Woven in Moonlight (Woven in Moonlight #1)(68)

His eyes flicker to Princesa Tamaya and then quickly away, as if he’s been scorched. We both stand and the princesa walks me to the door. “Remember what I said.”

I nod. For some reason I have the strangest feeling that this will be the last time I’ll see her alive. She gives a determined air, as if nothing will stop her from succeeding. I admire her for it. I know what it’s like to yearn for a win.

It’s realizing that I want to let her that stops me cold.





CAPíTULO





Dinner is waiting for me when I get to my room, but not even the sight of crispy pan-fried papas and the garlic-rubbed sirloin roast tempts me to take a bite. Princesa Tamaya wants to destroy the Estrella. I want to reject the idea outright. Having that kind of power offers what can’t be bought: control.

But it never occurred to me that we could win the war against Atoc without fighting a bloody battle. It never occurred to me that we could get to the other side with our consciences unblemished and families intact. Unleashing the Estrella on Atoc and his army, his court, his followers makes us no better than him. Does the princesa have a point?

And now that I know the Estrella’s location, what am I going to do about it? It won’t take but an evening to weave the information and send it to the condesa. But that idea doesn’t sit well—for a reason I’m afraid to think about.

Suyana comes to collect the dirty dishes. She takes one look at the plate and frowns. “You didn’t eat all of your food. Don’t tell me you’re sick again?”

I pull off my socks. “I think I’m just nervous. Don’t call for the healer. It’s only worry and stress.”

She nods as she wipes down the dresser. I expect her to pry, but all she says is: “A bath will help.”

Once again, she surprises me. Instead of questions, she offers comfort. I appreciate the gesture, even if the bathwater usually arrives cold. When I say so, Suyana only smiles and carries out the tray. Later there’s a knock and the water is delivered. My fingers nearly turn to ice when I touch it. The water might have come from the snowcapped mountain.

Then Suyana is at my elbow. “How hot do you like it?”

“Caliente,” I say. “Thank you, though.”

She smiles again and dips both hands into the water. Nothing happens. Her hands are submerged but not a single bubble appears.

“It’s all right—”

“Now touch it,” she says, her voice shaking a little. “See if it’s better.”

Carefully, I dip my index finger into the tub. I pull away with a sharp hiss. “It’s hot!” Her face wears a pronounced grimace. “Suyana, I—Suyana? Are you all right? You look a little pale. Do you need to sit?”

She sinks onto the bed. “Sorry, it makes me weary.”

“What does? Your magic?” I ask. “Do you always feel that way?”

She nods and points at the little bundle she’d brought with her. Inside is a towel and a bar of soap. “You should enjoy the bath while it lasts. I won’t be able to heat it a second time.”

I hold the bar up to my nose. Eucalyptus. I peel off my clothes and climb in, moaning in delight. My first hot bath in four weeks. Divine. A twinge of guilt mars my enjoyment. The Llacsans living in La Ciudad barely have any water.

“What did you think of the princesa?” Suyana asks.

I scrub my toes. “I liked her better than I thought I would.”

“I think most like her better than the king.”

I keep my expression neutral. “Do you?”

“It’s hard not to like the princesa. She’s vibrant and full of life. Consistently optimistic. She remembers everyone’s names. And I always liked how she asked about my mother. I was sad the day King Atoc locked the princesa up. Sad, but not surprised.” Suyana folds one of the towels. “She fought with the king over everything. His decisions, legislation. When she tried to talk him out of marrying you, he’d had enough, I think. It was the biggest fight they had, and it happened during court.”

“I see,” I say, accidentally dropping the soap. This cements what I thought: If she’d been queen instead of her brother, Inkasisa would have been all the better for it. “Did she have any friends in the castillo?”

“She has that way of making everyone feel like a friend,” she says. “But she’s particularly close to Rumi.”

“I think he’s in love with her.”

She frowns. “You think? But he’s so—”

“Smelly, I know!” I sit up in the tub. “What is that stench hovering around him like an angry swarm of bees?”

“He works in the infirmary,” Suyana says, giggling. “All manner of herbs and mushrooms are stored there. We’ve all tried to tell him, but he doesn’t seem to mind.”

“Of course not,” I mutter darkly. “Rumi’s accustomed to it. He’s so odd. And the way he acts during court! As if Atoc bled rainbows.”

“King Atoc,” she corrects. “Rumi’s always doted on His Radiance. We’re all used to it.”

I lift an eyebrow.

“Mostly used to it,” she admits. “Some days he’s more ridiculous than others. Half the time I want to tell him to quit slouching.”