Blas argued from his spot at the window, but one stern look from Mamá, and he shut his mouth. They weaved past dozens of hospital beds before exiting. I waited for them to leave. It felt more private this way. Only a few servants stood against the wall. I tapped a healer’s back, and he moved to the side without me having to say a single word. Zichri cracked open his eyelids.

“You’re in good hands. I need to leave, but I will be back. Mamá says it will take time for you to heal.” I squeezed his hand and laced my finger with his.

One cheek dimpled. “You bring me back to the cave.” The drowsy way he spoke concerned me.

“We gave him something so he can sleep,” A frizzy-haired nurse said. “No worries. He should be fine. I have a good eye for the survivors.” She flapped a hand toward me, then back to Zichri. “I know we don’t like to promise anything, but things are looking good. Sorry for reading your thoughts, it was impertinent of me, but your mind is racing.”

I unlaced my fingers from his, observing the wild-haired nurse with her bright eyes. The idea that she could see what I was thinking made me squirm inside. I had only read about people who had that gift. Could she be lying?

“No, dear, I’m not lying. It’s a weak gift because most people learn how to block me out. Just so you know, this fellow thinks about you a lot. I’m enjoying his little daydream about sitting next to a campfire.”

Heat burned in my cheeks. I turned around, trying to hold back my thoughts, if possible. I took one long look at Zichri while standing at the exit door. The nurse grinned in a way that plumped her cheeks. It reminded me that I needed to find Laude.

CHAPTER 44

THE MOMENTILEFTthe infirmary, I had one thought drumming through my mind:Find Laude.

A line of soldiers in gray attire sat outside the infirmary, some with gaping wounds and others with desolate gazes. It was as if guiterna strings were latched to my chest. Invisible cords connected me to each man and played a bleak song. Ruffled pride. Twisting pain. Confusion. The sheer number of connections left my head spinning. I longed to rip the gift from my body and focus again. I took a deep breath and exhaled.

Blas, Gonzalo, Jaime, and Cosme turned into the main corridor, disappearing around the corner.

Mamá stood, hands clasped in front of her stomach. “Are you well?” Her knuckles grazed my forehead.

“Where would Laude and the other servants hide?” My heart raced, waiting for Mamá’s response.

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