Page 80 of Untamed

“Take her below.”

Should I just let him brand me? What could be worse than drowning?

Chapter 33

Beatriz

I awoke to sunshinecutting across my vision. A white ceiling stretched overhead, and soft covers enveloped my body. Where was I?

The previous night replayed through my mind, and my stomach sank as I remembered why I was alone. Why hadn’t I insisted that Laude stay by my side? She would have been safe if I’d stayed on the dock long enough for her to join me. And Zichri was supposed to wake me up once Minerva agreed to whisk us away. I jolted out of bed.

Childish laughter echoed outside the small quarters. I slipped my feet into my boots and exited the simple room with its white curtained window. An urgency pulsed through my veins. I flung the door open only to find Zichri and a scrawny boy standing in the middle of a grassy courtyard. They both held long sticksand brandished them as formidable weapons. The boy swiped at Zichri, who blocked the blow and parried to strike the skinny boy. But instead Zichri disarmed the child and scooped him over his shoulders and spun. The boy howled with delight.

A smile crept up my cheeks as I imagined this same scene with Zichri’s own children—the ones he didn’t have yet. The thought that they could also be my children caused me to blush in embarrassment and pleasure.

“Beatriz, you’re awake.” Cosme strode toward me from my right. “We need to speak to Monserrat. She’s still out of sorts.”

“Of course,” I hedged, but followed Cosme through a doorway, which led to a small dining room. An elegant table decorated with a small bouquet of sunset-orange plumerias took up most of the space. The expected fragrance was overshadowed by a meaty aroma drifting from the kitchen.

Cosme stepped into the kitchen and waved to an older woman. Minerva entered through the doorway at the opposite end with a basket full of mangos. He swept over to help Minerva. I sensed a cozy sentiment vibrating through my connection to him and stiffened my posture.

My knuckles glowed with my gift, and I clenched my fists. The bite of my fingernails on my palms helped to calm the flow of energy until it stopped reaching outward.

“Sorry about that.” Cosme reappeared in front of me. “Minerva said Monserrat’s out in front of thehaciendaand is a bit calmer now.” He led the way from the kitchen through a dim passage. Artwork hung on the wall. One painting depicted a valley, another showed a family—mother, father, and a skinny little girl with wild dark curls: Minerva.

We turned left into the small parlor from the previous night. Though the seating arrangement was the same, the daylight revealed the elegant cut of the furniture and the sunshine yellowwalls that now matched the daylight pouring in through high windows.

Cosme opened the front door and stepped out, searching for Monserrat. His manners revealed an earnestness. Was it because he still wanted to marry the girl?

“Monse, over here.” He signaled for her to come in and plopped into an armchair.

I moved toward the couch just in case Monserrat needed support. Her papá was dead. Her mamá remained in Prince Hugo’s clutches, which didn’t bode well since he knew about Monserrat sneaking information.

Monserrat trudged into the room with disheveled curls only partly pinned up and stains covering her gown. Why hadn’t she changed into one of Minerva’s dresses last night? Even so, she carried herself with an air of defiance, ever the princess. She met my gaze and sat in the armchair next to Cosme’s.

I straightened my back, a bit put off by Monserrat’s cold manner. “What did you want to discuss?”

“We need to decide our next steps,” Cosme said.

“What about Zichri and the others?” I asked.

“They’re coming. We’ve been waiting for you to wake up.” Cosme’s matter-of-fact tone bristled my nerves.

“For me, the decision is made.” I lifted my chin, daring him to object. “We can’t leave Laude, Jaime, and many of our countrymen like the sailors and the Dotados who aren’t here. What of your friend with extraordinary hearing?”

“Fermín woke up,” Cosme said. “Ignacio betrayed us. The sailors and the others are dead.”

I sank into the corner of the couch, dizzy from picturing the faces of all those who had died on this supposedly simple mission.

Fermín and Lucas strode through the front door. They searched each of our faces and made themselves comfortable. Ihad the misfortune of ending up between the two of them, with Fermin sitting by me on the couch and Lucas taking the chair beside me. Too much time passed while we perched on cushy couches deliberating.

Minerva entered the room carrying a tray and called over her shoulder, “Can you bring the forks?” On the low table between the seats, she set down a basket of bread, mango slices, meat, and dumplings. She nearly fled the room, but Cosme caught her wrist.

“Please stay.” Cosme’s thumb massaged Minerva’s skin. “We’ll need your insight.”

Minerva blushed. “Of course.”

I cut a look to Monserrat. A flash of anger flared on the princess’s nose, but she quickly settled her features into a dignified pout.

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