Page 66 of Untamed

His dimples deepened with his grin. The warmth of his acceptance and attention drew me closer. He’d remembered myfavorite flowers from all those walks we took in Giddel when he stayed for a week to heal from his battle wounds.

“I picked them just for you.” Zichri kept his brown eyes trained on my reaction. “Tell me, how did I do?”

To keep the flutters within my chest at bay, I grabbed the bouquet and inhaled a flowery breath. The perfume settled over me like a cool mist on a hot day.

“Prince Zichri, you chose well.” My voice came out in a velvety tone.

He drew nearer, and my breath hitched like it had earlier. I could throw my arms around him or lean in a fraction to rest my head against his chest. All those months wishing to see Zichri melted into this moment.

I rocked onto my tiptoes and leaned in as if to greet him with a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll use my gift. I’m scared we might have run out of tomorrows.”

He stepped back, inspecting the walls, and offered his arm. “I have the same fear, but we mustn’t dwell on that right now.” Something about the way his eyes crinkled in the corners gave me the impression that this wasn’t the place for this conversation.

“Aren’t we supposed to conceal your identity?” I hesitated to touch him.

“You are correct.” He dropped his voice. “But now that we know the plan and that our days may be numbered, I much prefer to enjoy the little time we have with the lady I love.”

I clung to his arm. The four of us promenaded through the passages and into the dining hall. The tables encircled the space in the middle like the night before. This time, more musicians lined up against the back wall. A servant escorted us to the same seats from the previous night, and Zichri kept to my side.

He whispered in my ear, “So, what is your response to my letter?” His breath tickled my neck.

“We’re dancing tonight?” I tapped my chin playfully.

“That’s the rumor.” He sipped from a glass. “Mmm … Hibiscus water. They remembered.”

Cosme entered with Minerva at his side. The curly-haired girl radiated beauty under the torch light. Her turquoise gown accentuated the sleek curves of her torso, and the elegant gold stitching caused the eye to trail down to her flowing skirt. It was impossible to avoid the admiration in her gaze when she looked up at Cosme. Worst of all, Cosme reflected the expression as he patted Minerva’s hand.

Inwardly, I groaned. Wasn’t he trying to reestablish a betrothal? Even if he didn’t believe Monserrat would take him back, he should at least feign interest in her. I whipped a look over at Monserrat who would have crushed her pewter mug in her palm if it were glass. Monserrat managed to make even a scowl appear refined with the upturn of her chin.

Who could blame the princess for her reaction?

Cosme led Minerva to a seat around the table and paid his dues to King Sebastian and Queen Tatiana. The reserved expression that masked my brother’s face was almost laughable after the jubilation he’d just expressed with Minerva. He took three smooth strides and greeted Princess Monserrat with a kiss on her cheek. Monserrat tipped her face away. Cosme backstepped and glanced about the room. When he met my stare, he waved like he was shooing me away.

Zichri leaned close. “They have a strange relationship. Are most betrothals in the alliance like that? We’re a bit more … amiable to our betrothed in Himzo, especially if we’re trying to win their favor after an argument.”

I tore my gaze from Cosme. “Argument?” I pitched my voice low. “He broke his betrothal to her and for good reason. Did he not tell you?”

“No, he mentioned an argument.”

It dawned on me that Zichri hadn’t seen the first letters Monserrat copied. Why did Cosme share partial information with everyone? I bit the insides of my cheeks.

“Does he love her?” Zichri’s question pulled me from my thoughts. An earnest expression marked his features and stirred like honey in my heart.

“Not like my papá loves my mamá.” I adjusted my collar. “But most royal couples don’t have that sort of affection. My parents’ story is unusual.”

“Is that why you had a ceremonia to choose your suitor?” he asked.

I peeked to my left. Lucas leaned an elbow on the table, stealing glances in my direction, and chatted with Fermín, not so oblivious to me. On the other side of Zichri, Laude giggled, and Jaime watched her with a special twinkle in his eyes. No one eavesdropped that I could see.

“Since I hold no real sway over kingdom affairs in the future, they gave me an opportunity to choose you. Well, so long as we can procure a treaty.” My cheeks burned at saying such bold words. I sipped from my cup, relishing the sweet and tangy flavor.

“Then I am blessed that you have no sway.” The hint of a smile touched Zichri’s cheeks, but as he looked over the crowd, he grew more serious. His lips protruded, pointing toward Monserrat and my brother.

Monserrat brushed Cosme aside. Low murmurs passed between the two, and Cosme signaled for a servant. The man rushed behind us, shouting to another man for a chair and an extra place setting. Within two minutes, Cosme sat between his ex-betrothed and one of her young brothers. Had they reunited? It was hard to tell.

Minerva slipped into the chair across from me with her head low and gaze fixed on the plate before her.

King Sebastian caught sight of the new seating arrangement and grimaced. His attention shifted toward the double doors across from him. He dug through his pocket and slapped it closed again. Two servants carried a pig on a spit to the king’s table, but the king stretched his neck to peer at the doors again. Who was he expecting?

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