Woven in Moonlight (Woven in Moonlight #1)(84)

It’s as if cold water has been doused all over me. I’m still deceiving them. The truth sits deep in my belly, an indigestible lump.

Rumi needs to know who he’s dealing with.

Tonight.

My pulse races, but before I can dwell on confessing, Rumi takes ahold of the conversation. Thoughtfully explaining how many rebels are hidden within the castillo, ready to pounce the moment Atoc’s weapon is destroyed.

The Estrella. I’m the only one present who knows its current whereabouts.

“Without the Estrella, he’s weak and surrounded,” Rumi says to me. “We have soldiers in his army, servants and stable hands, and more nobility on our side than you can guess.”

He takes both of my hands. My breath catches.

“But without the Estrella, I can’t give the signal. There’s no chance of success without its destruction. Condesa, tell me where it’s hidden so I can destroy it myself.”

This is the moment. The final nail in the coffin between Catalina and me. Turning my back on long years of friendship and duty. The second I give away the location, it’s truly over for her and all the Illustrians hoping for her reign. The silence stretches, poking and stabbing between us as I mull over the decision. Catalina’s heartbroken face swims in my mind.

“If I tell you,” I say haltingly, “what will happen to the Illustrians under my watch?”

“They are welcome in La Ciudad,” Rumi says. “None will be harmed. I consider them peoples of Inkasisa, our equals and allies.”

Juan Carlos is uncharacteristically silent. The rest of them watch me from hooded gazes, their guards up and not daring to make a sound as I consider Rumi’s explanation. I sense how important my next words are to them.

I shut my eyes. “You swear?”

His hands tighten around mine. “I swear to Luna.”

My eyes fly open and Rumi is looking at me with a long, searing stare.

Atoc’s reign will be over. No more threat of war. Tamaya as queen. I find the choice is easier to make than I thought it would be. “The Estrella is hidden at the bottom of Lago Yaku.”

Rumi’s smile is joyous and loud cheers erupt as he cradles both of my cheeks in his calloused hands and kisses me thoroughly. His happiness is a well deep within him, nearly overflowing. Conversation renews around us, and dimly I hear Juan Carlos talk about Tamaya’s execution. I pull away from Rumi. He offers input about the princesa and the plan to save her from death, gesturing wildly and every now and again, glancing at me fondly.

But I shut out his words.

He doesn’t know who he’s really trusting with his life. Who he really cares for. He wants no more secrets between us, but I have one more that can hurt us. Under the table, I clench my fists against the top of my thighs.

Traitor. Rat.



We’re outside in the cool night, walking back to the castillo, neither of us in any particular hurry. Luna is high above our heads, her slanting light guiding the way back to my prison. We all agreed that I needed to be situated in the castillo until the last moment. The wedding is in three days. Before then, the rebels will alert everyone in the castillo when the Estrella’s been destroyed. Rumi’s holding my hand; the other is placed lightly on the hilt of his sword. We’re both wearing our masks, which almost makes what I have to say easier.

Almost.

With every step, the crack in my heart widens and splits open. My hand is clammy in his, but I hold on anyway, because it might be the last time. The thought traps my breath in my chest. My fingers curl into my palm. I can’t let this go further, not without him knowing everything. “Rumi, I have to tell you something.”

“Sounds serious,” he says after a moment. “Can it wait?”

I shake my head. “It has to be said.”

His pupils are black wells in a calm circle of deep brown, but his shoulders give him away. He tenses. “Tell me, Catalina.”

I inhale a deep breath and force myself to say the words quickly. “That’s not my name. It’s Ximena. I’m the condesa’s decoy.”

He jerks away as if I’ve struck him. “What?”

“I’m not who you think I am.”

He stands in a stunned stupor for a moment and then hunches over, as if to protect himself from the next hit. I reach out to touch his arm, but he steps away. The silence stretches, and I breathe deeply, trying to control the frisson of panic coursing through my body. My heart shoves against my breastbone.

He stares at the ground, refusing to meet my gaze. “Explain yourself.”

“Rumi, look at me.”

He slowly lifts his head. The cold, shuttered expression in his eyes threatens to do me in. I contemplate running, but my feet won’t move. I owe him the truth. All of it.

“I’m Catalina’s decoy,” I say. “I have been since I was eight years old. When Atoc demanded her presence at the castillo, it was my duty to take her place.”

Rumi narrows his gaze. “Why? To assassinate the king?”

I bite my lip. “To find the Estrella, but if that wasn’t possible, then yes. I was going to kill him on my own.”

“That’s not all of it,” he says softly. “Otherwise you would have done it by now. You were sent as a spy.”

Once again I hear Catalina’s words.

Traitor. Rat.