Page 2 of Untamed

My shoulders loosened with her boost of confidence. She never gave a good word unless she meant it, though I suspected this wasn’t the reason for our conversation.

We strolled onward beside the cliffs. The silence between us filled with the steady rumble of the sea and a tidal wave ofconfusion at Monserrat’s unusual efforts to have a chat. She and I had never been friends, per se; more like acquaintances who shared a love for flowers and did an excellent job conversing about the weather. We never shared intimate details about anything and had settled into a perfunctory, superficial relationship.

Monserrat spun to block my path. “Promise me you’ll keep a secret, won’t you?” An earnestness pinched between her dark-brown eyes.

I couldn’t tell if she was being dramatic or if she meant to deepen our relationship now that the date for the wedding was being settled. Zichri’s letter rubbed against my elbow, reminding me of his advice these past months. He’d tell me to investigate if he were here.

I leaned closer. “Yes, I promise.”

Monserrat peered all about as if achupalmafollowed her trail. But of course, the ghosts weren’t here, nor was anyone else for that matter. “Are we truly alone?”

“My quarters would have been a great location for a private conversation.” I resisted the urge to shift my facial muscles, but her dramatics made it nearly impossible.

“No. If your palace is like mine, there are ears in the walls.” She raked her fingers through her hair, undoing a portion of her updo, and pulled out a small silk pouch. The golden fabric reflected the midday sun, cutting between the cliffs. She stretched the mouth of the bag and plucked out folded parchments.

“What is that?” I reached for the papers.

She clenched a fist around the parchments and brought them to her heart. “I’m sorry for my crude manners, but this is a matter of great importance.”

Every part of me wanted to shake her shoulders and say, “Spit it out.” I inhaled slowly and held my tongue.

She broke the silence. “Cosme and I have never been in love. You know this. But I do consider him a friend. I could learn to love him. It had always been settled in my mind that you and I would be sisters.”

“Are you,” my head tipped down toward the papers, “breaking your betrothal with Cosme? I thought arrangements—”

“No.” Monserrat shook her head. “I mean yes. The date is being settled for our wedding. It’s just—” Her free hand grabbed at her neck. Her lips parted, but gurgling noises escaped her bow-shaped lips.

“Are you all right?” I clutched my dress collar.

She nodded and gasped.

A feeling of unease shivered down my spine. “Perhaps we should return to the castle.”

“No.” The vehemence in her response halted my next step.

She squared up to me and inhaled so deeply that her nostrils narrowed. When she exhaled, she said, “Read this.” She shoved the papers into my grasp.

“You’re scaring me.”

“They’re copies of letters from my papá’s desk.” She twiddled her glimmering fingers. The light traced marks along her palms, a sign of a magical gifting. Everyone knew her powers allowed her to copy images under her palms and put them onto another paper.

The parchment crinkled as I flipped a corner open. A map of the Agata Sea shone before me with a line marking a path. Numbers gave the exact coordinates of a certain location. A galleon drawn near an island had a strange, rippled icon around it. Someone had scribbled a note beneath the ship:

One entrance. One portal. No other way into the Island of Life.

“Are you sending me on a treasure hunt?” I let out a chuckle despite myself.

Monserrat peered out to sea; the corners of her lips weighed downward. “Read the letter.”

So, I unfolded the next parchment and read:

From the Black Knight to his Highness King Sebastian of Aracibel,

Meet me on the Island of Life if you’d like to be part of the New Alliance. Many other kingdoms have already joined, but I cannot disclose which ones. We’ve found the last relic and wish to offer it to you and your family. The rumors are true. Don’t worry about previous ties. New agreements will be formed, and Princess Monserrat will be properly wed. We’ll visit at the second moon to discuss arrangements.

Sincerely,

The Black Knight

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