Page 113 of The Lost Guardian

“You almost died. That’s enough to make anyone feel unbalanced. And maybe do things that they wouldn’t otherwise. I’m sorr—”

Ali took a few steps toward him, but he held up his hand to stop her. If she tried to comfort him, offer him her sympathy or pity, he would break.

“I should have realized,” he said, regret dripping off every syllable. “I should have known it was the adrenaline and, and…” He fumbled to find the right words.

“Rios,” Ali spoke again, reaching for him. Santiago jumped back.

“I understand if you think it was a mistake,” he added, the words catching in his throat. “I didn’t mean to make things awkward between us. We can just forget it, really. It’s not like we don’t have bigger concerns anyway, right? Lost tombs and dead emperors and ancient curses. That’s what we should be focusing on. And I’m sorry, really, I’m so sorry if I made you feel—”

“Santiago!” Ali interrupted loudly, closing the distance between them in two quick strides before catching his head between her hands and pulling his lips down to hers.

36

Santiago never expected this outcome. Confusion warred with relief, making his brain momentarily short-circuit. Luckily, no amount of shock could keep him from responding to her touch for very long.

Santiago’s hands clasped Ali’s waist, his fingers digging into the soft flesh he found there. He met her urgent lips with his own, and then her tongue when she deepened the kiss. Her hands softened on his cheeks, fingers trailing down his jaw and clutching at his shoulder.

Before Santiago decided to abandon all rational thought and bend her over a boulder, however, Ali pulled away.

Her arms stayed clasped around him, though, and she peered up into his eyes. Her hair was tousled and her cheeks flushed. It made Santiago want to kiss her again.

“I was trying to apologize for this morning,” she said a little breathlessly. “I reacted…poorly.”

Santiago’s head reeled from the kiss. And from having Ali back in his arms. He had spent hours today convincing himself that he would never have the privilege of holding her again, trying to persuade his heart into letting her go. But now…

“I thought—” he started hesitantly.

Ali nodded. “I know, and I’m sorry I made you think that I was regretting last night. I wasn’t. I’m not.” She kissed him again, softer this time.

“Then why…” His voice trailed off. He almost didn’t want to ask. He didn’t want to say anything that would drive her away from him again.

Ali sighed. “I freaked out, I know,” she admitted. “My line of work…it isn’t easy. I’ve spent most of my life not trusting people. And not getting close to anyone but Naya. Last night was amazing, but this morning… It all just took me by surprise, I guess.”

Santiago nodded, feeling like he could understand that, at least in theory.

“I’m sorry I kicked you out of my tent.” She looked down for a moment, then back up at him. “And that I didn’t say anything sooner. I had a lot to think through, and I didn’t know how to talk to you about any of it yet.”

“That’s okay.” Santiago smiled. It was an understatement. He felt like his heart not only mended but swelled inside his chest. The disappointment of the morning was a distant memory.

Ali bit her lower lip. It drove him wild. “I hope you still want to stick together after all of this. In Lima, I mean, and wherever else you want to travel to.” She looked back in his eyes. “And I do trust you.”

Santiago smiled. “I trust you, too.”

Something flashed behind Ali’s eyes, but it was gone too quickly for him to read it. He kissed her one more time, lingering over her lips before pulling away.

“We need to keep going,” he said. He motioned east, toward the river. “The next clue is out there somewhere, waiting for us.”

And Inti Raymi isn’t waiting a moment. Anxiety chilled his blood the moment it left his still-fluttering heart.

“I’m beginning to think that we’re going to have to hike to Ukhu Pacha itself to find Atahualpa,” Ali grumbled, referring to the Incan version of the underworld.

Santiago laughed. “We could always find another cave or a…”

He stilled, muscles tensing. Only his eyes moved, darting back to the rock formation that he had seen by the river. The serpentine one.

“Santiago?” he heard Ali call him, but she sounded far away.

“A snake…” he muttered.