Page 22 of Untamed

Heat crawled up my neck and pricked goosebumps on my scalp. To keep the nerves at bay, I chewed on the inside of my cheek. The fretful man who had chased me saw my face again. What would he do?

Chapter 9

Laude

My temples throbbed. Theair in my lungs stilled under two sets of dark, penetrating eyes. I wanted to shrivel in my seat or go back home to Giddel and climb under my thick covers where I should have been. Jaime stood, blocking Zichri’s brothers from my view. A long line of concern pressed between Jaime’s eyebrows.

Horns blared a pahm-pa-pa-pahm-pahm melody, and the attendees all stood in unison. If someone had told me a year ago that I would attend such a grand affair, I would have laughed at them. People like me didn’t attend the weddings of foreign princesses.

“I’m nervous,” I said. “Tell me this is just a fun ceremonia where the couple get to see each other for the first time indays and tomorrow they actually get married and we’re just spectators enjoying the food.”

Jaime took my hand in his and whispered. “How I wish that were true. I’m with you. The fellows are with you.”

That brought very small comfort. He could have lied to me and told me everything was all right, that the brothers hadn’t stared at me. Jaime could have cooed sweet nothings to make me forget that danger presided over the party. It was something I loved about Jaime—not the lie, but his insistence on believing in the best outcome.

I got to my feet, knees trembling and head bowed. No reason to risk eye contact. The three Prince Charmings scuffed the marble floor only an arm span in front of me. Maybe I was making a bigger deal out of this than necessary. The crowd and I sat as the princes climbed onto a podium and took their places on ostentatious chairs behind a table.

Servants in golden attire marched from the main doorways with matching long snuffers in hand. The music drifted into a whimsical movement as the servants put out several chandelier lights. All at once, the room dimmed. Three coordinated snuffs later, I was tempted to spark my finger.

Flutes tweeted a simple chorus. Another set of people marched in golden cloaks and raised their arms. Lightning bolts shot from their fingertips. My jaw must have dropped because I had assumed gifted individuals didn’t exist in Himzo. I hadn’t been able to spark my finger on my last visit. How did they?

I shot my arm out toward Jaime and smacked his jaw. “Sorry, sorry. I meant to grab your shoulder.”

He grunted and massaged his face. “Don’t worry. It was an accident.”

Clutching and unclutching my hands, I couldn’t help but swarm with guilt and a need to know what in all Agata was goingon. I ripped off my glove, put my hand low, and sparked a flame. The orange light reflected off Jaime’s shocked face.

“Put that out.” Jaime flitted a glance at the royal table.

Only Zichri met my stare and raked his fingers through his hair. The ceremonia went on and on with an exhibition of jugglers followed by another of dancers until finally the double doors by our table flew open. Zichri’s sister—or who I assumed was Zichri’s sister—waited under an embroidered veil wearing a glimmering blue gown. Two ladies stood beside her. One of those ladies was Minerva.

My jaw dropped to the floor even though I had a vague memory of hearing this information. How did that girl manage to be everywhere? Well, I understood how butcaramba!

Across the hall, another set of double doors yawned open, but no one stood on the other side. The dark passage had an eerie feeling, especially since the doors had opened on their own. I peeked at Jaime, and he gestured with his hand for me to wait. Was I missing something here or was the groom not there?

Murmurs crept through the dimmed hall, and finally a silhouette of a man appeared swaggering toward us. The closer the man got, the more I could make out the short spiral curls at the top of his head, his slender but muscular form, and his short stature. It was Milo.

A smirk crept up his lips. Either he was conjuring some plan or had a funny way of showing admiration. Then he flickered from view. A collective gasp echoed across the enormous room.

He’d disappeared. A blink later, he reappeared in front of his bride. His brown eyes shone with glee as he unveiled the princess.

Zichri’s sister had his tan skin, dark hair, full lips, and long eyelashes. Where Zichri’s jaw was square, hers was rounded. She reflected Milo’s admiration and giggled. Beatriz would haveloved to witness this moment. The couple promenaded to the royal table and took their places beside Prince Zichri.

The servants set platter after platter at the center of our table. Who would have thought there were so many ways to prepare pears and chicken? I worried my stomach might burst my corset open by the time the food stopped coming.

Once the food stopped flowing, the dance floor opened for ladies.

Jaime nudged my side. “You should go.”

“But I don’t know the dance.”

He whistled for Minerva and waved her to our table. “Laude would love to join the ladies’danzabut needs help.”

Minerva nodded shyly and wouldn’t meet my eye.

I glared at Jaime, playfully. He knew how much I enjoyed frivolity, but the whole new setting and evil-prince thing made this much less fun.

Minerva wasn’t much of a teacher either. She led me to a place among a circle of women. “Place your hand up. We’ll walk in a circle and turn the other way. When the music slows down, we wave like this”—she did a strange arm over her head thing—“and when the music speeds up, we do this foot work.” This was where she lost me.

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