My hand drops away. “I’m going to poke myself with this, I just know it.”
“We should go,” she says, turning.
I follow her, hoisting my pack. We meet the rest of the group at the foot of the stairs, and start climbing as the sun slowly kisses the horizon. Kusi leads the way, Sonco at his heels. I’m incredibly surprised that he’s come, given how dangerous this mission is.
Chaska notices me staring at the brothers. “It was the worst argument I’ve ever heard between them. In the end, Sonco chose to act as an older brother—not as the leader of the Illari.”
I study the members of our party. Along with Chaska, there are two other young men, both lean and carrying spears and slingshots. Manuel is nowhere in sight and I try not to dwell on what his absence might mean.
But I know he’s long gone.
By the time we reach the top of the hill, the sky has brightened to a dewy lavender. It stormed sometime during the night, and raindrops cling to every curling vine and blade of grass, glimmering in the sunlight like gems. Chaska walks ahead of me, and when she stops abruptly, I swerve to avoid crashing into her. I peer around her shoulder to see why we’ve stopped.
My heart snags, as if caught on a nail.
Manuel kneels on the ground, rummaging through his pack. At the sight of us, he slowly stands, slinging his belongings over his shoulder. He looks perfectly unrumpled, dark tunic clean and free of wrinkles, broad hat wiped of any dust and dirt, hair damp. “Buenos días.”
He hasn’t seen me. I shift farther behind Chaska. Maybe he won’t notice until it’s too late. It’s a desperate, foolish thought, but it doesn’t stop me from hiding in her shadow.
“I wanted to wish you luck,” Manuel says. “Buena suerte.”
“Shame you couldn’t join us,” Kusi says. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”
Manuel shakes his head. “It’s time for me to go.”
“Safe travels,” Sonco says. “Need anything?”
Again he shakes his head. I expect him to leave, but he lingers. “Will you return to the same place as last time?” Manuel asks.
“Yes, but this time we have our seers to help guide us forward.”
Manuel tilts his head, and a faint line appears between his brows. “Seers?”
“The condesa will be joining us,” Sonco says.
Manuel’s voice comes out flat.“Why?”
“Ask her yourself,” Kusi says.
Chaska moves out of the way, as do the others, parting down the middle until Manuel has a clear view of me. The blood drains from his face, leaving him unnaturally pale. His hands curl into fists around the straps of his pack. He takes in my clothing, the quiver of darts around my chest, and he visibly winces. “She’snotgoing. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s her decision,” Sonco says. “Luna has been communicating with her, and we need her on the journey to guide us.” He slaps Manuel on the back as he brushes past. “We must go; we’re losing light.”
The group moves as one, passing Manuel, but when I’m within reach, his hand snatches my wrist. “Catalina. What are you doing? You said you’d stay behind.” I try not to show how his touch affects me, but for a moment I’m reminded of when that same hand cupped my check. Was that only yesterday?
“I have a way to help them, so I will,” I say.
“Why must you both go?”
“Because Luna is communicating withme, but if something should happen, they’ll still have Chaska to rely on.”
“This isn’t worth your life,” he whisper-shouts. “When you marry Sonco, he’ll give you an army. Don’t put yourself in this kind of danger.”
“I’m not marrying Sonco,” I say calmly. “And I’m not doing this for an army. Paititi will be my home, and I’ll do whatever I can to protect her.”
His jaw drops. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve had a change of heart,” I whisper. “My whole life, I was told I’d be queen. I never questioned that path. Until Ifinallyrealized that I can choose to stop pretending to be someone I’m not.”
