16. Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
Recovery
Ana lay on a recovery bed, face exposed and cheeks coated in tears as a medic explained the events she’d missed. No longer did this competition seem like an ideal manner to make money and win her freedom to marry any suitor.
“I’ll be right back.” The lanky doctor pushed his spectacles up his nose and exited the medical center.
“I’ll get news about your dragon.” The doctor exited, leaving only her in the light of one bed lamp on her night table and one lamp at the doorway.
The two rows of empty beds seemed too much for one race, but perhaps after the day was done, each bed would be filled.
Just as the door swung closed, a shadow appeared with the same lemon-yellow cape as Federico’s dragon rider, Emilio. “That was quite the race. I presume you will bow out of the next heat?”
Thoughts jumbled through her mind. Her face now exposed her identity to more than the doctor. Federico would find out that she didn’t simply enter Celestia into the Sanatoria, but she also had entered. What would he think of her? Did he come here to mock her or find out if she was alive?
“Bow out? I am already committed to finishing this race. Please don’t tell Federico.” Ana found herself fixing her wayward hair and shifting into a sitting position. The ache on her side hurt, but she refused to groan.
Emilio nodded and drew closer. He pulled out a stool, still wearing the yellow covering designed to protect their faces when riding.
Under the dim lighting, the curves of his features extended ominous shadows.
For what felt like too long, he watched her before saying, “I promise to keep this a secret if you allow me to train you for the final heat.”
“Federico mustn’t be told about my identity now or ever. Do you understand?”
He chuckled. “So, you’ll allow me to train you?”
She bobbed her head.
“Good. Celestia is speedy, and you aren’t bad at steering her, but you might not get so lucky in the final heat with even more ruthless riders.”
Her mouth dried out at such an assessment of what was to come, but she had to ask. “When do we train?”
“When can you travel to Santolaria?”
That was a great question she hadn’t thought through.
Padre wouldn’t accept her explanation that she would tour Santolaria with a complete stranger who worked for Federico.
Perhaps she could tell Lucia about joining the competition, but she could imagine Lucia giving away her secret in a fit of emotion.
If Padre found out she’d raced, he would surely lock her in the house and force her to marry Julian.
No, she had to find another excuse to get away.