6. Chapter 6
Chapter six
The Ferry to Burgos
Moving to Lourdes City required a long ship ride north, known for turbulent waters, or a short ferry ride with some touring of the island of Burgos countryside.
Ana chose to do the latter. First, her padre could not abide such a long tour, and second—and most importantly—she could make frequent stops to guide Celestia to a new home outside Lourdes City without anyone being the wiser.
Her sister Lucia and brother-in-law Juan agreed to accompany her on the voyage, which suited her nicely until Natalia insisted on touring the Burgos countryside with them.
Natalia wouldn’t have been a problem because in Ana’s heart, she loved the sweet girl like a sister. But the moment Natalia mentioned that she had invited Federico to join them, Ana loathed the trip before it even began.
When the coach arrived at her house, she kept her head low and lugged her suitcase to the coachman.
As the last person to be picked up, she had the unfortunate experience of choosing whom to sit beside—Natalia or Lucia.
She squeezed beside Lucia, which was indeed the farthest she could be from Federico.
At least they’d make it to the ferry soon enough.
“Are you excited?” Natalia asked with far too much enthusiasm.
Ana forced her lips to bend into a smile. “I’ll miss home, but what more can be done?” She found her eyes drifting to Federico who watched her intently, though she couldn’t imagine why.
“You’ve explored quite a bit of the kingdom, have you not?” Juan asked Federico, steering the unwanted attention in a much more comfortable direction.
Federico’s eyes lit up into jovial crescents as he shared his exploits through all of Sandoval while the whole company boarded the ferry.
Ana’s cheeks heated at every stray look placed on her, and she tried to keep her heart flutters from exploding from her chest. As soon as the trip was over, she could move on with her life, though Padre had been pressuring her to find a match.
At least on the ship Ana would get a reprieve from Federico’s stray attention.
The ship swayed as she watched the blue skies and twinkling cerulean water from the port side. A shadow appeared beside her, and she gripped the railing tighter. It couldn’t be Lucia or Natalia because neither of them would ever have edged close to her without prattling.
“You watch the skies quite a bit.” Federico kept his words crisp and biting as if accusing Ana of a crime.
She turned her shoulder a fraction to box him out of her view.
“Are you regretting losing Celestia?” Federico leaned close enough for her to feel the heat emanating from his white coat.
She turned to him to launch a daggered stare. How could he accuse her of misplacing her one dragon? Did he believe her a liar now? The questions and accusations that wanted to slip off her tongue burned up her throat, but etiquette kept her words bridled.
“Mister Vega, do you have a reason for approaching me?” Ana craned her neck around Federico to find her other companions within the parlor room where many guests played games. “I’m sure Natalia, Lucia, and Juan would enjoy your company at the card table.”
He laughed. “So, is my company unwelcome to you?” Those heartwarming lines bracketing his mouth highlighted his handsome face—the one she’d always enjoyed.
“And what if I said yes?” She lifted her chin, trying to keep herself poised and under control.
“I thought the well-bred ladies of this world were trained not to outright offend someone.”
“You are the one who interrupts my tranquility with accusations.”
“What’s wrong with asking about the dragon you swore to protect? I suppose you always struggled with keeping promises.”
The jab squelched the little hope in her heart of recuperating a friendship with him. “Perhaps the perpetrator of such offenses isn’t me but you.”
An indignant chuckle erupted from his lips. “Do you forget what transpired at your birthday celebration?”
“I remember,” she whispered.
“Are you sure? Because if you do recall, you promised me a betrothal and then sent me a letter stating you never wanted to see me again. How many letters did I send over the last three years that went unanswered?”
Ana’s heart pounded at his nearness and the obvious vehemence set in the contours of his mouth. Maria had scrawled in the same letter style as Ana and had sent the missive Padre demanded to end the hasty betrothal. He wouldn’t have known those details so she couldn’t blame him for the false notion.
But Ana had never seen a single message more from Federico since then. Would it have made a difference if another one of his notes had arrived? Could they have recuperated their friendship after such a heartbreak?
Federico inched downward now, but a breath away from her ear. “So, forgive me if I assumed wrong about how you mishandle all the promises you’ve ever made to me.”
The hairs on her neck prickled. A bitterness swarmed her stomach and had Ana’s bottom jaw quivering.
She spun to meet Federico’s eyes but bopped her forehead against his chin.
She rubbed at her head, and he scratched his chin.
She was inches from his lips. This was much too close for comfort, but she didn’t dare step backward.
He also didn’t flee from their close proximity, which silenced all that should have been said for his insufferable attitude.
When his dark-brown gaze shifted down her nose and to her lips, Ana’s lungs refused to breathe, and she resisted the urge to rock up on her toes to kiss him. Her thoughts screamed at her to be reasonable. He must have done this to tease her.
“Federico,” Natalia called from some distance behind them.
He leaped away and strode to Natalia, who waved from twenty feet away.
“We need another player.” She giggled and tugged on his hand.
Ana dumbly stood by herself with her heart in her throat. A shadow passed overhead, fitting for the tumult of emotion ravaging every fiber of her being. She’d lost Federico forever, and it hurt just like it had when she was sixteen years old.
A growl sounded in the sky, and she caught sight of the black-and-purple underside of Celestia dipping down to catch her attention.
She waved at the beast, who spun to nod her head at her rider. Ana lifted a hand to signal ahead so Celestia did not feel ignored. She’d need to control her heart for the next several days as they toured Burgos.
A tall, familiar figure appeared on the upper deck with striking features and a dark ensemble. Was it Padre’s future inheritor and the one her family insisted she needed to marry?
She strode up the stairs, unsure if she acted out of curiosity or desperation. Either way, it gave her something else to do besides replay the almost-kiss between her and Federico in her head.
“Senor Montenegro?”
He spun to face her, giving her a better view of his face and tall stature. His appearance was pleasant with a slender nose, owl-like eyes, and a full smile with one tooth slightly protruding. “I am he.” He cocked his head to the side. “Cousin?”
“Yes.” The tension in Ana’s chest eased. Julian Montenegro stood before her, offering a solution to Federico’s vengeful company. “What are you doing here?”
“I am just returning from visiting my aunt and thought to enjoy the route back to Lourdes City.”
“Are you by yourself?
He nodded.
“You must join us.” Ana had three conflicting thoughts right in that moment.
One, her padre would agree to a match between her and Julian because it would save their financial predicament.
Two, she could test Federico by seeing if he got jealous of Julian keeping her company.
Three, she was so wrong at entertaining such a vengeful plan, yet what else could she do?