Page 88 of Unbetrothed

“No, no … I just saw Lux’s body. I have never killed a person before. And though you saw the darker side of him, I had considered him a friend since childhood.”

Zichri wrapped his fingers around my tiny hand but said nothing for some time. Moisture trailed along my nose, onto my lips, and dripped from my chin.

The buzz of people talking, walking, and tending the injured continued all around. I kept my head low until the tears stopped. Zichri quirked a sympathetic smile, still holding my hand.

“Princess?” Laude’s voice came from behind me. “Your father is set to address Giddel from the balcony soon. Lady Myla sent me to retrieve you.”

Zichri met my gaze, and my stomach did a flop. I didn’t want to move. “Duty calls.” I rose and knocked into Laude.

But she didn’t move. Her sight fixed on a spot close to the exit. I followed her gaze and found Jaime watching Laude. He stepped forward and rammed into a nurse, toppling her tray. He then rushed to help the nurse and piled the equipment back onto her tray. Laude covered her mouth with a dainty hand, failing to hide a nervous giggle. I gently squeezed her elbow, settling a riptide within her soul to peaceful waters.

She smiled at me. “Thank you, Princess. I think I needed that.”

“How much time do we have?”

“An hour or so, I suppose. If you don’t bathe.” She bounced on her toes with excitement. “And if you don’t change gowns.”

“Meet me upstairs when you’re done talking to Jaime.” I fluttered my lashes to tease her.

“Oh Princess, I’ve never been so happy.” She pranced toward Jaime.

He wrapped his arms around her like he’d never let go. “This,” he said. “This makes yesterday worth it.”

The plump nurse came by with an unveiled stare.

“Could she not show some sense of decorum?” I snapped, loud enough for the nurse to hear.

Zichri squeezed my hand. “Don’t lash out. I had said something to her, and she asked me a question.”

“Is that so?”

Zichri smoothed his face with his dark brown eyes wide. He blinked a few times, and a deep crease formed between his eyebrows.

I playfully slapped his shoulder. “You’re acting secretive.”

“It might not be the right time.” He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

A biri-biri-bum started in my chest. I pinned him down with a look. “Zichri?”

“As I understand it, you were in search of a suitor, and it was your choice who you would marry.” Zichri’s eyes glimmered.

I tried to smother a grin but tittered when he lifted my chin. Stray tears slipped down my cheeks without my permission.

“Is that a yes? Will you have me as your betrothed?”

I nodded, unable to clear my throat. Though he lay on an infirmary bed and my home was in shambles, this moment was perfect. I could never have imagined this. He chose me, and I chose him. The match was one of love. I was sure we could make our match politically advantageous, but that did not matter. All the details about how we would live didn’t matter as long as we fought for the love between us.

CHAPTER 47

THE WIND WHIPPED OVERthe balcony at the palace. I tucked my rather large flyaways behind my ears, darting a glance at Laude. A grin touched every line on her face, and her unruly curls danced like flames through the air. Though our appearances could have been better, I didn’t regret spending more time by Zichri’s side earlier that day.

I rubbed my palms along my emerald dress and rubbed at the golden embroidered hibiscus lining the hem of my top skirt. The golden bottom layer shone in the midday sun with an intensity sure to be seen on every rooftop in the town below.

Giddelians flew the emerald flag with the golden hibiscus through the winding streets. Guiterna melodies collided with so many musicians playing different traditional ballads. Guiros made their rat-ta-tat-tat. Tambourines vibrated like the players skimmed the surface with their thumbs over and over again. Girls danced on balconies, and boys reenacted the fighting at their mothers’ sides. I took a step forward and craned my neck. Even within the palace grounds, Giddelian soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder, awaiting their king.

Papá stepped through the doorway and met my gaze. I stepped back. He winked an amber-green eye at me and swaggered a few paces to the balustrade. His emerald robe brushed the stone floors while white furs with black dots encircled his shoulders. He held his back erect and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

Mamá appeared beside me, holding herself rod straight and wearing the same dignified pout I always sought to emulate. Cosme rushed to Mamá’s side with Sir Lucas and three more of the Dotado fellows. Behind them, Milo, Jaime, Gonzalo, and Blas lined up, hands clasped in front of them and feet a handbreadth apart, like they’d practiced this stance many times before.

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