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CHAPTER 14

“S OMETHING IS AMISS WITH you,” I said to Laude. Though the air was cool this morning, the red sunset last night forecasted a sunny day today. I cupped river water in my hands and splashed it on my cheeks. Cool liquid dripped down my neck and onto my chemise.

“Hmm? I don’t know what you mean.” Laude’s words came out mumbled. She held pins between her teeth as she raced wet fingers through her red tendrils. Then she twisted locks at the top of her head and stabbed the pins into her hair. Her upper lip stiffened with concentrated effort.

Laude stood on a large rock and stretched her boot onto another boulder, and proceeded to shore in this manner.

I wiped my face with a sleeve and joined her. “You understand why we can’t stay with them. I’m certain my markings make me distinguishable for even those who’ve merely heard about me.”

Her eyes met mine for a moment. What was going on in that head of hers? She cast her gaze down. “We should join the others.”

We continued along the rocky river shore when all five men came into view, loading the horse with our bags.

“It’s going to be a long walk up Mount Giddel.” Gonzalo smoothed his hand over Carmel’s neck. “If you have any trouble, we can carry the satchels, and one of you can ride Carmel.”

“I’m sure we can manage,” I said.

Crunch. Whack.

I whipped around toward the sound.

Laude sat sprawled on the rocky shore. “Ai-yi-yi! I think I twisted my ankle.”

Blas loaded Laude up onto Carmel, which inspired a twinkle in her sapphire eyes, and we were off on the rustic road up Mount Giddel, the rest of us walking alongside the horse. Why did she have to hurt herself? This ruined all my plans to run off.

Just when we turned the first bend, Laude and I locked stares, and a smirk slipped across her lips. Did she fake her injury? I stopped, craning my neck to get a better look at her ankle when Zichri smacked into me, and I stumbled forward.

After the awkward apologies, we continued for an hour or so on unforgiving stretches of road. When we finally stopped for a break under a mango tree, I took the opportunity to examine Laude’s foot. But upon reaching for her ankle, a hairy spider crawled onto my sleeve, and I screeched, my muscles frozen in fear.

Zichri darted to my rescue and laughed when he saw what he described as a “kind little fellow.” He gently shooed the creature from my person. Blas made no secret about his amusement either.

“Don’t worry, Cypress.” Zichri offered a hand to help me up. “We’ll be out of the wild soon enough.”

I pushed myself to my feet and pursed my lips. He chuckled. The deep sound of his laugh had an attractive quality. But I stuffed that sentiment away and arched my eyebrows in distaste. Why make him feel useful?

After the long day’s walk, I longed for a bath, a new dress, to kick off my boots, and ointment to soothe the burning itch attacking my markings. When would this torturous walk ever end?

A home with stucco walls peeked through the forest. Sunrays illuminated the yellow color of its walls with a brilliant sheen. Relief flooded my body. Rest would come soon.

“Is this the place?” I asked as I turned to Zichri.

Zichri’s eyes met mine, and my stomach did a strange flop. Perhaps I was simply grateful he hadn’t left me when I fell behind the rest of the group? Or the heat had weakened my resolve?

“You suppose well. Wait until you see the accommodations. They might even impress you.” His smile tugged up one cheek, inspiring a well-placed dimple.

I lifted a dubious brow. Doubt it.

Then more homes with flat roofs popped up along the road, offering a change from the sprawling jungle. Soon wagons lined the sides of the road, and the structures became larger. The roads were paved with cobblestone. A plaza with a large fountain in the center came into view.

“Cypress.” Zichri touched my elbow, drawing my attention to him. “I meant it earlier when I said I want to get to know you.”

Tearing my arm back, I inspected his drab white tunic and scuffed boots. Who was this Zichri? With tension between Himzo and Giddel so high, what type of merchant would risk his life for the purpose of trade? I tempered my suspicions with what I assumed was a graceful flutter of my lashes. “You are persistent. A lady can’t be rushed when getting to know someone new.”

The other four men and Laude chatted in front of an inviting arched doorway across the road. Laude bounced on her toes and clapped her hands, ankle not a concern. A flame of ire lit inside of me.

I strode ahead, ready to expose her lie, but got yanked back. A horse and carriage zipped past where I aimed to step. I gasped.

“Whoa there! You could get yourself killed like that.” Zichri held my shoulders, examining my face.

My cheeks burned. Another blunder. This whole day, I had made a fool of myself. First colliding with him, overreacting to the spider, and then punctuated by my inability to keep up with the group. Laude and I needed help since we hadn’t a clue where we were going, no weapons, and hardly any supplies. My chin fell with my thoughts: You are useless and incapable of anything.

Zichri tipped my chin up. “Cypress, you needn’t be flustered. You remind me of my little sister when she thinks she made a mess of things.”

Splendid, I remind him of his sister. I smashed my lips together.

Zichri continued, “You don’t need to prove anything to me.”

“Why would I? I barely know you.”

His mouth cocked into a crooked smile. “We can change that.”

My heart flapped like a trapped bird caged within my chest. The combination of his large round eyes, the curve of his nose, and his full lips could unsettle even the most detailed woman on a hunt for faults. In that instance, my mind settled on allowing this merchant to assist Laude and me.

We looked both ways before crossing the road, and I followed him into an inn decorated with painted tiles depicting a valley with a river running through it. Laude and the others talked amongst themselves while waiting in the narrow entrance.

“Good fellow, do you have our rooms?” Zichri tapped the tall wooden counter at the end of the foyer.

A portly clerk wiped his brow with a handkerchief and paged through his check-in book. “We nearly gave them away.”

Zichri’s eyes flashed, and three long breaths passed before the muscle in his jaw relaxed. “We always pay our dues and then some. You wouldn’t want us to choose the inn across the way.”

The clerk stuffed his flower-embroidered handkerchief in the front pocket of his vest. A scowl crossed his plump face while he shook his head. “Here are the keys. You know the rooms.”

“An extra coin for your troubles.” Zichri slid the metal across the wooden top. “Oh, and please send a maid with hot water and extra lamps to both rooms.”

The clerk snatched his payment and rang a bell, a grimace deepening on his mouth lines.

I wiped my palms along my skirt. Laude gazed wide-eyed as she stepped from the foyer into the dining area, where dozens of other guests ate. I’d never seen an inn before, so I understood her curiosity. She skimmed a fingertip over a parlor table. The polished surface shined like all the others in the room.

Men and women dined near the tall windows, conversing in low tones over a single candle. The evening light painted the white walls with a bright orange glow. A maid dashed from a back door, carrying a tray laden with food, enveloping us with a meaty aroma. My stomach growled.

“Miss, that sure looks tasty. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was, but it sure makes sense since we only ate fruit and nuts all day. Well, besides the fish from breakfast. Do you think we could ask the Himz—the men if we’ll be dining?” Laude’s eager eyes became saucers when another platter of sizzling meat and fried plantain passed on a tray in front of us.

Looking over my shoulder, I strained to hear Zichri and the other merchants talking amongst themselves. Milo pinched the bridge of his nose. Blas tipped his head in our direction while Gonzalo pointed to the stairs and then toward us. Heat climbed the back of my neck. How dare they treat me like a child?

But before words flew out of my mouth, Blas and Gonzalo strode out the front door. Laude clasped her hands and beamed as Milo and Jaime walked past us. They continued up the stairs at the far end of the dining room. I nudged her side.

“I’m sorry, miss. They’re just so lovely.”

“Straighten up and have some decorum. We’re in public.”

Zichri appeared by my side, and I jumped. “Pardon me. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He extended Laude a piece of wood etched with the number thirteen. A key dangled from it by a leather cord. “This is where you’ll stay. Why don’t you wash up? Miss Cypress and I will dine in the meantime.”

Laude’s cheeks bubbled with a conspiratorial smile. I glared at her, but she giggled, unaffected by my scowl. She strolled up the stairs. Should I demand that she stay by my side? The opportunity fled when her boots disappeared up the steps.

“Shall we?” Zichri jutted out his elbow.

I nodded and wrapped my hand around his forearm. Warmth radiated from his body. We found a table in the back corner and ordered two house specials. I drummed my fingers on the tabletop, unsure of what to say, so I feigned interest in my nails. But I could still see him watching me as if he studied my reactions.

A thousand butterflies fluttered in my stomach. By the time the server arrived with our meals, I was ready to thank her for giving me something to do, other than sitting under Zichri’s keen perusal.

“What’s your favorite color?” Zichri scooped a mouth full of sautéed vegetables in his mouth.

I finished swallowing my first bite and dabbed my lips with my napkin. “Sea blue. The type that has a hint of green, just like the shallow waters near the Agata Sea.” I cut another morsel of meat and placed it in my mouth.

“That’s fitting.”

I gulped down the bite of food. “What do you mean?”

“You live near the sea. It makes sense you’d like that color. That’s all I’m saying.”

His assuming anything about me pricked like grazing a hand on a thorn when reaching for a flower. My lips pursed, cheek muscles tightening.

He snickered.

“What do you find so amusing?”

“You.”

“I beg your pardon.”

He took a long drink of water. “We don’t know much about one another. I make conversation. You get angry about everything I say. Or pretend you didn’t hear.”

“I’m not angry.” I hacked a portion of meat and shoved it in my mouth.

“No, not at all.” He inflected his voice with a hint of sarcasm.

I shifted the half-chewed meat into my cheek, despite it breaking every rule in refined society, and said, “What is it that you want? You saved us from danger, and now you feel you own us.”

A faint smirk crossed his face. “Not at all.”

I chomped down on another morsel of meat, trying to eat as fast as possible. Taking my glass of water, I sipped. The chunk lodged in my throat. I gasped for air, but none came.

“I did what any human should do like I said last night. These paths are unsafe for even a lone man. Any good fellow passing by would have helped you. And after beholding such beauty, do you blame me for wanting further acquaintance with you?” A look of concern knit his eyebrows. “Are you all right?”

Gasping for air, I dropped my utensils, and they hit the table with a clank. I waved my hands and my torso tightened until I coughed.

Water and the chunk of meat shot from my mouth and straight at Zichri.

My mouth hung open in shock. I continued to cough, and something akin to a laugh or cry sputtered from my lips.

Zichri wiped his face with the back of his hand, eyes wide and lips pinched together.

I couldn’t hold back any longer. Laughter quivered out my burning throat until I slapped my hands over my mouth.

He placed his napkin on the table. “How about a walk? That might prove less dangerous.”

While wandering the boardwalk overlooking the shadowy mountainside, I let go of the tension building up in my mind as I ambled by Zichri’s side. I may not be able to share everything about me, but something in his demeanor allowed me to put off regality. Well, it also could have been that I launched a chunk of chewed meat at his face, and he hadn’t run away—yet.

He glanced in my direction. “What’s something you hope for?”

I crossed my arms. My real answers could not be shared. Would he even understand the need for my gift? I doubted the weight of being useful to an entire kingdom would be fathomable for him. Instead, I said, “I hope to travel the forest like a bird, seeing all from above without a care in the world.”

“Hmm … birds do have cares.” He stepped closer to me, and then a man shoved past him.

A peasant with scruffy hair caught my attention. Could he be one of the wicked servants? My foot caught on a wooden slab, and I began to tip forward.

Zichri grabbed my arm and braced my waist. “That was a close one.”

Three other peasants, a male and two females, knocked into us, and Zichri pulled me into his body.

My heart lurched. “I’m not quite myself today.” I fanned my face, heat rising up my neck. The men who careened into us dressed better than the drivers, and these women covered their hair with kerchiefs. Goosebumps prickled on my arms.

Zichri followed my gaze. “I’ve never seen them here before, but many visitors pass through all the time. Should we continue our walk or head back?” Torch lights danced in his eyes.

More people gallivanted out a saloon, singing. They bumped my back, pushing us closer together. I could hear his heartbeat quicken in his chest. A delightful sensation danced along my spine. I lifted my gaze and met a look that turned my knees to water.

What’s wrong with me? Hold yourself together, Beatriz.

I cleared my throat. “Is it always a ruckus here at night?”

“Not always.” There was a lightness in his voice.

“Maybe we should head back. I’m sure Laude is done cleaning up, and I’m in desperate need of a wash.” I stretched my neck to see around Zichri, to ease my apprehension about the four peasants. They had either woven in with the crowd or entered another establishment.

He gently squeezed my hand. “It’s getting late. We should get as much rest as possible before our journey tomorrow.”

His warmth comforted me more than I wanted to admit. I let him hold my hand as we strolled down the rest of the boardwalk, curving around a set of establishments. We crossed the street and entered the inn. The clerk peered at us with a suspicious look. I pulled my hand away so as not to give the clerk reason for unwholesome thoughts.

Zichri continued up the stairs to the rooms, stealing side glances at me as I followed close behind. Something about him sent tingling currents through my blood. I knocked on door thirteen, and the bolt clicked to unlock. Laude peeked through a crack and beamed.

“Good night, Zichri.” I tried to slip in quickly, but Laude stayed at the door, making it difficult to sneak past her.

He dipped his head. “Good night.”

I shut the door and leaned against it—potpourri perfume mixed with a lingering milk and cinnamon scent. Laude must have had her dinner up here. A dim lamp glowed in between two small beds. The gentleness of it all contrasted my pounding heart. I pressed my palms over my chest to steady the beat.

“What happened? I must know. You’re in love,” Laude squealed. “I can see it all over your face.”

“Enough, Laude. I’m not sure how much more of him I can take.” It was the truth.

Laude’s smile fell. She passed me a nightgown and stacked dishes onto an empty tray on a desk. “The maids brought us extra clothes.”

Focusing on breathing, I told this strange sensation to disappear. But it flowed like a river through my mind, bringing each of Zichri’s touches, stray glances, and words through my thoughts.

I changed into my nightgown and slid under a quilt cover. Having such ridiculous feelings for a merchant …

A tiny whisper stirred in my mind: But no one would know about flirting with a Himzo nobody . What harm could it do to enjoy Zichri’s attention?