17. Beatriz
Chapter 17
Beatriz
Thump-thump-thump.
I gasped awake. Silky sheets tangled around my legs and darkness pressed against my eyelids. A slight crack in my bed curtains let a dim spear of light spill onto my bedding.
Thump-thump-thump.
“It’s Cosme.” My brother’s voice filtered from outside my bedroom door.
What time was it?
My comatose body remained settled in a comfortable position. Head foggy from deep sleep, I managed to push aside the curtains to get a glimpse out my windows. A dim, orange hue painted the sky. Why was he here, outside my bedroom, so early?
Thump-thump-thump.
“Beatriz, I talked to Papá yesterday.” The floorboards creaked outside my door. “We are able to move forward with the second part of our arrangement.”
I rolled out of bed and stuck my feet into gold slippers. While tugging my robe over my arms, I crossed to my door and unlocked the latch. “ Buen —”
Cosme pushed into my quarters, wearing a clean jacket, crisp trousers, and polished tall boots.
“ Buenos días. ”
“Like I said, I talked to Papá about your situation, and he won’t bend on his Zichri-not-on-our-ground policy.”
“So, you woke me up to let me know you still can’t help after all those lessons with Uncle Uly. Lovely. Can I get my last hour of sleep, or do you have something pressing to share?”
“You’re coming with me and some of the Dotados on an official mission.” Cosme smiled, hands on hips as if he’d bestowed some grand favor on me.
I yawned. “Good. Is this your way of making up for your inability to sway Papá?”
He patted my shoulder. “Get ready now. We leave an hour past dawn.”
“Cosme, you’re going to need to spill a little more information than that. Oh, and have the maids bring up a strong cup of coffee.”
He rolled his eyes. “We will leave without you if you’re late. Make sure to pack several ball gowns.”
“Where are we going?”
Cosme strutted out the door and spun on his heel. “We’ll be away for a month. We’re going to pay my ex-betrothed a visit.”
Whatever joy had settled into my countenance vanished in a blink. “You aren’t serious?”
“Serious as a rotten tooth.”
“So, instead of getting an hour with Zichri, I must endure Princess Monserrat?”
“Something a little better than that.” A peculiar look twinkled in his dark eyes, and he swaggered down the hall to Laude’s room and banged on her door.
I let a trickle of power drip along my arms. An instant connection formed between us as he spoke to Laude in hushed tones. He radiated lightning bolts of energy that read like anticipation, though something more touched his emotions. I let more power flicker out my pores, and Cosme whipped his gaze toward me.
I swung my door shut and yanked a cord beside my bed, calling for the maids. What in all Agata had he planned?
At the entrance of the palace, I sipped my coffee from a pewter mug while I waited for my brother and Laude to appear. A male servant trudged down the stairs with my black chest. Another servant hauled Laude’s garish trunk, decorated with enormous red flowers and swirling green vines. It matched the owner of the trunk who bounced on her toes with excitement.
Laude sparkled in the silky blue dress that matched her eye color and accentuated her figure. She’d added a touch of rouge coloring to her lips and adorned a braided crown with small white flowers. It’s beyond me how she managed such intricate details on her person when we were given but an hour.
Should I have put on something prettier? I shook my head. Why would I possibly care to impress any of Cosme’s Dotado companions? I smoothed the side of my plain braid and adjusted my brown outer dress. Though my bodice had pearls and umber beads to add style, a sudden pang of insecurity washed through me.
The newest letter in my sleeve pocket weighed heavy with Zichri’s childhood story. I had a short epistle to him in my grasp, so he’d know not to send word this month. Would my maids hand Jaime the note? Would he even be allowed into the palace with Cosme and Laude gone?
Cosme strode out of the throne room in a flurry. “Papá sends his regards, and Mamá says she’ll meet us at the docks.”
I caught his arm before he flew out the front door. “What’s going on?”
With an annoying grin in place, he tipped my chin. “Like I said, we’re paying my ex-betrothed a visit.”
“You’re acting odd.”
“Always.” He winked in a conspiratorial fashion and brushed my hand from his arm.
My lips pursed, and I looped my arm with Laude’s. I’d pass off my letter to Mamá alone. She understood my plight and wouldn’t fail to send Zichri my epistle.
“Oh, Princess, isn’t this so thrilling?” Laude beamed and fluttered out through the giant front doors, dragging me with her.
Cosme bounded ahead with his long stride and cut across the grounds toward the far exit, closest to the beach. Laude and I walked behind him along the gravel path. The ground descended, causing our steps to be more pronounced. Flowers, vines, and a giant cypress painted our surroundings, but the beauty was lost on me. Instead, a ball of nerves pressed against my stomach and pushed my coffee to burn up my throat.
We approached the end of the path and guards opened an arched exit. One of the young guards tipped his hat at Laude. She giggled, which contrasted the yawning blackness where my heart should have been. This wasn’t what I wanted. I’d much prefer to dig through the dusty tomes with Laude than this. At least I’d know what to expect there. Our long and uncomfortable journey promised to hold Monserrat and our enemies at the end. Why did I ever think Dotado business might be for me?
The jail house loomed across the street with its stone walls and dark entrance. I shivered, remembering my short stay in a cell when I was unrecognized upon returning from my journey to Valle de los Fantasmas. If this hinted at the outcome of our trip, we should turn around. The sidewalk continued to the right toward the docks and much happier memories. Prince Lux and I had sailed many times together just to get away. Back then, I invited danger.
The voice that doused salt on my wounds whispered, You killed him. You’re a murderer.
Carriages rumbled along the cobblestones and silenced the voice. Even so, the damage was done. Laude’s and my boot steps joined the cacophony as we made our way to the bustling docks where the galleon, La Lavia , and many other ships docked. Our ship was the largest, with golden paint and polished wood trimmings. On the tallest mast, a Giddelian flag flew, its golden hibiscus shimmering in the sunlight.
“Do I look all right?” Laude asked. A pinch of concern touched the corners of her eyes.
Why was she so concerned with her appearance? I squeezed her forearm. “You are beautiful, dear friend. Your attire suits you.”
She squared up to me, now with furrowed eyebrows. “Did Cosme not tell you to dress as if we’d meet Princess Monserrat today?”
“We’ll be sailing for days. What’s the point of putting on a lavish gown for sea travel? You look lovely, but you’re just drawing the attention of all the sailors.”
As if on cue, a sailor whistled two notes and tipped his hat at Laude. She blushed from her neck to her cheeks. Smashing her lips into a line, she glanced over her shoulder at La Lavia. Something about her expression further unsettled me.
Why did Cosme not include me in any of his dealings, yet he allowed Laude in? This trip seemed to be his version of a treaty between himself and me. I searched Laude’s gaze for an answer, but she remained perky cheeked and silent about the matter.
“Beatriz,” Mamá shouted.
I flitted my gaze over the dock and behind me.
Mamá stepped down onto the wooden planks accompanied by Uncle Uly. In her delicate yellow gown, she moved with grace befitting a heron.
Uncle Uly scanned the line of ships and stood a pace behind me like a guard. “ Buenos días .” He turned away from Laude and me, showing us his back as he studied our surroundings.
Mamá kissed Laude’s cheek and mine in greeting. She maintained her close proximity. “Beatriz, do you have your pocket watch with you?”
“Yes, Mamá.” I pushed aside a thin scarf to show her the chain.
“Good. I couldn’t have you leave without one last goodbye.” Mamá reached for my arm and crinkled the folded parchment in my sleeve pocket. Her eyebrow rose in question.
I bit the inside of my cheek. “Could you pass this along to Jaime when he visits again? I don’t want Zichri to wonder why I didn’t write before leaving.” I shoved my missive to Zichri into her hands.
“Of course.” Mamá took the letter and wrapped her arms around me. “Be safe and continue to seek the Ancient One. Also, your uncle desires a last word.”
Uncle Uly twisted around and waggled his bushy eyebrows. “I wish we could continue our training, but I must return home.”
“Thank you for your encouragement. I fear I made a dreadful pupil.”
“Nonsense.” The affection in his gaze left me in no doubt that he was being generous. “You simply need to trust that the Ancient One gave you this gifting for a good cause. Stop holding back your abilities. They will be much needed on this voyage.”
Cosme called, “Ma!” He strode from La Lavia .
Mamá waved at Cosme and addressed Laude. “Do you promise to stay by Beatriz’s side?”
Laude bobbed her head. “I promise to not let Beatriz out of my sight. Not a single soul can part us, not even if he’s cute.”
I stifled a chuckle at Laude’s antics, even though they were below her current station.
Mamá embraced Laude and then kissed Cosme’s cheek in farewell. Uncle waved goodbye with his staff as Cosme, Laude, and I boarded La Lavia . Servants lugged our trunks aboard, the crew went about its work, but I still couldn’t quell the pit of unease that sat in my chest. My fingers rubbed against the fabric over the pocket watch and resisted clicking the hard latch. The calming melody might have brought me comfort, but not with so many sailors striding along the deck. Could this day be any stranger?
Cosme whistled for Laude and me to join him through a doorway. “The dining room.” Though it would be much more pleasant to sneak in some extra sleep, my stomach growled. Laude nearly skipped toward Cosme, a toothy grin spread from ear to ear. I trudged across the hardwood deck and entered a dim passageway, following my brother’s broad shoulders.
Cosme stopped in front of a doorway and signaled for me to enter. Warm sunlight graced the cocky tilt to his lips and grated against my nerves. It was almost like he meant to tease me. Laude hopped through the opening and waved me in with a ferocious tenacity.
When I passed into the room, a group of men sat around a dining table. One man stood. My eyes traced his dark brown eyes and the crooked swoop of his full lips, leading to a well-placed dimple. A simple tunic stretched across broad shoulders, and his trousers had the same appearance as all the other crew members scurrying about on deck, yet he was no sailor.
I gasped.