Page 7 of Untamed

“Does she know?” the queen asked, pulling away with the widest smile I’d seen on her face in ages.

“No, but I’m going to tell her soon. Please let me share the news in my own way and time because you know how she’s been all gloomy, and I don’t want her to feel like I’m abandoning her.”

Realization struck again, like Lady Myla’s screeching when she was in one of her moods. What would happen to Beatriz with me gone? How would I say goodbye after all we’ve been through? A lump of tears rolled up my throat and promised to keep me hostage. Telling her about my engagement might also need to wait. Two months of knowing I’d soon be leaving might torture her, seeing that she hadn’t any other friends. Maybe I could hold off on sharing the most exciting and terrifying news a little longer.

Chapter 3

Beatriz

Perhaps Monserrat was correct.I would find a way to convince Papá to let Zichri visit me, and she had given me the perfect leverage.

That night, guards in green livery opened gilded doors to let me into the King’s Corridor even though the palace’s lamps had already been turned low for the night.

“Princess,” the tall guard bowed his head, “the king might still be awake.” He winked.

“Thank you, good sir.” I kept my chin high and my resolve even higher. My boots stomped through the doors and over the lattice design on the marble floors.

Thoughts poured into my mind faster than the surf during a full moon. It’s now or forever waiting. Tonight, I’ll beg Papá to allow Zichri to return to Giddelian soil even though he hasn’tsecured a treaty yet. There has to be a way to circumvent the edict banning marriage to those in an enemy kingdom. And if he won’t listen, I’ll tell him I have information I will only share with Zichri by my side.

The hefty stack of letters swung in my right sleeve as I strode through the long corridor, passing Mamá’s quarters. They brought me comfort and reminded me of why I needed to risk censure. Papá had to know Zichri wasn’t our enemy, and neither was most of the Himzo kingdom.

The guards tapped the doors shut behind me, enveloping me in deeper shadow. I swallowed hard and let out a long breath. There was no going back. I would have this conversation in five more paces.

An orange light cut around Papá’s cracked-open door from his quarters. He must have just entered or perhaps someone accompanied him. Either way, the light had to be a sign that my three months of hinting and being patient would pay off. Papá rarely had a free moment since the Himzo and Pedrozian attack.

I slowed my gait as I neared the light. My stomach curled into a tight ball. Would this night dig me into a worse predicament? Then again, what could be worse than being parted from my love with no hope of a reunion?

Papá’s decadent door stood before me like a cursed mountain, daring me to risk my heart. I tiptoed as I approached. My shaky hand stretched to push into the sitting room I had visited so many times before.

“Don’t, Ezer, give her time.” Mamá’s voice held a sternness.

“We’ve given her time. All she cares about is the boy. The boy. The boy.”

“Do you blame her? Especially with Cosme setting a wedding date.”

“What do you expect me to do? Forget Himzo broke into this palace? Our home. They turned our allies against us and stirredso much discord among the Agata Sea kingdoms that we don’t know who will attack next.”

Mamá sighed. “But Zichri saved Beatriz and fought with us.”

“I know. I know. Why else would I even consider allowing him to marry Beatriz?”

The slit in the door called me to peek. I leaned closer, letting dim lamplight touch my face.

Mamá crossed her arms in the sleeveless champagne nightgown she wore. A small scar on her shoulder stood out on her perfect tan skin. She had explained that an evil whyzer had marked her. Rather than training her in her gift, he had used her magical ability for his dark purposes. The mark caused apprehension to stir inside of me. Even a whyzer, who was supposed to hear from the Ancient One, could be turned to misuse the giftings. I curled my fingers into my palms despite my gifting remaining tamed beneath my skin.

Papá crossed in front of Mamá, blocking my view of her.

“Perhaps you should ease restrictions,” Mamá said.

“I allow his comrades to tramp in my home to deliver that boy’s letters.”

“I see we’re not going to agree.”

“No, we’re not. Tomorrow, I am sending for my brother. His messenger is outside my window, and the bird only stays a day or so when he comes. Who knows when Ulyses will send word again.”

Mamá inhaled sharply. “That isn’t a prudent decision. She doesn’t want to use her gifting.”

“She needs to use it. I’ve coddled her these last three months, allowing her to mope around and take on no responsibility.”

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