22. Beatriz
Chapter 22
Beatriz
Inky darkness filled our cozy little room, and warm covers encased my body. Laude and I had decided to sleep a few hours before the Dotado meeting, but I lay awake conjuring every possible way Cosme and Zichri could have orchestrated this reunion. Minerva could have transported everyone into Giddel or out of it. This must have been how Jaime had appeared in the palace unnoticed by the guards, and why Cosme always had mud-caked boots, even when he’d just been in his room all day. Then there was the masquerade we would attend. A foreboding latched to my heart and whispered: Turn the other way .
Someone tapped on the door.
“Beatriz, are you ready?” Zichri’s voice filtered through the bedroom door.
Laude’s finger sparked to life, and she flopped over in bed. “Why does Cosme have to make the meeting so late when we’re to arrive at Aracibel tomorrow? He should want us to be well rested to meet the backstabbers and power-hungry royals.”
I slipped out of bed and into comfortable shoes. The plain blue dress I wore served as better public attire than the linen nightdress I was accustomed to wearing. I clipped a hooded cape around my neck, ready to finally get my answers.
“Princess, if I hadn’t promised your brother and mother that I wouldn’t leave your side, I’d stay right here under these covers.” Laude sat up and yawned. Her crumpled yellow dress would look pretty once the wrinkles were smoothed out.
“You promised my brother you wouldn’t leave my side?” I raised an eyebrow like Mamá.
Laude bit her lip. “Guilty.”
“What else did he make you promise?” My voice came out terse.
“Things.” She massaged her forehead. “Your brother wants the best for you.”
I let out an exasperated breath. “His manner of showing affection truly touches my heart.” My tone remained flatter than pressed flowers in a book.
Tap-tap-tap.
“Are you coming?” Zichri asked.
I opened the door. Zichri stood just on the other side, leaning one arm on the doorframe. The way his hair fell over his temples and the earnestness painted on his face sent warm tingles flying through my insides. My lips curled despite my previous annoyance.
He leaned in to kiss my cheek in greeting. Warmth spread from his soft touch like ripples from a rock thrown in still waters.
“I’m so happy you can finally join us.” Zichri pulled back to a respectful distance. “Ready, Laude?”
It was as if he’d doused cold water over my head. What did he mean by us ? Was it that we took so long to answer, or was this confirmation of my suspicions that he’d met secretly with the Dotados for some time now?
Laude skipped to my side and looped an arm through mine. “Is Jaime already there?”
“Yes, Senorita Laude.” Zichri had a familiar tone with her that he hadn’t had months ago.
We had sung the evening away and shared a meal, recalling our adventures through Valle de los Fantasmas. That could be it, but the whole evening something had felt off.
Zichri led the way as we sped through the bowels of La Lavia . We took the stairs down into a darker part of the ship. Laude kept her index finger aflame, giving us enough light to make it through the passages.
In the tiny room, a long table took up most of the space. Cosme, Minerva, and Jaime sat alongside each other on a bench. Jaime waved Laude over to join him, leaving space for one more person. Across from them, Fermín and Lucas occupied part of the opposing bench. I scooted next to Cosme’s blond-haired friend, Lucas.
An awkwardness settled in the air as I neared Lucas, and Zichri shuffled on the other side of me.
“Princess Beatriz,” Lucas greeted.
Thank the Ancient One that Lucas didn’t lean in for a formal greeting kiss.
Tap-tap-tap.
Another man with mousy-brown hair and a thick mustache entered the room and shut the door.
Cosme asked the newcomer, “Anyone else nearby?”
The mousy man slid the lock in place and leaned against the door rather than attempting to fit on the bench. “All sailors are on deck and a couple of others are relieving themselves above.”
My face contorted as an involuntary gasp escaped my lips.
Cosme lifted the corner of his mouth and clicked his tongue. “Good. Don’t look so disgusted, Beatriz. Ignacio’s gifted with extraordinary hearing, which brings me to the matter of watching our words.” He fixed his stare on me. “Dotados meetings and their content must be protected. We don’t know what giftings others possess.”
“Are you accusing me of being indiscreet?” I asked, muscles tensing in my neck.
“No.” Cosme folded his hands. “I’m making you aware of why we meet so late and why so many precautions are taken. The information we discuss could be used against us. It’s a matter of Giddel’s future.”
“How does this impact Himzo?” I folded my hands, ready to word spar if that’s what it took to loosen Cosme’s tongue.
Fermín let out a chuckle. “Should the rest of us get some bread to watch the tournament?”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “I haven’t had the luxury of being included in a single meet—”
“Then listen up,” Cosme ordered. “I’m tired and want to go to sleep soon.” The command in his voice ricocheted off the wood-paneled walls.
Zichri’s palm hit the table. His mouth pressed into a firm line I hadn’t seen before. “No one is to speak to Beatriz in that manner.”
Flames danced in the lamps sitting on the table. Deep shadows cut across Cosme’s face, hardening his already stern expression. I dipped my chin, inhaling a delightful breath. A muscle in Zichri’s jaw flexed, setting a fire of gratitude and appreciation in my heart.
Cosme passed a look over each of us around the table. “Minerva falling off the ship exposed her ability to make and travel through portals. Be on the lookout for sailors talking about her. I don’t believe anyone on La Lavia is our enemy, but men tend to have loose tongues after indulging in too many spirits. That could be an issue once we reach the shores. Ignacio, I need you to stay with the sailors once we land.” Cosme cocked his head toward Zichri, signaling for him to continue the briefing.
Zichri leaned on his elbows. “The Black Knight looks to attend the masquerade. He wants to settle a new betrothal with Monserrat. Though Cosme’s going to try to reestablish his betrothal, we don’t hope for any real success. We need all of you to find out who’s leading the New Alliance and how wide the network has grown. The leaders are making big promises about using relic powers.”
“Powers?” I asked. The moment the word slipped out, I snapped my mouth closed.
Cosme’s glare landed on me though the sharp edge to his voice had dulled. “My informants tell me kings are promised the ability to live forever, have prophetic dreams, enhance their giftings, and all on demand.”
“Is it wicked to be able to do these things?” I asked.
Laude bit her lip and shared a look with me. She knew about the pocket watch dangling from my neck.
Zichri nudged my side. “It’s wicked if the powers bestowed by the relics are twisted for their own gain or to harm others. That wasn’t their design. The good part is that the relics have a keeper.” The orange light reflected in his eyes with a glint of something else he hoped to share.
“Yes, they do, but,” Cosme’s abrasive tone shattered Zichri’s warmth, “the keeper’s a person, and the relics could do immeasurable damage in the wrong hands. When we get to Aracibel, we must apprehend the Black Knight. The promises about all the extra powers are fool’s gold. You can’t get extra powers without the relics, and each of them are accounted for except the last one.”
I stilled. They knew about the pocket watch.
Laude’s eyes widened and her lips smashed together in a conspiratorial fashion.
Did you know that my pocket watch is a relic? I swallowed hard pushing thoughts at her even though she couldn’t hear them. Stop making those faces at me. Everyone is going to notice.
A flicker of power glowed along my skin, and I clenched my fists.
Cosme glanced at Laude and flinched at her expression. He shook his head. “Laude and Beatriz, you two need to make sure I’ve surveyed a room before you enter. I promised Papá and Mamá to keep you both safe. Should anything go wrong, Minerva will teleport you home. No entering rooms without approval. Got it?”
“So, I need to be your shadow at all times in Aracibel?” I cringed even while asking the question.
“You’ve grasped it well.” Cosme continued, “Prince Zichri provided us with information about his brothers traveling in this direction. If we’re in the Ancient One’s favor, we’ll get a hint of the missing relic. Any questions?”
Minerva dipped her head. Fermín tapped his long fingers on the table, and Lucas nodded in agreement. Zichri leaned back.
I had to ask, “Why don’t we just follow the map that Mon—” I met Laude’s gaze, gasping for air, and she bobbed her head in return.
“Of what map do you speak?” Ignacio cleared his throat.
Cosme pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s fake.”
“How do”—I inhaled to keep the curse at bay—“you know?” I leaned on my elbows.
“I’ve studied every map of the Agata Sea and have traveled those waters before.” Cosme pinned me down with his intense focus. “Those islands do not exist, and we need to burn the original when you get to Aracibel or that curse will remain.”
Firelight flickered, illuminating Fermín’s and Lucas’s raptured attention on Cosme. Zichri nudged my side and lifted a placating hand as if to say let it go.
“Fine.” Still pushing words past my swollen throat, I asked, “What happens if Monserrat accepts your betrothal?”
All eyes focused on me, but I kept my attention firmly on Cosme.
Cosme didn’t flinch. “She won’t. Time for bed.”
A beat passed where none of us moved. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room, and no one dared to breathe.
In silence, we slid off the benches and meandered into the passageway. My last couple questions seemed to have breached some sort of rule between those at the table. Zichri and Cosme lingered longest by the door, speaking in hushed tones. Had they settled as being on the same team? Was Zichri apologizing for my abrupt manners?
“Beatriz,” Lucas leaned his head close to my ear, “I’ve been wondering that exact same question about Cosme and Monserrat.” He pulled away at one sharp look from Zichri.
Lucas walked away, head bent low. His nervous manners were off-putting, but he had justified my thoughts. Now, as he turned a corner, my curiosity about him perked like a child handed a lollipop.
Laude swooped to my side. She held her index finger high, a steady flame alight on her finger pad. “We’ve got some work to do.”
In that instant, I felt a part of the Dotados. I had a role to play, even if it was ever so small.