Page 19 of Untamed

Cosme groaned. “It’s hard to explain why, but yes. When you get to know her, you’ll understand.”

“It seems odd, especially since you won’t tell your betrothed”—Laude’s voice held a reprimanding note—“or your sister.”

“You know how Beatriz is.”

“Yes, I do,” Laude said. “But I’m not sure you really know her.”

Anger flashed across my vision.Cosme thinks he’s so much better than me.He’s never suffered want.I didn’t need to hear more.

“Come on, Laude.” Cosme chuckled mirthlessly. “One trip across the kingdom didn’t make her any less selfish.”

I rushed through the doorway, unable to withstand more judgment. The tingle of magic along my fingertips ached to reach into Cosme’s well of emotions, but I held it back. “Cosme, Laude. Sorry, I came in to get something I lent you.” The excuse was weak, but I had to give some reason for being in Cosme’s chambers. “Is there something you mean to tell me?” I folded my hands and lifted my chin with all the dignity I could muster.

Cosme’s and Laude’s mouths hung open.

One of my eyebrows shot up in question. I maintained perfect posture, refusing to acknowledge the cobwebs clinging to my skin, the blood on my sleeve, or the state of my disheveled hair, made evident by the reflection in a full-length mirror on the wall.

Cosme pinned me down with his orb-like brown eyes. His mouth snapped shut.

“You seem to have trouble finding the right words.” I kept an edge of levity in my voice though I wished to berate him, tell him everything I thought of his harsh jokes and his course manner both toward Zichri and toward me.

“Beatriz, you know we’re in the middle of important work.” Cosme adjusted his simple green doublet. “It involves discerning who conspired against Giddel.”

I slid a smile in place. Laude scooted to the side to accommodate me. Whatever I said next had to convince Cosme to let me in on his plans. “Does Papá know you’re putting quite a bit of faith in some girl?”

“What did you hear?” Cosme’s voice dropped to a whisper.

Laude chewed on her thumbnail.

“Does it matter?” I maintained a smirk. “You always tell Papá all the details accurately.”

Cosme’s lips pinched tight as he averted his gaze. “Do you want me to talk to Papá for you about letting Prince Zichri visit?”

“Now we’re in agreement.” I patted Cosme’s stained tunic sleeve and propped open his door into the corridor.

“What joy.” His melodramatic tone fueled my next words.

“I know, such delight. We should head down to Papá now, before you forget.”

“Are you serious?” Cosme’s upper lip stiffened.

“As ever.” I spun around and strode toward the front staircase.

“You won’t tell Princess Monserrat?” Cosme asked as I continued toward the stairwell.

Without looking backward, I said, “I can keep my mouth shut if you can get Papá to let Zichri visit.”

Two sets of footfalls trailed behind me. I’d won this battle with Cosme, but I wasn’t sure why. There was a girl involved who Laude didn’t trust and who must stay hidden from Princess Monserrat. I should shove Monserrat’s papers in Cosme’s hands and tell him he needn’t worry about her, but the information could wait a day.

When I arrived at the railing, I caught a glimpse of Princess Monserrat’s slender figure entering the front door below with her mother. She should have been gone by now, but I couldn’t have planned this interlude better.

I met Cosme’s gaze and twisted the corners of my lips upward. “Your betrothed would love to chat, wouldn’t she.”

He smoothed a hand over his downtrodden face. “You wouldn’t.”

“You’re right. I won’t because you are going to help me.” I smiled, but the win didn’t feel like an achievement when I met Laude’s drooping eyes.

Her disappointment ignited a flurry of guilt that stabbed at my right elbow where Monserrat’s papers rubbed. I’d manipulated Cosme into helping me without telling him the full truth. I’d make this right tomorrow. My shoes clicked down thestairs, undeterred by my mission to see Zichri without using my gift.

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