Page 88 of Eternal Craving

Sunaria and I continued to bond and my dependence on her was transforming into an intense love. She bewitched not only me, but everyone who came into contact with her. She eloquently conversed with strangers in their own language. She’d even mastered Welsh. Her worldly knowledge and the easewith which she faced each night also reflected her maturity – other women seemed sheltered compared to her.

Sunaria couldn’t shake off her old ways, much to my delight. Up until the moment she’d slaughtered her master she’d been a perfect lover. By the time she’d reached adulthood, she’d been groomed to satisfy every one of her master’s needs. She thought of her lover’s desires before her own. A born nurturer, she delighted in spoiling me.

I’d find myself standing naked in a hot tub of water, leisurely being bathed by her, or she’d present a victim to me, still surprised by my discomfort. Confliction was still an issue for me.

Sunaria’s talents as my lover left me breathless. Her easy access to my thoughts ensured awareness at the deepest level of my heart, thus she understood me. She calmed my fears and satisfied my yearnings.

I’d wake to find my clothes laid out on the end of our bed. She chose the most distinguished outfits for me to wear. I delighted in the rare books she left for me on the bedside table, and I devoured them all.

I became obsessed with her.

With my passion came a desire to fulfill her every need. Perfect lovers, unchanging, we tumbled through time, two inseparable nightwalkers drunk on their desire for each other. We’d mingle with high society, enjoying hunting amongst the privileged. Women offered themselves to me willingly and men would surrender all too easily. I had to tame my ability to cause havoc in rooms full of mortals; not only could I walk on consecrated ground, but I found it easy to seduce anyone. I’d stand in the center of a room and marvel at the crowd that gathered around, all eager for play. Sunaria insisted that her royal blood had bestowed my unique gifts.

Here in our lavish bedroom, I lay on the four-poster bed and watched her dress, a dark goddess of the night. I savoredher ethereal figure moving dreamily before me. Again, as on so many occasions before, she disappeared into the night. Her habit of leaving me alone seemed to be her way of intensifying my fixation. I’d lay back, staring up at the ceiling, fantasizing about what I’d do to Sunaria upon her return, and then lure her back with my erotic imaginings.

Our endless infatuation with each other heightened our mutual dependence – my new life balanced precariously beside my old one.

Not ready to face my sister with the whole truth for fear of her rejection and of losing Jacob, I kept up the mortal façade.

Miranda hovered close, a constant reminder of a promise I’d once made. I’d managed to delay acting on her request but wasn’t sure how long I could hold her off. Expensive gifts and a great deal of flirting seemed to placate her, but I knew it would only be a matter of time before she demanded my dark kiss.

By October, Miranda and Alicia had settled into their new life.

Although still in hiding, we all had a sense of impending freedom. They both trusted my ability to deal with Felipe and, though the details were rarely discussed, they showed remarkable faith in me handling our affairs.

During my frequent visits to their house, I savored spending time with Jacob. Alicia would very often complain that I kept Jacob up late. I’d smile and shrug, avoiding Miranda’s critical stare.

Ricardo’s unruly temperament became troublesome, and I often had to pull him off Jacob, his jealousy a frequent cause of the fights. Although I tried not to show Jacob favor, this wasn’t easy. Ricardo, a troubled child, needed a father’s discipline. Where I could, I tried to help Alicia raise him, but Ricardo reminded me of my past and I’d not yet forgiven him.

Having experienced firsthand Ricardo’s swordsmanship, weapons were banned. Of course Ricardo had no memory of impaling his uncle, but for me, it was impossible to forget. However, he would often be found outside acting out sword fights, taking on an invisible opponent, stabbing yet another victim to death.

This wretched boy was the reason I couldn’t see the sun ever again.

I would watch Jacob sleep, and at times had to be dragged away by Sunaria, who had snuck into the house to get me, minutes before daylight. The next evening, I’d be back again, witnessing my son flourish, wanting him to have everything that I never had.

One late evening, I found the strength to show Jacob his mother’s locket. He gazed down at Annabelle’s image rendered perfectly in the left side of the locket that I’d removed from her neck soon after her death, the silver chain dangling.

“You can hold it if you like.” I closed the clasp and tucked the memento into the palm of his small hand.

Jacob squeezed his fingers around it, smiling up at me.

His innocent eyes glimmered with the hope of my salvation.

Chapter Thirty-Two

On December 6, 1492, the Niña clashed with disaster.

According to an official report, its mast snapped in two and the vessel almost sank. Experienced sailors managed to salvage what was left of the damaged mast and the repaired ship continued its journey. However, due to the delay, it became separated from the two other vessels.

Two days before, Felipe had requested a transfer from the Niña to the Santa Maria, and misfortune soon followed on Christmas Eve. The Santa Maria ran aground on a sandbar and then sank, just off the Caribbean island of Hispaniola – more evidence of sabotage.

Three months later, on March 15, Columbus returned to Palos on the Niña, with its fixed mast. Felipe Grenaldi, also aboard, waved to the crowds, happy to have survived. His expression of delight to see his homeland soon faded when the king’s guards arrested him on his disembarkation and charged him with mutiny.

Columbus was shocked to hear that the man he’d befriended had been accused of treachery.

A late evening trial enabled Sunaria and I to attend. We sat at the back of the courtroom, hidden by the crowd that clamored for a good view. Dumbstruck, Felipe had no idea who’d framed him. The journey halfway across the world had aged him and he’d lost weight. New worry lines were evident on his weathered face, and the old ones were more defined.

Vicente Yanez Pinzón testified that Felipe had joined them at the last minute, insisting that he represented the king. Although Pinzón had initially felt suspicion, the royal warrant given to him by Felipe was stamped with the official crest of His Majesty, and King Ferdinand had personally signed it. The document, which I had meticulously forged, was now presented by Pinzón to the court.