*Ava*
I meet Luca’s worried gaze and force a small smile. “It’s fine. I know who Cristóbal Colón is, but I’m certain he doesn’t know me. I’ll tell you more later.”
I settle beside Luca, brushing my fingers against his as I inhale deeply. He catches my eyes and smiles, comforting me.
As the speech winds down, the music swells. Couples rise to dance, the rustle of gowns and leather tapping against stone filling the hall.
Nearby, a cluster of men gossip, their voices loud enough to catch.
“The rebel who started the fire has been fattened well by the Crown’s purse,” one says, his eyes darting. “For two seasons he’s fed us their secrets and plans.”
Another scoffs, “No wonder the guards moved so swiftly last month. He’s the holy officer’s eyes inside Toledo.”
A third mutters, “I heard the
