Page 45 of Untamed

“They have high hopes to move into Milo’s country estate once Papá gets well enough to manage on his own.” Sadness crept along his features.

“Long live the King of Himzo.” I wished to comfort him with a touch, but the trays and wide table made that impossible. “I’m so sorry your papá fell ill.”

“If Papá were well, he’d approve of us and sign the treaty.” Zichri scooped porridge.

An ache filled my lungs at the sad turn of events. None of my words could make Zichri’s papá better.

Cosme slapped the table. “But the king has your brothers as mouthpieces, Prince Zichri.”

A tight smile spread across Zichri’s face. “You are correct. I’m convinced one of my brothers is behind the attack on Giddel and continues to make plans. We’ll find out who else is involved. Cosme and I decided that in visiting the kingdoms, we’d discover our true adversaries.”

A servant came into the dining hall with a kettle. Steam wafted out the spout in curling plumes.

Cosme and Zichri shared a conspiratorial look. Pressing my shoulders back, I pinned Cosme down with a glare. “It seems odd that you two would be in such close contact to share all these intricate details.”

“Oh, Beatriz”—Cosme clapped my shoulder—“you’re growing up so quickly. You might just yet become a Dotado.”

I brushed off Cosme’s touch. Annoyance bristled under my skin and tickled my faintly glowing fingertips. Didn’t Uncle Uly say I could shape my emotions? An invisible tentacle leaked from my pores, and I tugged the power back into myself. It took all my restraint to resist slapping Cosme’s face with my anger. Even if he was heartbroken over Monserrat, he had a caustic tongue.

“You are all kindness.” My voice came out tight.

“I know, I can’t help myself.” Cosme tilted his head toward mine.

A servant placed a cup in front of me and then one in front of Cosme before pouring cider into each.

The door behind me flew open. Everyone’s head snapped toward the newcomer. Cosme’s eyes rounded, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Minerva,” Cosme said in a gentle tone he’d never used in my presence. He hopped out of his chair and crossed to a pretty girl who looked about my age. She wore a coral dress, her curly hair was woven into a simple braid, and her face held an openness that gave her a kind aura. Cosme walked her to the head of the table, as if she had some special position among the group. I detected nothing regal or extraordinary in her manner.

I glanced to my right where Laude observed the newcomer with the corners of her lips downturned. This was the girl Laude didn’t trust. Why was she here?

Zichri watched Minerva and settled into a relaxed posture as if he recognized her. There was nothing to be jealous of in his manner nor hers, but I still felt a strange discomfort. He had all these connections and a life I knew little about.

Unsure how to tame the emotions tumbling like undercurrents of the sea, I placed my palm over the relic ticking just over my heart. My itchy skin screamed for me to let the magic loose and control the situation.

Then there were the matters I couldn’t dictate or retrieve through my powers. What were Zichri’s expectations? What would happen when we showed up at Cosme’s ex-betrothed’s palace to go to a ball with the secret girl that Monserrat was not to know about?

La Laviarose and fell, jostling the piping hot cider.

Chapter 19

Beatriz

“You should have toldme.” I placed my hands on my hips. Every rippling wave rocked the ship’s tiny quarters and the lunch in my stomach.

Laude’s shoulders slumped as she perched on her bed across from mine, staring out the window. “Ai-yi-yi. Sorry, Princess, I promised Cosme I’d not say a word.” She gulped. “I-I wanted to tell you. That counts for something, right?”

I pursed my lips tighter. Laude evaded my stare and wound one of her red curls with her finger—a nervous gesture. She was still hiding something. My insides tumbled, not from seasickness, but by Laude, my best friend. Now, how to retrieve the Laude who used to spill every last detail.

Thump-thump-thump.

Someone knocked at the door.

“Who is it?” The words whipped off my tongue.

“It’s Zichri.”

Laude’s eyes flipped wide open with unrestrained excitement. She snatched a book lying on a nightstand between our beds and sank into the covers. “I’m not here, Princess. I mean, I am, but aww…the way he looked at you. My heart could burst. Wait, Jaime might be with him. Is there anything in my teeth?” She stretched her lips revealing two pearly-white rows.

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