Page 37 of Untamed

“Why would he care about someone like me?”

She turned her face away from me. A shadow darkened the slope of her nose and danced across her cheek.

“Please…” I didn’t want to beg the queen, but how could she make such a request of me without an explanation?

“We should head back to the palace before people begin to worry. Beatriz’s lessons won’t last all day.” She got to her feet, patted off her dress, and collected the bottle of poison she’d brought with her.

“Is your garden full of poisons? Is that how you want me to … you know?”

“Yes, and yes, but you’ll need training first.” She clutched the deadly bottle. “You’re going to learn all the poisons at your disposal and their antidotes. I will teach you how to prepare your own.”

“Can I keep my mamá’s box?” I sifted through the various items and even found a familiar looking pocket watch. “What’s this? I’ve seen this before.”

She snatched the golden pocket watch. “Sorry, I thought this would be the best place to hide it.”

“But what is it? Whose is it?”

With one quick motion, she looped it around her neck and straightened her spine. “Hide the box in your room. I planned to give it to you in a couple of years, but I think you might need it sooner.”

“You promised me the truth, and I shared everything, and I mean everything, I could possibly have told you.”

She grabbed my shoulders and brought me up to my feet with a strength I hadn’t felt from her before. “How much are you willing to sacrifice to free yourself from an enemy who will never stop hunting me and possibly you?”

Heat shot to my temples, and my thoughts raged at her wanting me to agree to such a foul plan, and with little to no explanation. She couldn’t be serious. I stood and flipped the box lid shut. “Why would he want me? I’m nobody special. Maybe I’m someone worth attention to Jaime, Beatriz, and you, but to a whyzer?”

“Darling, you are very innocent and need to learn to defend yourself because the truth destines you for greatness.” She heaved a sigh as if it cost her to speak. “You have one thing he can’t buy or threaten out of someone.”

“What is that?”

A sad smile tipped up her cheeks. “A royal birthright.”

Chapter 15

Beatriz

Evening faded on thehorizon in shades of red, orange, and purple. Laude lounged behind me on the settee of my balcony, flipping through another old tome. The pearls around her neck were so perfect and round, like a most expensive gift she would never dare request. Could it be a token from Jaime? But she wouldn’t keep a secret about herself from me, would she?

Each day of the last few weeks since I started training with Uncle Uly flashed through my memory like trophies of weaknesses. Any time my uncle had asked me to let my gifting flow through me, I’d held back, even though Papá’s terms for seeing Zichri required me to use my gift. I leaned against the balustrade confused, hurt, and wishing I could fall asleep until something good happened.

“Princess,” Laude called to me, though I didn’t peel my gaze from the horizon. “I’m even more convinced that we need to find the island on Princess Monserrat’s ma”—she clutched at her throat and took three deep breaths— “The curse. Jaime and Zichri are investigating, and we know where you-know-who will be in a week.”

I closed my eyes and breathed. When I turned around, I met Laude’s severe expression. “Can you finally tell me what you and Cosme are hiding?”

“Oh, Princess! I was hoping you’d order another few batches of encanelados before you succumbed to asking me directly.” She placed a ribbon between the pages and snapped the book closed. Her knowing smile shattered the dam inside me that prevented my gifting from escaping.

How could she be so flippant about holding back information from me this whole time?

Energy burned down the pale markings on my arms and stretched along the curvy lines on my hands. Light shone on my knuckles, and Laude straightened her posture and visibly swallowed. An invisible cord formed between us, letting me feel a pulse of … excitement?

I closed my fists. “Sorry.” My markings faded, and I swiped my cheeks, overwhelmed by a jumble of emotions careening like a swarm of bees. I never should have released even part of my gifting without my uncle around.

“You don’t need to apologize, Princess.” Laude hopped up and wrapped me in a hug. “I’ll give you a hint, only because I can’t wait.” She pointed toward the docks below. More galleons than normal lined the edge of the shore and flew the olive-green flag of Giddel, but with war looming, it wasn’t a surprise to have more ships ready.

One of my eyebrows cocked skyward in question.

Laude clasped her hands over her bosom. “Ai-yi-yi. Why do you make this so difficult? Tomorrow you will understand. Well, unless something unreasonable happens and somehow plans get ruined and–” She squealed. “Stop me from talking. I can’t say.” Her exuberance radiated, daring me to use my abilities again.

“Fine.” I crossed my arms. “Will you at least answer yes or no if I ask questions?”

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