“Would you please excuse me? My daughter isn’t feeling well. It was very nice meeting all of you,” Maria said, leaving the table and rushing after Zaybeth.
* * *
Felipe looked on helplessly as Zaybeth hurried up the stairs. Without forethought, he started after her, but Lilith tugging his arm kept him from moving.
“Felipe, your property is so very lovely, I should like to explore it. I thought we could all go riding tomorrow,” Lilith said.
“What? Oh, yes, of course.” Felipe was the only one standing, embarrassed, he sat down quickly.
* * *
“Tomás, I hope you don’t mind, but I brought along some of my finest, purebred, Andalusian horses. I trained them myself,” Abraham boasted. “Gabriel, my stable boy is tending to them. He assisted me in their training and knows how to handle them.” Abraham noticed Tomás’ raised eyebrow. “I’m hope I have not offended you, Tomás. I’m sure you have some fine horses and capable stable hands too, but you and your family simply must take a ride on one of my graceful stallions,” Abraham said.
THE GIFT OF LIFE
The next day.
“Gabriel!” Abraham yelled. “Where is my horse, Azul? I told you that I needed everything to be perfect today.”
Gabriel, a tall, muscular, ponytailed stable hand stepped from around a chestnut-colored Andalusian stallion.
“Señor Al-Salameh, Azul is in the pasture and has refused to come into the stable,” he said. “He’s too busy exploring his new surroundings. I will round him up just as soon as he calms down. You can take Fuego.”
“Oh, very well then,” Abraham said, mounting the stallion.
Quickly, Gabriel readied Lilith’s horse, a grey, high-spirited, Andalusian mare named Esmeralda. He helped her up in the saddle, staring at her adorningly.
Felipe entered the stable. Gabriel took his eyes off Lilith and glared at Felipe with contempt. Felipe’s very presence stirred disdain and pure hatred.
“Stable boy, is my horse ready?” Felipe asked.
Gabriel purposely ignored Felipe and turned his full attention to the horses. He saddled Nashiema’s spry, cremello-colored Andalusian mare, Oro, helping her in the saddle. Next, Gabriel saddled Tomás’ palomino-colored steed. Everyone was saddled and riding out of the stable, leaving Felipe and Gabriel alone in the barn.
“Stable boy, are you deaf? I asked if my horse was ready.”
Gabriel circled Felipe with his arms folded, sizing him up. “Felipe Esteban de Hayos Montoya,” he mocked.
“I have never made your acquaintance, yet you know my name,” Felipe replied.
Gabriel gave Felipe a long hard stare.
“I know you, all right! You’re that boy in the gold locket Lilith wears around her neck, her betrothed.”
Gabriel turned his head and gave a sharp whistle. Into the stable galloped a gigantic, jet-black, Andalusian stallion. The sheen from the stallion’s coat was so black that it took on a brilliant, bluish hue. The horse flared his nostrils and snorted.
“Good boy, Azul,” Gabriel said, as he took to saddling up the massive beast.
Gabriel’s eyes caught a prickly thorn on the ground. He gave a devilish grin. He scooped up the sharp barb, carefully placing it under Azul’s saddle pad. Gabriel turned to Felipe and smirked. “Your horse is ready.”
* * *
Azul was the tallest horse Felipe had ever seen. He rubbed his hands together, working up enough courage to mount the gigantic horse. His first attempt resulted in his boot slipping out of the stirrup.
Gabriel laughed.
After several failed attempts, Felipe finally got his boot into the stirrups and threw his other leg over the horse’s massive back. He sat back in the saddle. The prickly thorn dug deep into the horse’s back. Azul danced and pranced around, and, finally, the horse broke into a frenzy of uncontrollable bucking and rearing.
“Whoa! Steady boy,” Felipe said, trying to calm the stallion.
“Enjoy your ride,” Gabriel said, giving Felipe a sly grin.
Before Felipe could complain that the horse was too much for him to handle, Gabriel gave Azul a hard pat on the butt. The horse reared up onto its back legs and kicked both front legs up in the air, and bolted out of the stable.
“Oh, and be sure to hold on tight,” Gabriel said laughing.
Azul tore down the path, passing Tomás’ elegant, buckskin-colored steed.
“Felipe!” his father called out. “Stop showing off.”
Azul sailed past Nashiema’s spry mare and Francisca’s gelding.
Lilith could hear the thunder of hooves coming fast. She turned and looked back at the approaching, massive, black horse. Azul caught up to Lilith’s horse, passing them.
“Father! Felipe is riding Azul. You are the only one who can ride him. Please, you must stop Azul before Felipe gets hurt.”
“If Felipe is to be your husband, he must be brave and strong,” Abraham said, as Azul raced past him, kicking up dirt as his hooves dug deep into the dried earth. The black stallion broke free from the path, jumping over a high fence with ease and was now a runaway horse.
Lilith dug her spurs into her mare’s side and raced after Felipe. Her mare barely made the jump over the fence.
Azul jumped ditches, weaving in and out of trees, galloping wildly through thick underbrush. Felipe pulled back on the reins, trying to stop the out-of-control horse. His eyes widened as Azul raced toward the River Tajo. Felipe held on tightly and braced himself for the horse to jump. But Azul stopped short, instead. Felipe’s body pivoted and his hands involuntarily let go of the reins and his body sailed through the air, over the front of the horse—and struck the back of his head hard against a large boulder in the middle of the river.
* * *
Lilith arrived, quickly dismounting Esmeralda. She ran over to the black stallion.
“Azul, you horrible beast!” she scolded.
The majestic black stallion’s large, coal-black eyes looked fiercely at Lilith. Azul flared his nostrils, shook his head and grunted before trotting away, with much attitude.
“Felipe?” Lilith called out. She looked in every direction, but she could not find him. Her eyes carefully followed along the river, where she spotted Felipe floating face down in the water. He was not moving. Her heart raced. Felipe was caught in a strong undercurrent that was about to carry him downstream. Lilith vanished and quickly took hold of his arm and teleported Felipe to a clearing on the other side of the riverbank.
She propped Felipe’s head up in her lap. Immediately, she noticed her hands were covered with blood. She looked at Felipe, his face had turned blue.
“Felipe, my love, you can’t die,” she said, panicked-stricken.
Lilith knew she had the power to bring Felipe back to life. She gazed up to a cloudless blue sky.
“Salzol ShBThAI! Salzol ShBThAI! (Hail Saturn! Hail Saturn!) Seraphim, Malachim, Elohim, Beni Elohim, Kerubim, and Ishim, grant my wish.”
She placed her left hand on Felipe’s forehead and prayed in Solsatihel.
“Elra ShBThAI (Father Saturn), I ask you to bring your power down from the heavens and heal my love, Felipe. Hail to the Golden God! Great is thy power. Father of Light, heal his wound. Let your power flow through Felipe’s body and give him life,” Lilith prayed over and over again.
A screeching, haunting voice rumbled through the heavens, growing louder and louder until it drowned out Lilith’s voice. Felipe’s body was engulfed in a golden ray of light. After a few minutes, his head injury was completely healed and his clothes dry. The blood on Lilith’s hand disappeared.
* * *
Felipe coughed and opened his eyes. His vision was bleary. He smiled, thinking it was Zaybeth holding him. Slowly, Felipe’s vision returned. He blinked and refocused his eyes. He was nestled in Lilith’s arms, instead. Felipe’s smile gave way to a frown.
“What happened?” he asked.
“You were thrown from your horse. Are you all right?”
<
br /> “I think so.”
“I really must apologize. I have no idea why Gabriel would put you on such a mean-spirited horse in the first place.”
“I have a pretty good idea why,” Felipe mumbled under his breath.
“We must catch up to the others. Can you walk?”
“I think so.”
“Esmeralda will see us back, safely.”
Lilith stood up and took Felipe by both hands, pulling him to his feet.
Felipe staggered back a few steps before regaining his balance.
Lilith reached for him.
Felipe firmly held Lilith’s hand.
“I’m all right.”
They walked over to the mare.
Lilith mounted the horse. She stretched out her hand.
Felipe took Lilith’s hand and pulled himself up on the horse.
“Lilith.”
“Yes, Felipe?”
“Thank you.”
Felipe positioned himself closely behind her. His hands firmly clasped her tiny waist. He could help but notice Lilith’s body shifted in the saddle in response to his touch, pressing her backside into his groin.
* * *
Felipe stood in the doorway of the stable staring down Gabriel, who was brushing the very devil of a horse that had tried to kill him.
“That was a rotten trick, horseboy,” Felipe said, walking closer to Gabriel, his fists balled up.
Gabriel smiled and continued brushing Azul.
“You know, it is customary for the rider and the horse to arrive at the same time.”
“If you like her so much, you should tell her. Why try and kill me?”
Gabriel stopped brushing Azul and turned to Felipe.
“You aristocrats are all the same. You just barge in and take whatever you want, without so much as working for it. You don’t know the first thing about her!”
“And you thought by killing me, her father would allow you to marry her? If that was your plan, you’re mad. More likely you would be hanged for your murderous deed than marry Lilith.”
Gabriel and Felipe stared at each other, until Gabriel burst into laughter.
It wasn’t before long the corners of Felipe’s mouth turned upwards and he, too, began laughing.
“Sorry about that, no hard feelings? My name is Gabriel,” he said, wiping his hand down the sides of his breeches. He extended his hand to Felipe.
Felipe hesitantly shook Gabriel’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Gabriel.” Felipe shifted his stance, letting his guard down. “Why haven’t you told Lilith how you feel about her?”
Gabriel cast his eyes down and resumed brushing Azul.
“Lilith and her father see me as nothing more than a stable boy. My father and mother came to work for Señor Al-Salameh before I was born. My mother died in childbirth with me and my father died a couple of years ago. Although Señor Al-Salameh treats me like his son, I am still nothing more than a servant.”
“Gabriel, you must tell Lilith that you love her before it’s too late. We’re getting married this Saturday.”
Gabriel stopped brushing Azul.
“I’m curious, Felipe, why are you so eager to give up Lilith and her hefty dowry?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Lilith only has eyes for you,” Gabriel said, matter-of-factly.
BLOOD BONDS
25 October. Catedral de Toledo.
Felipe was sweating profusely as he took his place alongside the priest at the front doors of the grandest church in all of Toledo, the Catedral de Toledo. He swore it was the hottest day he could ever remember in late October. It felt more like a sweltering day in mid-July. To make matters worse, he was overdressed.
Adorned with a new, peacock-feathered cap made from the finest black velvet, Felipe wore a royal court doublet, a white ruffled shirt, brocade paneled breeches, stockings, and new shoes that his mother had specially made for his wedding day. A gold, heart-shaped locket that Lilith had given him as a wedding gift nicely accessorized his wedding ensemble.
Felipe’s eyes frantically searched the crowd for Zaybeth, but there was no sign of her or her mother. He saw many relatives he hadn’t seen in years, but still there was no sign of his beloved. The Archbishop Antonio Jimenez Santos de Acuña stood in the front alongside Tomás and Francisca. There were kings, queens, princesses, sultans, prominent families, and dignitaries from faraway lands—Italy, Germany, and England in attendance.
The choirboy started singing, signaling the wedding ceremony was about to begin.
Zaybeth, please find it in your heart to forgive me.
Felipe closed his eyes, imagining that it was Zaybeth he was about to marry, but his fantasy soon gave way to his grim reality.
Lilith made her grand entrance. There were sighs from the guests. She wore the lace veil Francisca had given her, which was wrapped in a tall headdress made of gold and precious jewels that accented her pale blue, velvet, squared-neckline, pearl-beaded, wedding gown.
Abraham took his daughter’s arm in his and walked her up the pathway to the church doors. They were followed by two little girls, with bride laces and rosemary tied about their silken sleeves. A group of maidens followed the two little girls up the walkway, handing tiny cakes to guests.
As the ceremony proceeded, Felipe searched the audience for a savior. He cut his eyes to Alejandro, then to his mother and father, and lastly up to the heavens, praying God would save him, but no one came to his aid. Felipe’s heart felt as if a dagger was piercing it, how he yearned for Zaybeth. He gave Lilith, who had joined him, an uneasy look.
This cannot be happening.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God Almighty to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church. If any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace,” the priest intoned.
Felipe half-expected Gabriel to burst into the church and stop the wedding, declaring his love for Lilith, but the church remained deafeningly silent.
The priest proceeded with the ceremony.
“Wilt Felipe Esteban de Hayos Montoya have this woman, Lilith Al-Salameh to be thy wedded wife, to live together in accordance with God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thee promise to love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Felipe’s voice cracked.
“Wilt Lilith Al-Salameh take this man, Felipe Esteban de Hayos Montoya to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt Lilith Al-Salameh obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will,” Lilith said happily.
“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”
Abraham stood and walked to Lilith. “I do.” He placed Lilith’s right hand in the priest’s hand bowed and took his seat.
“I, Felipe Esteban de Hayos Montoya, take thee Lilith Al-Salameh to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.” His heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
Francisca mopped her eyes with her husband’s handkerchief.
With her right hand, Lilith took Felipe by his right hand said her vows.
Felipe plucked out a plain gold ring from the inner pocket of this doublet and handed it to the priest. The priest then said a blessing over the ring and gave it back to Felipe. He took Lilith’s left hand and slipped the ring on her fourth finger.
“With this
ring I thee wed, Lilith Al-Salameh with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
They knelt, while the priest said a prayer and sprinkled them with holy water.
The Priest joined the couple’s right hands together. “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.”
Felipe and Lilith stood up.
“For as much as Felipe Esteban de Hayos Montoya and Lilith Al-Salameh have consented together in holy wedlock, I pronounce them to be man and wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You may kiss the bride,” the priest said in a monotone voice.
Felipe couldn’t help but notice his mother-in-law joining his mother in crying tears of joy. His father beamed with satisfaction, smiling proudly as Francisca and Nashiema both dried their eyes, trying to regain their composure.
Felipe’s hands trembled as he lifted Lilith’s veil. He gazed deep into her almond-shaped, hazel eyes. Lilith was stunningly beautiful. Perhaps the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. By all accounts, he should have been happy, but instead he felt hollow inside. Felipe gently pressed his lips to Lilith’s, giving her a tender kiss.
* * *
Someone yelling in the courtyard woke Zaybeth from a late afternoon nap. Burning with curiosity, she got out of bed to investigate. Servants were busy in the courtyard adorning rows of oak tables with expensive, imported, white linens and exquisite, Spanish lace napkins. Each table had an elaborate floral centerpiece—a bouquet of lush red and pink roses, handpicked fresh from the de Hayos’ family garden. Fine china, gold goblets, and fancy filigree gold cutlery complimented each place setting.
The ringing of the Catedral’s bell and firecrackers exploding in the distance sent Zaybeth’s emotions spiraling out of control. She knew what they signified. Her heart began to bleed with a sorrow it had never known until now.
Zaybeth reached for the single red carnation Felipe had given her on her birthday and clutched the dried, withered flower tightly to her bosom. The dried petals fell, making a pattern on the floor that resembled blood splatter.
Eye of Saturn (The Daughters of Saturn Book 1) Page 10