Chapter 57 Esmeralda
Esmeralda
Three months later
The kingdom was understandably enraged. The king and comandante had been tried and convicted for their crimes. Their punishment would be settled upon later.
Esmeralda watched as Ignacio held the weight of his father’s offenses on his shoulders.
She watched as he walked into each tribunal and told them everything he knew.
At first, some thought he should be charged right along with his father and uncle—to end the family line.
And Ignacio would have accepted that. But Esmeralda would be damned if anyone took her love away from her ever again.
She had written her own letters to be published by The Defiant Press. She had learned the power of words from Ignacio long ago when he’d used them to make her smile through her heartbreak. Esmeralda penned her own letters to let the world know what sort of man he was.
A good one.
A brave one.
Hers.
They stood on a rolling hill that overlooked the prettiest meadow.
In the center was a large home that seemed to have been pieced together at various times over the centuries.
Camila, Pilar, Gabriel, and his love, Javier, had made their way here to the countryside immediately after the Big Top fell.
As did Estefan the ostrich, who had become quite the guardian for the family’s farm.
Camila, nearly returned to her original self, save for a chunk of pure-white hair, had offered Esmeralda and Ignacio an open invitation to join the family whenever they were ready. But now, Esmeralda’s heart was racing.
What if she did something wrong and Camila’s family hated her?
What if Camila had changed her mind?
What if they didn’t want her?
She pushed those thoughts away.
What wasn’t to love? She was smart, loyal, and had become one hell of a friend.
“I have something for you,” Ignacio said. “Close your eyes and hold up your palm.”
Never one to turn away a gift, she complied.
Something light as a feather kissed her delicate skin.
“Okay,” he said. “Open your eyes.”
She did so and smiled. A tiny paper dove sat waiting for her.
“Open it,” he said.
She obliged.
Dovie. Would you like to go onto the roof tonight and stare at the moon with me?
Raw emotion gathered in her throat. This had been what she always wanted.
Love. A family. A place she called home, where she could climb up on the rooftop without sneaking around.
Her beautiful Ignacio. And, most wonderfully of all, she had found peace within herself.
She had found a sense of worth that could never be taken away.
“I don’t have a pen to write my reply,” she said.
“That’s okay. You can tell me right here.” He pointed to his mouth.
On tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his. Her entire body went warm.
“My answer is yes.” She kissed him. “I’d like to see the moon with you.” She kissed him again. “And the stars.” She kissed him once more. “And whatever else the world has in store.”
He wrapped his big strong arms around her and said, “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
“Do you promise, Pigeon?”
He rested his cheek on top of her head. “Always, Dovie.”