Page 36 of Untamed

I gnawed on my bottom lip, remembering Cosme and Minerva carrying relics through the palace. “This confuses me, but there is a ma—”

She poured a hot dollop of her energy through my hand, as if she kept my airways opened despite the curse. “A what?”

“A map,” I managed to croak.

She let go of me, and I drank in the air.

“Laude, will Whyzer Patro be at the ball in Aracibel?”

I shrugged.

“Did he call himself the Black Knight?”

My eyes shot wide open as I nodded.

“Does the map lead to the last relic?” She clenched her hands into fists.

“Yes.” I quivered.

She stood in one vicious movement. “Let me think on this.”

“What of this box and Mamá and even”—I bit my lip—“my papá?”

“I shall never name your miserable papá for your sake.” She sat again and let her regal mask slip over the hot emotions straining on her face. “I’m sorry. You must understand that I have spent your life keeping you close but hidden. You will be happiest marrying Jaime, slipping away to a quiet village, and living your life away from court.”

“Is Whyzer Patro my papá?”

“Cielos, no! All you need to know is that your mamá loved you and had a plan to escape so you would be safe. I couldn’t send you off once she passed.” Wet streaks dribbled to her chin. “Sheloved you, and I do too. Promise me you won’t go prodding for more answers. Being away from here will be best for you.”

I ripped open the box, unconvinced of her notion. Inside, a woven white and purple cloth laid atop a small wooden box, along with a sketch of curly-haired people. The twelve of them all sat stoic with the same nose, ears, or eyes, as me, and many had my freckles. So many faces like mine stared at me. Now, I sobbed. All that I had been missing. These were my family, blood, and flesh. How many aunts and uncles and grandparents?

Queen Cottia patted my shoulder in comfort.

“Are they alive?” I hiccupped.

“I don’t know.”

“Where are they?”

She shook her head. “Laude, you can search for them. Gema, your mamá, believed some of them still lived in a northern village past Himzo. I can’t remember the name, but if I saw it on a map, I’d recognize it.”

I sniffled with a full heart and hope that filled me as if I slurped a spoonful of honey. Even so, Queen Cottia’s reaction to the question about my papá didn’t feel right. “Does anyone else know who I am? Like I told you, Prince Hugo said he knew my origins.”

“Keep away from that prince. He’s vying for the crown and will look for any weakness in his brothers.” Queen Cottia lifted the lantern and got to her feet. “Will you promise me something?”

I clutched the cloth to my chest, fingering the soft fabric as if I could form some connection to my mamá.

“Laude, will you help me rid the seas of Whyzer Patro?” A somber expression draped over her like a dark veil.

My head cocked to the side. “What are you asking of me?”

She drew nearer. “Please understand that we won’t have another opportunity like this, and he will approach you. If weknow his whereabouts, we can put an end to all the pain he causes.”

“Are you asking me to—what’s the word? Are you asking me to assassinate the whyzer?” A cold sweat broke across my forehead.

Queen Cottia and I locked eyes for a beat.

“Yes.” Her voice cut through the darkness. The lamplight on the table flickered as if it trembled at her response. “You don’t have to say yes today. But please consider helping me. If the whyzer knows you exist, you will get no peace. I’m certain that he will try to bargain with you or simply take you and make you do his will.”

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