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“I’ll keep your secret for one more day,” he said. “After that, if you don’t tell him you know exactly where he ought to dig, then I will.”

WHIT

Bloody hell.

CAPÍTULO VEINTIDÓS

I fled into my room, my heart beating erratically against my chest. I frowned into the darkness. The flame from the candle had gone out, the moonlight barely illuminating the small rectangular space. I stepped inside, my blood rioting from what had just happened. Whit had a betrothed. He was getting married. I couldn’t believe it, didn’twantto believe or imagine the woman he would one day callwife.

A dark shape moved in the corner of the room.

I froze, my scream trapped at the back of my throat. A voice whispered, soft and familiar. A voice I thought I’d never hear again. The sound reached me in a murmured hush, urgent, a subtle note of panic puncturing every word. Goosebumps flared up and down my arms.

“Sit down, Inez.”

My knees gave out.

I slumped onto the worn rug, the rough fabric scratching my skin. The shape moved forward, and the outline of a body covered in dark clothing became clearer as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. There was the sound of a match being struck and then a flame appeared, flickering and unsure.

She calmly lit the candle, but her hand shook, and then she closed the curtain and sat down beside me. I couldn’t make sense of who I was seeing, even as hope bloomed deep in my chest. Slowly, she reached forward and touched my damp cheek. I hadn’t known I was crying. Silent tears dripped onto my clothing. I moved forward, and her arms wrapped around me in a tight embrace. My body trembled uncontrollably, and she made a low hum, trying to soothe me.

“Mamá.” I pulled away, impatiently wiping my face with my sleeve. “Mamita.”

Her scent enveloped me, and it was so familiar, a sob climbed up my throat.

“Sssshh,” she said. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

I could barely speak. “Am I dreaming?”

She raised an index finger to her lips. I could barely hear her words. “Softer. Whitford is a light sleeper.”

I blinked at her in confusion, and then I looked over her shoulder, expecting to see my father. But she had come alone. I gripped her arms, hard, my heart understanding before my mind did.

My mother was alive.

Alive.

It was as if I were back in the Nile, swimming against the current, and disoriented. Not trusting my ability to know which way was up. I rubbed my eyes, my eyelashes were wet. It’d been nearly a year since I’d last seen her. Time had left its mark on her youthful face. New lines marred the smooth skin of her brow. I’d forgotten how much I resembled her. The same hazel eyes, the same tanned skin and freckles. I was her mirror image.

“I can’t believe—” My throat locked and I swallowed back a painful lump. “You’re here.Alive. All this time…” My voice cracked. A second chance with my family; I could hardly believe it. I don’t know what I had done to deserve such an extraordinary miracle. “Where is Papá? Is he coming, too?”

“Inez.” She clenched her eyes and used her hem to wipe her sodden cheeks. “He’s gone.”

I brought my knuckles to my mouth. The ground seemed to tilt under my knees. I cried harder, even as I heard my mother make more shushing noises. For a moment, I thought my world had been made right again.

“I’ve been destroyed by grief,” I said in between hiccups. “I never thought I’d see you again. How is this possible?”

Mamá caressed my cheek, her touch soft. “I never thought I’d see you again, either. I’ve dreamed of this moment even though it was impossible. You’ve grown so much, hijita.”

Her words sank into me, one by one. She hadn’t expected to see heronly daughter again? Was she trying to tell me that she’d chosen to stay in Egypt forever? Is that why she let me think she’ddied?

“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered. “You will never know how much.”

My grief evaporated, and something fiery burned under my skin. “Where have you been?”

“Inez,” Mamá said again, trying to reach for me, but I shifted away.

“Where were you?” I whisper-yelled. “All this time,where were you?”