Chapter 27 #2
I closed my mind to Alicia’s and Miranda’s internal dialogue, respecting their privacy, but also not wanting to know what they really thought about me, that they might blame any of this on me.
My own demons raged within my soul. I wasn’t ready to defend the things I had or hadn’t done.
Strangely, I already missed Sunaria, her strength, her domineering presence.
Alicia gave my arm a reassuring squeeze. “It’s over now.”
She looked too relieved for me to tell her that it wasn’t.
I looked around at my surroundings. This aristocratic retreat was not meant for permanent living but merely a summer retreat. Here in the great house, they had no servants, the ultimate sacrifice for living in secret. They’d exchanged safety for luxury.
Two large couches with overstuffed pillows were placed opposite each other. I leaned back onto one of them, and despite the lumpiness, I was grateful for the rest and comforted by the ordinary setting. Jacob was dozing off in my arms.
Alicia leaned towards me. “Annabelle?” she asked.
I shook my head. “We’ll talk later.”
Alicia looked anxious but didn’t press me for any details.
My mind wandered, trying to guess how close to Palos Felipe’s carriage might be.
“You must be hungry,” Miranda said.
The thought of food made me cringe.
Alicia misread my expression. “You’re too tired?”
“He’s been through a lot.” Miranda gave me a sympathetic look.
“How did you get Ricardo out?” Alicia asked.
I shrugged. “I walked into his nursery and took him.”
Both women looked doubtful. “And no one stopped you?” Miranda asked.
I stared down at Ricardo. “I had a plan. It worked.”
“I would think Felipe would have a guard watching Ricardo,” Miranda said.
I shook my head.
“You look so pale.” Alicia studied me curiously.
“Exhausted, that’s all.” I gave her a reassuring smile.
Ricardo began running around the room screaming, waving an imaginary sword.
With my jaw clenched, I signaled to him. “Please don’t do that.”
He lunged his sword into an invisible opponent.
“Stop,” I shouted.
Jacob was startled awake but did not cry.
Ricardo stood stock-still and stared at me. I’d startled Alicia and Miranda, too.
I rubbed my forehead. “I’m sorry. Could you please take him to bed?”
Alicia motioned for Ricardo to come to her.
“I’ll put them both to bed,” she said, taking Jacob from me.
With a smile, she headed out of the room with the children.
I hoped Ricardo wouldn’t mention his leap out of the nursery window, though I’d ensured he’d seen nothing.
Miranda picked up the bottle resting on the table before us and poured two glasses of white wine, offering me one. “Here, you look like you need it.”
I gestured I didn’t.
Miranda settled on the couch close to me. “That woman, Sunaria, warned us before Felipe’s guards came.” She leaned toward me. “She saved our lives.”
I bowed my head. “We owe her our gratitude.”
“How did she know we were in danger?”
“We were all in danger.”
“Rumors carry, Daumia.”
“What do you mean?”
“While at the senator’s, you were mortally injured.” Her gaze met mine. “I have my spies, remember?”
“Rumors are just that, rumors.”
“The way you look at Ricardo, one would think he caused you some terrible grief.”
“I keep thinking of Salvador.”
“He didn’t survive, but you did?”
“Whatever your spies thought they saw, they were wrong.”
“Ricardo ran his sword into your gut!”
I looked away. “If that were true, I’d be dead.” I rose and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To put my son to bed.” I headed out after Alicia.
I entered the small bedroom and sat on the bed next to Jacob.
My sister was with Ricardo. I stroked Jacob’s hair.
He tried so hard to keep his eyelids open, full of excitement over seeing me again.
He clutched my hand, and I kissed his forehead.
My perfect child was so much like his mother.
Jacob’s pure, innocent love for me was a much-needed boon.
I recalled Eduardo, the way he smiled when I ate a biscuit or his expression when I’d first lifted him onto the saddle of one of my smaller, gentler horses.
Then I was assailed by the awful vision of him lying dead in his mother’s arms, my son gone from me forever. I wiped away a tear, though more fell. I’d been present at his birth, but not at his death. Fathers should die before their sons.
The first night I’d met Salvador, we’d lain on the grassy bank together staring up at the stars, such a perfect moment of intimacy.
Salvador had the kindest nature, the ability to say the right thing at the right time and always see the best in people.
He’d be the one person who’d know what to do in this situation.
Jacob had fallen asleep. With my head in my hands, I let go and sobbed. I missed Annabelle’s touch.
I want my old life back.
I tried to disengage from these thoughts, this terrible wave of grief.
Strange how my emotions were different, muted, and yet ever present, a constant reminder that I was no longer human.
I shook off the melancholy, not wanting to alert Miranda or Alicia that I was no longer myself.
I had to act as though everything was fine and that we might again revisit the contentment we’d once known.
I returned downstairs to join them for supper in the rustic, homey kitchen.
The candelabra at the center of the table threw shadows on the walls.
Though offered food, I declined, but accepted the glass of blackberry wine, the fruity scent wafting beneath my nose.
It dawned on me that I may never taste food again. The smell of lamb made me nauseous.
Miranda’s cheeks were rosy, the liquor apparently warming her.
My attention turned to Alicia. “You’ve hardly eaten.”
Alicia looked up at me. “I was just thinking the same about you.”
Miranda’s gaze locked with mine.
Alicia placed her fork down. “I hate Felipe, but he’s the father of my son.”
I took a sip of wine.
The sweet taste of revenge.
My imagination spiraled, offering up the darkest fantasy of how it would feel when Felipe looked into my eyes as I stole his life. I’d make him suffer before I let him know death.
“You brought Ricardo home to me.” Alicia’s shoulders relaxed. “My son’s home.”
“He’s safe now.” I shifted my gaze to Miranda. “You all are.”
“Salvador?” Alicia’s voice was quiet. “Did he say anything before…”
I got up and strolled around the table, taking a seat beside her. “He wanted you to know he loved you.” I removed Salvador’s medal from my jacket pocket and lay it on her palm.
She closed her fingers around it. “I knew you’d understand that it meant we were safe. Sunaria promised to give it to you.”
And Sunaria had honored that vow.
“Who is she to you?” Alicia asked.
I shifted in my seat. “A friend.”
A vampire who has me so seduced that even now I can’t stop thinking of her.
I leaned back in my chair and changed the subject. “Salvador’s last thoughts and words were of you.”
Tears rolled down her flushed cheeks. “Why wouldn’t Felipe let us be?”
I looked away.
“What happened to Annabelle?” Alicia asked.
I swallowed. “Felipe sent his guards.”
“Eduardo?”
My expression told her what I didn’t want to say out loud.
Her lips quivered. “Dear God.”
“They murdered everyone.” I stared at her as though she might help me find the answer as to why.
“I’m so sorry,” Miranda whispered.
Alicia’s hands covered her face. “This was my fault.”
“No, Alicia.” I shook my head. “Felipe did this.”