A noise came from the hallway. Lalo shoved the letters inside the desk drawer and jumped to his feet, prepared to hide. Then he caught her scent. Her heart was racing.
The door slammed open, and Carolina rushed in. “Hurry!” she panted. “Put on your coat and sombrero!”
Lalo did what he was told.
“Have you packed?” she asked.
“Yes.” He pointed to a small satchel.
Carolina grabbed it and swung it over her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Rafa has awakened. The messenger boy said he had to be restrained. My papá is dashing to the healers as we speak.”
Lalo cursed.
She offered her hand. He took it, ignoring how her soft yet callused skin felt in his.
Lalo stopped. “The daggers!”
“I’ve got them. Vámonos.”
CHAPTER 36
Carolina
Carolina tugged Lalo along thecorridor as fast as she could without drawing suspicion. Her heels clicked loudly against the tile as if the soles of her boots had been replaced with horseshoes. Though Lalo was draped in many layers, as soon as they stepped into the open courtyard of the casa, Carolina could feel his body tense. The morning sun was particularly bright for an autumn day.
“Tuck your hands into your pockets,” she said. She’d forgotten to bring him gloves.
He did as he was told in silence. Lalo didn’t need to speak for her to understand his worries—if they didn’t get away before Rafa told the truth, her family would kill Lalo before he and Carolina had a chance to escape to the mountains.
She slinked her arm into the crook of his elbow. They needed to resemble two lovers spending time together. They needed toappear as if nothing was amiss. But inside, there was a nest of nerves.
Lalo leaned in close, his sombrero shading her face. “Your heart is thundering.”
“Just focus on the task ahead,” she snapped. She didn’t mean to sound so harsh, but her overwhelming emotions made her frantic. “The carriage is just out front. The driver believes he’s taking us to check on Jorge, but I have other plans.”
Mamá swept into the foyer from the gardens.
“Ah, there they are,” Mamá said, her cheeks rosy from walking, her hands pressed to her back.
“Amá,” Carolina said breathlessly. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
Mamá waved her off. “How can I rest with so much uproar. The only good news is that Rafa has awakened.”
“Have you heard anything from the healer? How is he faring?” Carolina’s words came out rushed. She needed to slow down, to take a breath, before Mamá grew suspicious.
“Nothing yet, but I expect word any moment.”
Lalo stiffened in her grasp. Carolina gave him a little shove, but he didn’t move. They were both failing miserably.
Mamá raised a brow. “Are you well, Lalo? I know it was a harrowing night.”
Leave it to Mamá to be concerned. If Carolina didn’t make it back, if she for some reason was cut down, her mamá would make sure everyone was okay, even though she would never be the same herself. She was good and pure in that way. Perhaps Carolina hadn’t appreciated her enough. She should have loved her mamá harder. Better. She should have told her she was doinga fine job more often. Raising children must be challenging. Especially willful daughters like Carolina.
Her eyes blurred with hot tears.
