Chapter 16
Chapter 16
The gardens of the great house were transformed into the location of a stunning reception area, surrounded by elaborate centerpieces and the soft amber glow of candles.
The dusk pink and white color scheme blended romantically with the green background of the trees and tropical bushes. The tables were covered in rich cream linen and golden rose silverware, and the glasses were filled with the most expensive champagne.
I spent the last hour greeting and receiving words of good wishes from people hungry to offer their congratulations, desperate to be seen paying respect to my new husband.
Meroveo kept me at his side, never allowing me out of his sight.
Some part of him was always touching me, a small brush on my shoulder, a gentle, firm hand on my back, his gaze never far away from my face.
I forced a smile, playing the part of the bride, the weight of the ring on my hand, a reminder that I was tied to him forever.
"The little beauty who brought my brother to his knees." Roman De Los Santos grinned widely, looking down at me with a pirate's smile and a toothpick dangling from his mouth. He stood tall like his brother, tux disheveled with the bow tie loose, hanging from his shoulders.
The tattoo of a cross under the corner of his left eye and the piercing in his nose only enhanced his reckless charm.
"It's nice to see you again," I lied, putting my hand out in polite greeting.
"Welcome to the family, Hermana ," he teased, his accent no more noticeable than his brother's.
"Roman," Meroveo warned as Roman kissed my hand, his charming actions making it clear he was a ladies' man."You see what you do to him?" Roman winked at me playfully as Hector whispered something to Meroveo.
A quick flash of anger passed over Meroveo's face. Meroveo curtly nodded, and I noticed some men disperse, blending back in with the crowds, disappearing with his silent order.
"Congratulations." Hector's voice was indifferent, reserved, and inscrutable beneath his glasses.
They were the only two members of Meroveo's family at the wedding. He gave no explanation, and I didn't care enough to ask.
"Let's celebrate," Meroveo smiled down at me, leading us to our waiting table. We were met with applause and cheers of congratulations.
I took small sips, hoping the champagne's fizz would calm my nerves, but Meroveo switched it out for water. "I want you to remember this night," his deep voice whispered as he gulped down the rest of my drink.
We watched from our table as Roman danced with my family's older tias, who became instantly enamored with his roguish behavior. Roman amused them on the dance floor, moving to the rhythmic beats of the live band, making them blush like schoolgirls again.
"Have you tried anything yet?" Meroveo suggested, looking down at my plate of food. Everything looked delicious, and the best of Salamanca's cuisine was mixed with gourmet elements.
My eyes met the woman who served us, and I saw brazen pity in her eyes as she quickly looked away from me.
Was it obvious how sad I was?
On any other day, I would have devoured the lobster bites drizzled with butter, the roasted flavorful pork, and the Spanish rice.
"You should eat something," Meroveo gestured towards my food as he took a bite. I didn't know why, but seeing him eating was strange. It humanized him."I am just a man, Dove. A man who likes to eat." He looked over at me as if he was reading my thoughts.
I looked down at my plate. All I could do was take a couple of tiny bites. My nerves twisted my stomach, making the thought of eating nauseating.
Meroveo's hand rested firmly on the top of my thigh. The penetration of his light touch overwhelmed me, burning through the silk of my gown, making that part of my body hyper-sensitive to his touch.
I didn't want this wedding to be over, but the higher the moon rose in the sky, I knew I would have to be alone with him soon.
And I wasn't ready.
I was not ready to leave my mother, to be a wife, or to share his bed.
The surprise sight of Julian walking towards our table made me smile. "I was wondering if you would allow me to dance with Dove. I'm sure it will be a while before I see her again." Julian was being polite, but even so, he couldn't hide his distaste for my new husband.
"You are welcome to visit her in Castillo," Meroveo replied, firmly shaking his hand, and gestured for me to join my cousin in dancing.
"Thank you," I breathed once we were on the dance floor.
"You looked like you were about to faint," Julian responded sympathetically.
"I'm scared," I admitted, glancing back at Meroveo, who watched me from a distance while conversing with some men I didn't recognize. His intense gaze followed my every movement while giving subtle orders to his men.
"I'm sorry, Dove," Julian said quietly. His face was pained with regret. "I never thought Abuelo would actually—" He stopped himself from speaking the truth out loud.
I was sold, forced into a marriage I didn't want, my choice taken away.
"I tried to convince Abuelo to stop it. I thought I almost did. But Meroveo's connections go far beyond our little island. Telling him no was never an option, cousin."
It was clear Meroveo's influence knew no bounds, nor was he restricted by the laws of ordinary men. The snake crawling up my thigh, the merciless beating of Aristeo, the horror of it all still seemed like a nightmare.
Governor Destine and his wife were here tonight, playing their part in the game. Their status required them to attend. Meroveo himself had invited the Destines with a personal handwritten note.
I didn't miss the look of pure hatred that poured from Mrs. Destine's eyes when Meroveo and I had our first dance.
"I should have spoken up more against this, gone to the press like your mother begged, gone against my grandfather. Forgive me, cousin," he said with a remorseful smile.
"How much did he sell me for?" My question surprised him. "Tell me," I demanded quietly, making sure to keep the same smile as we continued to dance.
The improvement to the family estate and the five new additions of thoroughbred racing stags in Tio Franco's stable were hard to miss. The rum factory was under major renovation, and he had plans to expand the building for production.
"Your husband wants you back." Julian never answered me. "Forgive me, cousin," He said one last time.
"Dove," Meroveo's deep voice called behind me, and I turned to him, ignoring the anger beating in my chest. I couldn't steady the shaking of my hands as I went along and took small sips of the water back at our table. We listened to the shallow toast Tio Franco was giving, drunk and stuffed, soaking in his newly elevated status.
"Calmate, brujita," Meroveo soothed in my ear, taking the glass from my hand. His large fingers wrapped around my wrist. "Why are you so afraid?" he questioned, pulling my face to meet his amused gaze.
He was going to kiss me.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I heard Samara's sudden voice booming through the mic. All eyes turned to where she stood on the dance floor. She was barefooted, her bridesmaid dress was wrinkled and stained with green streaks of grass. The earlier updo that held her hair up hung loose and wild."I was told, or rather I was warned, to stay off the microphone," she announced loudly as her mother silently fumed a few feet away."But, as the maid of honor, I would neglect my duties if I didn't say a few things on this sacrilegious occasion." Sarcasm dripped like acid from her words, betraying her wide smile. She held her nearly empty glass of champagne high in the air, ignoring my uncle, who looked like he was close to bursting a blood vessel."As you all are fully aware, Dove was forced to get married today to a man she doesn't know," she exclaimed mockingly. Tia Ida desperately tried to grab Samara's arm to pull her away from the dance floor. She quickly shook her grandmother loose, continuing her speech."There are laws against this in civilized parts of the world, in case anyone here doesn't understand that marrying someone against their will is a crime. But, then again, the De Los Santos family knows all about crime." Samara laughed, smiling sarcastically.The silence was deafening.
The only person who dared utter a sound was Roman. His smile was devious and wide. He laughed loudly, doubled over in pure delight, clapped, whistled, and cheered her on. Hector sat silently beside his brother. His frown was cold. His soulless eyes were focused on Samara.
"How much did my grandfather give you to turn your heads and forget you all had tongues? How much of his blood money did it take to fill your pockets? What was the cost, huh? What —" Samara never finished her words.Her grandfather knocked her to the ground with a hard, resounding slap. Tio Franco was rubbing his face in anger, swaggering, already drunk.
Jamira and Lucia rushed to her side. Tia Ida helped her up as Samara held her bleeding lip, her mother already beginning damage control and escorting her away from the reception.
"Encore, encore, encore!" Roman demanded loudly, the only voice heard amongst the murmurs of the guests. Hector had disappeared from his side.
I tried to stand and run after her but felt Meroveo's firm hand keeping me forcefully in place, the tic in his jaw prominent and pulsing. "Hector was right–your cousin has a big mouth," he whispered, sipping from the dark liquid in his glass.
The booming of fireworks began to fly on cue. Tio Franco was back on the mic, and the music started again. Everyone oohing and awing at the colors in the sky.
They immediately forgot.
"Remind me to thank your cousin someday for bringing the night to such an amusing end." Meroveo looking down at me with raw possession.
" D on't go, Dove! Don't go. I won't let you leave. I won't let the bad man take you away!" Amias stubbornly refused to let go of my leg. His demand stabbed me painfully in the heart, making every second more agonizing.
The girl in me wanted to cling back to Amias and assure him I wasn't going anywhere.
I was saying goodbye to my family on the brick stones of my mother's courtyard. Mami kept her promise of never stepping into the great house again, missing the reception and secluding herself.
Amias bravely stuck his tongue out at Meroveo, who watched the scene calmly while exuding his composed and reserved demeanor. He stood patiently by the opened passenger door to the waiting car.
"It's okay, Amias. I'll visit soon," I tried to reason with him but could barely get the words out. I held back my tears, struggling under the flood of emotions that threatened to crush me.
"That's enough, Amias," I heard Anthea call out mournfully, pulling him away from me.
I hugged everyone for what would be the last time.
Jamira and Lucia sniffled, comforting the crying Tia Delphie. Tia Carmen gave me a teary blessing, making me promise to leave out the sweet porridge for the momo. She vowed they would protect me.
A solemn Julian stood next to Samara.
"Promise me," Samara whispered, hugging me tight.
"I promise," I answered, wiping the tears from her eyes, understanding what she silently asked of me.
The despair in my mother's eyes broke my heart. I wanted to beg her not to let him take me, to shield me, hide me behind the walls of our garden. I would have vowed to never step out of the garden again if it meant saving me from him.Why did Our Lady not listen to my prayers? Why did she abandon me? Was this a punishment for some unknown grievance?
I wept quietly in my mother's arms. Her own hopeless tears streamed down her face. "Remember everything I have taught you," she whispered fiercely.
If I had held on any longer, I wouldn't have been able to let go.