“Oh, gracias, Sonco,” I quickly say. “Have you met Manuel? Officially, I mean. We grew up together.”
Sonco studies my companion. Both stand straighter, their shoulders rolling back, their chins lifting. Normally I’d find this kind of posturing funny, but Manuel’s completely locked up. Retreated behind an impenetrable door.
“It’s nice to meet you, Manuel. Thank you for keeping the condesa safe.” There’s a pitch to Sonco’s voice that’s meant to cause disruption. The Illari leader faces me, effectively cutting Manuel out of the conversation. “I have something else for you.” His words come out hesitant and a little shy.
“One gift is enough,” I say firmly. “You’ll spoil me.”
“Two gifts will hardly rot your character.”
He digs into his trousers and pulls out a gold necklace with a large crescent moon charm dangling at the end. It’s made of hammered gold and roughly half the size of my palm. The jewelry is the loveliest I’ve ever seen. This is quite a present.
“I can’t accept it.” I take a step backward.
“Nonsense.” Sonco carefully places the necklace over my head. He studies my appearance. “It matches your tunic perfectly.”
I glance down at my clothes. “Did you leave this for me?”
Sonco nods. “I wanted you to have something new. You’re the guest of honor, after all.” He holds out his hand. “Will you join me for a dance?”
Even though it’s the height of rudeness not to reply at once, I sneak a glance at Manuel. He’s turned away, his face is too hard to read.
“Sorry, was I interrupting?” Sonco asks.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say yes, but Manuel stops me cold.
“Not at all.” His tone is the perfect blend of courtesy and respect. “The condesa was just mentioning how she loves to dance.”
The Illari leader immediately holds out his arm.
Manuel slowly distances himself, creating boundaries once more. Blood rushes to my face, fills my cheeks.
Manuel inclines his head to Sonco, and then to me, as if we were a matching set of nobility, bound together by our titles. Then he walks away as Sonco tugs my arm toward the crowd of people dancing, unaware that my heart splinters into a million pieces.
CAPÍTULO
Veintinueve
As soon as my dance with Sonco is over, he leads me to one of the small alcoves, his hand engulfing mine. I chance a quick look at the temple entrance, but there’s no sign of Manuel. Sonco clears his throat, and I return my attention to the Illari king.
“You care for your guard,” he says.
My cheeks warm, but I don’t deny it.
He studies me carefully and quietly. As each second passes, dread pools in my belly. I know where this conversation is going, and I’m not prepared for it. I’d hoped finding the flower in the city would be enough to prove myself. I don’t want to marry him, but I do need his army.
“I’ve been considering the matter and have come to a conclusion thatfeelsright to me,” he slowly begins. “I think you can thrive here, Catalina. I am looking for a capable seer with a true heart, who would make a fine partner.” He smiles briefly. “I regret the feelings you have for another, but I hope, in time, we might have a successful and effective union. I’d have another seer in the family, and you’d have your army.”
My breath hitches at the back of my throat. This is what I’ve wanted, what’s pushed me through the hardest days in the jungle. The reason why I kept going. He’s offering me a position most would die for—a chance to rule Inkasisa, and a say in the governance of the people of Paititi. It’s more than I dreamed of. What’s more, he’s under no illusions about the match. This is a business arrangement, nothing more.
“Will you consider my proposal?” he asks quietly. “I believe it’s a practical solution to your predicament, and your blessing from Luna will help keep Paititi safe.”
For some unfathomable reason, Ximena pops into my mind—her determined face, the scowl she wears when wielding a dagger. She didn’t think I could be queen. But as I stare at Sonco, I wonder if I twisted her words so that they sounded like disapproval instead of the advice of a friend. I close my eyes and her voice rings loudly in my ear:I love you, you’re my best friend, and Iknowyou. If you forget the throne, you’ll be free to be the person you’re supposed to be. Can’t you understand what I’m saying?
At the time I didn’t. The only thing I heard was that she didn’t think I had enough iron in my blood to be queen. She thought me weak, someone who cared too much about what others thought. And perhaps some of that is true, but with miles between us, with the passing of time, her words don’t sound like a weapon against me.
Suddenly the idea of another war doesn’t sit well with me at all.
“Catalina?” Sonco asks in a gentle tone. “What do you think?”
