“Have you figured out a way to leave this place already?” I’m sort of joking, but when he nods, my laughter evaporates. “What, seriously?”
“This path will lead us back to the base of the hill.” He points to a smaller path next to the market. “And that one leads to the farmlands. I imagine we can make a run for it from there.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“Because it ends at the market. How else will they transport their produce?”
“Is this how you think? All the time?”
“It’s how my mother trained me to think.”
At the mention of Ana, I reach over and place a soft hand on his sleeve. “I miss her too.” Nina glances at us and urges us to hurry. My stomach twists at the thought of meeting Sonco—I still haven’t thought of what to say. All I have is my truth, and I pray to Luna that it will be enough, or else my stay in Paititi will be very short.
Now that I’m here, I don’t want to return to the jungle.
Once we’re on the other side of the river, the path takes us to a large square protected by woven cloths hanging above and filled with wooden stalls. The cloths come in every color and I’m immediately drawn to the bright ambiance of the market. Everywhere people are dressed in a variety of tunic styles and leather sandals, and they mill around, selling produce and pottery, blankets and llama poop. A few call out to us as we pass, and while I long to explore, I keep up with our guide.
“We have many artisans here,” Nina explains. “Tanners and weavers, butchers and dyers. But we also have farmers, each specializing in a different produce.”
“How many people live in the city?” I ask.
“Enough,” Nina says. She leads us off the main path toward a building, larger than the rest but just as white, the golden tiles gleaming in the sunlight. I step inside after her and squint against the sudden dimness.
There are dozens of people crowded in the room, clamoring to be heard. They’re shouting, asking questions in Quechua, but it’s not anger I hear threaded in their voices. It’s something else, and it taints the room.
Fear.
Manuel and I press closer, trying to move forward through the crowd. Someone taps me on the arm, and I turn to find Chaska at my elbow.
“Stand over there.” She gestures to the curved wall. “And listen.” Then she disappears into the crowd.
I pull on Manuel’s sleeve and guide him to the spot she indicated. There’s room for both of us, provided we stand very close to each other, our hands almost brushing. He clears his throat and tucks his hands into his pockets. I survey the room, trying to peer over shoulders to see the Illari leader. A young man stands in front of the crowd, his hands in the air pressing downward as if trying to instill calm energy into the room. He’s dressed in a red tunic that reaches his knees and a necklace made of hammered gold. On his fingers are bands of rings in the same style.
This must be Sonco.
Directly behind him, another man is propped up against the wall—one leg extended straight, the other bent at the knee, his bare foot slapped against the surface. His arms are folded across his broad chest. He’s dressed in a plain white tunic—I say white, but there are more dirt stains than what’s appropriate at a gathering such as this. He might be Sonco’s personal guard. He certainly has the face for it.
It’s been through war.
Three jagged scars slash downward from his left temple, the outermost line nearly running against his full bottom lip. His nose has been broken at least twice, and his hair is shorn close to the scalp—which also displays more ragged scars.
I avert my attention away from the Illari guard and pay attention to the young man dressed in red, who has somehow managed to quiet everyone. His tone is soft and almost soothing. There’s a quiet power to his voice, despite how he appears to be only a few years older than I am.
“I know you’re all frightened,” he says. “As your leader, I promise I’ll find a way forward. But we must work together. This latest news is alarming—”
“What’s your plan?” someone asks.
“How do we keep our people safe?” another cries.
“Where is my husband?” a woman says. “It’s been days.”
“I mourn their loss,” Sonco says. “And I’m hopeful they’ll be found. For now, I ask that everyone remain calm. Turn to our gods for comfort. They will provide it, I assure you.”
I hear the regret and sadness entrenched in every syllable. Manuel and I exchange glances. They must be referring to the parts of the jungle that are dying.
“However, we cannot be caught unaware. If the corrupted area grows, we must send more scouts.”
“Another mission?” someone balks. “Didn’t you lose good people bringing the strangers into our city?”
Several people turn to glare at us. I shift my feet and drop my gaze.
“This will be a different objective,” Sonco says smoothly. “The group will only venture there to observe and report back their findings.” He hesitates. “That’s not to say it won’t be dangerous.”
“What about the dark magic?”
The hairs on my arm stand on end. I go up onto my tiptoes, trying to find who’s asked the question. Manuel nudges me and points.
It was Chaska.
I look at Manuel and mouth, Wow. He nods, then his gaze flickers back to her.
“Did you hear the way some have died?” Chaska asks. “Their bodies torn apart. Arms and legs pulled from their sockets. That isn’t the work of a wild animal. This is a monster the likes of which we’ve never seen. This threat is too close to the city entrance.”
Sonco’s jaw locks.
“If you send out another group, I’ll be going as well,” she demands.
But the Illari leader is already shaking his head. “It’s much too dangerous. We cannot lose someone with your immeasurable talent. You’re our only seer.”
She stills. And then, incredibly, her head tilts and half turns toward where I’m standing. Manuel positions himself closer to me, frowning.
“She can’t mean …” I breathe.
He scowls. “She absolutely does.”
Sonco continues his reassurances. “This time we will send our finest trackers to learn more about the area affected. The more information we have, the better we can plan.”
I nod along with him. It’s a sensible strategy.
“Who will go?” he asks quietly. “I need five. Perhaps six people.”
Chaska immediately raises her hand. Sonco shoots her a disbelieving look. “I said no.”
She drops her arm.
No one else indicates they’re willing to risk their lives for the mission. Dark magic? A monster capable of ripping limbs? I don’t blame anyone for remaining quiet.
Then comes a gravelly voice from the front of the room. “I’ll go.”
For a moment no one says a word. Sonco’s shoulders tense, then he halfway turns to the man behind him, leaning against the wall, his eyes closed. I honestly thought he’d been asleep.
“You’ve only just returned.”
The man shrugs. His eyes are still shut. “You need men. I’ve gone before and at least know what to expect.”
“Brother,” Sonco says. “No.”
The man’s eyes fly open. This is the only part of his face that has any real beauty: His eyes are large and luminous, the color of golden amber, framed by thick black eyelashes that could be raven’s wings.
Sonco must see something there because he angrily turns back around. “Will no one go with him?”
Manuel twitches next to me and I shoot him a sidelong glance. His sense of honor and fairness are on full display. His hand is up to his waist.
“Don’t even think about it,” I whisper.
He scowls. “They need volunteers.”
“That doesn’t mean it has to be you.” I nudge him with my shoulder. “Who’s going to keep me safe among these strangers if you’re not here?”
Manuel immediately drops
his arm.
A few more people’s hands shoot upward, including the man standing next to me. He’s older, and the frowning woman at his side is none too pleased. But his face tells me everything—he stares proudly at Sonco’s brother, admiring and a little in awe.
Sonco acknowledges the three volunteers then once again turns to the man behind him. “Is that enough, Kusi?”
“It will have to be.” He pushes away from the wall. “To the people coming with me, we’ll leave tomorrow at dawn.”
He resumes his position on the wall. Sonco gazes at him fondly, but there’s something else in his expression too. It’s the same way I looked at Ana every time she left for a mission into La Ciudad, searching for food or information—a perfect blend of pride and fear.
“Thank you for your time,” Sonco says. “I ask that you return to your homes and for only the council to remain. We have guests I need to meet.”
Kusi’s gaze unerringly finds mine through the crowd. His attention catches me by surprise, and the only thing I can think to do is smile at him. I hope I look confident.
His face remains remote.
Everyone else shuffles out, glancing at us curiously. Many others frown, and I remember they’ve never had strangers among them. We’re the first—perhaps in centuries—who’ve made it to Paititi. The remaining ten people sit on the floor in a circle. They leave two empty spaces for Manuel and me.
Together we sink to the floor and face the Illari.
CAPÍTULO
Veintidós
Kusi drops next to his brother in a single fluid motion, his legs tucked close and coiled tight, as if ready to strike. On his right hand is a single thick gold band, engraved with a shape at the center, but I can’t make out what it is from where I’m sitting.
He feels my stare and his gaze lifts to mine. Everyone in the room quiets, and I struggle not to drop my eyes. I don’t want him to think me weak or incapable.
Even though I feel like I’m both—a sheltered girl trying to do a woman’s job. How will I make my petition? What if the words don’t come? Or worse, what if they come out wrong? Everything can change in the space of a breath. In the pause between two words.
I pray to Luna I’ll get it right.
Chaska sits on the other side of Sonco.
“Primo,” Chaska says, and I startle, recognizing the word for cousin.
They are all related. The similarities are there—same eyes and dark hair, same pronounced cheekbones and rich bronze skin.
“This is Catalina,” Chaska says. “A traveler from La Ciudad Blanca. Her companion is her guard. He is called Manuel. She understands our language and speaks it passingly well. How do you wish to continue?”
“Castellano,” Sonco says, and his voice is deep, the hottest cup of coffee and just as rich.
“Catalina is a seer,” Chaska says.
At this, the Illari leader straightens. His dark eyes are speculative and assessing. I will my body not to fidget, to look regal and comfortable in my own skin. To not look like I’ve lost everything.
“But her talent needs to be developed,” Chaska continues. “It’s not where it should be, given her age. However, the vulture deemed her worthy of Paititi.” She tilts her head. “The vulture deemed them both worthy.”
Sonco raises an inky brow. “So, you are a seer.”
“Yes,” I say.
“But inept.”
“I’ve been instructed on how to enhance my gift.” I force myself not to glance toward my hands. It’s true that I was educated, but I barely remember it.
Sonco listens quietly, shoulders straight and proud. He does not make any unnecessary movements or waver in his attention. There’s nothing coy about this king, and intuition tells me to play the game honestly, or he might sweep me off the board entirely. “We do not welcome strangers here, outsider. Have you come to learn the ways of Luna?”
I blink, sure I’ve misunderstood. Did he just offer to train me? “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Your gift is a valuable one and it should not be wasted. Among our people, the ability to predict the future is a rare one, and it is usually passed down through families.”
“My great-aunt was a seer.”
“Then you ought to complete your schooling here. There’s much we can teach you.”
It takes everything in me to not cry out in frustration. They expect me to learn about the stars from them? We are Luna’s true children. “I have not come for lessons,” I say stiffly.
“Then why have you come?” Kusi asks flatly.
“I know you don’t invite strangers into your beautiful city,” I say. “I’m thankful to be here. Truly. I don’t come with weapons, but a plea.”
“That much is obvious,” Kusi says. On closer inspection, I realize that he’s a lot younger than I first thought. It’s his battle scars that give him the air of seasoned maturity. But the rest of his face is smooth and unlined, radiating health, except for where steel met skin.
“Brother,” Sonco chides. “Let her speak.”
But Kusi ignores the admonishment. He half turns toward Manuel, one warrior assessing another. “Then again, perhaps you are not as defenseless as you seem.”
“She is my sovereign,” Manuel says. “And I will protect her with my life.”
“You were about to tell us why you’ve come,” Sonco says.
“I’ve come because I need your help—and because it might benefit you as well.”
He drops his chin, and I’m surprised to find the slightest smirk teasing the corner of his mouth. “You’ve come to the jungle willingly?”
My fingers tangle together in my lap. Everyone’s gaze drags across my skin. A thousand accusing pricks. What if he knows of my fate—of what happened back home? That’s impossible this far removed from Illustrian society. Again, my instincts are loud, clanging as sharply as bells. Don’t evade what he’s implying. Meet his words with the truth. I swallow and shake my head. “No, not willingly. I was banished to die here. On my own”—I shift my attention to Manuel—“but I found a friend, someone loyal to my family. I’m the rightful heir to the Inkasisa throne.”
“So you are a princesa of the realm?” he asks. “An important, beloved member of your people?”
“I am no princess,” I say. “I am a condesa, and the only surviving member of my family. They died a little over ten years ago, during the Llacsan revolt that ended with the queen’s death.”
“When one of the Llacsans summoned ghosts.”
“How do you know this?” Manuel demands.
“We have our ways.”
He means spies. My gaze immediately shoots to Kusi. He regards us with a slightly bored expression while Manuel studies him in return.
“Continue with your tale,” Chaska says.
I take a deep breath. “The Llacsans not only called forth ghosts, their leader created a powerful earthquake.”
“Yes, I remember.” Sonco frowns. “We felt the tremors here.”
“That man’s sister now reigns over Inkasisa, a descendant of the people who drove your people from their homes. I’m asking you to lead an army against the city so we can reclaim what belongs to us.”
“And split the kingdom in half?” he asks casually. “Or rule it together?”
My mouth is dry. “I’m sure we can think of an arrangement that works for both of us. It doesn’t have to be marriage.”
Sonco’s eyes warm. “I never said a word about marriage, but now that you’ve given me the idea …” He trails off, considering. “The idea of having another seer in the family is certainly appealing. The gift is hereditary.”
He means heirs. A child of his and mine.
The silence presses into me, as if I were standing between two stones. I’m painfully aware of Manuel, who hasn’t taken a breath for half a minute.
I’m in the same state. Not daring to breathe while Sonco considers my request. The king tilts his head, silently communicating with Kusi, before he straightens. �
��I don’t think helping you is in our best interest. At least, not in the terms you have outlined. We are a peaceful city, prosperous, and hidden from any dangers from external forces. Marching out will only allude to our location. I do not want to rule over a larger country. I do not need more land or wealth. My people are happy and that is enough for me.”
I recoil in shock. He’s denied me—but he can’t. If I don’t have their help, there’s no chance of my ever going home. “Please, I ask you to reconsider.”
“My brother said no,” Kusi says coolly.
“He’s not thinking this through.” I turn to Sonco. “You don’t understand. The Llacsans have murdered my family, my people. Driven us from our homes, our city. Everything we hold dear, our way of life, our culture is gone. They will become stronger.”
“The jungle will protect us,” Sonco says.
“I won’t accept that.” There’s the slightest hint of desperation in my voice. I can’t stand it. “The jungle will protect you? It’s turning against you. Dying before your eyes. How long do you think Paititi will remain hidden? La Ciudad will only become more crowded, its borders expanding. It’s only a matter of time before the Llacsans come looking for the gold.”
“You have my answer. I will not invite war. Should it come, we’ll be ready.”
My heart crumbles, shattering into a million irredeemable pieces. What can I do now? There must be a way to convince him. There has to be—I need his army. In the deepest corner of my heart, I picture myself arriving in La Ciudad, a legion of soldiers flanking either side of my stallion. My people rushing out into the streets, calling for their true queen.
I’ve come all this way. I can’t fail. My heart slams against my ribs as an idea takes root. The words are thick in my throat. Somehow I manage to speak them in a clear voice. “I’m open to the idea of marriage if you’ll grant me access to your army.”
Sonco’s smile is kind. “But your skills as a seer may never fully develop. And I’m not interested in leaving this jungle, not even for a throne you claim you have a right to.”
Written in Starlight Page 18