Page 10 of Beaux and Dragons

Natalia said, “You do know that Celestia flew off today, so she does not come with the estate?”

“I heard.” The chastisement in Federico’s tone burned a hole through Ana’s chest. “If Celestia returns, I plan to buy her.”

Ana felt her cheeks boil with a surge of anger. “She’s not for sale.”

Natalia and Federico spun their attention toward her as if her presence was an unwelcome oddity.

A piercing scream rang through the night. Ana recognized her nephew’s painful wail and sprinted forward in earnest. When she arrived at the stable a split second before Federico, she found Carlitos prostrate on the ground with Cristian at his side, gnawing on his bottom lip. The swinging rope and stacked crates stood beside the boys as evidence of what had transpired.

“Where does it hurt?” Ana hunched beside the boy, ready to scoop him up.

Carlitos whimpered, “My shoulder.”

Before Ana could spring into action, Federico scooped the boy into his arms, careful of the limpappendage. The entire party raced into the house and up the stairs where Ana led them to an empty guest suite.

“I’ll go get Juan and Lucia.” Natalia took Cristian’s little hand and raced away on her mission, leaving Federico alone with Ana.

The minutes that passed with Carlitos groaning in bed stretched for what could have been hours. Federico opened his mouth but snapped it shut. Ana pretended not to notice, still sitting on the bed beside her nephew. Federico leaned in to touch the boy’s shoulder and grazed Ana’s arm. Heart palpitations enveloped her chest like a baby dragon learning to fly.

“What happened?” Lucia’s voice came out breathless. “Is he bleeding?”

Federico responded to Ana’s sister. “His shoulder is out of place. Will you adjust him or shall I?”

Lucia’s complexion blanched, noticeable in the candlelight. “You do it. I’ll be outside the bedroom.”

Ana sidled up to the young boy and clasped his good arm to give him some comfort as Federico did quick work of resetting his shoulder. The whole ordeal left Ana and Federico comforting the child until he drifted to sleep.

Federico finally met Ana’s eye. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

He opened his mouth, but Lucia entered the room.

“Good.” Lucia sighed. “Did all go well?” she whispered.

“Yes.” Federico peeled his gaze from Ana to Lucia. “He’ll be sore, but his shoulder is back in place.”

“Well, then. I’ll rejoin the party,” Lucia stated.

“But your son?” Ana reached for her sister who had already breeched the doorway.

“We’ll check on him in a little while.” Lucia continued out of the passage.

Federico followed after Lucia, which was good and proper for a lady and a man, but the words that lingered between the two burned in Ana’s mind.

Ana stopped at the doorway and called to Federico. He stopped at the stairwell and watched her as if waiting for something particular. She had so much to share, but why should he care? She’d lost her good standing with her friend years ago when she’d rejected him through a measly letter. How she wished to take back all the scrawled letters on the parchment Maria and Padre had sent for her.

Instead of using this chance alone to apologize, she said, “I did keep my promise. Celestia is in safe keeping.”

He shifted his jaw. “Are you leaving with your padre to Lourdes City?”

She nodded.

“How will you keep your promise then?” He fled.

And just like that, Ana’s blood boiled with a fresh new mission, tinged with so much curiosity. Padre must be desperate if he easily agreed to sell the estate to someone he considered so unworthy as Federico. Yet, Federico was able to purchase the estate and even talked of starting a dragon racing team. A glimmer of hope sparked in her chest. Padre might accept a match with her old friend now, but Federico would never accept her after all that had transpired. She must prove to Federico that she would care for Celestia no matter the inconvenience.

Chapter six