Page 62 of Untamed

Queen Tatiana chuckled as if I’d told a joke.

“Perhaps we can leave Princess Beatriz.” Laude pivoted to cut me out of the conversation and gestured to the palace. “A glass of cucumber water sounds lovely.”

Queen Tatiana looked down her nose at Laude and curled her lips in such a way that we might have thought a cockroach had crossed her path. “But we can’t play a card game with uneven teams.” She stretched a practiced smile in place, marking the end of the debate.

The gravel crunched under our boots as we returned to the palace. So many questions burned my conscience. Did Queen Tatiana know her husband’s plans to wed Monserrat to another suitor or was she play acting?

As I crossed under the arched sandstone doorway into the palace, I scratched at the pouch Monserrat had given me. Sweat trickled under the leather. We still had days until themasquerade, but Monserrat’s urgent tone sang through my memory and grew my need to read the documents sooner than later.

Queen Tatiana led us into a cozy parlor where she collapsed into a yellow armchair. She whipped out a red fan and waved it at her face. Dark circles ran along her once vibrant eyes, giving her a sickly appearance. Again, Monserrat had told the truth about her mamá’s condition. What wouldn’t a husband do to save the one he loved? It built my trust toward Monserrat.

The day went on without seeing any of the men. We playedSorteo, a game of chance with portraits of heroes on game cards. The humdrum of the regular day left me desperate for something more.

Monserrat placed the game card of the ancient king’s throne on the table. A smirk lifted her cheeks. “I win.”

Footsteps scuffed at the doorway. A maid in yellow carried a tray of plates into the cozy room.

The queen waved the maid over to a small table. “An informal lunch will be served in the parlor. I hope you don’t mind.”

I hooked my elbow around Laude’s arm. “Laude and I need to rest for a while.”

“We do?” Laude asked.

My lips stretched into a practiced smile, and I snuck a glare at Laude.

“Yes, the heat is particularly draining.” I fanned my face to emphasize my point.

“Of course.” Monserrat lifted a hand. “Let me get someone to assist you to your room.”

“Thank you, but that will not be necessary; we know our way.” I tugged Laude off her chair and dragged her to the corridor, keeping my focus on the marble floors. Once we were out of earshot, I risked a glance backward. Monserrat watched us from the threshold of the parlor, leaning against the doorframe.

“Princess, why are we really leaving?” Laude whispered loudly. “I was hoping for another game ofSorteo.”

I turned left into the main corridor, leading to the main stairway and the front entrance. “We really should payLa Laviaa visit.”

Laude stopped. “You prefer to visit a cramped ship instead of eating?”

“We’ll talk more about it when we exit the palace.” My words sounded crisp.

A servant exited a side door with a tray laden with fried finger foods. The aroma stirred a wave of hunger in my stomach, but I continued marching forward.

Laude’s wistful gaze followed the meal we’d miss. “I don’t think we need rest.”

“Yes, we do.” I pulled her along toward the front entrance. “We have another dinner in the hall tonight.”

Laude sighed and met my stride. “See what I do for you.” Her usual grin spread on her lips and bubbled on her cheeks. Nothing kept Laude upset for long.

Our boots tapped along the corridor, through the front entrance, and down the rocky steps to the docks.La Laviafloated at the end with its giant white sails and the Giddelian flag flapping in the wind. Beside it, a new ship loomed. We hadn’t heard of new royal guests, but the polished wood and intricate designs boasted that those onboard must be important.

We trekked along the dock with sailors wrapping ropes and cleaning the decks. Those on the new ship wore dark colors and had no insignia to reveal where they originated. We continued in silence toLa Lavia. A sailor rushed to grab the ramp so we could board.

I checked my surroundings, taking in the galleons and the palace on the cliff. The clean-cut sandstone had balconies chiseled in its many sides and turrets stacked like stairs tothe tallest part of the structure. Though Giddel boasted a large palace, Aracibel’s royal estate was breathtaking, especially with the turquoise waters and vibrant gardens at its base.

“Beatriz, now can you tell me why we’re here,” Laude shouted from the ship.

Rushing upward, I silenced Laude with narrowed eyes. “To our sea quarters.”

“Does this have to do with when you disappeared on the balcony last night?”

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