20. Beatriz
Chapter 20
Beatriz
Taking the stairs from the bottom deck to the top deck of La Lavia , I determined two things. I would not allow Cosme to be at peace until he included me in his plans. This Minerva couldn’t be good news if Laude didn’t trust her, not to mention the way she was flirting with a man who’d broken off his betrothal only three weeks ago.
I strode with determination, and Zichri and Laude followed closely behind me. My boots pounded the planks so hard they could be heard over the surf.
Cosme laughed at something Senorita Minerva said, but his eyes narrowed as he saw me approaching. Good. He should know that there’s something wrong with his actions, bringing a new conquest to visit the old betrothed.
“Jaime is up here with Lucas and Fermín.” Laude pointed to the men across the top deck.
My steps didn’t waver. Minerva dropped her chin to her chest and offered a faint smile in greeting. Curls whipped about her face. A pink hue flushed her neck, revealing her guilt.
“Yes, Beatriz?” Cosme crossed his arms, and the skin between his eyebrows pinched with annoyance. “Did you want something?”
I looked over my shoulder. Zichri stood a couple paces off, darting glances between Laude, who had escaped to Jaime’s side, and me. I signaled for him to go with the others. “I’ll join you shortly.”
A muscle in Zichri’s cheek twitched, but he nodded. He’d understand my need to speak privately with my errant brother. And this way, if Cosme decided to have a dagger tongue and revealed something embarrassing about me, Zichri would not be by my side to hear.
I pressed my shoulders back and lifted my chin high in my practiced royal demeanor. “I don’t like to be made a fool. You said you’d help—”
“And I got you what you wanted.” Cosme flung a hand in Zichri’s direction.
Could Zichri and the others hear Cosme? The five of them huddled in a circle on the other side of the deck. Laude nudged Jaime’s side, and Jaime clasped her hand. Zichri’s back faced me, but Lucas stretched his neck over Zichri’s shoulder, spying on our conversation.
Returning my attention to Cosme, I lowered my voice. “Yes, you united me with Zichri, but the way you did it… Papá might keep me locked in a gilded cage until I marry, if he lets me marry Zichri at all.”
Minerva backstepped, hunching even more than before.
“This trip is sanctioned by Papá. You and I both know that Zichri and you might not be given their blessing, regardless of this trip.”
A quivering breath escaped my lungs. “What did you tell Papá?”
Cosme scratched his prickly jawline. “He’s aware we’re going to Aracibel and of the letters—be it sparse because of the curse. That’s all he needed to know and all he wanted to know. His command was that Zichri not step onto Giddelian soil, and he has not. Are we done?”
“No, we’re not done. How did you contact Zichri?” Pinpricks raced along my fingertips, igniting the markings on my arms. I clenched my fists.
Cosme asked, “You didn’t like the surprise?”
“Of course, I like it, but I’d prefer not to spoil my chances of marrying him.”
Cosme rolled his eyes. “Your attitude might do a better job at ruining your relationship.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” His voice held a sharp edge. “You prefer me to coat the truth with sugar.”
“I prefer you keep me informed. Is that so hard to understand?” I planted a pointed look on Minerva. “Even she knows more about our reason for going to Aracibel than I do.”
The girl recoiled, boot hitting the ledge. Her coral dress flung up with her boots. Before I understood what I was seeing, Minerva had flipped off the side of the ship.
Cosme reached for her, but it was too late.
I raced to the ledge. Seawater battered the ship’s side.
Swirling.
Churning.
The waters twisted in front of me in shades of cerulean and white. No sign of coral anywhere. I met Cosme’s wide eyes.
His slackened jaw shifted into a gaping smile.
“What’s wrong with you? We must retrieve her. Someone. Help!” Heart hammering out of my chest, I spun around toward the two sailors climbing down ropes near a mast.
Their mouths hung open as they stared at the bow of the ship. No, they stared at the girl standing near the bow of the ship. She adjusted the coral skirt of her dress and smoothed her curls back. The curls sprang out like a halo around her head, which would have been endearing since it so reminded me of Laude, but confusion consumed me.
How did she fall off the ship and end up at the bow? Was she able to teleport and so quickly?
“You can pick your jaw up now,” Cosme teased.
Minerva walked toward us with her attention on the floorboards. “I’m sorry,” she said to Cosme and scurried down the stairs.
Cosme’s jaw clenched. “Fine. You can join the Dotados meeting tonight.” He leaned in close to my ear. “But if you insinuate anything about Minerva and her intentions, I swear, I will never include you in any of the meetings again. Is that clear?” An intensity smoldered in Cosme’s gaze.
A breath caught in the back of my throat as I nodded.
“Good. Go enjoy your time with Zichri. Everyone seems to be having fun without you.”
Jaime rubbed a wooden stick on his guiro , a hollowed-out gourd with glimmering scales painted on the sides. Another man smacked claves together, accenting certain beats; the two wooden sticks making more music than seemed possible. A sailor handed Zichri a guiterna. He sat on a crate and plucked a tune, his fingers racing up and down the fingerboard. I didn’t know he played the guiterna. He belted a line in a traditional Himzo song, and Laude clapped, grinning from ear to ear.
What was I doing? Yes, I had an opportunity for the time I wanted with Zichri. I’d also secured an invitation to a Dotado meeting. Even with my wins, a heavy weight lay across my shoulders.
The Black Knight remained at large, threatening my family and home, and we were headed toward him. How would Princess Monserrat respond to seeing all of us arrive despite her warning?
Ancient One, how am I to enjoy the moment when problems spiral out of my control?
A warm breeze shifted across my face, loosening several rogue hairs.
The guiterna stopped, though the guiro and claves continued to play. Zichri crossed the deck and reached his hand out to me. “Come on, beloved. I think you might know this next song.”
I slipped my hand into his. “What just happened?”
“You mean Minerva’s sudden appearance on the bow?” Zichri tugged me along to his spot on the crate.
“Yes. After she fell off the side of the ship.” I rubbed the chills pricking up and down my arms from such a sight.
“Minerva does things like that.” He continued to pluck a tune, even though the others sang without him. A few other sailors wandered over.
“You know her?” I held my breath.
He shifted his hand down the fingerboard, playing more of the melody. “She’s under my sister’s protection and service. But Minerva doesn’t really need us.” He slowed his tune.
I leaned closer. “Who is she?”
“She’s the reason Giddel didn’t get overrun a few months ago.” His words struck an off-key chord within me. How could this random girl have helped Giddel, and why would she?
Laude hip-bumped me and shifted side to side in what had to be a colloquial dance. Where did she learn the steps and when? Zichri plucked the rest of the cheerful song. His dark lashes hung over his soulful eyes, inspiring warmth to spread in my chest that such a handsome, kindhearted fellow looked at me with admiration. I couldn’t be mad at him for not sharing every detail of his life in his letters. And I had to admit, Cosme would be proven correct if I remained angry the entire duration of Zichri’s and my time together.
Tonight, I’d get the answers I sought at the Dotados meeting. I felt a smile creep to the corners of my mouth of its own accord.