Chapter four The Dilemma
Chapter four
The Dilemma
Three years later
Ana pressed against the molding on the wall, hidden at the parlor doorway from her Padre’s and Maria’s view. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but now that she heard the content of the conversation, it couldn’t be helped.
“What more can we do?” Padre sighed.
“Indeed,” Maria’s intonation was enthusiastic. “What more can anyone expect with so many creditors demanding for their payments to be settled? Ana will just have to do her part.”
“I spoke to the Racing Coalition, and they expressed that Ana’s beast would fetch a good price. We might even be able to stay in our house.”
Ana’s heart pounded so hard, she thought it might burst out of her chest. Padre and Maria enjoyed their balls, dinner parties, and the latest fashions from Lourdes City. Her mind calculated the savings they could set aside with a few simple lifestyle modifications.
“This might be the time to sell it,” Padre continued. “A colonel from the Airmen mentioned he’d like to buy it. With the money from the dragon and house, we’d be able to afford a home on Sendero in Lourdes City.”
“Why do you hesitate?” Maria’s excitement tinged every part of her voice. “Ana has refused to marry Julian even though she’s spent little time with our cousin.”
Ana willed herself to move from the hidden spot, but she had to hear Padre’s response. He must take her side on some matters. He wasn’t heartless.
The gap of silence extended far too long for Ana’s liking, but she couldn’t escape to save Celestia just yet.
Padre sighed. “I do love your sister, though she is an odd sort. She’s made no request besides keeping that beast and being allowed to choose her beau. She hasn’t opposed meeting any suitor and keeps the house in order and—”
Maria interjected, “But she refuses her duty to accept a betrothal though she’s gotten many requests.”
Ana must go now if Celestia was to stay in her charge like she had promised Federico all those years ago, but her accelerated heart wanted to hear her padre act on his love for her.
So many times, he’d chosen his comforts over hers.
Footfalls approached, yet Padre had not responded to Maria’s statement.
When the steps grew louder, Ana escaped before she could hear her padre defend his youngest daughter. Yet when the cool night air smacked her face, gentle tears sprang to her eyes. She lifted her skirt and raced to the stable.
Ana strode into the building that had once been full of the giant creatures but now housed only the most majestic of the bunch. Celestia’s overgrown form curled into a ball inside her cozy stall, alone and sleeping. Even in sleep, the dragon sniffed the air and relaxed at recognizing her rider.
Her tail rested over a sharp black talon, at complete peace. Ana hated to disturb Celestia, but she had no other choice.
Ana cupped a hand over Celestia’s sleek cheek and placed the bit in her mouth. “Hey, pretty girl, we need to find you a new home.”
Celestia’s eyelids snapped open with an intensity that made it seem like she could understand every word. Yet she allowed Ana to adjust the leather strap for steering and only grunted when she fitted the saddle between her neck and shoulders.
“Padre won’t keep you, but I know of a cave not too far from here.” Ana leaped onto the saddle, ripping the fabric somewhere on her ensemble. “No time to get a riding dress.”
Though Celestia hesitated to stand, she got to her feet and pranced outside the stable where she stretched out her enormous leathery wings. Her long talons dug into the ground.
“Come on, Celestia.” Ana pressed her feet into the creature’s flesh to prod her forward. “I hear people coming.”
Celestia glanced backward and huffed. In a split second, she ran and dove off the cliffside, wings expanded.
Ana clung to her neck and gently steered Celestia through the sky.
The dewy air undid the braid pinned to the top of her head and whipped strands across her face.
So many years ago, Ana had allowed Padre and her sisters to persuade her to cut off ties with Federico, stealing her best friend.
But she wouldn’t allow the last promise to fade with their dwindling purses.
“Where have you been?” Padre asked the moment Ana entered the parlor.
Ana plucked a leaf from her disheveled hair, which surely gave her away, but she wouldn’t cower or admit to any indiscretion.
“Never mind that. The colonel and captain arrive soon.” Padre twisted his lips with offense painted into the furrow of his brow. “I hate to think you had anything to do with that beast disappearing.”
Maria joined them in a fine gown meant for a night out at a ball. Though she found occasion to be ostentatious during any visit from an esteemed male, she’d outdone herself by adding the finest gold hair combs and sprinkling perfume that left the rest of her company trying to catch their breath.
Cheeks hot, Ana dipped her head down and clasped her hands.
A maid appeared at the doorway. “Captain Vega, sir.” The demure young lady dipped a quick curtsy and fled just as an older Federico appeared at the doorway.
Ana’s breath caught in her throat.
He’d filled out his simple uniform, transforming his once lanky figure into a tall and handsome young man—even more striking than the last time she’d seen him. What would he think of her, especially with hair unkempt, mud up to her knees, and a rip up the backside of her dress?
Federico refused to meet her eye though he gave a quick nod to Maria and Padre. “I’m here for the beast.”
“I thought we were to do business with the colonel himself.” Disdain crinkled along Padre’s lips. “I can’t imagine why the colonel would send his stable boy.”
“The colonel is not the buyer.” Federico’s smile inched up his cheek, which now had a small scar along his laugh line. “I am now a captain and have come into a small fortune.”
“Then I must tell you that the beast escaped this morning.” Padre cut a quick look at Ana and then returned his attentions to Federico. “The only thing I have left to offer is …”
Ana swallowed hard at such a well-placed pause that left her hoping in a way she hadn’t dared imagine in years.
“This estate,” Padre finished.
A weight burdened Ana’s shoulders with spoiled anticipation and all that must be done in order to move to Lourdes City. This grand house had been where she’d last seen her mamá, where she’d spent her childhood, where she’d had her happiest and most disillusioned moments.
“I’ll buy it,” Federico said.
Padre stilled, and so did Ana.
How much money had Federico come into? Ana examined his steady features and the scruff along his jaw for any sign of teasing, but there was none.
“The paperwork will be sent to you this afternoon.” Federico stretched out his hand, and Padre stared at it for a few minutes.
Taxes and upkeep had made the estate a liability that threatened the Montenegro family’s lifestyle.
But Padre hated to see his house fall into the hands of someone he deemed unworthy.
After all, this was part of his inheritance and had been in the family for generations.
Calculation traversed the lines on Padre’s face and finally settled with him clasping Federico’s hand in agreement.
The boy she’d once treasured still hadn’t met her eye, and Ana longed for any confirmation that he still admired or even loved her.
They might be able to be together if Federico had enough income to sustain her home.
Instead, Federico grinned brightly at Maria and Padre as they made their way to the front door.
Ana followed, still hoping for a crumb of his attention, but all she received was a passing glance where the upturn of his lips shifted downward.
If propriety hadn’t kept her feet glued to the ground, she would have fled before the door shut.
“Come back for dinner so we can discuss further details.” Padre’s eyebrow twitched as he peered at the old stable boy, inspecting his attire as if to find a flaw.
How could Federico afford such an estate? Perhaps Padre would change his sentiments toward her old friend. Yet when she stretched her neck to try and catch Federico’s attention, he dodged her gaze.
“I’ll return this evening.” Federico dipped his chin, confirming his attendance with an easy smile.
All at once, the idea of Federico sitting across from her yet not speaking to her burned a hole in her spirit. Would he ever forgive her? Had he fallen in love with someone else? These wrestling thoughts twisted her stomach into knots. Ana knew she’d be in complete misery the rest of the day.