Felipe recognized one of the voices. His pulse quickened. It was his mother calling him.
He shoved the key back into his pocket. He hurried out of the narrow passageway. In his haste, Felipe accidentally dropped the knapsack at the foot of the metal door. He doused the torch in a bucket of water, leaving the torch in the bucket. Once inside his parent’s bedroom, he closed the wall.
Fueled by the sudden rush of adrenaline, Felipe found strength, heaving the massive piece of artwork back on its mounting. He was in such a hurry, he failed to notice the portrait was slanted. Hearing his mother’s footsteps approaching, Felipe crouched down, hiding against his mother’s writing desk. The door to the outer chamber opened. He took a deep breath and held it.
“Felipe?” Francisca called out.
Silence. The door closed.
Felipe exhaled. He knew he had better find out what his mother wanted and fast. For now, the gold would have to wait. He dusted himself off and adjusted his clothing. He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. His mother was half-way down the hall and was about to go down the stairs.
He smoothed down his hair and wiped his sweaty face with his sleeve.
“Sí, Mama, I’m coming,” Felipe answered, while catching up to her.
Francisca turned around. “Oh, there you are.”
“Mother, you look beautiful this evening. Is that a new dress?”
“Why yes, Felipe,” she said with a wide smile. “It was made by the same seamstress that’s been making all of Lilith’s fancy dresses, not that you’ve noticed,” she said lifting her eyebrow. “I had a total of two made, one of which I plan on wearing at Mass tomorrow.”
“Well, you certainly will be the envy of every woman there.”
“Come along, Felipe, we mustn’t keep everyone waiting. We are about to have dinner and start our Christmas celebration,” she said, reaching for Felipe’s arm as they walked down the stairs. “This is your first Christmas as a husband. Oh, you are going to be so proud of your wife. Lilith has made your favorite candy.”
Felipe entered the great hall, his eyes widened. There, sitting at the large oak dining table, was Abraham and Nashiema. Felipe gave Zaybeth a panicked glance. He turned and gave a forced smile, greeting his in-laws.
“Nashiema,” he said, giving her a respectful peck on each side of her cheeks. “It is so good to see you again.” Felipe walked over to Abraham and gave him a hearty pat on the back and a hug. “Abraham, what a pleasant surprise, what brings you and Nashiema here?” he asked, giving Lilith a quick peck on the lips before taking his seat next to her. Felipe’s heart raced. He hoped Lilith had not told her parents about his behavior.
“Your mother and father invited us for Christmas,” Nashiema said.
“Oh, Christmas, of course.” He exhaled deeply.
Throughout dinner, Felipe couldn’t help but notice that Abraham and Nashiema were smiling at him. Their smiles unnerved him. One thing for sure, from the jovial looks on their faces, Lilith had not told them anything.
After the servants cleared out the dinner plates from the table, Tomás cleared his throat.
“Abraham would you like to make the announcement or should I?”
“It would be my honor, Tomás,” he said, turning to Felipe. “As it seems like such a short period of time to establish your political reputation, you have captured the attention of none other than the Sultan Said of Granada.”
“The sultan? Really?” Felipe said, astonished.
“He is most anxious to meet with you, Felipe, and he is holding a seat for you on the council in the southern provenience of Granada.”
“But Abraham, I already have an appointment here,” he said, looking anxiously over at his father.
“No need to worry, my son. I have taken care of everything,” Tomás said.
Felipe could feel his stomach drop. “What do you mean you have taken care of everything?” he asked, breathless.
Abraham stood and lifted his pewter, jeweled goblet in a toast.
“In celebration of your new appointment, Felipe, it is my privilege to bestow upon you and Lilith a palace to call your own. I give you, Palacio del Sol.” (Palace of the Sun).
Everyone at the table stood and clapped, except for Zaybeth. She only stood up and started clapping after Maria gave her elbow a firm tug, pulling her to her feet.
Lilith surprised Felipe by giving him a hug and a kiss. Felipe tried to speak, but his mouth moved soundlessly for a moment. His words caught in his throat. Felipe looked nervously at Lilith, and then he looked at his family, all standing and clapping in his honor.
“This is all so unexpected. When do we leave?” he managed to say.
“The day after Christmas,” Tomás said. His eye narrowed, cutting Felipe an accusing look. “Servants are packing yours and Lilith’s belongings as we speak. You and Lilith can sleep in the guestroom in the meantime,” Tomás said smugly, as he sat down.
Felipe’s heart sank. He could not hide his shock. His father had just delivered the final death blow to his plans to run away with Zaybeth. Felipe gave Zaybeth a desperate look.
How could his father and in-laws have known their plans? Who could have betrayed them, Gertrudis? Eduardo? Perhaps it was God, punishing him for committing adultery, even if it were only in his mind.
Felipe looked to Alejandro for sympathy, but his brother reared back in his chair with his arms folded, with a satisfied look upon his face.
“Felipe, isn’t this wonderful? I cannot wait to show you around Granada. There are so many things I need to tell you,” Lilith said excitedly. She picked up a small piece of turrón and plopped it in his mouth before he could utter a single word. “I hope I made it just the way you like it.”
Although the candy was sweet, it left a bitter aftertaste in Felipe’s mouth. Lilith fed Felipe another piece of candy, this time, delivering it with a full kiss on the lips. Felipe had always enjoyed Christmas. The food, celebrating family traditions and going to Mass, but this Christmas Felipe would not find joy. This Christmas, he would only find insufferable sorrow.
“Felipe, I hope Lilith has been teaching you about our people and our ways,” Abraham said, looking briefly at Lilith. “If you are to be our advocate and spokesman, you must think like a Moor.”
“Father, please. Felipe and I have only been married two months. We are still newlyweds. We have barely had enough time to become acquainted.”
“Felipe, you speak and read Arabic, but there is much more you need to know. Take Toledo for instance, my people—”
“Father, let’s not bore everyone to death with stories about how Moors contributed to Spain’s architecture, math, and science. There will be plenty of time for that once we are settled in Granada. Right, Felipe?”
“Right,” Felipe said, giving a half smile.
DARK NIGHTMARE VISIONS
Felipe moving away made Zaybeth’s heart heavy. It was all she could think about as she dressed into her bedclothes and climbed into bed. But it was Lilith’s gaze during dinner that unnerved her. Lilith’s hazel eyes had taken on a pitch-black glare, giving her a demon-like appearance. This was the second time Zaybeth had witnessed Lilith’s face distorting. Zaybeth couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something wicked about Lilith. She knew if she told Felipe what she saw, he would say it was her imagination.
Lilith’s leering, demon-like stare during dinner was all Zaybeth could think about as she drifted off into a deep sleep. Lilith’s cold black gaze began to transform into billowing clouds of black smoke. When the smoke cleared, Zaybeth’s dreams had unwittingly taken her to a mysterious temple.
Three winged she-demons materialize out of the billowing, black smoke. They gathered around a hexagon-shaped, black onyx altar, where a man is bound. Suddenly, Lilith emerges holding a jeweled-handle athame in her hands. She joins the three she-demons. She positions herself over the man, raising the athame to the heavens, chanting in an ancient tongue.
A fierce stor
m starts brewing in the heavens, creating a swirling hurricane-like vortex. Within the swirling storm an eerily human-looking, hurricane-like eye forms. The eye opens and empowers the jeweled-handle athame’s blade. The blade starts to glow. Lilith plunges the glowing blade deep into the man’s chest.
The man’s body vanishes. Moments later, a winged demon appears soaring through the air. The demon sees Zaybeth and heads straight for her. She lets out a silent scream. The demon’s face becomes clearer—it’s Felipe. He opens his mouth wide and two sharp fangs clamp around Zaybeth’s neck.
Zaybeth jolted from her hellish nightmare, hyperventilating. She sprung out of bed, grabbing a rosary off the table. She knelt down, praying to the Virgin Mary. Zaybeth prayed vigorously throughout the night, until she could not keep her eyes open any longer, falling asleep on the floor clutching the rosary.
PARADISE LOST
Christmas morning.
Felipe quietly got out of bed and tiptoed to an old, writing desk. He lit a small candle and sat down. He found a feather quill and a cobweb-covered inkwell and a sheet of parchment. Felipe dipped the feathered quill in the rich, black ink and quickly wrote a short, but important note. He folded the parchment and blew out the candle. Cautiously, he made his way out the door. He crept down the hall and slipped the note underneath Maria’s door. Quickly, he returned to his.
* * *
Maria stepped out of her room dressed and ready for mass, when she noticed a folded piece of parchment lying at the threshold of her bedroom door. She scooped up the note and dashed back into her room. She opened the letter and began reading:
Dearest Maria,
As my inevitable departure grows near, I fear I won’t be able to say goodbye to Zaybeth, properly. After Mass ends, have her meet me in the northern part of the church. Tell her to go to the first door on her left.
My father is certain to notice our absence. Please try and delay him for as long as you can.
With much love,
Felipe
* * *
Mass ended and Felipe hurried to the northern part of the church, which was under construction. He slipped inside an unfinished room and waited for what seemed like an eternity. The doorknob turned and the door opened. Felipe spun around and gave a big smile.
“My love, you came,” Felipe said, greeting Zaybeth with a full kiss on her lips.
“Oh, Felipe...” Zaybeth gasped between their ardent kisses. She looked up at Felipe with sadness in her eyes. “It seems your in-laws have succeeded where your parents have failed in keeping us apart. You leave tomorrow and I fear I shall never see you again. Granada is so far away.”
“We will be together Zaybeth, I promise. I will think of something.”
“Felipe, we’ve been fooling ourselves all this time. You were never truly mine. You have always belonged to Lilith.”
“No, Zaybeth, I belong to you. We belong to each other.”
Zaybeth stared deeply into Felipe’s soulful brown eyes. Her face tightened. She became frightened as she recalled her nightmare.
“Felipe, I beg you not to leave. Ask the archbishop to give you sanctuary,” she pleaded.
“You know I cannot do that.”
“Oh, Felipe you must! Last night, I had the most horrible dream. I dreamt Lilith turned you into a monster...” her words broke off.
“My love, you’ve been listening to silly superstitions about Moors. I’ll be fine.”
“I’m not so sure. I fear for your very soul.” Zaybeth reached around her neck and unclasped the gold the cross, handing it to Felipe. “Please wear this for protection.”
Felipe looked at the cross, giving it back to Zaybeth. “I can’t take this. Your brother gave this to you.”
“Oh you must! If you do not, I feel something dreadful might happen to you.”
He kissed her hand. “Okay my love if it will ease your fears, I shall wear it always. I promise.” He quickly fastened the cross around his neck. The cross hung just above the heart-shaped, gold locket Lilith had given him. Felipe cradled Zaybeth in his arms, kissing her deeply.
The door burst open, startled the lovers.
“Hurry, Felipe,” Maria said. “Everyone has gathered at the carriages. Your father is becoming suspicious. He fears you and Zaybeth have run away. Tomás warned me, if you and Zaybeth had run off, he would personally see to it that I was thrown in prison.”
“Maria, take Zaybeth to the carriage. I’ll be there shortly to dispel any suspicion that she and I were together.” Felipe reached for Zaybeth’s hand, pulling her back to him. “I love you.” He kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Zaybeth, I promise I will find a way for us to be together. I’ll write to you every chance I get. I’ll address the letters to you, Maria.”
* * *
Tomás stood next to his in-laws, with embarrassment written all over his face. He was about to run out of excuses regarding Felipe’s whereabouts, when Tomás spotted Maria and Zaybeth strolling up the walkway. He excused himself and ran over to the ladies, blocking them. “Where is Felipe?” he asked firmly.
“Tomás, I looked for him everywhere, but I could not find him,” Maria replied.
“I’m not asking you, Maria,” he said looking Zaybeth squarely in her eyes. “Where is my son?”
Zaybeth parted her lips to speak, when she saw Felipe sprinting up the walkway. “There!” she said pointing.
Felipe stopped at the gold-laden carriage, greeting his in-laws. “Sorry to keep everyone waiting,” Felipe said, lifting Lilith’s veil and planting a wet, sloppy kiss on her lips.
Tomás dashed over to Felipe and gripped his son, hard on the shoulder. “Where the devil have you been? I would like a word with you,” he whispered in an angry tone.
“Sí, Papa. Please excuse me, everyone, I’ll be just a moment.”
Tomás put his arm around Felipe, guiding his son out of earshot of Lilith and his in-laws.
“What kept you?” Tomás asked, giving Felipe an accusing look.
“I was in the confessional. Today is Christmas, after all, and Penance is a holy sacrament. His Excellency, Archbishop de Acuña was gracious enough to listen to my confessions. This will be the last time I will be attending Mass, Papa. In just a few days my home will be in Granada, where I will be attending a mosque, studying the Qur’an,” Felipe said in a sharp tone. “Now, if you don’t mind, my wife is waiting,” he said, abruptly walking away, leaving Tomás speechless.
* * *
The gold-laden carriage was the first to arrive at the de Hayos estate. Felipe departed the coach as soon as it came to a complete stop. He was deeply troubled and couldn’t wait to get to his personal sanctuary and think. “Lilith, I’m going for a walk.”
Lilith unhooked her veil and removed it. “Hurry back. It smells like Gertrudis and her cooks have prepared a scrumptious Christmas feast.”
Felipe walked slowly, branding every detail of his family’s property into his memory. Finally, he reached his private sanctuary and was greeted by an overpowering stench. Overcome by the putrid smell, Felipe’s fingers grabbled inside the inner pocket of his doublet, searching for a handkerchief. Quickly, he covered his nose and mouth.
As far as the eyes could see, hundreds of decaying animals littering both sides of the embankment—many with their throats ripped out—completely drained of blood.
“What in God’s name?” He gagged. Felipe walked along bewildered until his feet stumbled over something deep and uneven. He looked down at his feet. It was the imprint of an animal with large talons. He knelt down and traced his fingers over the hellish footprint. He looked up to the sky.
“What manner of bird could have made this impression?” There was a slight chill in the air.
Felipe returned to the manor, his face sullen. He found Lilith sitting on the brocade bench in the foyer of the great hall, strumming a Christmas melody she heard earlier at Mass on her guitarre.
Lilith stopped playing for a moment. “Back so soon? How did you enjoy your walk
?”
“Not as much as I would have liked,” he replied.
“Oh, what a shame,” Lilith said in a sarcastic tone.
TORN APART
Musicians played in the great hall during Christmas dinner. Tomás sat in his chair with his arms folded, swollen with pride after seeing Abraham and Nashiema enjoying the merriment. He’d had impressed them. However, for Felipe and Zaybeth, Christmas dinner was anything but merry—it was bittersweet. It was the last meal they would share together at the manor, and yet they were forbidden to even speak to one another.
Zaybeth just stared at the half-eaten food on her plate. She let out a deep sigh and lifted her eyes into Felipe’s loving gaze. Zaybeth’s eyes quickly looked down, resisting the temptation to look at her beloved. Feeling the heat coming off Felipe’s stare, Zaybeth’s hands trembled as she reached for the cup of water in front of her. Unable to resist temptation any longer, Zaybeth’s eyes inched upward into Felipe’s soulful brown eyes. She gave him a guarded smile.
Throughout dinner, the ill-fated lovers shared stolen glances. But one of Zaybeth’s fleeting glances however, shifted away from Felipe’s gaze into the perceptive eyes of Nashiema. Zaybeth’s face flushed red with embarrassment. Nashiema had witnessed the amorous exchange between the two and had discovered the truth—they were in love.
* * *
Later that night in the bedchamber of Tomás and Francisca.
“Señor de Hayos, I have my best men posted in the halls and out in the courtyard as you have instructed. If either Felipe or Zaybeth should leave their rooms tonight, they will be seized.”
“Very good, General Ramírez.”
The general bowed and left the room.
“Oh, for God’s sakes, Tomás, really!” Francisca scoffed. “Do you think it was necessary to post guards outside our son’s door? Felipe certainly wouldn’t try to run away with Zaybeth now, not with Nashiema and Abraham here.”
“I do not trust him, Francisca. I only wish I had thought to place guards outside his door months ago. I’m telling you, Felipe and Zaybeth are up to something, I can feel it! That nonsense at Mass today, I do not believe for one minute Felipe was in the confessional. Last night I found our family portrait at a slant.”
Eye of Saturn (The Daughters of Saturn Book 1) Page 15