Page 48 of Untamed

Cosme asked, “You didn’t like the surprise?”

“Of course, I like it, but I’d prefer not to spoil my chances of marrying him.”

Cosme rolled his eyes. “Your attitude might do a better job at ruining your relationship.”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?” His voice held a sharp edge. “You prefer me to coat the truth with sugar.”

“I prefer you keep me informed. Is that so hard to understand?” I planted a pointed look on Minerva. “Even she knows more about our reason for going to Aracibel than I do.”

The girl recoiled, boot hitting the ledge. Her coral dress flung up with her boots. Before I understood what I was seeing, Minerva had flipped off the side of the ship.

Cosme reached for her, but it was too late.

I raced to the ledge. Seawater battered the ship’s side.

Swirling.

Churning.

The waters twisted in front of me in shades of cerulean and white. No sign of coral anywhere. I met Cosme’s wide eyes.

His slackened jaw shifted into a gaping smile.

“What’s wrong with you? We must retrieve her. Someone. Help!” Heart hammering out of my chest, I spun around toward the two sailors climbing down ropes near a mast.

Their mouths hung open as they stared at the bow of the ship. No, they stared at the girl standing near the bow of the ship. She adjusted the coral skirt of her dress and smoothed her curls back. The curls sprang out like a halo around her head, which would have been endearing since it so reminded me of Laude, but confusion consumed me.

How did she fall off the ship and end up at the bow? Was she able to teleport and so quickly?

“You can pick your jaw up now,” Cosme teased.

Minerva walked toward us with her attention on the floorboards. “I’m sorry,” she said to Cosme and scurried down the stairs.

Cosme’s jaw clenched. “Fine. You can join the Dotados meeting tonight.” He leaned in close to my ear. “But if you insinuate anything about Minerva and her intentions, I swear, I will never include you in any of the meetings again. Is that clear?” An intensity smoldered in Cosme’s gaze.

A breath caught in the back of my throat as I nodded.

“Good. Go enjoy your time with Zichri. Everyone seems to be having fun without you.”

Jaime rubbed a wooden stick on hisguiro, a hollowed-out gourd with glimmering scales painted on the sides. Another man smackedclavestogether, accenting certain beats; the two wooden sticks making more music than seemed possible. A sailor handed Zichri a guiterna. He sat on a crate and plucked a tune, his fingers racing up and down the fingerboard. I didn’t know he played the guiterna. He belted a line in a traditional Himzo song, and Laude clapped, grinning from ear to ear.

What was I doing? Yes, I had an opportunity for the time I wanted with Zichri. I’d also secured an invitation to a Dotado meeting. Even with my wins, a heavy weight lay across my shoulders.

The Black Knight remained at large, threatening my family and home, and we were headed toward him. How would Princess Monserrat respond to seeing all of us arrive despite her warning?

Ancient One, how am I to enjoy the moment when problems spiral out of my control?

A warm breeze shifted across my face, loosening several rogue hairs.

Theguiternastopped, though theguiroandclavescontinued to play. Zichri crossed the deck and reached his hand out to me. “Come on, beloved. I think you might know this next song.”

I slipped my hand into his. “What just happened?”

“You mean Minerva’s sudden appearance on the bow?” Zichri tugged me along to his spot on the crate.

“Yes. After she fell off the side of the ship.” I rubbed the chills pricking up and down my arms from such a sight.

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