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Alvaro looked confused, but Antonio shook his head. “I have things controlled on the Quinta Isla. You’re free to glare at audience members to your heart’s content.”
I broke out into a smile so wide it hurt my cheeks. The feeling was like dunking into a warm river after weeks without bathing. It was like I had shed the grumpy, pained exterior I’d been waddling through for days on end.
It felt good.
Clearing my throat, I stopped looking at Antonio. “Flamenco will do just fine. Gracias, Alvaro.”
Chapter12
La Entrevista
Normalcy didn’t suit me.
Flustered and tired, I stood before the ornate mirror as my reflection stared back at me, nearly unrecognizable. I’d spent two days training, avoiding crowds, and sleeping, but it wasn’t helping. An elaborate gold dress clung to my body like a second skin, but the fabric dripping with jewels that sparkled against the dimming light of day couldn’t hide the pronounced collar bones and dark circles.
Believe me, I’d tried to make it work. Isolda had tried while casting sly looks at my scars. The worry of her telling Antonio’s mother about anything faded with each day. While she clearly didn’t like me, it seemed like she wasn’t telling everyone all about me. I hadn’t seen anything she could’ve leaked to the tabloids.
Finally, I took a step back, tired of seeing my dull reflection. Isolda frowned. We all were desperate to have me presentable with the Canciller. Gold eyeliner traced my eyes, emphasizing their intensity. A small sigh escaped my lips as I reluctantly accepted this version of myself, one that was meant for the cameras.
"Señorita Renata, it's time," the stagehand said almost reverently as she led me through the sprawling corridors of the Palacio Municipal, my heels clicking against the marble floors. My heart pounded in my chest.
As we approached our destination, I saw there were only a few other candidates left waiting for their turn to be interviewed. My gaze fell upon a familiar face, not one of the competitors, but a Key Bearer.
Liliana Montoya.
My Key Bearer, and the girl Isaac’s parents had originally picked out for him to wed. Their engagement had been a verbal agreement while I was presented with a letter. She had once looked at him with such wonder. I was sure that she hated how the story of Isaac and La Chica Dorada was bordering on a fairytale when he had belonged to Liliana first. She had always been friendly, but now, her eyes narrowed when she assessed me and the beginnings of a sneer was forming on her lips.
"Buenas tardes, Señorita Valarde,” she said while dipping her head. The sneer vanished.
I dipped my head at her. “Hola Liliana.”
We regarded each other for a moment, and I felt anomalous. I knew she had my Key, a stone filled with my Blood Magic that acted as a siphon for when I got weak. It didn’t seem like she would want to help me if I was in danger, though.
It had been a mistake to pick someone so hastily.
“How was your interview?” I asked, trying to establish any kind of rapport with her.
Her eyes trailed up my form. “All the Canciller wanted to ask about was you.”
My cheeks heated. I shouldn’t have cared, but the way she said it made me so uneasy. I needed to salvage the situation. “That sounds like an awful topic to spend so much time on. I’m sorry.”
One of the other candidates walked by, smiling at us. She was oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.
My Key Bearer’s mouth turned down. “Why wouldn’t he speak of you? You have the most dazzling magic of anyone since the royals. Not to mention, the papers say you will marry Isaac. He’s the Canciller’s cousin, which makes you the most interesting thing to happen in years.” Her face, normally gentle, clouded. The anger and hurt lurking under the surface peeked out at me as she flicked a strand of hair over her shoulder. “I should be grateful that you gave me a chance to share in the spotlight.”
“Liliana, I would like us—”
She took a sharp breath. “The games our people play grow dull very quickly.”
I clenched my fists, trying to maintain my composure. She dug at my person, as if the most interesting part of me was Isaac. That was exactly what was done to her when others purported that the best she had to offer was proximity to me.
I was my own damned person. If only she knew I didn’t want him, that my heart yearned for something more than a marriage based on political gain and shallow attraction. It was hard for me to stomach being with a man who was forcing me into this union, even when I was sure he knew we were too broken to be in the same room as each other.
It was sad that the world pitted the two of us squarely against each other. Life had taught me how sweet friendship was, and it was paramount to share that where I could. So far, I hadn’t been able to share much.
Liliana was looking past me, like she wanted to leave. Desperately wanting to extend one last olive branch, I said, "You’ll find I don’t play games.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How nice for you.”
