Page 24 of Beaux and Dragons

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.

Chapter seventeen

Getting Away

Dinner the following night proved to be the perfect occasion for Ana to make her move. Padre dined at the head of the polished table with all his daughters, Julian, the head minister of the dragon races, and a few other esteemed guests. The gentle candlelight proved deceivingly calm for the tumult rumbling within Ana’s soul.

“I just received a letter from Juan.” Lucia’s voice came out as a chirp. “Natalia is much improved, and they’ve already started traveling back home.”

Ana exhaled with relief. “I am happy to hear the news. The whole incident was so dreadful.”

Lucia bobbed her head in ardent agreement. “I have the best husband and only hope you have one who cares for his family as Juan has for me and his sister.”

Padre’s silverware clinked against his plate, and he lifted his wine glass. “I hope to make Julian an official son very soon.” He stretched a smile over his lips at his guests and placed a meaningful stare on Ana.

Sweat trickled down Ana’s hairline from such a declaration, and Padre had said it to an entire set of outsiders. She’d hoped to get such an opportunity in the conversation to make her request to travel to Peris though it still made her stomach squirm. “Yes, Padre, since you mention future plans, I would be delighted to take a trip to Peris with Lucia.”

Lucia coughed, a guttural sound gurgling in her throat. Maria, who sat beside her, paused mid-chew with disdain for Lucia painted on the arch of her brow. Though all three were sisters, Maria couldn’t abide Lucia’s boisterous manners.

“Whatever for?” Padre’s eyebrows furrowed with a hint of skepticism trailing the lines of his face.

Ana’s heart palpitated all the wilder, but she cut into a piece of meat with a firm resolve to get away. “Doesn’t Perishave all the latest fashions? And I know how Lucia has been in need of a holiday.”

“Oh yes, Padre,” Luicia nodded ardently. “I daresay, my sister has a keen sense for the state of my health.”

Padre placed his knife and fork to the side of his meal. “Am I to assume that I will be forced to arrange the plans for such an excursion?” The annoyance in his voice suggested he was holding back his true sentiments.

Ana pressed the corners of her lips down in a vigorous attempt to hide her glee at him having to agree to such a trip. Perhaps if he hadn’t insisted on inviting esteemed guests to his estate each week and wasn’t so keen on showing off how well to do he was, then he could have said no to Ana’s request. But such is life when appearances must be kept for the sake of the family name.

The wife of the minister of the races said, “Peris during the races is simply a must. All the latest fashion is released, and so many esteemed guests book inns along the west coast to view the competition.”

“Oh yes! We must go.” Lucia nearly bounded out of her seat at such a statement but covered her reaction by reaching for a drink.