“But—”
“Felipe, you must stop this childish infatuation with Zaybeth. Soon, you will be married and will have obligations and a duty to your wife.”
“Don’t you see I do not want my wife to be an obligation? I do not want to marry out of duty. I want to marry for love.”
“Marrying for love is so very noble and romantic, but sometimes it is not possible. Felipe, I do understand what you are going through. Your father and I had an arranged marriage,” she said, leaning into him and lowering her voice. “You have to promise to keep this a secret. Before I married your father, I was very much in love with another boy. He was a timid young man, not at all like your father. Oh, how I loved Pablo,” she said, as she reminisced. “But I married your father, and over time we have grown to love one another. I have two handsome sons to prove it,” she said, kissing Felipe on his forehead.
“Mother, this is different. I have loved Zaybeth from the moment I looked into her eyes. I heard angels singing from above. They told me God created her just for me and I should love and protect her. Zaybeth is my true love.”
“Felipe, Lilith is in love with you.”
“In love with me? How could Lilith be in love with me when she’s never met me? I do not share her affections.”
“I must confess I may have helped to sway Lilith’s decision.” Francisca stood and moved over to a large oak, embellished hand-painted desk and opened the ornamented doors. Her hand fiddled until they stumbled upon a dropdown secret compartment. She pulled out a small, jeweled chest. She opened the chest and handed Felipe a bundle of letters.
“What are these?”
“Since you have shown no interest in wooing Lilith, I took the liberty of writing her love letters and poems over the years on your behalf.”
“You did what?”
“I wrote out copies of them, which by the way, I suggest you read and memorize in case Lilith asks you to recite a poem.”
Felipe untied the bundles of letters and began sorting them, sifting through their contents. “But these are your words. Lilith fell in love with you, Mother, not me. For God’s sake, you must tell her the truth. You must tell Lilith I didn’t write these letters and that I do not love her.”
“I will do no such thing and neither will you. Felipe, if you concentrate on making Lilith happy, you will get over Zaybeth, just as I got over Pablo.”
“But how can I, when Zaybeth is a part of me?”
“Felipe, you must try.”
Felipe trudged down the hall to his bedroom. He stood at the doorway for a moment, listening. He could hear Alejandro’s voice low and muffled, followed by Zaybeth giggling. Felipe put his hand on the doorknob ready to burst in when the door opened and out stepped Zaybeth.
“Oh, Felipe there you are. I looked for you all day. Where were you?” Zaybeth asked, with her mouth full.
“What in the devil are you eating?”
She raked her tongue over her teeth and licked the corners of her mouth.
“Chocolate,” she replied. “Alejandro gave me a brick of it and Gertrudis brought us fresh strawberries, which made the chocolate absolutely delightful. Growing up, Mother forbade me from eating it, now I understand why, it’s positively sinful. Here, you simply must have a piece, it’s divine,” she said, breaking off a piece of chocolate handing it to Felipe.
He shook his head.
Zaybeth popped a broken piece of chocolate into her mouth and then licked her fingers.
“I heard you laughing all the way down the hall. I’m surprised you didn’t wake the entire house. Perhaps your mother was right, you shouldn’t eat chocolate. It makes you act like a drunkard.”
Zaybeth’s forehead crinkled with a frown.
“Tell me, what was so amusing, anyway?”
“Alejandro was telling me one of his tall tales. Your brother is quite the storyteller.”
Felipe stood awkwardly silent with his arms folded.
“Buenas noches,” Zaybeth said, breaking the silence.
Felipe remained silent. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned to say something, but Zaybeth had already walked away from him. He watched as she walked to her room. He wanted to kiss her and hold her in his arms, but he felt an overwhelming sense of anger, mixed equally well with a good dose of guilt. After all, he was about to get married and break her heart.
“Dammit!” Felipe said, striking his fist hard against the door. He clenched his jaw tight and rushed into his room. Felipe’s eyes narrowed. “I know what you’re up to Alejandro. Stay the hell away from Zaybeth, I’m warning you,” Felipe bristled.
Alejandro, who was stretched out on his bed with his arms propped up behind his head on his pillow, gave Felipe a sly grin.
“Don’t blame me. You’re the one that ran off today, disappearing like you used to do when we were children. You left Zaybeth all alone, someone had to entertain her. Oh, and you should probably tell her about your wedding. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to hear the news.”
“Alejandro, why have you turned against me?” Felipe asked.
Alejandro got out of bed and walked over to Felipe with sincerity in his eyes.
“I have not turned against you. We are brothers and I do not wish to quarrel with you. In truth, I have always had feelings for Zaybeth, but my feelings have always been overshadowed by you.”
“Do you think feeding her chocolate and telling her a bunch of silly stories is enough to make her fall in love with you?”
“You have no right to claim Zaybeth as your own. You’re getting married.”
Felipe turned his back to Alejandro. He knew his brother was right, but he and Zaybeth loved each other. No, it was more than that, Zaybeth was his true love.
“I see no reason why I should hide my feelings for her any longer. If Zaybeth will have me, I wish to marry her,” Alejandro said.
He turned around and lifted his eyes somberly to his brother. “Papa will never allow it.”
Alejandro gave Felipe a wide smile. “You just let me worry about that, big brother.”
THE ARRANGEMENT
19 October.
During Mass, Felipe glanced nervously at Zaybeth. Somehow, he had to muster up the courage to tell her about his arranged marriage. Lilith and her family were due to arrive any day now. Telling Zaybeth was going to break her heart, but she deserved to hear the truth from him—he owed her at least that much.
Felipe’s face was somber during much of the carriage ride home. His guilty eyes avoided Zaybeth’s gaze. Once the carriage reached the manor and came to a full stop, Felipe bailed out.
“Zaybeth, if you like, we can play that game I was telling you about at Mass today,” Alejandro said, helping Zaybeth out of the carriage.
“Maybe later, Alejandro. I’m a little tired. Perhaps after dinner,” she said, smiling politely and diverting her attention to Felipe.
“Very well then,” Alejandro said.
Zaybeth and Felipe loitered in the patio after everyone had gone inside. Felipe stared down at the ground, kicking dirt and rocks around while avoiding eye contact with Zaybeth. He paced back and forth for a moment then started walking toward the garden.
* * *
Felipe looked back over his shoulder to make sure Zaybeth was following him. When he saw her struggling to keep up with his long strides, he slowed down and waited for her to catch up to him.
“Felipe, why have you been avoiding me? If you are angry with me—”
Felipe stopped and turned to her. “Zaybeth, I could never be angry with you.”
Felipe stared at Zaybeth for a moment and took a long deep breath.
“Zaybeth please have a seat. There is something I must tell you.”
Zaybeth sat on the nearby bench.
“What is it, Felipe? You know you can tell me anything.”
Felipe swallowed hard and looked up to the heavens.
“Oh, God, Zaybeth, how I have prayed this day would never come.” He ripped his eyes from the sky and
made a low muffled sound of frustration.
“What is it?” she asked.
Felipe got down on both knees in front of Zaybeth. He cupped her hands in his, and he looked up at her mournfully.
“Zaybeth, I do not know how to tell you this. Oh, God, I am so very sorry. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive you for what?”
Felipe could feel his stomach tighten as he looked into the eyes of the only girl he could ever love.
“Zaybeth, believe me when I tell you this, I never meant to hurt you.” He tore his guilty eyes from her and lifted them to the sky. “I thought God would be merciful and would answer my prayers. But as it turns out, my prayers have fallen on deaf ears and have gone unanswered.” Felipe took a deep breath, his heart pounded wildly in his chest.
Unable to look at Zaybeth, Felipe lowered his eyes to the ground.
“I am to be married next Saturday,” he said, his voice cracking under the heavy weight of emotion.
“Did Alejandro put you up to this?” she asked, playfully mussing up Felipe’s hair. “Is this one of his tall tales? You are to be married, next Saturday? Okay, I’ll play along. To whom?” she asked, laughing.
Felipe raised his head. “Please, Zaybeth, this is no laughing matter.”
“I don’t understand.” Her words caught in her throat. “Is this some sort of cruel joke? You love me. You told me so, yourself. You gave me a red carnation and declared your love for me.”
“Zaybeth, I love you more than anything. Please, believe me. But the truth is I’ve been betrothed since shortly after my birth. My family had an arrangement—”
“An arrangement? Oh, God, you knew the entire time that you were engaged and yet you pledged your heart to me?” Zaybeth snatched her hands from Felipe and shoved him.
Felipe fell backwards onto the ground, where he sat with his knees pressed to his face, wiping away his tears from his eyes with the backs of his hands.
Zaybeth walked to the rose bush, turning her back to Felipe.
Felipe picked himself up and walked over to Zaybeth, placing his hand tenderly on her shoulder.
Zaybeth brushed Felipe’s hand away, and then turned abruptly, facing him.
“Who is she, Felipe? Oh, let me guess, some aristocrat with a large dowry, no doubt.”
He reached for her and put his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him.
Zaybeth slapped Felipe’s hands away and ran a few feet from him.
“Zaybeth, I am so very sorry,” he said, running after her and seizing her by her waist. As Zaybeth struggled to free herself, Felipe held her that much tighter, pulling her closer to him.
“Who is she, Felipe?” Zaybeth demanded.
“Her name is Lilith Al-Salameh. She lives in Granada.”
“She’s a Moor?” Zaybeth said with disgust. She broke away from Felipe’s grip and turned her back to him.
“I didn’t tell you because I thought I could get out of marrying her. Alejandro was supposed to marry Lilith’s sister, but she died. I thought under the circumstances, Alejandro would marry Lilith, leaving me free to marry you.”
“What color is Lilith’s hair?” she asked, turning around and facing Felipe.
He gave her a puzzled look. “Black, I think. Why?”
“But you don’t like black hair,” she reminded him. “You like red hair, like mine,” she said, twirling her curly red tresses around her index finger.
Felipe walked behind Zaybeth and gently touched her long red curls, playfully twirling her hair around his fingers.
“Yes, with hair as red as fire,” he said, sniffing her curls and then kissing them. Felipe nuzzled the nape of her neck and turned her around, so she was facing him. He gazed softly into Zaybeth’s vivid, jade green eyes.
“Felipe, you can’t marry Lilith. You don’t love her.”
“You’re right, I don’t. I love you.”
“Then let’s run away together, now.” She took his hand and tried to run, but Felipe did not budge.
“Zaybeth, we have no money.”
“You work for your father?”
“Yes, as my father’s unpaid apprentice.”
“What if you stole the money?”
“Zaybeth, my father is a very powerful man. He would hunt us down and have us imprisoned. I have no choice but to marry Lilith. Zaybeth, I’m sorry, but my hands are tied.”
She pulled away from him. “I hate you, Felipe. I hate that I ever came to live here!”
Felipe reached for Zaybeth, but she ran off. “Zaybeth, please come back.”
* * *
Zaybeth ran inside the manor and dashed past Tomás and Francisca, crying hysterically. She ran into her mother’s arms, sobbing.
“But Mother, Felipe loves me. Why is he marrying her? Felipe loves me,” she cried.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL
22 October. The de Hayos estate.
Still in shock, Zaybeth felt the thudding of her heart and a wave of nausea deep in the pit of stomach as she stood in the courtyard with the de Hayos family. Nervously, she twirled her hair. Why was it necessary for her to meet Lilith? She and her mother were not family. The pain in her heart was already unbearable, now she would have to endure meeting the very woman who had destroyed her happiness. Zaybeth so desperately wanted to run and hide in her bedroom.
I will never forgive Felipe for this.
Overwrought by sadness and jealousy, Zaybeth wasn’t sure how she would react to meeting Lilith.
Would she make a scene and tell Lilith that she and Felipe were in love? Or, would she keep her mouth shut and just grin and bear it.
More likely the latter. She gave a sigh.
Lilith and her parents arrived in a lavish, jeweled-encrusted, gold-laden carriage. They were accompanied by a vast entourage of servants, guards, and horses. Zaybeth’s eyes followed Felipe as he walked to the carriage, carrying two bouquets of flowers. One made entirely of red roses, and the other was a colorful bouquet of wild flowers mixed with pink roses.
Servants opened the carriage door and released the step, while Eduardo helped Nashiema out of the carriage. Zaybeth considered the visitors from her standpoint.
Nashiema was an attractive, woman—slightly older and shorter than Francisca. She had olive skin and was dressed in colorful, layers of beaded-jeweled, silk shawls and a flowing dress. She wore a sheer, silk red headdress that had ornate jewels decorating it.
Felipe bowed. “Ahlan wa sahlan,” (Welcome) he said, handing Nashiema the bouquet of wild flowers and pink roses. Next, Abraham exited the carriage. He greeted Felipe with an affectionate hug.
Abraham had a much darker complexion than his wife, although lighter than most Moors. He had an overgrown bushy beard and mustache that hid most of his face. And like his wife, Abraham was also dressed in a colorful silk robe that was tied with a gold-colored sash. His head was covered with a white turban.
Zaybeth braced herself as Lilith stepped out of the carriage.
“Felipe, I may I present my lovely daughter, Lilith,” Abraham said.
Felipe turned and bowed. He kissed Lilith’s hand and presented her with the large bouquet of red roses.
Zaybeth’s eyes burned on Lilith. She was much taller than Zaybeth had expected, almost as tall as Felipe. Lilith’s olive complexion made it almost impossible for her to hide her Moorish ancestry. She had long, straight, silky, black hair that went down to the top of her buttocks, and was topped with a ruby and pearl gold circlet headpiece. Unlike her parents, Lilith was not dressed in the traditional Moorish attire. Instead, she wore an empire-style, rich red and gold brocade dress, which accentuated her small, delicate waist, slender hips, and voluptuous breasts.
Lilith greeted Felipe with the perfect smile, exposing her high cheekbones. As much as Zaybeth hated to admit it, Lilith was absolutely beautiful.
Zaybeth could do nothing more than grit her teeth and smile politely, as she watched Felipe and Lilith stroll arm-in-arm to meet his parents. Tomás and Fra
ncisca greeted their soon to be daughter-in-law with warm hugs and kisses. Next, Felipe introduced Lilith and her parents to his brother.
Zaybeth could see fear mounting in Felipe’s eyes, as he and Lilith approached. Felipe hesitated for a moment, clearing his throat.
“Lilith, I would like for you to meet our houseguests. This is my mother’s oldest and dearest friend, Señora Maria Rivera Castile and her daughter, Señorita Zaybeth Castile Rivera.”
Zaybeth’s heart pounded as she watched Lilith and her mother exchange greetings. Now it was her turn.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Zaybeth,” Lilith said.
As Lilith drew near, Zaybeth could smell the sweet aroma of jasmine and the earthy scent of patchouli. Zaybeth’s body stiffened as Lilith hugged her. A chill caught Zaybeth by surprise. It was followed by a sharp pain, shooting through her temples.
Ghoulish images of winged demons started flashing before Zaybeth’s mind’s eye. She blinked back at Lilith and swore her face had distorted, making her appear almost inhuman. It was as if another being was living inside of Lilith’s body. Zaybeth’s blood ran cold. She felt dizzy. Clumsily, Zaybeth reached for Nashiema’s hand to shake it, missing it entirely. Zaybeth’s body lunged face forward into Abraham, who broke her fall.
Zaybeth’s face flushed a bright red. “Sorry,” she said softly.
During dinner in the great hall, Zaybeth kept her head down low, nervously twirling her hair. She gave a long sigh as she grew tired of all the fuss Francisca and everyone was making over Lilith. Francisca’s excessive outpouring of affection spilled over into her giving Lilith a gift box, containing a lace wedding veil.
Zaybeth rolled her eyes.
“Lilith, you simply must wear it. My mother made this veil for me for my wedding day.”
“Thank you, Francisca. It would be an honor to wear this on my wedding day. Isn’t it beautiful, Felipe?”
The very sight of Felipe and Lilith discussing their wedding plans made Zaybeth want to scream like a raving lunatic. Her dream of someday marrying Felipe was shattered. Tears formed at the rims of her eyes. Zaybeth stood abruptly, barely giving the men enough time to stand before leaving the table.
Eye of Saturn (The Daughters of Saturn Book 1) Page 9