Woven in Moonlight (Woven in Moonlight #1)(97)

“Is it?” She tilts her head. “Or are they both special in their own way?”

“If you say so,” I smile. But I understand her meaning. It was never a competition.

Her gaze drops to the animal in my arms. “Introduce me to your amigo.”

“This is Sloth,” I say. “He’s a snuggler.”

“Bienvenidos.” She opens her arms wide. “To all of you.”

Catalina stands at the side of the dais, flanked by guards. She snaps her head toward the door.

I swallow back the lump in my throat.

“Ximena,” the princesa says. “You saved my life—you and these wonderful creatures—and I will forever be in your debt. I can’t thank you enough. You and your animals are free to live in this castillo as long as you want.”

I duck my head. “Gracias.”

“Will you honor me by joining my council of advisors?”

Sitting around inside and talking all day? I make a face. “I’d rather open a shop in La Ciudad. I want to weave silly things for people to decorate their home with. Tapestries and bags, maybe even clothes one day.”

Tamaya blinks and then lets out a resounding laugh. “Done. Anything else?”

I glance at Catalina.

Princesa Tamaya’s face shifts into a sad smile. “She will be given every chance,” she whispers.

The chamberlain calls Catalina forward. She obeys, stonefaced, refusing to meet my eye.

“Condesa …” the princesa begins. “I want to come to some sort of understanding with you. I don’t mind that you hate me. That is your right as a human being. But will you ever be able to accept me as your future queen? What I do mind is fighting the same fight, month after month, year after year.”

Catalina lifts her chin. “I will not.”

“Then you’ll drink the koka tea,” Princesa Tamaya says, and motions to one of the attendants standing by the dais.

Catalina sways on her feet.

“No,” I say breathlessly. “No, por favor.”

I drop to my knees. Catalina will never beg for her life. But I have no such qualms. She needs to live—or else she’ll never have the opportunity to change. To learn. I want her to have the chance.

The princesa hesitates. “She’s that important to you?”

I nod.

Princesa Tamaya’s poised and serene expression wavers. “Then I’ll spare her life, but she cannot stay here. Catalina, you are banished to the Yanu Jungle and will be escorted there immediately.”

I gape at the princesa. The jungle? “She won’t survive. She’s been sheltered her whole life!”

Catalina stiffens, and her lips pale.

The princesa shakes her head. “That’s my decision.”

I turn away, struggling for composure. Damn Catalina’s stubbornness! If only she’d relent. I stare at her, beseechingly. “Catalina … accept her as your queen. Por favor.”

Her face hardens. “I’ll die first.”

“I’ll let you have a moment,” Tamaya says.

“No need.” Catalina whips around. She marches down the aisle, the guards on her heels. No words of goodbye.

I stare at the door long after it closes behind her. “Did it have to be the jungle?”

“I think she’ll come out the better for it,” Tamaya says thoughtfully.

If she comes out at all. What kind of horrors will she encounter there? She’s never been left alone. But I’m not Catalina’s protector anymore. I’m not her decoy. She doesn’t even consider me her friend.

I wrap my arms around my stomach. The condesa needs to learn how to fight her own battles—especially the ones she creates for herself.

“I’m going to need your help in the coming months,” Princesa Tamaya says. “As you, though. Not a decoy, or anybody else.”

My gaze lands on Rumi as he approaches the throne. Every choice has brought me to this moment, and I know in my bones that I’m meant to stand here with the rightful queen of Inkasisa, in a castillo that no longer feels like a cage but a home filled with people who are like family. Rumi smiles at me and I take a step forward, meeting him halfway. He cups my cheek. The sloth burrows deeper into my arms. The birds fly around in circles, happy and free. I can picture Luna smiling down at me.

I’ve made the right decision.

I’m ready to be me.

Only me.