Page 36

CHAPTER 35

T HE DOOR UNBOLTED WITH a metallic clang. I held my breath. Did they send for Myla, or were we dead?

The jailor’s meaty hand reached through the crack first, and he swung the door open. A woman stalked to our cell, her hooded cloak brushing the rough stone floor. Once in front of us, she swept her hood back. Myla’s blond hair was pulled tight into a bun, and her small, brown eyes narrowed over a gaping mouth. The jailer fumbled for his keys.

“Release them at once.” Myla tapped her foot, waving her hand at him.

The man, though a head taller, squirmed under Myla’s scrutiny.

“How dare you lock up your princess? Her mother and father will not take this offense lightly.” Myla continued whipping her words at him.

The jailer clinked through his belt with rings of skeletal keys and stabbed one into our door, exuding a sickly yellow feeling through his pores. Laude’s cheeks bubbled in delight.

Thunk . The cell door swung open. Laude flourished for me to walk first and curtsied. It reminded me I boasted a title again. I tipped my chin up high and pinched my lips into a pout. That gesture no longer felt as dignified as I had thought it looked—especially not after Zichri’s comments. But habits were hard to break.

The jailer bowed his head. “My most sincere apologies, your Highness.”

Myla dropped a quick curtsy. Her eyes quickly locked on my filthy clothes. “What. Are. You. Wearing? No wonder these stumps don’t believe you’re the princess. Is that grass in your hair? Laude, do something about those locks of hers—now!”

“We haven’t the time.” I brushed off Myla’s hand and shifted a meaningful look toward the exit. More important matters needed handling—like an enemy invasion.

Myla strode ahead, and I followed close behind. Laude’s footfalls scurried close at my back. Two burly men in green livery bowed their heads when we passed them.

Tension pulsed through the air, so I reached out, feeling with that invisible tentacle. It was more like swatting with a limp napkin. There had to be a better way to work with whatever flowed through me. The men’s foreheads beaded with perspiration, and a small twinge of pity poked within me. Passing them, I whispered, “Be at peace.”

We exited the hall, and I took one last glance back, seeing the burly men wearing confused smiles. There was something satisfying about helping them—even if they were brutes. I strode to catch up with Myla.

“Put your hood up.” Myla stopped mid-road until I obeyed. “We’re taking you to Laude’s room to change. No one should see you like this.”

I pitched my voice low. “I need to see Papá now. It’s an urgent matter.”

Myla grunted. She had known me since I was a baby and had heard this phrase before for trivial concerns. “You will do as I say, or else you will cause your parents more reason to worry. Furthermore, your father and brother sailed away yesterday.”

“What do you mean? Who protects the city?” A familiar ache throbbed in my skull. No one could overcome Giddel because of Papá’s gifting—the kingdom needed him.

“What do you call the men who captured you? Pull the hood down to your eyes.” Myla continued in long strides and turned into the servants’ entrance. Palace guards unlocked the gate for Myla and let us pass through.

Laude nudged my side. “Miss Myla, could I ready Princess Beatriz on my own?”

“Ha! You will do no such thing. A good lashing awaits you. Blanca told me how you asked her to help Princess Beatriz escape.” Myla pushed open a small back door into the kitchen. “Hurry behind me.”

Laude dragged her feet and hung her head. A string of dread pulsed from her to me as if our hearts connected. I reached for Myla, but stares from all sides bore holes into my cloak. The servants murmured behind the counters, yet even from a distance, their judgment plumed around them, overwhelming my senses. How do I shut off this connection to others?

We hastened across the cinnamon- and yeast-scented room. The chef stirred the caldron while another servant chopped vegetables at the counter next to the chef. At another counter, a servant rolled out dough. That person lifted a questioning eyebrow. Recognition crossed her expression, and instant disdain flooded her being. It was like someone plunged a dagger into my soul.

Myla turned a corner, and we entered a long, dreadful hall with doors on each side. “Get in this room. Blanca, come here to help.” From down the hall, Blanca rushed in behind us. White walls, two small beds, and one wardrobe filled the plain room. Laude scuffed the floor next to me. Mud clung from her knees down. Her appearance sharply contrasted Blanca’s clean clothes and neat hair.

I rolled my eyes at seeing Myla throwing towels and a basin at Laude. “How long is this going to take? Just let me speak to Mamá or one of the advisors.”

Myla slammed the door when she exited, leaving Laude and Blanca stripping my boots off and undoing my ratty braid. Helplessness threatened to overtake me, and I sensed Laude drowning in it too. Tear droplets coated Laude’s lashes.

I tipped Laude’s chin up. “This is too important. We must be brave.”

Laude nodded and worked a knot out of my hair with her fingers.

“Enough of this.” I grabbed Laude’s wrist. “You’re coming with me.”

I shoved my feet into my soiled boots, stood, and headed for the door, leaving Blanca holding a wet towel. She stepped back, wrinkling her face like an angry pug. A wave of her sentiments crashed into my body.

Laude led me out the maze of halls and up a stairway. She stopped to ask a male servant for Mamá, and he directed us into a meeting room on the second floor. It was hard not to notice how he quirked a brow up at the sight of us. A tugging feeling pulled my attention from one person to the next. They exuded derision. I chose to ignore the servants on account of the message we carried. Climbing another set of stairs, we ran into Myla, who lugged several dresses over a shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Myla said in clipped tones. “Young lady, consider your mother for once.”

I raised my chin in challenge. “Get behind me, Myla. As princess, I will do as I please. Only my family will hold me back.”

A venomous coil wound in her gut, and I interpreted bitterness and a sense of ruffled pride. That stabbed at my heart even more than regular servants hating me. She had read to me and played games with me when I was a child. Never had I imagined her harboring ill feelings toward me. I wanted to cut off this string that connected me to people. It had already turned into a curse—knowing all the judgment people carried within.

Stay calm. Keep moving. I pressed my shoulders back and slid a mask of indifference over my face, hiding my hurt. Laude followed me up the stairs and down the hall. Two soldiers from Pedroz, Lux’s kingdom, guarded the gold-plated door. Were Lux’s parents meeting with Mamá? How odd.

I burst into the meeting room with Laude in tow. Mamá sat behind Papá’s desk wearing a pursed-lip expression, as always. I wanted to run over and throw my arms around her body, but a man with cropped sandy hair sat across from her. My heart raced. Why is a man speaking privately with Mamá?

The man turned his head. It was Lux. His turquoise eyes widened, and a tight smile settled on his lips. I smiled back, but something heavy lay between Lux and me. We hadn’t argued before I left. With my gift blooming, he was a plausible suitor, even with him being betrothed. My heart was constrained.

I breathed in and out, slowly letting the gift pulsate from my body. An instant attachment formed between Mamá and I. Worry clung like leeches, draining the lifeblood from her. But Lux and I made no connection. Some sort of barrier wedged between us. I tried again with the same results. His gifting had something to do with changing the perception others had of him. Maybe his gifting runs deeper than he explained.

“Prince Lux, it is good to see you here. Mamá.” I rushed in to kiss her cheek. “Could I have a minute to speak with you? It is a matter of great importance.”

Mamá tipped her chin high. “So is this, my dear. I would prefer if you go up to your quarters and wait for me to finish.” Something in her voice sounded strained. This was not like her.

What could it be? Lux wouldn’t be cause for worry. A pang struck my forehead. Mamá stared intently. Could she be causing the pain?

Trying to think past the throbbing, I said between gritted teeth. “Mamá, stop that! You don’t understand the importance of my message.” Speaking proved difficult. “Himzos attack. This week.”

Mamá showed no sign of shock. “Darling, I need you to go now.” She screwed her lips shut like she does when there’s no chance of me winning an argument.

“What’s wrong with you?” I shouted in frustration. “We need to contact Papá. I know for a fact … that our enemy comes with a large army. And that the wards are down.” The pain spread behind my eyes, throughout my entire head. I massaged my temples, unable to think. The door creaked open.

“Myla, take Princess Beatriz to her room. I will be there once I’m done speaking with Prince Lux.” Mamá sounded distant and stern.

I stepped toward Myla when Lux touched my wrist. In an instant, an insatiable desire vibrated up my arm—from him to me. I stood still, desperate for information, but he let go.

“Bea, I’m glad you came back. Your mamá and I were just speaking about the news you bring. Everything is under control.” Lux winked to comfort me like he always had.

The gesture that used to turn my stomach into a hive of buzzing bees now left a trail of unease. I had never felt that before in his presence. My head throbbed too much to think, and I bit back a yelp. Myla pushed against my back and guided me out the door.

My head lightened the moment my foot hit the hall. We went up another flight of stairs to my bedroom, our boots tapping the marble floors in even beats. The ache that immobilized my thinking vanished. In its place, heartache made its home. Could Lux be the traitor? I could never believe that. The oncoming attack must have stirred the tension in the room.

Mamá worried. She never would have caused my head pains otherwise. I hadn’t realized she had the power to cause bodily pain. She always worked with the healers to refine her gifting and said she’d made no progress.

And why hadn’t Lux told me he could block the power others had over him? A memory came to mind. Once Cosme tried to levitate Lux when we were playing as kids, but my brother strained as he lifted shaky hands with no success. Cosme had been able to raise a grown man off the ground. Lux laughed at Cosme’s attempt. From that day on, my brother hated Lux. I always thought their rivalry had to do with who had more power. Was there more to the story?

Myla turned the knob of my bedroom door. The hardwood seemed darker, and the powder-blue walls no longer welcomed me with an open hug. I hadn’t expected home to feel different though nothing in it had changed.

Light poured in through the windows, and the plush comforter invited me to jump into bed. Myla spoke in hushed tones to Laude before calling out to the servants outside my room to bring the water summoner and water heater. Laude tapped my door shut and headed straight for my closet. No one said a word.

An undercurrent of emotion circulated in the stale air, and I stared at the back of my hands. A hint of gold flecks ran along the pale lines. My jaw trembled, considering when the sensation began. This had to be my gift, and it felt just like my dreams. I gulped, remembering how some of my night visions took sour turns. If only I had better control. The trip may have been worthwhileafter all, but my whyzer had been adamant about not giving any gifting. Had the Ancient One taken pity on me?

I opened the double doors to my balcony and stepped out into the sunlight. A melody soared, horses clomped, music danced through the town, and the people bustled about. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, like Himzo soldiers. I squinted to make sure I caught details on the hillside, but no prince in black attire rode on the thoroughfare to whisk me away.

I should think about practical things, like hearing that conversation between Lux and Mamá. When Cosme and I were younger, we’d spy on Papá through secret corridors in the walls. Our parents introduced us to these hiding places in case of an enemy attack. Few of the servants knew about them. If I could keep Myla out of my room, Laude could stay here to make sure no one tried to enter while I snuck down through my closet. Mamá might not sense me like Papá had.

“The bath is ready.” Myla’s stern face told me I had no room for argument.

I stretched my practiced smile in place. “Thank you. You are dismissed. Laude will stay and help.”

Myla heaved a sigh. “When your mother becomes aware of the situation, you will not get such liberties.”

“Until then.” I waved a hand of dismissal.