much pain I can tolerate?”
“Easy,” Leo tells me, careful not to touch me but guiding me back to the bed.
Méndez is wilder than I’ve ever seen him. His dress clothes are stained with my blood and his eyes have deep shadows. Have they always been there, or did a part of me want to see something else?
“Take Renata to her rooms, and don’t come back down until the festival begins.”
Leo looks stricken, as if he can’t believe the orders. I tug on his hand. Let him know that this is the way it has to be. He lowers his face. “Yes, my justice.”
“What of the woman?” I ask carefully.
Méndez tugs on the ends of his jacket. “The assassin is in solitary. Every single person within the palace is to be questioned. She has not claimed an affiliation, though I suspect her to be one of the Whispers.” He turns his suspicious eyes in my direction, looks at the wound, which is still bleeding through the bandage. “Did you recognize her?”
Her name is Margolina Bellén, and she’s an Illusionári of the Whispers’ Rebellion. Her mother and father were killed during a raid in a village outside of Citadela Riomar. They were drowned when they refused to reveal where their children were hidden. Margo survived by digging a hole beneath a jetty of rocks along the coast and fed on the crabs that burrowed in alongside her. A week later, half-starved and dehydrated, she was found by the Whispers and given a home.
“No,” I say, never wavering from his salt-gray stare. Because I truly hadn’t recognized her, not with that illusion that darkened her hair and changed her face. It was the eyes, the weapon, the way I’ve seen her dance that gave her away in the end.
“You saved the king’s life,” Méndez tells me. “On behalf of the royal family, the Sun Festival’s ball tonight will be dedicated to you. All of Puerto Leones will know what you have done.”
Revulsion slams into my gut. I picture myself paraded in front of the kingdom as the example of what Moria should be—servants to the crown. Bodies meant to be sacrificed.
Méndez chuckles nervously. “She’s so honored she can’t speak. Renata, show your thanks.”
“I was doing my duty,” I say, finally. Tears sting at my eyes because this is all wrong. I shouldn’t have saved the king, and I shouldn’t be honored by this. But Nuria was right. Had I not protected the king, it would have caused more bloodshed for innocent Moria.
Méndez seems to relax when I utter the words. “For now, all household staff is to report to my study for questioning, including you two.”
“But, my justice,” the medic says, “I would never—”
Justice Méndez has the kind of stare that could render any man still. “Then you have nothing to fear.”
“Yes, my justice.” Arsenál bows so low I’m surprised his weight doesn’t push him forward.
“Be ready for tonight, Renata. Everyone at the festival will see your power, the power of the king and the justice, and those against us will shake in fear.”
“She’s lost a lot of blood, my justice,” Leo starts to plead. “Lord Las Rosas—”
He dismisses the name with a flick of his hand. “Not him. She will use her powers on the assassin.”
Margo. He means fierce, loyal Margo. I can’t use my magics on her. I can’t. Bile rises and I choke on it.
“My justice,” I bleat out. It is a pathetic plea, because I know that between me and the king, he will choose the king. “My arm . . .”
Justice Méndez slams his fist into the wall, his eyes dilated as he opens the door. “No more delays! It is the hands and not the arm you will need. Take her to her rooms to rest. Tonight, you make a Hollow for your kingdom.”
Chapter 23
Leo and I watch the sunset parade of the royal Leonesse families. They make their way down the royal mile in front of the palace. Each family wears decadent traditional clothing showcasing the colors of their family crests to honor their allegiance to the king of Puerto Leones.
The Carolinas in silver and pale blue, and the Jaramillo family with their forest green and navy. There are seventeen of them with direct ties and claims to the throne from before the Fajardo conquest. There’s the Sevillas with their red and black. The lord and lady on opposite ends of the open chariot. Lord Sevilla waves enthusiastically and reaches into a bin where he keeps