Page 26 of Untamed

Every muscle in my face contorted with the frustration I couldn’t communicate, and Laude had the misfortune of proximity. I shoved the papers at her. “Read.”

She fumbled the pages and dropped one. With quick reflexes, she retrieved it with a triumphant whistle. “Got it.” Her rosy cheeks blanched as her eyes grazed along the pages. “So, Cosme’s not getting married?”

I shook my head.

“Why didn’t you tell him? How can Princess Monserrat lead him on? And then invite you to a ball on the same night!”

Footfalls echoed behind Laude. We twisted to see who else was traveling the back passageway and caught Cosme and Monserrat, holding hands. Their level of affection grew each day she stayed. Why all the pretense if Monserrat knew they’d never amount to anything?

“You tell him.” I tipped my head toward the couple approaching us. This would be the test. If Laude shouted the contents of the documents, then it had been just a spell placed on me, but if she couldn’t speak, then it was the papers.

Laude lifted her skirt a fraction and stormed toward Cosme. “I need to talk to you.”

Cosme and Monserrat strolled to meet a huffing Laude.

But upon their meeting, Cosme stared down at Laude who clutched her neck with one hand. She squeaked, but not a single word escaped her throat. My garrulous friend had been struck silent.

Monserrat’s smooth veneer stiffened, and she flicked a glare in my direction as if to say,you broke your promise.

Though nerves scrambled through my chest, I pursed my lips and straightened my back with confidence. I wasn’t wrong. She said she’d be gone by now, and they carried on in such a way that would leave my brother an emotional wreck.

Laude continued to grunt and shoved the papers at him.

Monserrat yanked Cosme’s arm. “We should head into town.”

But Laude kept the parchments under Cosme’s nose. Her determination couldn’t be doubted.

Cosme took the papers, opened each parchment with furrowed brows, and read.

Monserrat attempted to dislodge his grasp. “You promised a stroll through town. No interruptions.”

He laughed. “Ourquesitoswill still be warm even with a short delay.” He continued to read.

Monserrat shrunk away from him, panic painted on her slender features.

The truth settled over Cosme’s countenance like a bucket of cold water sloshed atop his cropped hair. Even with our victory, Laude and I huddled together, downcast.

Cosme folded the parchments and gave them to me. The coldness in his eyes bore through my skin. “How long have you known?”

I managed to whisper. “There’s a curse on the words.”

“How long?” Cosme Adam’s apple bobbed with emotion.

“A few days.” I cast a look at Laude, unable to meet my brother’s gaze.

He tilted his head downward and marched past Monserrat.

Monserrat reached for his arm, but he dodged her touch. Tears streamed along each of her cheeks, and she turned her attention to Laude and me. “You don’t know what you’ve done.”

Chapter 11

Laude

Sitting in a chairamong the elegant crowd in Himzo’s Plaza Principal for the official nuptials, I couldn’t focus on the couple promising to devote their lives to their kingdom and to each other. Each of the previous Himzo ceremonia nights had led up to this one moment. The princess’s blue dress sparkled, and Milo’s smile shone even from a distance.

But Cosme’s twisted expression as he read those wretched letters Beatriz had been carrying around burned in my conscience. Princess Monserrat’s desperate tone pierced my ears and soul. Was I better off being parentless than with a papá and mamá who had no sense of loyalty?

“Are you ready?” Jaime patted my hand, waking me from my stupor.

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