23. Beatriz
Chapter 23
Beatriz
That night the ship swayed and dropped on stormy waves. I clung to my covers, shivering. Sleep wouldn’t come fast enough, even though I had been exhausted after the meeting.
Laude lay on the bed across from me, facing the wall in silence. I took that to mean she had fallen asleep, though I couldn’t tell. Sickness rolled in my stomach and threatened to come up my throat.
I clung to the neckline of my nightgown. The pocket watch pressed up against my skin, knocking. For all I knew, it could have been my heart hammering or my imagination spinning with worries lodged into my soul. But my whole chest rattled until my eyelids eventually crashed downward.
The dreamworld illuminated brighter than I had ever seen it. I stood on the foredeck of La Lavia , pressed against the railing, looking ahead. The seawater wrestled with the ship as storm clouds brewed dark skies above. Zichri’s arm grazed my elbow. I hadn’t noticed him before, but he remained ever near. Gusts of wind tousled his hair, and prickles of beard shadowed his square jaw. The anticipation on his face reflected my own sentiments. But why?
La Lavia cut through the water toward what looked to be simply more open water. That was, until the gray sky rippled around us like we had been dipped into thick, invisible liquid. I twisted around to find Minerva at the bow, stretching her arms to the heavens. Light shone from her neck and through the woven fabric on the back of her dress.
As we crossed the mysterious threshold, the skies ripped apart into brilliant light. A ship with black sails appeared before us. A woman in a yellow dress with fiery-red hair stood on deck: Laude. A tall man in the robes typical of the whyzers stabbed at her shoulder with a burning staff. She shrieked in pain and fell to the ground.
I screamed. “Nooooo!”
“Princess, Princess?” A hand grabbed my wrist.
My eyes flickered open, and the silhouette of a curly-haired person loomed over me in the dark of night.
“It’s all right. The storm’s calming. Shh, shhh, shhh.” Laude squeezed my clammy hand. “Did you have a nightmare?”
Frenzied breaths rushed between my lips. I managed to scoot up to relieve the weight over my chest. My heart’s thumping on my breastbone subsided. I tugged at the chain around my neck and pulled out the pocket watch. Flecks of light shone around the edges. This dream had to have been from the relic. I pressed the slick latch, and it opened with a click. The Himzo tune chirped within the mechanism.
“Is that what I think it is?” Laude hopped into my bed and neared the watch. “It is. This is the pretty song Zichri likes to sing.”
“It’s a relic.” I lowered my head, unsure how she would respond.
“What? Like the one in the tome?” A strange note hung in her voice.
“I think it gives me night visions.”
She gasped. “What did you see? It’s the one that shows you the future, right? No, I don’t want to know. Okay, tell me. Wait. Does Zichri know?”
I chuckled, but my heart squeezed with worry. How could I tell her she’d be captured by pirates and burned on the shoulder?
Laude sparked a flame on her index finger. The firelight danced in her eyes, revealing an eagerness that couldn’t be brushed off.
Inhaling a gulp of air, I answered, “Zichri doesn’t know yet, but I’ll tell him tomorrow morning. A strange lady gave me the gift, and it’s the same one Lady Myla took from me to give to Mamá on the day of my ceremonia. Do you remember?”
She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t remember, but I was so focused on your hair and dress and the suitors. Wait … I thought the relics were all accounted for?”
“That’s why I was looking at you during the meeting.”
“To think, I thought you needed to break the tension between you and Cosme.”
A real chuckle tumbled from my mouth. “I probably needed that too. Now, go to bed. I’ll be fine.”
Laude hesitated to move.
“Promise you’ll keep this a secret?” My voice came out in a whisper.
“You needn’t ask.”
The next day arrived. Dull light shone through the singular window as Laude and I readied to meet Monserrat and the king and queen. Today we’d be in the hands of those ready to betray us. Worry wove in my stomach and made breakfast impossible to swallow.
Once La Lavia docked, Laude and I waited in the ship’s darkened corridor for Cosme to escort us off. Through the closed door, we could hear rain pelting the decks. Would Monserrat call for our arrest? Had she changed her mind about being a friend to Giddel? Huddled in silence, we stewed in our own thoughts.
“How did your lessons with Whyzer Uly go?” Laude asked.
The markings along my arms pulsed, the gift begging to be released. “We haven’t talked about my gift, have we?”
She bit her lip, contrite. “Sorry, Princess. I guess my mind has been full—”
“Beatriz,” I corrected her. “We’re by ourselves, and you’re my best friend. Please skip the formalities and call me by my name.”
“Yes, Beatriz. As you say, Beatriz.” She wrinkled her nose in disapproval. “It feels too odd.”
“You once called me Cicadas. I think my name ought to be an appropriate alternative now that we’re even better friends. Wait, we never agreed to that name.” I wracked my brain for the fake alias we devised. “You called me Cypress.”
Laude’s perky cheeks drooped with an expression I couldn’t place.
“And as for your question about my lessons, I made progress.” I allowed a trickle of warmth to swoop from my elbow to my fingertip. A trace of a glowing line reached out to Laude and twirled around her shoulders, bringing back a heavy helping of guilt. I flinched and wound the energy back into my grasp. “So long as I can tame my emotions, I can control how much power I release … I hope.”
Laude’s eyelids drooped with compassion. “You should consider allowing your gift to run freely. I don’t know anyone who focuses so hard to contain their gift.”
“It’s complicated.” I crossed my arms. “Would you please check why Cosme tarries?”
Two servants in green vests and white puffy sleeves barged in from outside, marched through the passage, and entered our room on La Lavia. One of the men called to us from the other end of the hallway. “Are these the only trunks?”
“Yes,” Laude responded.
The two fellows lugged our trunks past us. The open doorway confirmed an unpleasant rainstorm would soak our dresses. Many sailors raced across the decks.
The door shut again, leaving us enclosed in the dark corridor.
Laude lifted her index finger. Her markings glowed, and a flame ignited a fiery orange. “What do you think is taking so long?”
“We aren’t exactly expected .”
An aching minute passed. Laude rocked on her feet, and I rubbed my sleeves. The rustling of the fabric seemed to echo in the seemingly abandoned hallway. After all that had transpired between Cosme and Monserrat, I doubted anyone would expect us to accept the invitation to the ball. What conclusions would they come to about us arriving with so many uninvited guests? Perhaps we could pass off Jaime, Zichri, and the other Dotados as servants. But Minerva being so powerful might be an issue, should they have one who could discern gifts.
Cosme swung the door open. Water raced along the sharp edges of his face and ran over his cloak. “Ready?”
“Will Aracibel view our arrival as a threat?” I clasped and unclasped my hands, suddenly nervous to set foot in the palace.
“If the Ancient One wills, we’ll be safe.” Cosme extended two umbrellas to Laude and me. “As far as they know, you’re giftless since you haven’t shown any signs of coming into your power. Everyone thinks it was a guard who saved you. I might have had a hand in that speculation. Here. You can freshen up before supper.”
“Where’s Zichri?” I asked.
“He—ehh—went out with Minerva to do a little patrol.” Cosme’s forehead scrunched like there was more to the story.
Something coiled inside my heart at again being left in the dark.
“And what of Jaime?” Laude asked with eagerness spiking over her usual cheerful manner.
The lines on Cosme’s face softened. “With Zichri and Minerva.”
“And what of Lucas … and the others?” I arched my brow.
Cosme blew out his cheeks. “Lucas is with Zichri also. Should I draw a map for you and give you a schedule of each of our movements?”
I sighed. “Truly, I hope that wasn’t a bathroom joke.”
Laude snorted with laughter and corrected herself at mine and Cosme’s deadpan stares.
“Beatriz,” Cosme dropped his voice, “our relationship with Aracibel is tentative. I need you to be a princess on a diplomatic mission.” He shoved an umbrella at me. “I need you to act like nothing is amiss. Your ignorance will keep you safe.”
My lips twisted. Cosme’s words about me being petulant thundered through my mind like the roaring surf thrashing against the galleon’s side, even though he softened his tone. The ship rose and fell with a gust of wind. I clung to the wooden wall. “Yes, brother.”
Cosme flashed his canines with forced merriment. “Let’s get on with this.”
By the time we shook off the rain from our overcoats, Princess Monserrat, King Sebastian, and Queen Tatiana greeted us in their grand atrium. A row of servants in yellow garb dipped and bowed on either side of us.
“Welcome, dear friends of Giddel.” King Sebastian flourished a hand in our direction. He shared Monserrat’s slender features but had a harder edge to the angles of his face.
I curtsied. Laude followed suit a step behind me. Rainwater dripped from our umbrellas in her right hand.
Shuffling sounded behind us. Zichri, Jaime, Lucas, and Minerva rushed into the arched entrance and bent low.
“Are these your guests?” King Sebastian’s face pinched in barely contained disdain.
Cosme lifted his gaze to the king. “Yes, these are friends of Giddel hoping for an audience.”
“Not tonight.” King Sebastian adjusted his golden robe. “Tonight, we eat, drink, and enjoy the merriment. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss other matters. What are their giftings?”
“Their giftings cannot be revealed.” Cosme hardened his jaw.
King Sebastian said, “Tsk, tsk. I offer you my daughter’s hand, and you treat me like your enemy.”
I glanced at Monserrat to witness her reaction. Had she not informed her father about the cancelled engagement? When were her parents planning on making their betrayal known? Whatever the answer, it couldn’t be good for us.
“It’s not that.” Cosme crossed over the marble floor toward the newcomers in our group. “Senorita Minerva creates illusions. Senor Zichri cannot tell a lie, Senor Lucas creates wards, and Senor Jaime is a gifted musician.”
“Show me.” King Sebastian gripped the hilt of his sword in a casual manner.
A protest slipped to the tip of my tongue. “Dear King, would—”
King Sebastian’s face cracked into a smile. His focus was fixed behind me.
I twisted my head around. Minerva lifted a curved hand before her eyes. A hole ripped through the air in rays of purple and orange until what hovered before us was a sliver of sunset sky. It hung like a landscape painting made by the most detailed of artists, and a red bird flew into the atrium. The illusion dissolved in a blink, leaving me confused. Wasn’t she a portal maker? The bird flapped up into the arched ceiling and rested on a ledge above.
King Sebastian clapped. Queen Tatiana pursed her unimpressed lips, shifting a black fan to better applaud. Princess Monserrat stared in my direction. She must have been upset that I hadn’t kept my promise to her. She couldn’t have expected me to keep a secret of that nature from my family when she’d tarried so long.
“You, Senorita Minerva, have a delicious gift.” King Sebastian released his hilt. “Can you extend your illusionary reach?”
Minerva shook her head and clasped her hands in a most humble fashion. A pink hue blossomed on her cheeks, giving her an innocent appearance—hard to dislike.
I upturned my chin.
“And what of the other lady?” King Sebastian pointed to Laude.
Princess Monserrat said, “That’s her old maid. The one who can light a flame.” Condescension marked her tone.
“Well, we shall trust your word for the rest, Prince Cosme. Our servants shall show you to your rooms. We dine in an hour.” King Sebastian jutted his elbow out for the queen to clasp. The two strode down the dreary corridor lined with torches on both walls.
Cosme met Princess Monserrat’s gaze for the first time since we'd arrived. She maintained an icy stare, though a hint of something more quivered along her facial lines. Cosme followed the servant without giving his supposed betrothed so much as a personal greeting.
An uncomfortable minute passed as servants trailed Cosme with our belongings. I was about to follow, when cold fingers wrapped around my wrist. Princess Monserrat drew me into a hug. My spine went rigid.
Her mouth neared my ear, and I resisted recoiling so as not to draw more attention to her odd greeting. “Read this only after you’ve entered your quarters.” She stuffed a parchment into my palm and separated an arm’s length. A smile chiseled of pink stone graced her lips. She had a delicate nose, unblemished golden skin, and the countenance of a hawk.
Laude nudged my side with a question sprinkled in her blue eyes that were large as saucers. I mouthed, “Upstairs.” Never had I seen a lady in a fine dress climb the stairs faster than Laude on a mission to hear a secret. In her haste, she almost passed Cosme, but she slowed when she reached him. The tap-tap-tap of her heeled boots led me through a polished sandstone walkway.
A tall male servant opened a gilded door meant for royalty. “The princess’s guest quarters.”
Cosme cut in front of me and looked over his shoulder. “Wait here with the girls.” He signaled to Lucas and knocked into the servant’s side while plowing into the quarters. A minute later he reappeared. “All clear.”
When Laude bounded into the doorway, the servant with his hair slicked back and fine-lined mustache called to her, “Excuse me. These quarters are meant for the esteemed guests of the king and queen. You’ll be in a spare servant’s room.”
“No, she will share my suite.” I clung to Laude’s forearm, reassuring her with a gentle squeeze.
“But Princess—”
“Retrieve her trunk and bring it here.” I pursed my lips and lifted a challenging brow at the male servant.
The servant dropped his head in deference and retreated. I shut the door, turned the lock, and lifted the note from Monserrat for Laude to see.
Her downturned mouth flipped. “Open it.”
“Wait.” I let my gifting drizzle down my arms and spread from my body. A slight glow emanated off my skin. An instant connection formed between Laude and me, like an invisible rope from her heart to mine. Warmth vibrated from her and soothed my insecurities. As my power spread from my body, no more connections formed, meaning we were alone.
“Give it to me, I’ll open it.” Laude yanked at the corner of the paper.
I tugged back. “Let me.” My fingers couldn’t work quick enough to unfold the small paper. Laude’s finger glowed and sparked into a small flame, shedding light on the note.
Beatriz,
Meet me on the balcony alone after we dine. I have some news of much interest to you.
Monserrat
“Ai-yi-yi! Why does she have to drag it on like this?” Laude blurted.
I pursed my lips. “I haven’t the slightest clue.”
“Are they going to kill us?” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Poor, Cosme.”
Though Laude’s speculation seemed far-fetched, I would be remiss to not take the message with a degree of seriousness. “Be on your guard. I suspect more foul play.”
“Let’s burn the note for safe measure.” Laude lit the tip of her pointer finger into a single flame.
I slipped the note over Laude’s fire, igniting the parchment. The paper flickered with deep orange as flames consumed it. Smoke snaked between Laude and me until a knock on the door startled us.
Laude stomped the charred paper remains, putting out the fire.
“It must be your trunk.” I crossed toward the door, coughing and waving away the fumes.
At the twist of the knob, two male servants carried Laude’s garish trunk into the quarter without so much as a whisper. What more could Monserrat have to tell me?
When Laude and I were alone again, I flipped the lid to her chest. “It’s time to turn you into the rose of the evening.”
“You don’t have to do this.” Laude clasped and unclasped her hands.
“Do what?”
“Pretend I’m highborn. I know my place. So does everyone else in the palace, and I rather like being left alone to chat with Jaime while you and your brother do all the negotiating.”
Grabbing a turquoise dress that complimented her hair and eyes so well, I dropped it into her arms. “Are you not a Dotado?”
“I am, but …”
“But nothing. We’re going to find out what Monserrat has to say. You’re going to walk beside me with your head held high, no matter what the king and queen of Aracibel think of you. To me, you are family, and they will respect you as such.”
“A member of a royal family who can only light a flame?” Her eyebrows crashed together as if to emphasize the absurdity of her question.
“You’ll train with Uncle Uly too.” I lifted my chin. “Don’t give me that look. You’re doing me a favor. I’m not making much progress, and he needs a more willing pupil to take some of the pressure off me.”
“Your father won’t be pleased.”
“Leave Papá to me.”
“Princess—I mean Beatriz—you know that not all of us have extraordinary abilities. I am content to light lamps.”
Grabbing Laude’s shoulders, I met her gaze with heat pulsing at my temples. How did she not know how important she was to me and my family? “A small flame is all it takes to make a vast difference in this world. You know that?”
Laude wiped her cheek. “If you say so.”