Page 49

CHAPTER 48

D AYS PASSED. I VISITED Zichri at his bedside each spare moment. The thing between us—whatever it was—blossomed like my moonlight lilies in the garden. For that, I was thankful. The details of how our relationship would work loomed over our heads, but we laughed it off, coming up with the most fanciful ideas. Zichri said we’d live on an island until our fathers worked out the details of the treaty. I’d feed him strange fruits, and he’d hunt purple beasts that hide in caves.

The day before, Zichri walked through the infirmary. The way he sucked in his breath from time to time hinted that he may have put on a brave face to hide his pain. Healers swooped in to help Zichri after each lap around the room. Today, he stretched and did a set of exercises while I sat on a stool near his bed.

As he combated the limits of his body, I also fought against my new ability. Even as I watched Zichri’s progress, invisible connections tethered me to others. That healer who touched Zichri’s thigh to relax the muscle was bored. The soldier sleeping across the room twisted with guilt. A dozen more links formed. I steeled myself from emotion, focusing on the sunlight pouring in through the tall windows. Using my gift felt like an intrusion into others’ lives. The truth was Lux’s contorted body blazed through my memory as a reminder and warning. Why would I ever want to use my gift again?

Zichri walked over to my seat and offered his arm. “Ready for our garden walk?” He had insisted on getting outdoors.

I looped an arm through his as we walked over the grassy paths that crisscrossed the palace grounds. The sun kissed the green-purple encircling a pink gash on Zichri’s cheek. I grazed the satin roses, enjoying the feel when I pricked a finger on a thorn. A warm drop of blood swelled on my fingertip.

“Are you still nervous about our meeting with your father?” Zichri examined my throbbing finger.

I lifted my chin high. “There’s no reason to be nervous.” I lied, putting on my most dignified smile.

“You like to avoid this topic. I enjoy the daydreaming, but we need to discuss where we’d live. And the possibility of our—”

“Don’t say it.”

“Of our—”

“Don’t.” The what-ifs tormented me at night, and our daydreams revived my soul. Why ruin a perfectly good walk? I tugged on his arm to continue along the path where servants repaired trampled grounds.

Laude dug her fingers into the soil, planting flowers with all the other servants. The gardens closest to the sea had been ravaged by all the fighting. I waved at her, hoping a distraction would shift the lingering question still in Zichri’s intense gaze. Gonzalo, Blas, and Jaime carried a rough spun sheet piled with black soil. They’d volunteered to help with some new project around the palace each day. Somehow, they managed to always work on the same projects in which Laude got assigned.

Zichri patted my hand, calling my attention back to him. “Beatriz, I want us to have a plan in place. It would be a shame if I agree to something you are opposed to.” He massaged his forehead at seeing me picking flowers. “Please listen.”

“I am listening.” Placing one hand on his shoulder and the other in his palm, I sang, “The days of our kingdoms shall never go in want, with …” I lengthened the last word so he could join in with me. When he did not, I sighed and said, “We still have yet to dance again.”

The hard lines on his face softened, and Zichri chuckled. I took it as him resigning to my wishes, and it pleased me. He led me into a spin. My dress skirt floated around my body, refreshing me with a tiny breeze. I wanted to lock this moment in a bottle. Then I’d drink from it anytime I needed a perfect moment to wash away pain or hardship.

Papá sat next to Mamá on a plush loveseat. I didn’t know why my parents chose the parlor room for this conversation, but I was happy to be part of it.

Cosme lounged on the couch across from them, levitating his two daggers. Catching Cosme’s daggers by the handles, I rolled my eyes at how he flexed his gifting. “Could you please put these away? We don’t want Zichri to get the wrong impression.”

Cosme removed his suit jacket, revealing more daggers sheathed in the belts crossing the front of his chest. “You can never be too careful with Himzos for friends.”

Vexed, I dropped into a seat. There was no reasoning with Cosme. Zichri, Gonzalo, Blas, and Jaime would arrive soon, so I held back my tongue.

Laude entered the parlor with a pitcher and glasses of cool lime water, just like I asked her to do. I winked at her, letting her know to continue with our plan.

“Your Majesty, would you like me to bring out a shrimp cocktail?” Laude kept her head bowed in a most reverent way. She and I knew how Papá could not resist his favorite dish. It was always a good idea to make Papá as content as possible before asking big questions.

“Yes, that will do.” A hint of a smile passed beneath his mustache.

As Laude strode out, Zichri and the men walked in. Jaime misjudged the spacing in the doorway and collided with Laude. She flushed, giving Jaime a flirtatious grin that was hard not to notice.

“My humble apologies, miss.” Jaime dipped his head and continued to follow Zichri in. He glanced back, stealing an extra glimpse at Laude.

Cosme flared his nose. “See what I mean?” He must have been speaking about a previous conversation between our parents and him.

Thankfully, Mamá and Papá ignored him. Mamá held up her chin, smiling confidently. Papá lifted his thick brows, tenderly squeezing her hand, showing more affection than I’d seen in a long time. Near-death experiences do have a way of revealing how important people are to us. One nod of Mamá’s head and Papá got to his feet in respect toward our guests. The rest of us followed though Cosme grunted in disapproval.

Zichri bowed his head, almost touching his gruff chin to his simple white tunic. A respectful greeting rolled off his tongue. He stood in front of the plush armchair between Papá and me. I willed him to look at me, but he fixed his gaze in Papá and Mamá’s direction, as was proper.

“We’d like to thank you both as king and queen and a father and mother for saving our daughter,” Papá spoke in his formal tone of voice.

Zichri dipped his head in thanks. The door swung open, and Laude strode across the room with a tray overflowing with shrimp tails in bulbous cups. Another maid snuck in behind her with plates and cups, and a third maid slipped in with a pitcher of lime water.

Jaime stood behind Zichri, hands clasped at his back, smiling and watching Laude set a dish on a side table next to each seat. I hoped for their sake that Papá approved of Zichri and me. Though most personal maids don’t marry, I was confident Laude wouldn’t be my maid for long. Papá sat.

We all took our seats. I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted to scream, but I clutched a chunk of my woolen skirt instead.

Papá savored a shrimp while Laude poured him a glass of lime water. I tried not to appear too excited about priming Papá’s good disposition, but I caught Mamá arching a brow at me. How did she always see through me?

The other maids scuffled out the door.

Zichri took a glass of pulpy liquid from Laude. “Your daughter is extraordinary. I’d give my life for her again if the chance presented itself.”

“We have two matters to discuss.” Papá straightened up, wasting no time. “Because of our gratitude, we traditionally grant a token of our appreciation.”

My heart pounded. I had no idea how Zichri would ask for my hand or how Papá would respond. How I wished to use my gifting to search everyone’s hearts. But I decided not to use my gift for personal gain.

Laude trickled lime water into my glass.

“If you will permit, I would like a formal betrothal with your daughter.” Zichri stared unflinchingly at my parents.

Papá nodded to Mamá. I’d seen this a million times before. He gave Mamá the official response to Zichri’s request. Mamá shot me a knowing look. They must have discussed this beforehand.

Mamá turned her gaze to Zichri. “Prince Zichri of Himzo, I was opposed to this notion up until this morning when I spoke with the Ancient One. I allowed myself to listen and let go of my anxious thoughts. We have no objection to your request but our law …” Mamá’s melodic voice rang in my ears.

But our law . What could that mean? I wanted to stand in opposition, but Mamá’s training whispered through my mind. One should always listen carefully before saying a word. So I clasped my clammy hands together over my lap, begging in silence for the law to be reasonable.

Papá shifted in his seat. “That leads us to the second matter of business. Our law prohibits the union of unallied kingdoms with anyone on our royal court.”

Cosme perked up in his seat. Laude passed me my glass, and I held it to my lips, attempting to sip. The water sloshed from the way I trembled, making it impossible to drink.

“But,” Papá continued, “if you could arrange for a peace treaty between Himzo and Giddel, my daughter may choose whether or not she will have you as a future husband.”

I straightened my back, ready to shout y es!

Cosme hunched and tossed a shrimp into his mouth.

Laude handed me a small plate and a tiny fork to spear shrimp onto my plate. She strolled over to pour lime water for Cosme.

“I can arrange it, but I will need time.” Zichri raked his fingers through his hair. No hint of joy crossed his face. Why did he look almost sullen?

“You may have up to a year. Giddel is a generous kingdom, but we do not take an attack lightly. If you do not produce the treaty, Giddel has no choice but to send its full force against your kingdom.”

Cosme shifted in his seat, and a creak echoed through the room. Tension pressed around me like a palpable force. Laude kept her head down and shook her head as if realizing she was supposed to be pouring Mamá her drink.

At that moment, Zichri could have been chiseled from stone, showing no sign of emotion. “I understand. I have but one request. Once I attain the treaty, will you allow for a short engagement?” He glanced in my direction for the first time since the conversation began. His dark chocolate eyes gleamed from the sunlight pouring in through the windows.

If he could produce a treaty quickly, I could be a married woman before my eighteenth birthday. I pressed my lips together to stop from smiling too wide.

Mamá patted Papá’s knee. “If that is Beatriz’s wish, you may marry whenever she sees fit.”

Papá rose to his feet, reaching out an arm. Zichri shot up, fitting his shoulder under Papá’s hand. Like a mirror image, Zichri placed a hand on Papá’s shoulder, settling the agreement in one simple gesture.

Servants led four steeds to the palace portico. Zichri held my hand, grazing his thumb in my palm.

“You could leave in a few weeks.” I squared up to him. “The healers say you will do better with some rest.”

He gazed down at me with a sympathetic smile.

The moment Papá explained what was required for us to marry, anxiety leaked out his skin, without me having to reach for it. He wouldn’t say what ailed him.

Drawing my knuckles to his lips, he assured me, “I will be back for you. If I tarry, I will send word. Your father leaves the direct road open.”

“When did you speak to Papá?” I considered yesterday when he spent the entire day with me and the day before when we met with my family. That was odd of Papá to have spoken to him twice in one day when he had so much work because of the political fallout.

Zichri smirked. “Your brother shared some choice words.”

“Please say he hid the daggers.”

“No. They were pointed at my neck.” He chuckled.

I clenched my fists. Cosme had no business threatening Zichri.

“Don’t get so upset. I would have done the same thing for my sister. Why do you think Milo is under my command?”

“Well, that’s different than putting a dagger to Milo’s neck.”

“It’s worse. We found all sorts of cruel rituals to start in order for him to be accepted into our group.” He drew me in closer. “Enough about that.”

Inhaling deeply, I smelled castile soap on his skin.

“Don’t worry,” he traced my jawline, “I’ll get my regular forest aroma on the road.”

I smacked his chest, flustered that he always caught me smelling him. Holding back a giggle and tears, I whispered, “You come back soon, Zichri of Himzo.”

“Like I said, I will no matter what.” He leaned in, pressing his warm lips to my forehead. “I dreamt you kissed me.”

“I did.” My throat tightened.

“When I come back, we willfinish that kiss.” He stepped toward the horses.

Blas and Gonzalo had already mounted and were bantering. Laude embraced Jaime in a way that made me believe I’d need to pry them apart. But one tap on the shoulder from Zichri and the two separated. Laude swooped to my side. A breeze undid some of my hair, and I tucked it behind my ear. I petted the steeds, speaking peace to each one—anything to help them ride safely.

The mares clomped the stone and trotted away. Zichri promised to come back, and he was a man of his word. I waved as they made it under the giant arch at the front gate. Sadness flooded within me, though I had almost all that I wanted. My gift. Respect. And now the hope of a betrothal to a man I loved. How could I be anything but happy? I lifted my chin high and stretched a practiced smile across my face, watching the horses disappear into the city.

THE END