Page 102 of Untamed

“Please don’t talk like that.” Tears blurred my vision. “You are going to get better.”

“Only the Ancient One knows that.” Papá clasped my hand between his. “We’ll make your betrothal final when Cosme is here with us. Did you see him?”

My chin quivered. “Cosme went back to chase Whyzer Patro. What did you say about my betrothal?”

The wrinkles along Papá’s mouth eased into a hint of a smile. “Come here.” He gestured for Zichri to draw near.

Zichri stepped forward. His cheek muscles flexed along his jawline. An aching minute passed with Zichri and Papá in some hidden conversation in the tilt of their heads and slight nods. Finally, Zichri broke the silence. “If Beatriz will have me,” he let his gaze drift to meet mine and then back to Papá’s, “I’d like to ask for a betrothal and to make it official with a tour to Himzo.”

An airy chuckle escaped Papá’s throat. “Beatriz, does that suit you?”

Tears built up along my eyelashes, and my head bobbed ardently. “Yes, I’d love that.”

Mamá hugged me, and Laude nearly leapt over Papá and tripped into an embrace. I clasped my arms around her, so thankful I had not lost my dearest friend.

Laude twittered with so much joy, I dare say, it made me forget any other emotion existed. “I can’t wait to show you around the plaza and to see Milo and for you to meet Griselda,Zichri’s sister—but I’ve really only watched her from afar—and it will be splendid.”

Zichri pulled me up to my feet while he drank in the sight of me, mud-splattered and missing a sleeve. The Ancient One knew he couldn’t have wanted to marry me because of the aroma wafting from my soiled dress or my perfectly kept hair. All false pretenses aside, he loved me, and I loved him.

“I need to return to Himzo to stop the plan Hugo set in motion to kill our remaining brother.” Zichri glanced behind me to the door. “Where’s Minerva?”

In my haste, I’d forgotten about her. “Let’s go together. Should we wait for Cosme?”

His shoulders slumped. “Probably, but we don’t have the luxury of time.”

Chapter 47

Laude

Beatriz wasn’t going toleave me behind so easily, and she even smiled when I tripped over my dress in my rush to make it down the stairs behind her.

“We’re looking for Minerva so we can take a portal to Himzo.” Beatriz pulled her shoulders back and tipped her head to the side enough for me to understand she was inviting me.

Minerva was waiting by herself in the atrium when Zichri approached her. She nodded at his question—the atrium was too noisy to hear over the whispering servants and the maids rushing, like lizards finding a snack.

“Follow me.” Beatriz opened the ballroom door to the huge space with windows pouring in afternoon light.

With the wave of Minerva’s hand, she stirred the air until it rippled and sparked with light. Zichri wove his fingers intoBeatriz’s behind us, but I could tell we’d have to go first to wherever we were headed.

Jaime clung to my hand as we marched through Minerva’s portal. We arrived in the middle of the Himzo palace’s entrance hall with startled servants clutching their chests near the main entrance. Jaime waved, and their startled expressions calmed while they caught their breath.

Zichri and Beatriz came through next, appearing from thin air. The romantic side of me imagined beautiful little children—but perhaps not so covered in muck—running around their feet. The nest of hair on Beatriz’s head and the wide hands-breadth of mud caked to the bottom of her green dress would never have been allowed by Queen Cottia if it hadn’t been an emergency.

Minerva broke through into Himzo Palace’s main entrance and closed her portal with one hand motion.

“Find Papá and Prince Agustín.” Zichri kissed Beatriz’s knuckles and pointed to Minerva. “Girls, stay together.” He gestured to Jaime, and they were off like two arrows searching for a target.

Guilt clutched my stomach because even though Prince Hugo had turned out to be a scoundrel, Zichri had still loved him. And even though the poison had been meant for Whyzer Patro, I could never tell him that I had killed his brother.

“Laude.” Beatriz looped her arm through mine. “It’s not your fault.”

Now, I could feel this strange pouring of energy from my heart. Beatriz no longer had any sense of compunction against using her gift, which I liked and hated all at once.

“Don’t give me that look.” Beatriz pursed her lips with a smug expression that I knew for what it was. She hated anyone seeing anything but a perfect exterior, and she was nervous. “You used the poison, didn’t you?”

“Ai-yi-yi, Princess Beatriz, you’ve caught me.” I watched Minerva stride in our direction.

“We saw the aftermath, and I could think of no other reason for you to keep me away.” She cupped her hand over her mouth as if to keep a secret. “Minerva’s coming.”

---