I stood up, too, holding my hands out in a calming gesture. "Let explain. I know this is bad, but hear out. I didn’t go back there because I wanted to go play or sothing. I an, of course, I love my cousin and enjoy spending ti with him, but this ti, I went because I believe the witch is hiding in his house."
The shock on her face was imdiate, and her jaw dropped as she processed the words. "No. No, Axel, that’s even worse. That’s dangerous. If he’s there, then... then you’re in more danger. What are you going to do?"
I walked over to her, gripping her shoulders gently but firmly. "I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I swear it. Trust ." Her breath was coming in short, shaky bursts, but I could feel her beginning to calm down.
"But the witch," she started, shaking her head with her fear still clearly written on her face. "Axel, he’s dangerous. After the attempted murder... he almost killed you. Why would you go near him again? Why would you risk it?"
I t her gaze, unwavering. "I’m not in any form of danger trust that Luis is the key to taking that witch down. If he’s hiding him, then we need to know why. We need to know what they’re planning. And I’m going to figure it out, whether he likes it or not. Also, he needs to co to claim the bastard child he planted in your sister’s womb."
She stepped closer to , gripping my arm as though she could anchor herself. "You’re not going to do anything reckless, right?"
"Of course not. I’m being careful. I’m always careful. But this is the best shot we have." I reassured.
Won... They love reassurances.
She closed her eyes, clearly overwheld, but when she opened them again, I could see sothing else in her gaze; a fire, a strength. "So... what’s the plan?"
Now, that’s my girl!
"The plan is a little complicated, María José. It needs you to be very strong." I began, watching her closely.
She sighed, shaking her head. "You know, Axel, all my life, that’s all I’ve ever been... strong."
Her eyes started brimming with tears, though now she blinked them away like a soldier trying to reassemble on a battlefield.
My fingers rubbed soft circles into her arm, grounding her. "You okay?" I asked, but honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted an answer yet.
Because if she wasn’t, and she broke again—I wasn’t sure my chest could handle it.
"The plan is complicated but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Nothing you haven’t handled before." I added for good asure.
She nodded, sniffled, then narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Then tell what it is."
"I threw bait for the witch and it’s you, María José. You are the bait." I finally spilled.
"You said you threw bait?"
"Yes," I admitted, rolling my shoulders back like I was about to make a PowerPoint presentation. "I planted sothing. A little rumor. A teeny, tiny, absolutely fake emotional confession... to Luis. And by Luis, you know who I an."
She gave a look. The one that usually ca before she socked with a pillow or questioned my intelligence.
I gave her a sheepish smile. "I told him I no longer love you. That I’m marrying Rosa for the good of my reputation... and that I was planning to throw you into a dungeon."
Her face contorted in sheer disbelief. "A dungeon?!"
"It was the first thing that ca to mind!" I said defensively, throwing my hands up like a man pleading for rcy. "It had to sound dramatic. Villainous. Witch-worthy."
She stared at for a full five seconds—then started to laugh. Like, really laugh. The kind where her shoulders bounced and a snort accidentally escaped her nose. I swear I fell in love all over again.
"A dungeon?" she repeated between giggles. "Of all things? Not a basent, not exile, not even a convent. A freaking dungeon, Axel?"
"I panicked!" I grinned. "And besides, dungeons are classic. Gothic. Stylish."
"You’re an idiot," she said, but she was still smiling. And I would take her smile any day over tears, even if it ant being called nas.
"But," she added, sobering slightly, "you think if... if he repeats those things to —those exact words—you’ll know the witch is there?"
I nodded with my gaze fixed on hers. "Yes. That’s the trap and plan. If he brings up the dungeon, or says I don’t love you anymore, or that I’m marrying Rosa... then it proves he heard . And if he heard , it ant he was in Luis’s house. Probably living in the walls or sothing. Like a demon rat."
Her humor faded again, and it was bloody justifiable. So... I should expect him. Mateo. The fake Mateo."
Right. That kid killing monster, she was going to et him again. I was literally sending him to her... endangering her.
I brushed her cheek, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Yes. Soon. He’ll co. That’s how we know if our whole witch explanation is a real one. Then, we can work on how to stop and expose him."
She swallowed. I could feel the tremor in her jaw.
"I’m scared," she whispered.
I cupped her face between my hands, thumbs resting lightly under her eyes. "I know. But you don’t get to be afraid alone. We’re in this together. Every terrifying, absurd, ridiculous step."
She sighed, the motion making her breath soft and warm against my wrist. "Why can’t we just... skip all of this and go straight to the happy ending? The peaceful farm, the cats, the little house with bad plumbing?"
I chuckled. "Because, princesa, good things don’t co easy."
She looked at again, really looked at , and this ti, her eyes weren’t just red from crying—they were alive. Lit with sothing new. Brighter. Fierce. A dangerous kind of beautiful.
"You really believe we’ll get there?" she asked.
"With everything I am," I replied. "This is just the price. We pay for it now. Together. And after that?" I leaned closer, my voice a promise she could drink from. "Forever."
She didn’t speak. She kissed .
And just like that, the tension, the fear, the uncertainty—it exploded like kindling into a wildfire between us. I pulled her in, one hand sinking into the waves of her hair, the other winding around her waist, grounding her against like I’d never let go again.
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