Page 90 of Unbetrothed

She dipped her head further down. “It’s easy learning to destroy, but not to put back together. Many healers worked with me on more challenging tasks. Until Zichri, I thought I had made no gains. He was so close to death.” She patted my hands and lifted her glistening eyes. “You have a deep affection toward the Himzo prince, don’t you?”

I gulped. How I hated laying out my heart. “Yes. He saved my life in more ways than one.”

“I understand.”

“You do? In what way?”

“Your Papá in his own way helped me see how I’d become a slave to money. Before he ever sawmein court, he caught me impersonating an heiress in the middle of a lucrative job—I was stealing a map to find powerful relics. He had an idea of what I was up to but allowed me the freedom to move about.” She spun a finger in the air to emphasize her point. Papá could have taken control of her muscles.

She continued, “I thought him a fool at the time, but his kindness made me curious. He asked me a question that changed my life.”

“What did he ask you?” I shifted my legs to the side. They had fallen asleep under my weight.

A smile lifted at the corners of her mouth like she savored a sweet memory. “He asked if I was satisfied. It may seem silly to you, but I’d been wrestling with that exact question. I didn’t understand the cost to me every time I was offered a large sum of coins.”

“Did you answer Papá?”

“I did.” She pushed back stray hairs from my face. “I told him to erase the last six years of my life and give me a new start. Your Papá can be many things, but his wisest moments come when he forgets himself, his ego.”

“What did he do next?”

“He invited me to court, saying all could change if I only asked. I thought it was an invitation to marry him. It turns out he wanted to show me what it meant to acknowledge the Ancient One. I had felt unworthy to speak to any such deity, and Iwas… unworthy. But Papá said that the invitation stood so long as I stopped selling my gift—really my soul.”

Laude pranced in. “Princess, I’m back. Did you want me to show you the regular braid or the … Oh, I’m so sorry.” She dropped a curtsy. “Your Majesty.”

Mamá stood slowly. She smirked and patted Laude’s back. “I’m so happy you two bonded so well on your trip. It makes my heart sing. Your precious mother would be glad. I must go.” She strode out of the room.

“I dare not say this, but does something seem off about your mother?” Laude’s concern etched on her forehead, and it stirred a giggle within my chest.

CHAPTER 48

DAYS PASSED.IVISITEDZichri at his bedside each spare moment. The thing between us—whatever it was—blossomed like my moonlight lilies in the garden. For that, I was thankful. The details of how our relationship would work loomed over our heads, but we laughed it off, coming up with the most fanciful ideas. Zichri said we’d live on an island until our fathers worked out the details of the treaty. I’d feed him strange fruits, and he’d hunt purple beasts that hide in caves.

The day before, Zichri walked through the infirmary. The way he sucked in his breath from time to time hinted that he may have put on a brave face to hide his pain. Healers swooped in to help Zichri after each lap around the room. Today, he stretched and did a set of exercises while I sat on a stool near his bed.

As he combated the limits of his body, I also fought against my new ability. Even as I watched Zichri’s progress, invisible connections tethered me to others. That healer who touched Zichri’s thigh to relax the muscle was bored. The soldier sleeping across the room twisted with guilt. A dozen more links formed. I steeled myself from emotion, focusing on the sunlight pouring in through the tall windows. Using my gift felt like an intrusion into others’ lives. The truth was Lux’s contorted body blazed through my memory as a reminder and warning. Why would I ever want to use my gift again?

Zichri walked over to my seat and offered his arm. “Ready for our garden walk?” He had insisted on getting outdoors.

I looped an arm through his as we walked over the grassy paths that crisscrossed the palace grounds. The sun kissed the green-purple encircling a pink gash on Zichri’s cheek. I grazed the satin roses, enjoying the feel when I pricked a finger on a thorn. A warm drop of blood swelled on my fingertip.

“Are you still nervous about our meeting with your father?” Zichri examined my throbbing finger.

I lifted my chin high. “There’s no reason to be nervous.” I lied, putting on my most dignified smile.

“You like to avoid this topic. I enjoy the daydreaming, but we need to discuss where we’d live. And the possibility of our—”

“Don’t say it.”

“Of our—”

“Don’t.” The what-ifs tormented me at night, and our daydreams revived my soul. Why ruin a perfectly good walk? I tugged on his arm to continue along the path where servants repaired trampled grounds.

Laude dug her fingers into the soil, planting flowers with all the other servants. The gardens closest to the sea had been ravaged by all the fighting. I waved at her, hoping a distraction would shift the lingering question still in Zichri’s intense gaze. Gonzalo, Blas, and Jaime carried a rough spun sheet piled with black soil. They’d volunteered to help with some new project around the palace each day. Somehow, they managed to always work on the same projects in which Laude got assigned.

Zichri patted my hand, calling my attention back to him. “Beatriz, I want us to have a plan in place. It would be a shame if I agree to something you are opposed to.” He massaged his forehead at seeing me picking flowers. “Please listen.”

“I am listening.” Placing one hand on his shoulder and the other in his palm, I sang, “The days of our kingdoms shall never go in want, with …” I lengthened the last word so he could join in with me. When he did not, I sighed and said, “We still have yet to dance again.”

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