“Go and prepare. We’ll depart at dawn.”
As I leave, Kusi, Chaska, and Sonco fold into a tight embrace. Every line of their bodies touches, and together they represent the youth of the Illari, the hopes of their people. Leader. Warrior. Seer.
Manuel finds me the minute I exit the building.
“You’re still here,” I say, surprised.
“I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
The effect is instant. My hands start shaking. I pull them behind me, keep my chin lifted and my eyes clear. “That was fast.”
He scrubs his face with a long drag of his hand. “It’s for the best. I did what I said I’d do—brought you to Paititi. You’re in good hands, this city is well protected, and you’ll be marrying the king.” He pauses. “It’s time for me to go. I’ve probably stayed too long as it is.” He drags in air. “I’ve kept my vow to you.”
So it is. There’s nothing more to say. I step forward and he tenses. I swiftly kiss his cheek. “Take care of yourself, Manuel.”
His lips twist, a sharp grimace. “I’ll escort you back.”
I nod, exhaustion forcing my eyelids to droop. We walk in strained silence, only the quiet song of the jungle disturbing the tense air between us. I want to ask him what he’ll do, where he’ll go. But those details will only hurt me. I don’t need to know what kind of life he intends to build without me.
“Can you do something for me?” Manuel asks suddenly.
I glance at him curiously. “What?”
He stops in the middle of the path. We’re close to home, and the path is empty. The odd monkey howls somewhere in the distance, an owl offering an accompanying hoot.
“Don’t go on this mission,” he says, the words coming out rushed. “It’s too dangerous. Chaska is going; she’s a seer. Let her read the stars.”
His protectiveness is showing. Old habits are hard to vanquish. “I can’t stay behind. Luna wants me to go. I can feel it.”
“Will you just think about it?”
The long hours of the day weigh heavily on my shoulders. I lower my chin, and let out a low sigh. I don’t have it in me to argue, so I tell him what he wants to hear.
I lie.
The next morning, I’m ready by the time Chaska knocks on my door. I step out of my room and look for Manuel. He’d slept outside, but now he’s nowhere to be found. He might be in the pool, getting one last bath before venturing into the jungle. It’s such a great idea, I wish I’d thought of it, but I’d collapsed on my bed the moment I stepped inside my snug home.
And cried.
It’s still dark outside, birds chirping and twittering. Chaska is carrying a bundle of clothing for me: dark trousers, long-sleeved tunic, leather belt, and my boots, cleaned and polished to a sheen. In her free hand is a large cup of coffee. I nearly fall into it with relief, enjoying the strong bitter taste that somehow rids the last remnants of sleep. She gives me privacy while I change, and when I step back outside, carrying only my dented telescope, I’m also given a small pack, tightly woven and slightly heavy.
“Dried food, cup for water, hammock and blanket, and netting,” she says. “You said you know how to use a dagger?”
“I’m not that helpless,” I snap.
She raises her brows.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “I didn’t sleep well.”
Chaska peers at me. “I can see that. I’ll carry the dagger for you—don’t want you hurting yourself.”
I blink at her.
“You do need something, though—a light weapon within easy reach.” Chaska thinks on it then hands me a leather strap attached to a quiver full of blowgun darts.
“I have no idea how to use these.” I reach for one of the darts neatly stacked against one another, feathers on one side, the other sharpened to a point.
“Careful. They’re dipped in poison from the rainbow frogs.”
