Restless: An Agata Sea Novella, #2

By Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Gaining freedom from her old master, Whyzer Patro, doesn't mean that Cottia can now be a princess.

Everyone understands that ... except Prince Ezer.

 

When an old assassin friend comes into town, he brings her information about Whyzer Patro's next move and offers her an opportunity to make Prince Ezer understand that princes and ex-assassins don't mix.

 

The plan should work, but Prince Ezer is stubborn.

 

And to make matters worse, Whyzer Patro and his associates have a vendetta that can usurp Prince Ezer's power.

 

Praise for Ruthless

"Fans of no-spice romance with a dash of darker themes will love this book about an assassin changed by the unlikely friendship of a prince who can see beyond a person's past. The banter, the one-horse moments, and the Latin vibes will keep you turning pages late into the night."

- C. F. E. Black, author of

The Starlit Prince

 

"Ruthless is a beautiful companion to Unbetrothed, giving us an exciting glimpse into the life of Beatriz's mother, Cottia. Yamnitz dazzles with immersive description, thrilling action, and a splash of romance. The story also carries a beautiful faith metaphor, reminding the reader that change is always within reach. This was an enchanting tale from beginning to end and I enjoyed another journey into the world of the Agata Sea."

- Ashley Bustamante, author of the Color Theory trilogy

• Language: English
• Publisher: Concepcion Press LLC
• Release date: Apr 7, 2025
• ISBN: 9798990831100

Book preview

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"Now to him who is able to do

far more abundantly than all

that we ask or think."

Ephesians 3:20a (ESV)

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Copyright ©2025 by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

For permission requests, contact Candice Yamnitz at [e-mail].

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Edited by Jessica Gwyn, Sarah Everest, and Claire Kohler

Cover and interior design by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Title: Restless / Candice Pedraza Yamnitz

Description: Series: An Agata Sea Novella; book 2 | Audience: Ages 13+. | Summary: Gaining freedom from her old master, Whyzer Patro, doesn't mean that Cottia can now be a princess. Everyone understands that ... except Prince Ezer. When an old assassin friend comes into town, he brings her information about Whyzer Patro's next move and offers her an opportunity to make Prince Ezer understand that princes and ex-assassins don't mix. The plan should work, but Prince Ezer is stubborn. And to make matters worse, Whyzer Patro and his associates have a vendetta that can usurp Prince Ezer's power.

ISBN: 979-8-9908311-9-3 (paperback)

ISBN: 979-8-9908311-4-8 (hardback)

ISBN: 979-8-9908311-0-0 (e-book)

Subjects: Young Adult -- Fiction. | Royalty -- Fiction. |Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Romance

Contents

Full Map

Agata Sea Region

1.Cottia

2.Cottia

3.Gema

4.Cottia

5.Cottia

6.Gema

7.Cottia

8.Cottia

9.Cottia

10.Gema

11.Cottia

12.Gema

13.Cottia

14.Cottia

15.Gema

16.Cottia

17.Cottia

18.Gema

19.Cottia

20.Cottia

21.Gema

22.Cottia

23.Cottia

24.Cottia

25.Gema

26.Cottia

27.Cottia

28.Cottia

29.Cottia

30.Cottia

Acknowledgements

About the author

Also by

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Chapter 1

Cottia

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Prince Ezer wove his hand with mine as we took our early morning walk through the cobblestone streets of Giddel, my new home. His warmth and firmness stretched a blanket of protection over me that I had never experienced before. We strolled through the kingdom, enjoying the yeasty aroma from a nearby bakery and each other’s company like we had every morning this last month. The sun rose behind the Palace of Giddel, an enormous sandstone building with extensive grounds atop a cliff, but I wanted to get this one conversation off my chest before we returned.

Should we go to the docks? Ezer stopped at an intersection where we could still view his palace ahead or turn down a narrow walkway between buildings that led toward the cerulean shore.

To the Agata Sea, of course. I smiled at him, a smile that came without effort or pretense.

We turned the corner and headed on our way without constant worry or danger lurking around every corner. I never thought someone like me would get to enjoy such a day in her lifetime.

Movement caught my attention to the right. A lady with a hood pulled over her head crept away from us. She was likely spying on our sweet moment because Ezer was supposed to be deciding which of the dozen ladies waiting eagerly in the palace would make him a suitable bride.

With head lifted high, I kept my composure at such an intrusion. He had chosen his bride a month ago, but every time Ezer had told me he would declare me as his choice, fear had struck my heart.

But not anymore.

Today I would declare that I was ready for him to announce his decision, to name me his betrothed. To think, only a month ago, I’d been a slave to a wicked whyzer, forced to murder for the twisted lord. But the Ancient One and Ezer had changed all that, the Ancient One with his tomes and undeniable power and Ezer with his kindness.

Each footfall down the stone steps brought us closer to our forever future. Vines hung on every small terrace above, giving the path a magical sensation like all of this was meant to be. But part of me inwardly clenched, waiting for Ezer to wake up and realize I wasn’t a fit choice for a prince.

When we returned to the Palace of Giddel, I would rush to find Gema, the only other person who could understand how I felt because she had been a slave to Whyzer Patro too. She had been my best friend for the past five years, save a couple of weeks when someone else had held the honor.

We reached the shoreline road and crossed to the other side. This would be the day and the place where I admitted how much I adored the prince despite the fear clawing in my chest alongside my special gifting. Perhaps I should use my ability to check Ezer’s heart rate and breathing to assure myself that he was experiencing the same wily bodily symptoms I had flowing through me.

He tugged me down the stairway to the docks, where galleons flowed with ship workers. I yanked him back to a short stone wall that caught the yellow haze of the morning light just right. This spot had the best view of the turquoise sea, making it ideal for a declaration of such importance.

More people moved along the road than I’d daydreamed about the entire walk, but that was my fault. I should have moved us along before the town awakened and the guards opened the gates into Giddel.

Ezer? My voice came out far too high-pitched for my liking.

Cottia? he returned. His hazel eyes gazed intently at me over the most heart-melting grin. Everything about his masculine jaw and the way he held himself drew me into his embrace.

I have something to tell you.

He held my waist as if he were hanging on my every word.

We’ve gotten to know each other, and I’ve told you everything about Papá dying, our poverty, Mamá sending me off to Whyzer Patro, and what happened there. Do you fully understand who I was and what I did?

I do. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

You know about my sister and how much your title scares me. My thoughts screamed at me, Get on with it, Cottia. Now you’re just stalling.

I want you to choose today.

You do? His quick response and wide grin bespoke his excitement.

Yes, and I have to tell you how much—

"Excuse me, señorita," said a short man beside us. The man held out a missive closed with a red wax seal. The emblem was the one Isabelia, my fifteen-year-old sister, used when she had an important message that required a cipher to read.

"Gracias." I snatched the paper from his grasp and broke open the seal. The unique handwriting was Isabelia’s, and the date suggested she’d sent this two weeks ago. A weight pressed against my breastbone. The messenger I’d sent to tell her of my new residence hadn’t been able to find her. She should have sent something like this to Castillo Patro.

That was odd. Ezer followed the man with his stare. What is the message? Who is it from?

My sister.

Was that her courier?

No.

We both looked after the short man walking away in a rough spun jacket. He turned his head backward to meet our eye with what could only be described as a sneer of delight. The face morphed ever so slightly into a pointy nose and twisted lips that would forever be chiseled into my memory. This fellow had a weak illusionist ability that allowed him to change his own features ever so slightly. In all my nerves over accepting Ezer’s proposal, I’d missed the signs of a gifting in use, and I didn’t recognize the man behind the illusion. I couldn’t breathe.

What’s wrong? Ezer’s eyebrows pressed together in concern.

We must go back to the palace.

Why?

Whyzer Patro is after me.

Chapter 2

Cottia

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The message was clear. I would never be out of Whyzer Patro’s reach so long as he lived.

Gema and I searched the grove behind the palace garden for poisonous, white petals sprinkled atop the cliffs beside the Agata Sea. Midday light dappled my fine blue gown and added a sheen to Gema’s hair, the fiery color of the flesh within a mamey sapote fruit.

Do you think he’ll send an assassin? Gema stuffed the petals into her basket beneath a pile of orchids and roses.

I cringed at how she handled the flowers and mixed them with the roses I had planned to brew into tea. Not sure. Try not to—

She passed me a withering look, telling me to back off from correcting her.

Perhaps I had been particular all morning concerning our preparations for battle. But I would never apologize for taking extra precautions when it came to Whyzer Patro.

Have it your way. I rubbed at my sleeve where I’d tucked my sister’s missive. She’d encoded a name amidst her rambling sentences: Benito.

Gema ripped off her boots to let her toes sink into the lush foliage, truly carefree and wild, like her unruly curls. Why do you look like you swallowed a sour berry?

It’s nothing important. It was my first lie since I’d read not to lie in the Ancient Tome.

From the moment we’d settled in Giddel, my friend had acted as if all our binds had disappeared, as if we were free. I understood the sentiment more than she did, since the whyzer had turned me into his puppet by burning a binding mark on my upper arm.

Today, Prince Ezer plans to make his selection announcement. Her much-too-perky tone matched her confidence.

And here was the conversation I’d hoped to avoid. Sweat slicked my palms with a new obstacle I wasn’t used to handling. I could work with assassins all day long. Love interests? Not so much.

Gema’s expectant gaze prodded the words from my mouth.

Prince Ezer made a mistake. I uprooted a precious flower and set it in my basket for safekeeping.

But he has chosen you.

He barely knows me. I adjusted my puffy skirt.

I know just what you need.

Don’t say it.

But I must—

Gema, you’re my best friend. We’ve known each other since we were young girls ripped away from our families. Spare me your silly notions and place your feet on the ground.

As I see it, my feet are more on the ground than yours. She stuck out her tongue and wiggled her toes.

Even if Ezer can look past our old lives under Whyzer Patro’s tutelage, his parents won’t. His kingdom won’t. To them, I will always be . . . The words stuck to the roof of my mouth.

Say it. We’re alone. There’s no reason to hold back the truth in private.

I pitched my voice low. A murderer.

There. Was it so hard to admit the truth to yourself? You needn’t worry so much. The prince is starstruck by you, and every lady vying for his hand knows it. They’re all jealous. Now, let’s see if the cook has any churros on hand. Ehh? She led the way back toward the palace.

Though the churros should have added a fire of anticipation to my steps, the idea of being named the princess-to-be shriveled my stomach into a walnut. On the walk back through the forest and palace gardens, I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t even pray to the Ancient One.

Why couldn’t my apologies shred the guilt lodged in my heart? It affirmed that no level of sorrow on my part would ever make up for all the lives I’d stolen. Surely, the prince of Giddel would one day wake up in regret when other people found out about me.

We walked in through the servants’ entrance, and the scent of yeast from baking bread and fried dough curled through the