Page 98 of Untamed

Zichri flipped over the boat by himself and pushed it through the sand until it touched the water. “Should we go?”

“Shouldn’t we take out the arrow?” Laude asked.

“We don’t have anything to stop the blood.” Zichri tugged on his hair and scanned the forest another time.

“But do you know how to fix it?” Laude blocked Zichri’s movements.

He paused, met my gaze, and sighed. “If we weren’t on an island with Whyzer Patro’s men chasing us, and if I had my kit, I would stitch him up.”

Laude stopped Zichri from moving again. “Please. It’s been a while, and he doesn’t look good.”

I pressed my palm to Zichri’s chest, pushing a hint of compassion into his heart. Laude didn’t know his brother had died in his arms right before the fight with Whyzer Patro. She didn’t know his rush to get home was to try and save his other brother before it was too late.

Jaime sat on the ground, propped up by the tree with the notches. “Go on without me.” His breath came out labored, and his pain was evident in how he winced.

Zichri firmed his jaw. “We’ll need something to staunch the blood.” He strode over to Jaime’s side with purpose.

My top dress and the bottom of my under dress were soaked in mud, but perhaps the top of my chemise could be used. I slipped off my sleeve and tore at the seams. Laude helped sever the sleeve. Zichri took the material from her grasp and got to work on Jaime.

Laude grabbed hold of my trembling hand. “The flowers. They’re the last relic, right? I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

I heard a sickening squelch, followed by Jaime’s grunt. Angry, puffy skin showed on Jaime’s shoulder around the arrow hole. I turned my head, unable to continue looking.

“I’m so so sorry.” Laude’s crystal-blue eyes arrested me with the sheen of unshed tears. “So many secrets. I should have told you about the portals and your mother’s plans and about my betrothal.”

“You’re betrothed?” The shock in my voice caused Zichri to peer over his shoulder. I pitched my voice lower. “When did this happen? How?”

Laude fanned her face with both hands. “He asked way back when Monserrat visited, and then I told him I wouldn’t move to Himzo without visiting it first, and that’s when I begged your mother to give me answers and found out about my mamá.”

Jaime groaned loudly. The bloodied arrow dripped.

“Ai-yi-yi! Ancient One be with him.” Laude shoved the flowers at Zichri and clasped her hands together over her chest.

Zichri stuffed Jaime’s mouth with flowers, and I prayed too. Within a minute, the color returned to Jaime’s skin, but he still labored for breath.

I grabbed Laude’s shoulder and gave her the small drizzle of hope still lodged in my heart. We’d come here to save Laude and Jaime, and here we were. The surf washed in with some force, and the horizon remained completely clear of ships. The Pedrozian galleon had most likely returned to Pedroz without us. Minerva had been taken captive the last time we’d seen her, but could anyone hold a teleporting girl?

“He’s getting better.” Laude’s cheeks perked into an exhausted smile. “Beatriz, I didn’t want to move to Himzo without you.”

“Do you love him?” I pointed to Jaime whose swollen eye shrunk back to a normal size within several blinks.

“Yes. He’s thoughtful and sweet and he leapt across a table to attack Whyzer Patro for me and he loves the Ancient One and is so so beautiful.”

“Caramba, Laude, then why are you so scared to move to Himzo without me when I can teleport to you any day of the week? Well, now that I know about your traveling method.”

“Because it won’t be the same. And even if I find another friend, she won’t be you.” She patted back wayward curls, but they sprang up even after she’d fixed them. “You and Queen Cottia and Cosme and King Ezer are my family.”

“Well, when Papá gets the treaty, I’ll move to Himzo too. It won’t be long.” I squeezed her shoulder.

“About that.” She stretched her lips over her teeth in the worst fake smile I had ever seen. “I’m also an heir to the Pedrozian throne.”

“Yes, about that?”

“It’s a sad story.” Laude gulped. “I think Jaime is better.” She pursed her lips, pointing toward the fellows.

Jaime stood, and Zichri lifted his arms in the air.

A flock of birds erupted from the trees and soared into the sky.

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