“Montoyas,” a suitor growled.
“Damn el orden antiguo,” another spat.
Mayté could never forget how everyone in her former social circle despised el orden antiguo.It was perhaps the only thing everyone could agree on.Those families, who mostly descended from Hispana, much preferred how life had been when their king governed San Solera from his throne overseas.
The Montoyas were perhaps the most infamous of La Orden, proudly claiming to be direct descendants of the cruelest of conquistadors.They siphoned resources from Milagro, earning the nickname Los Vampiros.
“They best not be considering gambling in Fortune’s Kiss,” a suitor growled.
Mayté’s stomach flip-flopped.According to legend, las grandes familias had come into power after one of their predecessors won Fortune’s Kiss.The details were foggy from years and years of embellishments.No one knew for sure from which family the lucky one had come, but the result was as clear as day.More whispers floated around about nobles plotting tosend their sons to gamble in Fortune’s Kiss.What was there to lose?If they returned home a bit depressed, they still had their own wealth to fall back on.
What if Lo’s suitors were planning on entering?Everywhere Mayté looked, there was potential competition.Anyone could easily take her and Lo’s spot in the game.
“So, is it all true?”Lo asked, clearly bored of the Montoyas.“Has Fortune’s Kiss really returned?”She was a master at feigning ignorance.Her performances were always flawless.
“Yes, it has.”Juan Felipe Garcia swooped in to answer.He was tall and handsome with a narrow face, square jaw, and deep brown skin.His long, thin frame reminded Mayté of a cactus.“Can you see the gambling salon from here?”He put his arm around Lo as he pointed it out.
Mayté bit back a scoff both at the domineering gesture and his words.Yes, because Lo hadn’t thought to look for herself.
“Oh, my!It’s so beautiful—and probably even more wonderful inside,” Lo cooed.“Are you going to gamble?”
“Why should I?I already have everything I need.”Juan Felipe laughed, showing his teeth, perfectly straight with slightly pointy canines.None of the other suitors spoke up.Good.All these boys had more money and power than they knew what to do with.Let them stay home.
“Mm.I wonder how many people they let gamble at once,” Lo mused.
“They’re choosing ten entrants, my lady,” Ernesto Alvarez proudly blurted.He was much shorter than Juan Felipe but made up for it with his muscular build.His full lips twisted into a grin, and he ran a hand through his luscious brown waves when Lo turned to him.“Might I add that you look even morebeautiful than that silly tent?The crowd here should be gathered for you and you alone.”
“Only ten?”Lo asked, ignoring that last bit.
Ten.Mayté scanned the crowd.There had to be hundreds of people here.Not the best odds.
Lo tapped her cheek.“I wonder when they’ll choose these ten people.”
“Doors open tomorrow at dusk!Everyone is to form a line and they will make a selection,” Juan Felipe exclaimed.“That’s what some workers at the salon said.They were quite eager to tell me.They must be hoping I’ll gamble.”
That soon?Mayté’s pulse quickened, but her mind raced even faster.Tomorrow.That was when everything would change.
“You spoke with them?People from inside Fortune’s Kiss?”Lo whirled around to face him.“How interesting.”
Ernesto huffed and tugged at his suit coat.
Mayté rolled her eyes.
“Yes.”Juan Felipe smiled, smoothly pulling Lo closer.“I’m sure it’ll be an even bigger spectacle than today.If you want to watch it all unfold, perhaps I can escort y—”
“Did they say how exactly they are choosing the ten?”Lo interrupted.“Is it first come, first served?Is there a price for entry?”
Juan Felipe fell silent.Ernesto’s eyes darted.
“You didn’t think to ask?”Lo frowned.
Juan Felipe slowly shook his head.
Lo bit her lip.“Ay, I would have really liked to know.That’s going to bother me until I find out.Mayté, maybe we should find someone who knows.”
One by one, the suitors’ eyes widened.Their shoulders sagged in despair.
“Uh, yeah.Let’s go,” Mayté said, stilted and awkward.Putting on a show was not her forte.They had only taken a step when—
