Page 87 of Untamed

His Adam’s apple bobbed with hesitation I’d seen there before.

“Look, everyone has kept secrets from me, but I don’t want my emotions to be protected.” Wretched tears welled in my eyes. “Tell me the truth. I can’t handle this tiptoeing around me anymore. Especially not from you.”

Zichri brushed a tear from my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “You should know, but it isn’t my secret to share. I think Laude wants everything between you and her to stay the same.”

“It’s not the same. She’s been distant for the last month or so, and a few months before then we only talked about dresses and hairdos. I think Cosme’s put something in her head.”

“Beloved, Laude fiercely loves you. It has nothing to do with your brother.”

“Then what is it? I can’t fathom why she’d suddenly change. I already know she’s been teleporting to Himzo and attended Milo’s wedding without me.”

“Have you ever talked to your mom about Laude’s parents?”

“Mamá doesn’t like to speak about it.”

Zichri’s eyes shone with compassion as if he had some tragic news to share.

“What is it? I haven’t time to go back home and ask my mom.”

He smoothed a hand through his cropped hair. “Laude isn’t just a maid. Think about it. What other servant slept in the same room with you as a child?”

I inhaled the sea breeze, my mouth suddenly dry. When I managed to get out a word, my voice cracked. “She couldn’t be royalty. She can only light a flame, and her markings only exist on her finger pad.”

His weary gaze drifted across my face. “I haven’t a gift.” The way his cheek muscles flexed gave me pause.

“Does it ever bother you that Himzos don’t receive gifts?”

“It does, but we’ve always had the relics and the Ancient One’s blessings. Hugo feels the same way about giftings as I do. But he doesn’t believe we’re blessed by the Ancient One.”

The tilt of his head and the sorrow present in the lines bracketing his mouth echoed the deeper turmoil churning beneath his handsome exterior. It poured out of his being and into my senses with such a force I blinked back tears. “I’m sorry, Zichri, about your papá being ill. I’m sure it taxes you. And then there’s the matter of your brother. I’m not sure what I’d do.”

He weaved his fingers through mine and kissed my knuckles. His touch sent welcome tingles racing up my arm. “You do know that Minerva is the new keeper of the relics?”

I turned to the bow where she continued to work, arms aloft, speeding the ship forward. Wild tendrils escaped her braid, reminding me of Laude, except Minerva’s curls were brown instead of red. One day, I’d have to ask her why she’d given me the relic. I didn’t deserve her kindness, and she continued to extend grace to me even when I mistreated her.

“Why is she helping us?” I spun my head back to face Zichri.

The galleon hit the waves hard, and Zichri caught me before I fell. My breath caught at his nearness. His earthy scent calmed my tumultuous nerves. If I rocked onto my toes, I could kiss him.His gaze fixed on my lips like it had the night before. Part of me wanted to give in to the desire even in front of all these strangers.

Then, the sunlight ceased to kiss the slope of his nose, and the thick smell of rain wafted in the air. My thoughts scrambled. The sudden change in weather reminded me that we still needed to go over the plan.

We were running into danger, on a hidden island, to face someone with far more refined powers than our own. Cosme wasn’t wrong about being fearful of our adversary. What if I never got to enjoy another moment with Zichri again?

Zichri leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” My voice was thick with emotion.

“Whatever happens, I need you to stay with Minerva. Promise you won’t come back for me if I’m taken.”

“Don’t talk like that.”

“Promise me.” He traced my jaw and cupped his hand behind my head, weaving his fingers through my hair.

“You can’t expect me to promise that.”

“Stubborn girl.” A playful tone teased his words. “I should have known not to bring you.”

A chuckle filled my mouth, so contrary to the doubts buzzing like a beehive in my gut.

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