Page 14 of Untamed

Laude squared up to me, meeting my gaze with her crystal-blue eyes. “Hmm? Why are you so distressed?”

I let out a slow breath. “Will Cosme fib for me?”

“About what?”

“Me using my gift with him and the rest of the Dotados. Papá said he’d give Zichri permission to enter his land if I learned to use my gift.”

“Ahhh … now I understand.” She bobbed her head and backstepped.

“Tell me he will.”

She let out an airy giggle and started toward Cosme’s quarters.

“Laude, any boost of confidence will help at present.”

“Do you want me to lie to you?” She waved for me to follow her.

“You are insufferable.”

“I know, and yet for some reason, you keep requesting my company.” She flashed her teeth in a dazzling grin.

“What’s the point of bothering Cosme if he won’t help? We should start our studies on the Agata Sea history or continue our designs for the new garden.”

She looped her arm through mine, tugging me toward Cosme’s quarters. “He’ll never lie for you to the king and queen, but perhaps you should ask him more questions.”

Begrudgingly, I trudged along the last several paces and let Laude knock on the white door with simple yet refined molding. Several seconds passed.

“He didn’t answer.” I spun away, ready to retreat, and happy for an excuse to do so.

Laude twisted me back. “And you thought I was insufferable. Give the prince a chance to button his tunic or whatever he does in there.”

The door creaked open.

Cosme’s dark eyes appeared, round and surprised. After a second, his face settled into his usual, cocky expression. He squeezed through the cracked opening, ridiculous in his unwillingness to allow me to see the secrets within his chamber, and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. Grass fell from his cropped hair. Stains marked his haphazard white tunic, and wet mud coated his boots. Not to mention, a healthy stink radiated off his person.

My tongue curled with a curt question about his recent whereabouts, but I bit back my curiosity. Cosme always looked as if he’d trekked across a jungle, and he always brushed off my many questions with “it’s Dotado business.”

“What brings you to my lair?” Cosme combed his fingers through his hair and side-glanced at Laude.

“I want to join your Dotados.” My chin remained in the high position like I’d practiced.

His eyebrows furrowed. “You are part of our group.”

“No, I am not.” I leaned forward and pushed the door open.

Cosme caught the wooden edge, blocking my way.

“I hardly call attending a beach swim with your friends being part of your enclave of spies.”

Laude crossed her arms, gnawing on her bottom lip. Wasn’t she supposed to bolster my confidence?

Cosme chuckled. “You haven’t a gift to offer. Am I correct?”

I bit the insides of my cheeks.

“Papá told me to keep you safe.” Cosme shrugged. “How am I supposed to protect you if you’re spying with us and can’t even fight?”

“Yet, Papá wants me more involved in kingdom affairs.”

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