Untamed (The Agata Sea Duology #2)

1. Beatriz

Chapter 1

Beatriz

Three months had slipped by since I’d last seen my beloved Prince Zichri of Himzo. Each week when I received his correspondence, I escaped to the palace beach under the palm trees to read his words. I did the same today. The smell of salty air mingled with my tears. When would we see each other again?

I hopped onto boulders that jutted out into a peninsula surrounded by the turquoise waters and found a spot to sit. A breeze tousled my dark hair into my eyes. I tucked the strands behind my ears, eager for good news. My only companions would be Zichri’s inky words and the seagulls fishing for their lunch. I dug through a pocket sewn into the crease of my puffy sleeve. The parchment inside crinkled and greeted me with an “H” stamped in wax at the center. I tore through the golden seal and read the letter with the eagerness of a beggar at a banquet.

Beloved Princess Beatriz of Giddel from your Zichri of Himzo,

Your letter has been my joy this past week. I was required to retreat to an undisclosed location for the time being. The Himzo Palace has become too difficult to travel in and out of because of my eldest brother, Prince Agustín’s, soldiers.

It pains me to be separated from Papá during his illness. Even so, nothing will change in Himzo if I don’t continue my investigation. My sister and Milo continue to watch after Papá’s welfare while I am away. They keep me informed about my two brothers as well.

Though I am no closer to getting Prince Agustín to sign a treaty between our kingdoms, I am certain he will acquiesce soon enough. I am following a lead for the group called the New Alliance. I wish I could say more about it, but if this letter should end up in any hand but yours, it might destroy our chances of uniting Giddel and Himzo.

I trust the Ancient One is with us to administer justice and upturn the truth about who is conspiring against our kingdoms. Until your next letter, I will be remembering our campfires in Valle de los Fantasmas, where we sat side by side in the most dangerous lands in all the Agata Sea region and were truly happy. We’ll be there again.

Sincerely,

Your Zichri

I read the short epistle over and over, wishing I could hold Zichri’s strong hand and gaze into his dark, soulful eyes. A longing to hear his words instead of reading them washed over me. There had to be a way for him to return to Giddel sooner, but Papá wouldn’t allow it unless he brought a treaty with him.

Crunching sand sounded behind me. I folded the parchment and stuffed it into my sleeve pocket. When I twisted around, I flinched at the sight.

Princess Monserrat waited on the white sand shore in a golden dress better fit for an evening ball than a daytime walk. Not to mention the elaborate updo reached to the clear skies with wispy lace woven into her honey-brown curls. The lady-in-waiting beside her had an air too royal for her station.

“Would you care to join me for a walk?” Monserrat shouted over the roaring surge.

My stomach clenched. If I could have answered truthfully, I would have declined her request. My brother’s betrothed had arrived a few days ago to settle a wedding date, and I had dodged her and her mother’s company so far.

“Sure.” I kept my facial muscles in a firm smile while I hopped across boulders and slipped down the side of a shorter rock. My green overdress appeared too simple for Monserrat’s company, but such was our relationship.

Monserrat turned to her lady-in-waiting. “Would you have a bath prepared for me?”

The lady hesitated but bowed her head. “As you wish, Princess.” She fled up the stairs toward the servants’ doorway, leaving my future sister-in-law and me alone.

A tingle of untamed magic trickled along my arms, reminding me that I could absorb the emotions of those around me and reshape them into a physical entity that kills. Having no control over my gifting, I clenched my fists to stop the unbidden power from gathering information. My fingernails bit into my palms. The feeling subsided, allowing me to tackle the awkwardness of being alone with Monserrat.

Her mound of styled curls and the stern set to her jaw made her look severe. The princess strode toward me and kissed my cheek in greeting. “We need to talk.”

“Of course.” I took a giant step backward. A wave of water rushed to my boots and soaked into my stockings. I flinched.

Monserrat grabbed my arm, crinkling Zichri’s hidden letter, and tugged me along the shore. “I haven’t been able to get a moment alone with you, and I’m not sure we will get another chance with my mamá being ever vigilant.”

My feet squished with every step. I maintained the expected posture, but it was almost too much with my feet slipping within their leather cages. She dragged me along the beach for the span of the palace grounds without further explanation. We arrived at the rockier shores near the cliffs. Roaring waters echoed within the chasm. She loosened her grip, and I tore my arm from hers.

Keeping my facial muscles as still as possible, I asked, “Is something wrong?”

Monserrat pursed her lips but kept her hands folded in front of her. “What’s in your sleeve?”

“Prince Zichri’s letter.” The words came out more forceful than intended.

“Hmm … I heard. It’s a shame your papá won’t allow you to see him.”

I clamped my mouth shut, annoyed by her knowledge of my situation since it meant rumors had spread among the Agata Sea kingdoms.

Monserrat kicked up seaweed. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to convince your parents to ease restrictions.”

My shoulders loosened with her boost of confidence. She never gave a good word unless she meant it, though I suspected this wasn’t the reason for our conversation.

We strolled onward beside the cliffs. The silence between us filled with the steady rumble of the sea and a tidal wave of confusion at Monserrat’s unusual efforts to have a chat. She and I had never been friends, per se; more like acquaintances who shared a love for flowers and did an excellent job conversing about the weather. We never shared intimate details about anything and had settled into a perfunctory, superficial relationship.

Monserrat spun to block my path. “Promise me you’ll keep a secret, won’t you?” An earnestness pinched between her dark-brown eyes.

I couldn’t tell if she was being dramatic or if she meant to deepen our relationship now that the date for the wedding was being settled. Zichri’s letter rubbed against my elbow, reminding me of his advice these past months. He’d tell me to investigate if he were here.

I leaned closer. “Yes, I promise.”

Monserrat peered all about as if a chupalma followed her trail. But of course, the ghosts weren’t here, nor was anyone else for that matter. “Are we truly alone?”

“My quarters would have been a great location for a private conversation.” I resisted the urge to shift my facial muscles, but her dramatics made it nearly impossible.

“No. If your palace is like mine, there are ears in the walls.” She raked her fingers through her hair, undoing a portion of her updo, and pulled out a small silk pouch. The golden fabric reflected the midday sun, cutting between the cliffs. She stretched the mouth of the bag and plucked out folded parchments.

“What is that?” I reached for the papers.

She clenched a fist around the parchments and brought them to her heart. “I’m sorry for my crude manners, but this is a matter of great importance.”

Every part of me wanted to shake her shoulders and say, “Spit it out.” I inhaled slowly and held my tongue.

She broke the silence. “Cosme and I have never been in love. You know this. But I do consider him a friend. I could learn to love him. It had always been settled in my mind that you and I would be sisters.”

“Are you,” my head tipped down toward the papers, “breaking your betrothal with Cosme? I thought arrangements—”

“No.” Monserrat shook her head. “I mean yes. The date is being settled for our wedding. It’s just—” Her free hand grabbed at her neck. Her lips parted, but gurgling noises escaped her bow-shaped lips.

“Are you all right?” I clutched my dress collar.

She nodded and gasped.

A feeling of unease shivered down my spine. “Perhaps we should return to the castle.”

“No.” The vehemence in her response halted my next step.

She squared up to me and inhaled so deeply that her nostrils narrowed. When she exhaled, she said, “Read this.” She shoved the papers into my grasp.

“You’re scaring me.”

“They’re copies of letters from my papá’s desk.” She twiddled her glimmering fingers. The light traced marks along her palms, a sign of a magical gifting. Everyone knew her powers allowed her to copy images under her palms and put them onto another paper.

The parchment crinkled as I flipped a corner open. A map of the Agata Sea shone before me with a line marking a path. Numbers gave the exact coordinates of a certain location. A galleon drawn near an island had a strange, rippled icon around it. Someone had scribbled a note beneath the ship:

One entrance. One portal. No other way into the Island of Life.

“Are you sending me on a treasure hunt?” I let out a chuckle despite myself.

Monserrat peered out to sea; the corners of her lips weighed downward. “Read the letter.”

So, I unfolded the next parchment and read:

From the Black Knight to his Highness King Sebastian of Aracibel,

Meet me on the Island of Life if you’d like to be part of the New Alliance. Many other kingdoms have already joined, but I cannot disclose which ones. We’ve found the last relic and wish to offer it to you and your family. The rumors are true. Don’t worry about previous ties. New agreements will be formed, and Princess Monserrat will be properly wed. We’ll visit at the second moon to discuss arrangements.

Sincerely,

The Black Knight

I reread the letter several times. My heart knocked against my breastbone as if begging for the letter to be false. Zichri had mentioned his investigation of the New Alliance. This group was our enemy.

Why would Monserrat share this with me? If this was found on her father’s desk, then Monserrat’s kingdom had been invited to betray us. Did her papá agree to this? I cracked open my dry mouth, unsure where to begin. “Who is the Black Knight?”

“I’m not certain.” Monserrat tucked her loosened curls and the gold sack into her updo.

“Is your papá going to speak with this Black Knight?”

Her stare met mine with an intensity I’d never seen in her. “Yes. We’re having a ball for him. Open the last note.”

From your friends in Aracibel to King Ezer, Queen Cottia, Prince Cosme, and Princess Beatriz of Giddel,

You are hereby invited to a masquerade ball on the rise of the second moon.

Be prepared for merriment, storytelling, and an enigma.

I huffed. “Why are we invited the same day as the Black Knight?”

Monserrat lifted her chin. “Papá doesn’t consult me on kingdom affairs. However, I believe it would be wise to decline attending the ball.”

“You haven’t alleviated my fears.” I handed the papers to Monserrat.

She cupped the bottom of my hand and the top of the parchments. “Keep them. I had to tell you. Papá longs to heal Mamá’s many ailments. Please don’t blame him for his devotion to his wife.” She released her grip on my hand.

Disbelief showered over me. An ache throbbed up the back of my head as if she had smashed a rock onto it. Aracibel had been a solid ally all my life. What would this do to Cosme? He’d never loved Monserrat like I loved Zichri, but there was affection.

A beat passed where Monserrat stared into the distance.

“So, it’s settled?” I kept my focus on her face to see if somehow this was a trick or a cruel game.

Monserrat remained crestfallen and focused on the sea. Sun reflected off tears glistening on her cheeks.

“Why?” I asked. The question tore between us like a dagger.

“Please forgive me for putting this on your shoulders. I couldn’t face Cosme with my shame, and I don’t believe the New Alliance is good. I’m staying the night here but returning home tomorrow.”

“What shame? This betrayal isn’t your doing.”

She turned toward me, keeping her chin high but eyes averted. “I must set a date with Cosme and walk through the motions. Papá will expect plans for our nuptials.”

“You’re still making arrangements to marry him?”

She visibly swallowed and met my gaze. “Promise me you won’t tell Cosme until after I leave.”

“But—”

“Promise me you’ll wait until I sail away.” Her delicate features pinched together in a plea. “I don’t agree with betraying friends, but I must also follow orders. Stay away from Aracibel. I’ll do what I can to prevent further actions against Giddel.”

My throat grew thick. Should I dare keep such a secret from Papá and Cosme? I nodded and tucked the parchment in my puffy sleeve pocket.

We climbed up a narrow path along the cliff wall toward the gardens. The firm set of my companion’s jaw bespoke the end of our conversation, though questions fired in my mind faster than a line of archers on attack. By the time we made it into the palace, I wasn’t sure if I should run straight to Cosme or if I should respect Monserrat’s wishes.

“Monserrat,” Cosme called from the stairwell and rose from his seated position as if he’d been waiting for us.

His friend, Lucas, also righted himself, adjusting his sky-blue doublet that matched his pale eyes. A spark lit in his gaze as I drew near, causing the world around me to feel nonexistent. I crossed my arms, lifted my chin, and kept my focus on my brother. I didn’t like how Lucas’s attentions stirred the murky waters within me or how I noticed his strong forearms or the hint of a smile that graced his lips when I entered a room.

Cosme raked a hand over his dark-brown hair. His round eyes held a glimmer of question. “I expected to make the arrangements with King Sebastian. Should I be concerned?”

“Will you not settle dates with your future bride?” Monserrat asked in a regal tone.

A grin slid across Cosme’s face. “It seems I’m to always be surrounded by strong-minded women.”

“Is that an insult?” Monserrat kept a deadpan expression.

He let out a genuine laugh. “Not at all.” A glimmer of admiration flickered in his gaze, and he crossed the half-dozen arm spans between us. He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Monserrat’s cheeks flushed, revealing more feelings than she was willing to admit.

My stomach shriveled with guilt. He couldn’t go on believing all was well.

I opened my mouth to speak, but only a grunt released from my throat. Both Monserrat and Cosme furrowed their eyebrows at me. I tried again, but my tongue grew swollen and limp.

“Perhaps you need a drink of water.” Cosme patted my shoulder. “Lucas, would you escort my sister?”

Lucas offered his arm, nudging my side in his enthusiasm. I glared at Cosme who didn’t bother to acknowledge my discomfort at being swept away by his friend.

But Monserrat tipped her head to the side and squinted in accusation. Had she cursed my tongue somehow?