Page 36 of Fortune's Kiss
“That’s why you were almost late, and why you’re dressed this way.”Mayté tugged at the cloak.“What happened?”
If Mayté knew, what would she—
“Lo.”Mayté squeezed her hand.“You know you can tell me anything.”
That was true.Mayté was the only one who knew the extent of the terrible things her father had done.Lo was the only one who knew what Mayté’s family had to endure.
But this was different.
Wasn’t it?
“Lo, please,” Mayté pressed.
“B-b-before I left, my father tried to stop me.”The words dribbled out, shaky and uncertain.“He found out my plan and wasn’t g-g-going to let me leave.He threatened me.Wanted to hurt me.He grabbed me and I pushed him.”The tears came back as the memories flooded in.“He fell into a shelf of v-v-vases a-a-and—”
Mayté hugged her tight and Lo lost the last thread of composure she had so desperately clung to.She could have continued.Should have.But then Sera’s face filled her mind.Sofía’sterrified, heartbroken wails rang in her ears.Would Mayté react the same way?
Lo had already lost her sisters.She couldn’t lose her best friend.
“H-h-he’s dead.”She sobbed even harder.
“Oh, Lo …” Mayté rubbed her back.
“It’s … my fault,” she whispered.
“No,” Mayté soothed, “it was an accident.”
It wasn’t.
“Anyone who knows the truth wouldn’t hold it against you.”
But it was all a lie.
Lo was a murderer.
But if being a liar meant keeping Mayté, then so be it.
“We’ll clear your name when we get back to Milagro, but first we have to win this.”
“Y-y-yes.You’re right.Thank you.”Lo hiccupped and wiped her face.Maybe it was wrong, but it felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest.With her father gone, the chains had been broken.She was free.And when she was victorious, she would find a way to make her life exactly what she wanted it to be.“I’m glad we get to share a suite.It’s so beautiful.”She smiled at Mayté to let her know she was okay now.The two finally had the chance to look around.
The room was marvelous.It made her own bedroom look plain in comparison.Two huge fluffy canopy beds with flowing orange curtains took up opposite ends of the bedroom.With the balcony doors open, bringing in the evening breeze, the curtains billowed like magical flames.Milky moonbeams cast their enchanting glow.The rest of the room was dark.The walls were a deep slate, with charcoal-black furniture.Soft candlelightilluminated the bouquets of marigolds on the table along with a tray of chocolates.The room was eerie, yet oddly calming in comparison to everything else in the house.
The walk-in closet could have been a room of its own.It was full of extravagant gowns, all in different jewel tones.Bold sapphires, mystical emeralds, romantic amethysts … with all the silk, lace, and tulle, it must have cost thousands of gold coins to make them.Then there were the vanity drawers spilling with jewelry.Necklaces, chokers, earrings, and bracelets.All gold and silver with jewels that sparkled brighter than the stars outside.While Mayté marveled at a pair of golden hoop earrings encrusted with diamonds, Lo stepped into the bathroom.
It was just like stepping inside a rosebud, with red walls on all sides.She never would have considered that such a color could feel so otherworldly.Black and white tiles led to a circular marble tub.Rose vines slithered down the wall like a curtain next to the tub, giving off their subtle sweet scent.“Let’s wash up,” Lo called into the dressing room.“Then we can figure out a plan for the rest of the games.”
After her bath, Lo scrunched the excess water from her curls and changed into a flowing white nightgown with a high collar and puff sleeves.The soft satin soothed her skin, which she had scrubbed raw to ensure that every last flake of dried blood came off.Now she was spotless.A clean slate.This was her fresh start.
In the bedroom, Mayté sat on the bed nearest the balcony.Her long black hair hung freely down to her waist.So soft and glossy, those tresses would have been the envy of every noblegirl who struggled to tame her hair with hot irons and beauty spells.A shame she rarely wore it down, but she always complained that it got in the way.Even when she restrained it with braids and buns, she somehow managed to get paint in it.
Staring off into space, Mayté ran a brush through her hair over and over again.Her eyes were still the slightest bit red and puffy.Maybe she cried while Lo was in the bath?Right now, Mayté was the stronger one, but they were both teetering on the edge.Every so often, Mayté paused to tug at her lacy nightgown, which kept slipping off her shoulder.It wasn’t until Lo sat next to her that Mayté seemed to notice her.“Oh.How was your bath?”
“Warm.Refreshing.”Lo scooted closer.“Are you ready?”
Mayté set aside the brush and took a deep breath.Then she re-braided her hair into one thick plait, reusing her red ribbon instead of one of the many jeweled hair accessories the room had to offer.The treasures in here had surely been bought with blood.“Okay.”
As disappointing as it was to see her gorgeous hair pulled back, Lo knew that in that moment, Mayté meant business when she quickly said, “Señora Montoya died because she wagered everything, including her life.She didn’t seem to fully understand what she was doing, but … I don’t quite understand the rules either.This isn’t like the Lotería we’re used to.”
