Esmeralda met Ignacio’s eyes. “Hide.”
Chapter 22
Ignacio
She had shoved Ignacio into the one place his large body would fit within her tiny wagon: a cramped armoire bulging with costumes, garments, and all her intimate things. They smelled of her. Of oranges, and jasmine, and soft velvety creams. Even as he crouched inside, his body hunched and twisted at odd angles, it was clear to see that Esmeralda’s organizational skills had not improved since they parted. And her wagon was cluttered with trinkets.
Her room in his father’s manor had been kept sparse, but she’d had an entire drawer stuffed to the brim with knickknacks. Dovie had always collected things she liked, especially items she thought no one cared about. Scraps of pretty paper floating in the breeze. Broken dolls left abandoned in a park. Bottle caps thrown on the street. She’d bring them back and tell him that one day she’d pretty them up and display them on a shelf because everything deserved a chance to be cherished.
Voices mumbled through the walls of the armoire. He pressed one eye to the tiny crack between the doors. His fingersdug into the wood to hold him steady. That’s when he saw General Keara. She still wore the fox mask, which covered the top half of her face, but there was no denying who she was.
Gabriel wove his body around the general, trying to stop her. “I must insist you wait in line, señora.”
“My business with the fortune teller will be hasty,” she said.
“It’s all right, Gabriel,” Esmeralda, who had quickly disguised herself with her dove mask and now sat behind a small table, said in a sultry tone. She began shuffling her cards. “I can make time for eager guests.”
A sly smile crept over the general’s lips. She sauntered toward the empty chair opposite Esmeralda and seated herself.
“Gabriel, be a saint, and ensure the customers in my queue know I will be with them shortly.”
He hesitated but slowly slipped out the door, clicking it shut behind him.
As Esmeralda shuffled her deck, she asked, “What would you like the spirits to show you? Your future? Your past? Your deepest desires?”
“I did not come to have my cards read,” Keara said. “I’m sure you already knew that, being the great fortune teller you are. In fact, I’m convinced you already know the answer to the question I have.”
“Oh?” Esmeralda’s posture gave no hint that the general’s words made her uneasy. But that was exactly how Ignacio knew her nerves must be in a tizzy.
Esmeralda was loud in every way. When she spoke, certainly. But in her gestures, in her movements, in her face. Her thoughtsdanced over her features. When she was angry, it was written in the line between her eyebrows. When she was cross, it was evident in the crinkling of her nose. When she was happy, one could see nearly all her teeth. But when she was worried, or hurt, or scared, her face turned to stone. It went lifeless as if the magic inside her hid behind her heart.
The general rested an elbow on the table. The wood creaked as she leaned close to Esmeralda. Ignacio knew Esmeralda must hate it. She’d never been the kind to enjoy having people in her personal space.
“Where is the comandante’s son?” Keara asked.
“Who?” Esmeralda placed a card down. Then another. Acting as if she were about to read the general’s future.
“Do not play daft,” Keara said.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Esmeralda placed another card down.
Keara slammed her hand on top of Esmeralda’s. “Enough!”
Fuck this.Ignacio started to open the armoire, but Esmeralda met his eyes through the thin crack in the doors. She shook her head nearly imperceptibly.
“I know it is you behind that mask, Esmeralda Montero,” Keara said.
Esmeralda tried to pry her hand away, but Keara clenched tighter, holding her in place.
“You can’t do anything to me so long as I’m within carnival grounds.” Esmeralda’s words came out fast and breathless.
“Believe it or not, your capture is the least of my concerns. In fact, I did not come to the carnival to find you at all. Though,I should have known to look here the moment he defected. The boy never could rid himself of his love for you.”
Esmeralda’s lip quirked up in disgust. Ignacio’s heart plummeted. His love repulsed her. Of course it did. What would a shooting star want with a black hole? She was so dynamic. So full of life. He was a bore who took everything far too seriously.
“We know Ignacio was on carnival grounds. If he isn’t here now, I’m certain he will find his way back. So, I came here to make you an offer.” Keara released her hold on Esmeralda’s wrist. She leaned back and crossed her arms, looking smug. “Bring Ignacio to me, and you will be pardoned for your past crimes.”
Esmeralda blinked rapidly. “What?”
