Page 12 of Beaux and Dragons

“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 asthey 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.

“Señor 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 savetheir 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?

Chapter seven

A Heaping Bowl of Envy

“Do you remember Julian?” Ana slipped into an empty chair beside her sister Lucia.

Julian tipped his head in a friendly gesture to Ana’s sister and Juan. Lucia gaped at Ana and shifted her eyes back and forth between Ana and Julian. An obvious grin overtook her features that bespoke her matchmaking between the two.

Ana gestured to her companions. “This is Señor Ponce, Lucia’s husband, Señorita Ponce—his sister, and our dear friend Señor Vega.” Ana gripped her sister’s hand and leaned close to her ear. “Don’t be so obvious.”

“He is exceedingly handsome.” Lucia craned her neck around to peek at said potential suitor.

The fellow pulled up a chair and sat between Federico and Ana in what could only be a providential arrangement. Natalia took the opportunity to loop her arm through Federico’s elbow crook, claiming him. Federico gripped his playing cards in such a way that the cards bent.

What if he was jealous of Julian? Hadn’t he almost kissed her before Natalia had intervened? Then again, he had said she couldn’t keep a promise and had insulted her in every way possible just before then. She sighed at her own wayward thoughts.

Ana took her seat, trying not to be too obvious in her observations.

Julian crinkled his eyes in his happy appraisal of Natalia and Federico. “It’s nice to meet you again dear cousin, Señor Ponce, Señorita Ponce, and Señor Vito.”

“Vega,” Federico corrected.

“I’m sorry, Señor Vega.” Julian tipped his head and pressed his palm to his heart. “I’m terrible with names.”

Though Ana resisted the twist of a smile, it couldn’t be helped. Either Federico would need to be nicer, or she would play the part of entertaining the possibility of a match with Julian—in which her whole family would approve. She could test Federico’s response like he toyed with her emotions.

Upon arriving at the port of Quenepas, Julian asked, “Where will your party be staying?”

Ana turned toward her brother-in-law who stretched a practiced grin in place.