Page 54 of Untamed

“Yes,” Laude responded.

The two fellows lugged our trunks past us. The open doorway confirmed an unpleasant rainstorm would soak our dresses. Many sailors raced across the decks.

The door shut again, leaving us enclosed in the dark corridor.

Laude lifted her index finger. Her markings glowed, and a flame ignited a fiery orange. “What do you think is taking so long?”

“We aren’t exactlyexpected.”

An aching minute passed. Laude rocked on her feet, and I rubbed my sleeves. The rustling of the fabric seemed to echo in the seemingly abandoned hallway. After all that had transpired between Cosme and Monserrat, I doubted anyone would expect us to accept the invitation to the ball. What conclusions would they come to about us arriving with so many uninvited guests? Perhaps we could pass off Jaime, Zichri, and the other Dotados as servants. But Minerva being so powerful might be an issue, should they have one who could discern gifts.

Cosme swung the door open. Water raced along the sharp edges of his face and ran over his cloak. “Ready?”

“Will Aracibel view our arrival as a threat?” I clasped and unclasped my hands, suddenly nervous to set foot in the palace.

“If the Ancient One wills, we’ll be safe.” Cosme extended two umbrellas to Laude and me. “As far as they know, you’re giftless since you haven’t shown any signs of coming into your power. Everyone thinks it was a guard who saved you. I might have had a hand in that speculation. Here. You can freshen up before supper.”

“Where’s Zichri?” I asked.

“He—ehh—went out with Minerva to do a little patrol.” Cosme’s forehead scrunched like there was more to the story.

Something coiled inside my heart at again being left in the dark.

“And what of Jaime?” Laude asked with eagerness spiking over her usual cheerful manner.

The lines on Cosme’s face softened. “With Zichri and Minerva.”

“And what of Lucas … and the others?” I arched my brow.

Cosme blew out his cheeks. “Lucas is with Zichri also. Should I draw a map for you and give you a schedule of each of our movements?”

I sighed. “Truly, I hope that wasn’t a bathroom joke.”

Laude snorted with laughter and corrected herself at mine and Cosme’s deadpan stares.

“Beatriz,” Cosme dropped his voice, “our relationship with Aracibel is tentative. I need you to be a princess on a diplomatic mission.” He shoved an umbrella at me. “I need you to act like nothing is amiss. Your ignorance will keep you safe.”

My lips twisted. Cosme’s words about me being petulant thundered through my mind like the roaring surf thrashing against the galleon’s side, even though he softened his tone. The ship rose and fell with a gust of wind. I clung to the wooden wall. “Yes, brother.”

Cosme flashed his canines with forced merriment. “Let’s get on with this.”

By the time we shook off the rain from our overcoats, Princess Monserrat, King Sebastian, and Queen Tatiana greeted us in their grand atrium. A row of servants in yellow garb dipped and bowed on either side of us.

“Welcome, dear friends of Giddel.” King Sebastian flourished a hand in our direction. He shared Monserrat’s slender features but had a harder edge to the angles of his face.

I curtsied. Laude followed suit a step behind me. Rainwater dripped from our umbrellas in her right hand.

Shuffling sounded behind us. Zichri, Jaime, Lucas, and Minerva rushed into the arched entrance and bent low.

“Are these your guests?” King Sebastian’s face pinched in barely contained disdain.

Cosme lifted his gaze to the king. “Yes, these are friends of Giddel hoping for an audience.”

“Not tonight.” King Sebastian adjusted his golden robe. “Tonight, we eat, drink, and enjoy the merriment. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss other matters. What are their giftings?”

“Their giftings cannot be revealed.” Cosme hardened his jaw.

King Sebastian said, “Tsk, tsk. I offer you my daughter’s hand, and you treat me like your enemy.”

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