18. Beatriz
Chapter 18
Beatriz
“What are you doing here?” I asked Zichri and glanced at Cosme with shock.
One of Cosme’s eyebrows arched playfully, so much like Mamá’s. “We made some arrangements.”
I clapped my hand over my mouth. These past four months, I’d dreamed of this exact moment. Blood racing, heart full, overflowing emotions warming my cheeks. This can’t be real .
Zichri rushed to cover the space between us and swallowed me in his strong arms. An earthy aroma encircled me as I leaned my head against his solid chest.
I never wanted to move, but the galleon shifted below my boots, jostling our bodies ever so slightly.
“Beatriz, how have you been?” Zichri’s deep voice and melodic accent washed over me. He loosened his grip just enough for us to make eye contact again.
His gaze traced my face like he was trying to memorize every detail. The ship rocked hard again, and my knees buckled. He captured me tighter in his arms.
“I’m a mess.” I swiped my cheeks, suddenly aware of how I must look and why Laude had dressed in fine attire. I had a mind to reprimand her, but Zichri was here and that was all that really mattered. Had Papá allowed this? Guilt dripped into my conscience, and I didn’t want to ask Cosme, just in case the answer wasn’t a resounding yes.
“Beloved.” Zichri brushed the pad of his thumb over my cheek. “You are the most gorgeous mess I’ve ever seen. But we do need to talk more about our situation.”
Cosme stepped closer, breaking us apart. “That’s enough, that’s enough. Breakfast first.”
I took in the long, polished table. Only one of Zichri’s closest friends was here, Jaime. Two empty chairs remained available next to Laude. She was snuggled up to Jaime, her beau. Six of Cosme’s friends had already found their chairs, leaving Cosme, Zichri, and me to fill the gaps. Cosme raced to take one of the two empty seats beside Laude, making it impossible for Zichri and me to sit on the same side of the table. I clenched my jaw, boiling with frustration. Cosme, of all people, should know how much Zichri and I would want time together.
Zichri shrugged an apology and pulled out the chair beside Laude. He extended his hand, inviting me to take a seat. “We’ll have a chance to talk more privately later.”
Heat boiled just under the surface of my skin, igniting my gifting. We could have asked Cosme’s friends to scoot over, but judging by Cosme’s smirk, my brother had chosen his spot on purpose. He had never liked Zichri, and I couldn’t fathom how or why Cosme had made this arrangement.
The tell-tale trickle of power skipped along my shoulders down to my elbows. I threw myself into the seat and curled my fingers into fists, stopping myself from losing control. There would be no using my gift without Uncle Uly and certainly not in my current tumultuous emotional state.
Laude offered a consoling squint, and I pouted in return. She bent toward Jaime, whose admiration for her was written in his hazel stare. Zichri worked his way to the vacant chair across from mine, scooting around Cosme’s group.
“Where are Gonzalo, Blas, and Milo?” I asked.
“They’re attending to matters in Himzo.” Zichri slid into the empty space and raked a hand through his cropped hair. “Making sure there is no foul play while Papá is ill. Plus, Milo didn’t want to be away from his bride.”
“They’re married?”
“Yes, the wedding happened a month ago.”
A sadness swept through me as I wished I could have attended the festivities. “Your sister must be happy that Milo stayed.” I forced myself to smile.
Two servants laid trays filled with bowls of porridge.
Cosme’s friends cheered and clapped like ruffians. The two I recognized came from distinguished families, yet their behavior showed no distinction. The men snagged their bowls and started eating before I could even retrieve one for myself. The meaty aroma curled into my stomach as I stirred the egg and lamb within the thick porridge. The others dug into their meals, but Zichri kept his attention on me.
I inhaled deeply and raised my voice to speak to Zichri. “What are Milo’s and your sister’s plans now that they’re married?”
“They have high hopes to move into Milo’s country estate once Papá gets well enough to manage on his own.” Sadness crept along his features.
“Long live the King of Himzo.” I wished to comfort him with a touch, but the trays and wide table made that impossible. “I’m so sorry your papá fell ill.”
“If Papá were well, he’d approve of us and sign the treaty.” Zichri scooped porridge.
An ache filled my lungs at the sad turn of events. None of my words could make Zichri’s papá better.
Cosme slapped the table. “But the king has your brothers as mouthpieces, Prince Zichri.”
A tight smile spread across Zichri’s face. “You are correct. I’m convinced one of my brothers is behind the attack on Giddel and continues to make plans. We’ll find out who else is involved. Cosme and I decided that in visiting the kingdoms, we’d discover our true adversaries.”
A servant came into the dining hall with a kettle. Steam wafted out the spout in curling plumes.
Cosme and Zichri shared a conspiratorial look. Pressing my shoulders back, I pinned Cosme down with a glare. “It seems odd that you two would be in such close contact to share all these intricate details.”
“Oh, Beatriz”—Cosme clapped my shoulder—“you’re growing up so quickly. You might just yet become a Dotado.”
I brushed off Cosme’s touch. Annoyance bristled under my skin and tickled my faintly glowing fingertips. Didn’t Uncle Uly say I could shape my emotions? An invisible tentacle leaked from my pores, and I tugged the power back into myself. It took all my restraint to resist slapping Cosme’s face with my anger. Even if he was heartbroken over Monserrat, he had a caustic tongue.
“You are all kindness.” My voice came out tight.
“I know, I can’t help myself.” Cosme tilted his head toward mine.
A servant placed a cup in front of me and then one in front of Cosme before pouring cider into each.
The door behind me flew open. Everyone’s head snapped toward the newcomer. Cosme’s eyes rounded, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Minerva,” Cosme said in a gentle tone he’d never used in my presence. He hopped out of his chair and crossed to a pretty girl who looked about my age. She wore a coral dress, her curly hair was woven into a simple braid, and her face held an openness that gave her a kind aura. Cosme walked her to the head of the table, as if she had some special position among the group. I detected nothing regal or extraordinary in her manner.
I glanced to my right where Laude observed the newcomer with the corners of her lips downturned. This was the girl Laude didn’t trust. Why was she here?
Zichri watched Minerva and settled into a relaxed posture as if he recognized her. There was nothing to be jealous of in his manner nor hers, but I still felt a strange discomfort. He had all these connections and a life I knew little about.
Unsure how to tame the emotions tumbling like undercurrents of the sea, I placed my palm over the relic ticking just over my heart. My itchy skin screamed for me to let the magic loose and control the situation.
Then there were the matters I couldn’t dictate or retrieve through my powers. What were Zichri’s expectations? What would happen when we showed up at Cosme’s ex-betrothed’s palace to go to a ball with the secret girl that Monserrat was not to know about?
La Lavia rose and fell, jostling the piping hot cider.