Maicu stood over him. “You think too much about things that do not concern you.” The edge of his blade sank into the dirt a handsbreadth from Kasik’s face. “You used to be much more fun.”
It took a moment for Kasik to regain his breath and answer the emperor. “I could say the same about you.” He took the hand that Maicu offered. “And I am only concerned with your safety.”
Maicu grinned, and it immediately reminded Kasik of the friend he once knew. “I am perfectly safe with you, am I not?”
Kasik rolled his eyes and huffed a laugh. “You think too highly of yourself.”
“Do I? I’m decent with a blade, deadly handsome, whip-smart, and perceptive.” Maicu walked toward the edge of the ring and Kasik followed. “Perceptive enough to see things that others do not see for themselves.”
Kasik’s steps faltered.
“For example.” Maicu inspected his blade before passing it to his guard, who wiped it free of dirt and then gently slid it into the scabbard at Maicu’s waist. “I can see that you care for Nina.”
Kasik tensed further, mind racing. “I care for her safety,” he vehemently stated. “As you have commanded me to.”
“Ah.” Maicu turned to face him fully. “I think it is more than that.”
“You’re wrong.” Kasik shook his head and held Maicu’s eyes, a carefree smile plastered onto his face. “It’s not often it happens, but it is possible.”
Maicu clamped a hand around the back of Kasik’s neck, his long fingers digging into the pulse points on either side, and pulled him closer, until there was only a sliver of space between them. If anyone was watching, they’d think it a friendly conversation. A meaningful touch between men who were like brothers. “Do not insult me, Kasik.” He whispered his name like a rebuke. “I see the way you watch her.”
Several scenarios ran through Kasik’s mind. He could continue to deny it and fuel the emperor’s rage, or he could concede and admit he was right. Either way might earn him a dagger in the belly. He never remembered Maicu being this perceptive. His friend had been raucous and carefree, but this version of him felt unpredictable, lethal.
Suddenly the emperor laughed, his breath tickling Kasik’s cheek before he backed away and removed his hand from Kasik’s neck. He used that same hand to clap him on the shoulder. “My friend, I only worry. Desire changes people. It can turn the most loyal of us into traitors, the fiercest warriors into softhearted pacifists, and the consequences of that are heavier than you can imagine,” Maicu said, eyes narrowed as he inspected Kasik’s face. “But you’ve seen what I am willing to do to protect this land. You understand, don’t you?”
Kasik merely nodded, thrown off guard at the slightly crazed lookin Maicu’s eye, at the way he bounced between friendly laughing and deranged warnings. Maicu continued speaking, lost in his own thoughts, eyes clouded over as if Kasik wasn’t there at all.
“The gods,” he whispered conspiratorially, as if they were listening. “They demand much of me. Nina will change everything.” Then he straightened and wagged a finger between them. “Thank you for this. Same time tomorrow?”
Though Kasik’s hands were trembling, he folded into a bow. “As you command it,” he said, hoping that it would appease Maicu, that he would leave Kasik to consider what he knew needed to be done.
But Maicu stepped closer and placed a hand on Kasik’s chest. Head tilted, he hummed as if understanding something vital. “Be certain that Nina receives plenty of rest tonight. She must be exhausted from your long journey.” Maicu gave him a close-lipped smile and then turned away. “Oh, I want you to bring Nina to my rooms for dinner tomorrow night, and leave Taruc to guard. I think you need some rest as well.”
“Emperor, I—”
“That was a command, Kasik,” Maicu chided quietly. Dangerously. Kasik nodded, and then Maicu smiled wide.
“You’re a good friend,” he said, patting his chest twice before turning to walk away.
Kasik watched and fought the urge to drive his sword into his emperor’s back. Never in his life had he wished to be free of his honor more than he did in that moment.
35
“Do you know why you are here?” Master Wara asked from across the room, eyes cast up and fingers running through strands of quipu. “In this room with me?”
Nina marveled at the sheer amount of information. It was an entire world contained within one room. It was overwhelming.
“No,” Nina finally admitted. “It seems that I am only meant to obey, not question.”
“Mm-hmm,” Master Wara hummed, and she lost sight of him for a moment as he dove between the bulk of quipu. They were hung from the walls by small golden hooks, more than she could count, each of them a bundle of varying thickness. She assumed there was some sort of system, but she couldn’t begin to imagine how he kept track of it all.
A moment later, he reemerged with a bundle of threads in one fist. “Historically speaking, all acllas are chosen ones—for their beauty or their talent—and are taken to the acllahuasi to be refined and educated so that they can properly serve the gods. But you are joining the emperor in a different kind of bond, and must therefore be educated in the history and customs of Vira, as well as those of the acllahuasi.” Master Wara spread the threads over the table and dropped into a seat. “Please,” he said, gesturing at the seat across from him.
With a sigh, Nina lowered herself. Before she could ask a question, Master Wara leaned forward, his eyes capturing hers with such sincerity that her palms tingled with anticipation. “Today, I am going to tell you the story of how we arrived at this moment, but it will only be half of thestory, as all stories are, and I hope that, by the end, you will feel compelled to share yours.”
All the moments that led her there flashed before her eyes. The fear, the uncertainty, the determination, the desire, the regret, the acceptance. The acknowledgment of who she was and what she was capable of. The things she was willing to sacrifice to keep her family safe. She wasn’t sure if she could share her story aloud without giving away all her secrets and damning herself in the process.
Master Wara didn’t wait for a response before he plucked up a string and began running his fingers over it, the bundled end in front of her and the rest of the threads fanned out in a curve. The chair creaked as she leaned forward. “Long ago, there was an Emperor and an Adviser, a Girl and her Sister, and a Scholar.” Master Wara’s eyes focused forward on a spot past Nina as if he was seeing into the past.
