Page 10 of Untamed

Blas elbowed Gonzalo’s gut. “Laude! We heard you were coming for the festivities.”

“Festivities?” My arms flung wide and smacked Jaime’s nose. “Ai-yi-yi, I’m sorry, I just got so excited.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Jaime pinched the bridge of his nose and grunted. “The fellows wanted you to see how Himzos celebrate.”

Footsteps stomped down the stairs somewhere up ahead. Gonzalo and Blas appeared around a wall in fine doublets likeI’d seen at court many times over. When we’d first met, they wore simple tunics and trousers like merchants. I’d even thought I fancied Gonzalo for a bit, especially since he could prepare a meal better than Cook in Giddel’s palace.

“Señorita.” Blas reached to kiss my hand.

“Good to see you too.” I yanked my hand back before his lips touched my knuckles and offered a pressed lip smile, but Blas’s thin features dropped into a frown.

“She’s still upset at me. After all this time, she can’t let it go.” Blas directed his blue-green eyes at Jaime.

It wasn’t that I hated Blas. I just didn’t like the way he tended to use insults to make a joke or how he shared senseless comments that hurt other people’s feelings. Like the time he’d said all Giddelian ladies were silly. I couldn’t believe he had the audacity to try to excuse himself for any wrongdoing.

Jaime kept his focus on me, and his mouth twitched up at the corners. “I have a surprise for you.”

I bounced on my toes. “Where are we going? What are we celebrating?”

Mischief danced on his forehead. He walked me around his friends, through the richly furnished home, and out double doors.

Two guards in black stood like statues on each side of us which set off wiggle worms in my stomach, but Jaime didn’t flinch.

Outside, cobblestone roads flowed like a river between stone buildings adorned with torches, reflecting the artistically chiseled homes. Ladies in fine gowns paraded along the street’s sidewalks, and horse drawn carriages rumbled down the road. Nighttime was never so bustling in Giddel.

Leaning toward Jaime, I asked, “Whose house is this?”

Jaime smiled. “This is Milo’s estate, and we’re going to the Day of the Señorita.”

Gonzalo and Blas stepped around us, arguing like old women over juicy gossip.

“No, he didn’t.” Gonzalo shook his head.

“Yes, he did,” Blas shouted louder. “You were there.”

Gonzalo called over his shoulder, “What are you standing around for?”

Jaime tucked a stray hair behind my ear, brushing his thumb on my skin. His eyes drank me in, earnest for an answer. “In Himzo, big weddings take place over a week-long celebration. The first night is the Day of the Señorita.”

My heart thudded. Were we to marry so soon? King Ezer just gave his blessing, and I thought we’d have more time. Would Himzos have a big festival for Jaime and me? My tongue managed to lift itself up so I could speak. “I’ve hardly seen the inside of Milo’s house. How am I to come to a proper conclusion? And that reminds me.” I touched my elbow, crinkling the parchment in the sleeve. “Can I get a drink of water?”

The water had a salty flavor and an oddly thick, though not unpleasant, texture. Though it wasn’t my usual cup, I liked it, which flared my insides into a coiled spring ready to explode. It had passed the first test, but I had many more to come before agreeing to move to Himzo.

“Now, can we go to the festivities?” Jaime leaned over the kitchen counter in Milo’s house.

I sat on a stool, sipping from an ornate glass in a kitchen meant for a squad of cooks and sous chefs. Yet, no one stirred within the four stone walls. “I’m nervous.”

“Oh, Laude.” Jaime leaned closer. “We can go home early if you’d like. I thought you might enjoy seeing Milo’s wedding.”

“Wait!” I hopped off the stool. “This isn’t for us?”

He smashed his lips together, poorly restraining a chuckle. “Did you think I’d plan our wedding without you?”

A blush crept up my neck faster than I could think. “Ai-yi-yi. I guess a whole city wouldn’t have a festival for us.”

“Milo is kind of marrying the Himzo princess.” A playful smirk crept up his cheeks.

“That’s a relief.” I swiped my forehead, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. But then I fell back onto the stool. “Wait, can we get Princess Beatriz? She can’t miss such an important event, especially since she and Zichri are so set on marrying.”

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