Warmth spreads deep into my belly. He smiles and pulls me closer as we continue to the great hall.
“By the way …” Rumi begins. “There are quite a few Illustrians sleeping in the spare rooms and courtyard. Most decided to stay for Princesa Tamaya’s coronation. She gave a great speech about wanting their help in unifying Inkasisa.”
But did she convince them? They’ve spent years living steeped in their dislike—in their desire for revenge. Princesa Tamaya has a long battle ahead of her. The process of making the nation whole will take time and energy and a strong will.
I stop. “Can I see them?”
Rumi smiles, gently pulling me along. “Of course—that’s why I’m telling you, you fool.”
He laughs when I make a face. The doors to the throne room loom ahead, and I stiffen. Two sentries open the tall double doors to the great hall. As I pass by, they salute and grin wildly at the sight of my creatures trailing after me as if we’re a parade. The llama spits a woolly ball at one of their faces.
At the foot of the room sits the princesa, a resplendent headdress with delicate gold weaving on her head. Her dark hair tumbles loosely around her shoulders.
At my entrance, she jumps to her feet.
“Ximena Rojas,” Tamaya says, grinning. “And company.”
Rumi hands me the sloth and gently pushes me forward. As I walk down the long aisle, Llacsans and Illustrians drop to one knee.
By the time I reach the dais, I’m sure my face is the color of a ripe tomato. The princesa bounds down the steps and embraces me, careful not to squish the animal in my arms. Laughing, she clutches her headdress to keep it from falling.
Tamaya fingers the animal’s moon thread. “This is extraordinary magic.”
“Yours is better.”
“Is it?” She tilts her head. “Or are they both special in their own way?”
“If you say so,” I smile. But I understand her meaning. It was never a competition.
Her gaze drops to the animal in my arms. “Introduce me to your amigo.”
“This is Sloth,” I say. “He’s a snuggler.”
“Bienvenidos.” She opens her arms wide. “To all of you.”
Catalina stands at the side of the dais, flanked by guards. She snaps her head toward the door.
I swallow back the lump in my throat.
“Ximena,” the princesa says. “You saved my life—you and these wonderful creatures—and I will forever be in your debt. I can’t thank you enough. You and your animals are free to live in this castillo as long as you want.”
I duck my head. “Gracias.”
“Will you honor me by joining my council of advisors?”
Sitting around inside and talking all day? I make a face. “I’d rather open a shop in La Ciudad. I want to weave silly things for people to decorate their home with. Tapestries and bags, maybe even clothes one day.”
Tamaya blinks and then lets out a resounding laugh. “Done. Anything else?”
I glance at Catalina.
Princesa Tamaya’s face shifts into a sad smile. “She will be given every chance,” she whispers.
The chamberlain calls Catalina forward. She obeys, stonefaced, refusing to meet my eye.
“Condesa …” the princesa begins. “I want to come to some sort of understanding with you. I don’t mind that you hate me. That is your right as a human being. But will you ever be able to accept me as your future queen? What I do mind is fighting the same fight, month after month, year after year.”
Catalina lifts her chin. “I will not.”
