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CHAPTER 13

G ONZALO WATCHED WITH PRIDE as everyone around the campfire groaned with delight eating the fish he had prepared. He stowed the salts and spices meticulously into his sack. I had not expected this from him. The fish was better than I anticipated too. I licked my fingers in secret. Mamá would not approve. Lux would feign insult but chuckle when only I was watching. I wish he were here. Truth be told, I didn’t want to admit I enjoyed the bonfire in the woods with these strangers.

Jaime pulled out a güiro , a hollowed-out gourd with stripes on the surface and a stick, tapping a rhythmic beat. Bum-biri-bum-biri-bum . The black sky spanned above us with a dusting of stars. Orange light glowed on our faces from the campfire. Blas rose to his feet and sang a rather pitchy ballad. The music rattled in my ears and danced through my shoulders.

Milo shot to his feet. “You’re singing it all wrong.” And he joined Blas in a baritone voice.

Laude giggled louder than a bugle leading soldiers into battle. I blew out my cheeks, unable to do anything to tame her. The men noticed her squealsas well and invited her to join them.

“But I don’t know this song.” Laude held out her hands, grinning.

Blas marched in place with a little swing to his hips. “We’ll teach you. Just follow along.”

Laude marched next to him and copied Blas with exaggerated movements.

A burst of hardy laughter erupted among the men. I tried to maintain my poise, but Laude’s ridiculous version of Blas’s song wheedled a smile out of me. Blas impersonated Laude, and my hands flew over my mouth to hold in a rush of laughter. Blas and Milo continued singing while Laude pantomimed them, waving her hands in a circular motion. I couldn’t hold back any longer. My whole body surrendered to the giggles, and I gasped for air in between bouts of laughter.

Zichri scooted closer. “Your servant has a great sense of humor.”

“That she does.”

“Hmmm.” He tapped his chin. A roguish smile tipped the corners of his lips. “Your father is wealthy, I take it.”

I realized my mistake. He had gathered information about me. I pressed a palm on each cheek so they wouldn’t tighten up again from laughter. “You’re a very curious sort. What does it matter to you?”

Zichri raked a hand through his floppy hair. “I was just wondering. You called Laude your friend, but I can’t help noticing that she always calls you Miss Cypress.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s any of your business who we are. You aren’t even supposed to be on this land.” I pouted, turning up my chin.

“You make that expression often. Why do you do it?” There was no insult in the way Zichri asked.

But I took offense anyway. “Those of us from Giddel know better than to ask imprudent questions about the way a person looks.” I turned my head away, attempting to focus on the dancing trio. Zichri’s gaze bored into my skin. I kept my eyes on Laude. She belted a tune from Giddel, and Blas joined in. How he butchers a good song.

Zichri released an airy laugh. “You’re doing it again.”

“How dare you?” I turned toward Zichri, whose eyebrows were drawn together in question. “First, you pry into our personal matters. Then, you take license to mock me. Do you require a payoff to treat ladies with respect?”

“You were being assaulted. I did what any person should do.” He held up his hand, quieting a quip ready on my tongue. “No, a payoff is not possible. I only ask that you let us escort you to your destination.”

The pops and fizzles of the fire filled the silence between us. I hadn’t noticed the music stopped until that moment. His giant brown eyes reflected our little circle. I searched his face for any hidden motives and found none. It was easy to follow his defined jaw and curve of his lips. He kept a serious look, reached his hand up, and placed the other hand over his heart. It took a moment for me to realize that he wanted me to press my hand to his. I’d heard about this Himzo practice for making pacts, but I’d never seen a Himzo before. I assumed they were vulgar and not so handsome. Well, only Zichri was the handsome one in this bunch. But he was also stubborn. Not a good quality.

“Promise to let us escort you? You can put your hand to mine. It usually helps to make pacts with both parties in agreement.” Zichri shook the hand he held up between us.

I bit the inside of my cheek, uncertain if this was the right move. Papá always said that words matter. Words could speak life into what once was invisible. If I agreed, then I was bound to let these men walk us to our destination. My stomach clenched.

Laude knelt before me and grasped my hand. “Miss, please. For my sake, will you put aside your ill feelings about”—she pitched her voice low—“Himzos, and allow someone to help us in our time of need?” She dipped her head most humbly.

I peered up; the others fixed their stares in my direction.

Laude squeezed my hand. “Consider it a gift from the Ancient One.”

“I’ve neither prayed for help on this trip nor given him any reason to intervene in such a way.” I hadn’t even thought about him since the morning of my ceremonia. My mamá is the one who walked through the garden singing songs to him. She was the one who felt his presence like a tangible breeze that spoke to her inner soul, as she claimed. I was my papá’s child, lacking perhaps both the inclination and ability to cultivate such a relationship, though I had summoned the oath. Pain shot from my fingers to my elbows. Was this a sign? A nudge from the Ancient One?

Laude continued, “Either way, take this as a gift.”

That word gift … it dangled before me and stung. That’s what this whole trip was about, a gift. My gift. These men weren’t meant to be here, but I could not admonish Laude in front of them.

I held up my hand. “Fine. We will neither verbally insist on parting ways nor escape in the night until we’ve reached our destination. You have my word.” I waited for Zichri’s nod of agreement before pressing our hands together.

The men applauded. Laude hopped up, pulling me in a tight, bouncy hug.

“That’s great. Yes, we have enemies for guards. Yes, yes.” I patted her back in dismissal and released her.

She squealed with delight while she skipped to Blas. He cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. Just when I thought he was about to sing, he winked at Laude. Hearty laughter burst from our circle.

Zichri stood. A hush fell over the campfire, and everyone around the fire leaned in. Anticipation built with each crackle while we waited. I expected him to give a toast or something to indicate his pleasure in our agreement. But instead,in a low, melodic voice, he sang:

“The heavens roared,

a fire to the ground

Escape to a place

A hope for better days

It would be so, if only …”

The way he sang reminded me of the calm surf of the sea at night. And the story, a beautiful rendition of the escape from the valley of old, now Valle de los Fantasmas. I’d always heard that the Ancient One expelled the people from the city, but the details remained a mystery. This version of the story still told of their hope.

The other men joined in for the chorus, serious—but with a twinkle of something heartfelt in their eyes. It reminded me of … I gasped … my new pocket watch, but that could not be possible.

Yet it had the same melancholy tune, and Myla had snatched the watch from me when she heard the song. And the mysterious woman at the garden party? Could she have been a Himzo spy? Those in Giddel did not trade with Himzos. Impossible. I tucked my trembling hands under my legs while the chorus mingled in the balmy breeze.

Zichri finished the last note, and I took a deep breath. The fire hissed. Laude tossed in another stick. We had enough fodder for the flames to continue all night.

How I wished Lux were here to point out the stories hidden in the starry sky. Only then would this be perfect.

Zichri’s gaze lingered in my direction.

I cast a sideways glance at him. “You should not stare. It’s improper.” I flicked my braid over a shoulder.

“You seem deep in thought.” Zichri drew near.

My pulse quickened under his scrutiny, tightening a ball of doubt in my stomach. Doubt about Himzo affairs in Giddel, and doubt about my disdain for Zichri. I didn’t want to stay among the Himzos. Tomorrow, Laude and I might happen towander. Nothing was promised against doing that. I smiled so as not to reveal my plan. “Laude and I should go to sleep soon.”

“You can take two of our hammocks.” Zichri dug through a satchel at his feet until he pulled out a wad of rope and netting. “Here you go.”

I took his hammocks, and Laude sided up next to me as I stood. She bounced on her toes, eyebrows arching high with glee. The Himzos said their goodnights.

“Don’t go too far into the forest!” Blas shouted across the growing space between us. “No ruffians will take you on our watch.”

Laude trudged behind me, looking over her shoulder, even as we crossed into the tree line.

“Come now, Laude. We haven’t all night.” I reached a finger in my opposite sleeve, scratching. “That’s enough fawning after those Himzos. We’ll figure out a means to part ways with them tomorrow.”

“But you promised them—”

“Enough of your silly notions. Those men will not be so kind if they discover who I am.”