CHAPTER 19

Ana

Last night was a complete and utter mess. It’s partly my fault for thinking it was a good idea to bring Kiki to the tavern. Hell, she wasn’t ready to go back out. I should have known.

But even if I had, it wouldn’t have made a damn bit of difference. We need answers. And we’re going to get them. Tonight. A second stab at talking to Rosalita. I wonder if she knows about Ale. I wonder if anyone has told her. If I had known, if I had even suspected that she and Ale—

But then, of course she would know. That sort of gossip would never remain contained. The death of one of Potosí’s most eligible bachelors at the viceroy’s ball of all places would be too salacious—that’s one of Kiki’s favorite words, salacious—to remain silent.

But maybe Rosalita will know something. Maybe she will be the one to help us find justice.

Kiki seems to be in a mood as we make our way through the streets of Potosí. Her bad mood glows brighter than the lamps that illuminate the way to Esmeralda’s. Even the beggars who routinely dog our steps for spare change give us a wide berth.

“What crawled up your ass?” I ask because I am not a poet and never will be.

“Sebastian.”

A pang of emotion sings through me. Or really, a mix of emotions. My own anger. A little bit of hate. A great, big load of jealousy.

“Yeah,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “I heard he stopped by today.” I’d been busy in the stables, grooming Tornado, but word had trickled down. The servants had looser tongues around me. “What did he want?”

“To remind me of my duty.”

I pause. We’re nearly at Esmeralda’s, but I don’t like the sound of that.

“What duty? You mean—”

“Marriage.”

I grab her arm. “You can’t possibly mean you’re going through with it.”

She stares at me for a beat before her features arrange themselves into mild surprise. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“But your brother just died. Alejandro—”

“I don’t need reminding of that, Ana. That’s why we’re out here.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just—”

Got used to the idea that it would be the two of us against the world forever.

“Look, I don’t want to talk about this right now.” There is a note of soft desperation in Kiki’s voice. “All I want to do—all I can do right now—is talk to Rosalita and try to find answers.”

“But—”

“Leave it, Ana.” She turns on her heel and strides toward Esmeralda’s. I watch her walk away from me, the tails of her frock coat billowing with every step.