Chapter 22 Ignacio
Ignacio
She had shoved Ignacio into the one place his large body would fit within her tiny wagon: a cramped armoire bulging with costumes, garments, and all her intimate things.
They smelled of her. Of oranges, and jasmine, and soft velvety creams. Even as he crouched inside, his body hunched and twisted at odd angles, it was clear to see that Esmeralda’s organizational skills had not improved since they parted.
And her wagon was cluttered with trinkets.
Her room in his father’s manor had been kept sparse, but she’d had an entire drawer stuffed to the brim with knickknacks.
Dovie had always collected things she liked, especially items she thought no one cared about.
Scraps of pretty paper floating in the breeze.
Broken dolls left abandoned in a park. Bottle caps thrown on the street.
She’d bring them back and tell him that one day she’d pretty them up and display them on a shelf because everything deserved a chance to be cherished.
Voices mumbled through the walls of the armoire. He pressed one eye to the tiny crack between the doors. His fingers dug into the wood to hold him steady. That’s when he saw General Keara. She still wore the fox mask, which covered the top half of her face, but there was no denying who she was.
Gabriel wove his body around the general, trying to stop her. “I must insist you wait in line, senora.”
“My business with the fortune teller will be hasty,” she said.
“It’s all right, Gabriel,” Esmeralda, who had quickly disguised herself with her dove mask and now sat behind a small table, said in a sultry tone. She began shuffling her cards. “I can make time for eager guests.”
A sly smile crept over the general’s lips. She sauntered toward the empty chair opposite Esmeralda and seated herself.
“Gabriel, be a saint, and ensure the customers in my queue know I will be with them shortly.”
He hesitated but slowly slipped out the door, clicking it shut behind him.
As Esmeralda shuffled her deck, she asked, “What would you like the spirits to show you? Your future? Your past? Your deepest desires?”
“I did not come to have my cards read,” Keara said. “I’m sure you already knew that, being the great fortune teller you are. In fact, I’m convinced you already know the answer to the question I have.”
“Oh?” Esmeralda’s posture gave no hint that the general’s words made her uneasy. But that was exactly how Ignacio knew her nerves must be in a tizzy.
Esmeralda was loud in every way. When she spoke, certainly.
But in her gestures, in her movements, in her face.
Her thoughts danced over her features. When she was angry, it was written in the line between her eyebrows.
When she was cross, it was evident in the crinkling of her nose.
When she was happy, one could see nearly all her teeth.
But when she was worried, or hurt, or scared, her face turned to stone.
It went lifeless as if the magic inside her hid behind her heart.
The general rested an elbow on the table. The wood creaked as she leaned close to Esmeralda. Ignacio knew Esmeralda must hate it. She’d never been the kind to enjoy having people in her personal space.
“Where is the comandante’s son?” Keara asked.
“Who?” Esmeralda placed a card down. Then another. Acting as if she were about to read the general’s future.
“Do not play daft,” Keara said.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Esmeralda placed another card down.
Keara slammed her hand on top of Esmeralda’s. “Enough!”
Fuck this. Ignacio started to open the armoire, but Esmeralda met his eyes through the thin crack in the doors. She shook her head nearly imperceptibly.
“I know it is you behind that mask, Esmeralda Montero,” Keara said.
Esmeralda tried to pry her hand away, but Keara clenched tighter, holding her in place.
“You can’t do anything to me so long as I’m within carnival grounds.” Esmeralda’s words came out fast and breathless.
“Believe it or not, your capture is the least of my concerns. In fact, I did not come to the carnival to find you at all. Though, I should have known to look here the moment he defected. The boy never could rid himself of his love for you.”
Esmeralda’s lip quirked up in disgust. Ignacio’s heart plummeted. His love repulsed her. Of course it did. What would a shooting star want with a black hole? She was so dynamic. So full of life. He was a bore who took everything far too seriously.
“We know Ignacio was on carnival grounds. If he isn’t here now, I’m certain he will find his way back.
So, I came here to make you an offer.” Keara released her hold on Esmeralda’s wrist. She leaned back and crossed her arms, looking smug.
“Bring Ignacio to me, and you will be pardoned for your past crimes.”
Esmeralda blinked rapidly. “What?”
“You can leave this place as a free woman. Hell, with my recommendation, I’m certain the comandante would offer you a stipend for your assistance. We’ll even help you go anywhere you’d like.”
Sweat trickled down Ignacio’s back. All Esmeralda had to do to fix her life was tip her head toward this armoire.
If she did, he wouldn’t blame her. He’d failed so many people in his life.
He was never what anyone wanted him to be—not his father nor his schoolmates or fellow soldiers.
Clearly, he had failed her too or she wouldn’t have run away without him.
But he wouldn’t go down without a fight.
He’d have to barrel his way through Keara.
Which was no easy task. The woman wasn’t his father’s right hand for no reason.
She was a vicious combatant. Ignacio had seen her take on three men twice as large as himself.
Their bones were snapped in terrible places before she was even out of breath.
He was mentally preparing himself for war.
But Esmeralda simply added more cards to the growing pile on the table.
“I haven’t seen Ignacio Olivera in a year,” she said.
“According to the jailer we spoke to days ago, a girl matching your description was the one to turn him in. Now, I won’t make this offer again,” the general said.
This was it. She was going to tell Keara where he was. Why wouldn’t she? The general was offering her an out.
“Ignacio is not here, and even if he were, there would be nothing you could do about it. We are safe on carnival grounds.”
An arrogant smirk flitted over Keara’s features. “We might have to test that theory. Especially once Comandante Olivera is made aware that instead of serving your kingdom as a soldier, you’re trying to be a big shot at a circus.”
Esmeralda went statue-still. She didn’t even blink.
“You do not frighten me, General,” she said, far more quietly than Ignacio would have expected. Her confidence was wilting.
“Then you are as arrogant as I remember. The comandante will hear of this. Enjoy your last few days of freedom, girl.”
Esmeralda pulled another card from the deck. Smiling, she spun it to face the general.
“Do you know what this illustration means?” She answered her own question. “This is the queen of thieves. The card speaks of power. Of trust in oneself. It tells me to rely on my gut. And right now, my intuition says I have dozens of customers in the queue, and you’re wasting their time.”
“That is your answer for me, then?” Keara probed. “You will not take the deal?”
“Well, how could I in good conscience when I don’t know Ignacio’s whereabouts?” Esmeralda batted her lashes innocently.
Keara jumped to her feet. “You are a fool.”
“And you are desperate. Not a good look, babe.”
Viper-fast, the general grabbed Esmeralda by the arm. The claws sewn into her gloves dug into Esmeralda’s skin. Her cards fluttered to the floorboards. Ignacio was ready to shove the armoire doors open, but Esmeralda growled, “Don’t.”
He clenched his jaw so tight his teeth ached.
Keara must have thought Esmeralda was speaking to her because she spat, “Don’t what?”
Esmeralda raised her chin. “Don’t let the door hit you on the heinie when you leave.”
“You’ll regret this day,” Keara snarled. “And I’ll be there, front and center, to watch you fall.”