“You are no match for me,” he whispered into her ear. “Shall I destroy you?”
Mariah froze, afraid of what would happen if she moved.
“You lied to me,” he continued, the anger apparent in his voice. “Tell me why I should spare such a traitorous, deceitful snake?” A flicker of hope flashed through her mind. He didn’t want to destroy her.
“I am useful,” she said softly, letting her body go limp as a show of surrender. “As long as you spare my son, you hold his safety over me, and all my skills are yours. I can go places and not be seen, learn things and not be known. I have power, and as long as my son is safe, you control me.”
The silence stretched out as Sophus thought. The feel of his breath on her neck made Mariah nervous. Perhaps he had already made up his mind and merely wished to prolong Mariah’s suffering….
“You will do only as I say. You will not go into this dream world of yours without permission, and you will tell me everything you find and every word you hear, from the living and the dead,” he finally said, whispering right next to her ear. “If you disappoint me again, in any way, your son will die and I will destroy you.”
Oblivion would be nice, she thought as he released her and stood. As though he had heard her thought, he continued.
“Remember, I said destroy, not kill.” He stood, looking down at her. “I would ensure you would live for all eternity, helpless and miserable, able only to remember how you had caused the destruction and death of everything you cared for by your disobedience.” Turning, he stalked away.
Mariah had thought herself trapped before, but she realized now she had not known the meaning of the word. What have I gotten myself into? she wondered as she remained on the floor, staring blankly at the flames in the hearth until even the embers had died.
Chapter 25
For once, Elisa didn’t care that Miguel was ignoring her. The entire trip home from the city, their boat laden with new things for their home, they hadn’t said a word. He had some stupid, happy-go-lucky grin on his face when he wasn’t paying attention. She should be jealous, she knew, but right now she was just too excited. She would definitely give him grief later, though.
Which dress should I wear? she asked Theron as she planned. What is his favorite color?
I think blue looks best on you, Theron responded, as eager as she was to make their upcoming venture a success. It would take more than once, she was sure, but that was all right. Elisa had no doubt that she could wheedle what she wanted out of him. After all, she’d gotten past the first step with little trouble. Sophus had invited her to visit.
***
Emelia let out a relieved sigh and dropped the fake smile that had been plastered on her face for the last thirty minutes as the door closed behind her.
“That one must’ve been a real charmer,” Álvaro said from his seat on the stairs.
“If I never see Don Rafael again, it will be a day too soon,” she said, handing the doorman her shawl.
“Isn’t he a little old for you?” Álvaro stood to walk her to the sitting room.
“Belo set it up; I didn’t have much choice.” Emelia shuddered and turned to Álvaro, taking his hand. “Take me away from here, Álvaro. Someplace I don’t have to think of dowries or politics or responsibilities and can just be happy.”
Caught off guard by her request, he hesitated a moment before smiling. “I know just the place. Order the horses while I let your mother know.”
Emelia watched him as he left, his stride full of purpose and his normally neat hair a bit disheveled. He always looked his best a little mussed up; it reminded her of when they were younger and more carefree. Once he was out of sight, she called for the horses to be saddled and hurried to her room to change into a riding habit. She wouldn’t have minded ruining the dress she wore if it meant never being reminded of Don Rafael’s pale, groping hands, but right now she just wanted to be free of it. Emelia dumped the skirt onto the floor near the fireplace and began dressing in the habit.
There was a quiet knock on the door and Leonora let herself in.
“Álvaro says you’re going riding. I want to go, too,” she stated, sounding subdued. Emelia looked her over.
“Are you feeling well, Nora?”
Leonora nodded.
“Well, help me with my dress then, and send word to the stables.”
Leonora stuck her head out the door for a moment then joined her sister. “Your dress might get singed if you leave it so close to the fireplace.”
“That’s the idea,” Emelia said, checking her hair in the mirror. At Leonora’s look of shock she laughed. “You’re right. Grab it for me and I’ll lay it on the bed.”
Soon the three of them were on the road, trotting between the plantation fields. They were too spread out to talk, but Emelia liked that just fine. She could watch Álvaro, handsome as ever, astride Wind. She enjoyed watching the way his shoulders, which had begun to fill out this last year, moved beneath his jacket. Her eyes dropped down to admire his legs in their tight-fitting breeches and boots, and she blushed, turning away at the thought.
“This way,” Álvaro said, slowing abruptly and turning toward a track that led through a field, toward a distant stand of trees. He turned in his saddle to look back at them, his face alight. “What do you think, Norita? Are you up for a bit of a run?”
“Don’t call me that! I’m not a baby,” Leonora huffed, maneuvering her horse between them and smacking Álvaro with her whip.
He laughed. “Well, let’s see if you can keep up then, little Nora.” He shot Emelia a grin as he urged Wind on. The mare leapt forward and they were off.
“Well, come on!” Emelia laughed as she urged Stardust after Wind. The track was fairly even before her, but Emelia did not dare look back to see if Leonora was behind her.
Emelia’s heart pounded to the beat of her horse’s gait over the dry ground, and all of her concerns fell away. There was nothing to worry about beyond the next turn, the next leap, the next fall of hooves and the beat of her heart. There was no time for emotion, not fear nor anger, not longing nor trepidation. Emelia’s mind fell into silence and peace as she and Stardust moved as one, following they gray flag of Wind’s tail.
Out of nowhere, Leonora’s chestnut horse landed between Wind and Stardust, a peal of ecstatic laughter from her rider. Emelia’s reverie was broken as she pulled back. Álvaro and Leonora slowed as well to a cooling walk.
“Where are we?” Leonora asked as Emelia pulled alongside them.
“Well, a couple months ago I was going through some older files in the office —”
Leonora groaned, and Emelia had to agree. “You sound just like Papa.”
“That doesn’t bother me at all,” Álvaro responded. “As I was looking, I found some personal history. It turns out that my father kept a journal. It’s pretty terse and dry, though. Most of the entries are only a line or two long, plus a remark on the weather.” Álvaro affected a silly voice. “Damp today. Rain likely.”
Leonora snickered. “It rains nine months out of the year.”
“That’s just here,” Emelia reminded her. “Don Miguel had traveled the world before stopping in Maracaibo. He probably thought it strange.”
“Anyhow,” Álvaro continued, “he mentioned this place a couple of times. He said that a friend owned it. My father had planned to bring my mother some day, but I don’t know if he ever did.”
They entered a clearing in the trees. The serene beauty of it took Emelia’s breath away. The little glade was shaded and cool, with several stone benches placed artfully around. She could just imagine it as a place for lovers to come and confess their feelings for each other. How perfect to be here with Álvaro.
“Doesn’t it say in the journal?” Leonora asked, cutting into Emelia’s thoughts.
“No, not that I’ve gotten to yet,” Álvaro said. “I’ve only found the one book, but I’m sure there are more somewhere.”
“I’m going to gather f
lowers for Mama,” Leonora announced, as she slid down from her horse. Emelia watched her go and waited patiently for Álvaro to come assist her down. Not that she couldn’t have gotten off on her own; it wasn’t ladylike, but she could. However, any chance to have Álvaro touch her was not to be squandered.
Emelia gripped his hand for balance and shifted her weight to step down from the saddle. For a moment she considered losing her balance to throw herself into his arms, just to have his arms around her. But then the moment passed and she was safely on the ground.
“Tell me, has Gretchen ever thrown herself into your arms while you’re helping her down?” Emelia asked, nudging his ribs playfully.
“Only every time. I swear that girl has no balance,” Álvaro said, as they tied up their horses.
“How are things going with her, anyway?”
Álvaro shrugged. “I don’t think her father likes me much, and besides, she’s scared of horses.”
Emelia laughed. “Felicia was too loud. Donna giggled too much, Consuela was … what again?”
“Too bouncy,” Álvaro said, picking a flower and handing it to her.
“Bianca, and before her it was Anna-Maria. Can’t you stay in love for more than a fortnight?” Emelia shoved him again and this time he pushed back. She tripped, grabbing at him for balance. By the time they’d gotten straightened out they were both breathless with laughter.
Álvaro led her to the bench and they sat. Emelia’s heart beat furiously as she avoided his eyes. She busied her hands with putting the flower up into her hair as he leaned back.
“I love how easy it is to talk to you,” he said, looking up at the clouds.
“Well, you know you can tell me anything.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever really known what love was before now.”
Emelia’s pulse increased, and she didn’t dare to look at him as he spoke. How many others had sat on this bench before her and confessed their love?
“It’s as though I opened my eyes and saw for the first time what I’d seen a thousand times before.”
Emelia didn’t speak, her hope rising in her chest.
“I had just bid farewell to Gretchen for the last time, and I turned and there was Hannah Martinez, standing in the sunlight with a flower in her golden hair.”
Emelia repressed a sigh, catching her heart before it could shatter at her feet, and tucked it safely back into its box.
“Hannah? Really? You know she doesn’t even read,” Emelia said.
“She hasn’t got two thoughts in her head to rub together,” Leonora chimed in, a bunch of flowers in one hand.
“But have you heard her sing?” Álvaro said, not even listening to them.
“I give it two weeks,” Emelia said.
“One,” Leonora countered.
“You’ll have to let me wear your blue mantilla next Sunday.”
“You’ll have to let me wear your emerald necklace.”
“Done.” Emelia stuck out her hand and Leonora put an amaranth in it.
“What time is it?” Leonora asked. “I don’t want to miss lunch again today.”
“You’re right,” Emelia said, putting the flower into her sister’s hair. “We should get going before he starts reciting poetry.”
“Álvaro,” Leonora said, nudging his knee.
“Hmm?” He looked down to her, returning from the clouds and impossible Hannah.
“Invite us to lunch. We’re hungry,” Leonora said, laying on the charm.
“How could I refuse a request like that?” he said, chucking her chin and she swatted his hand away.
Emelia brought the horses over and held Leonora’s chestnut filly while her sister attempted to mount the sidesaddle on her own.
“Leg up?” Álvaro offered.
“I can do it on my own,” she said, taking the reins from Emelia. Álvaro shrugged and turned to Emelia, offering his hand.
Emelia gathered her reins and took Álvaro’s help up. As she settled her skirts she turned back to her struggling sister.
“I thought you wanted lunch,” she said, “not supper.”
Exasperated, Leonora raised her chin and stuck her hand out to Álvaro. He grinned and took her by the waist, tossing her up onto her saddle before she could protest. Grumbling, Leonora fumbled with her stirrup as Álvaro mounted Wind.
“Well, come on then,” he said, reining Wind about. “Last one there is a turnip.”
“No fair!” Leonora protested, but Emelia had already started forward and didn’t hear anything else.
Álvaro and Emelia waited for Leonora at the road and then set off at a quick trot when she joined them. As they neared the hacienda each nudged their horse toward the lead until all three of them were galloping through the gates, merry with the thrill of it. Emelia allowed the grooms to take her horse and help her down, while Álvaro helped the ruffled Leonora, who had lost her bouquet along the way.
They lunched in the garden, chatting and laughing until the letter arrived. Álvaro read it and passed it to Emelia.
“It’s from Tío Benito,” he said, his voice flat. “Belo Sergio has passed away. Abuelita Olivia will be setting sail for Spain at the end of the week, and you are to accompany her.”
Emelia scanned the letter in shock. It was exactly as he’d said. Leonora was prancing, rattling off the things she’d need to pack, while Álvaro’s face was closed.
“We’re not leaving you,” she said, touching his arm.
“You can’t stay just because of me,” he said.
“That’s not what I mean.” She waited, willing him to ask her to stay. She would give up Spain, give up the world, if only he’d ask her to stay with him. Say it, she begged silently, looking at his face. Look at me and see that I want to stay.
But he didn’t. He looked at anything but her, before taking a deep breath and standing. She stood, too, putting her hand on his arm.
“I don’t have to go,” Emelia said in a burst of courage. “I would stay if you want me to.”
There. She’d said it. She held her breath as a moment passed, and then another. Álvaro turned back to her, a sad smile on his face.
“I could never ask that of you, Emelia.” He took her hand in his. “This is the chance of a lifetime. You can’t pass it up just to soothe me.”
“That’s not —”
“I can handle myself for a few years.” He gently let go of her hand and she let it fall limply to her side. When would she learn not to take her heart from its box? Emelia took a deep breath, the air in her lungs pushing the bruised heart back into its place, and a smile again sealed the lid shut. This time it will stay shut, she promised herself.
“Well, you had better write me at least,” she said, “or I’ll have to come back early to put you in your place, even if I have to swim the entire Atlantic, and then you’ll owe me a new dress.”
“And you’d never let me live it down if it came to that.”
She took his hand again and looked up into his beautiful green eyes. “Write me, Álvaro.”
“I will.”
***
The steady sound of rain filled Mariah’s ears with music as she lay on the stone floor. She blinked and inhaled, unsure of how long it had been since she’d done either. Carry on. Purpose began its slow saturation of her body, and she gathered herself and stood. Where was Sophus?
A quick glance around the room confirmed that he was not there. A sudden need to see her son filled her. Sophus’s threats be damned; if Álvaro was hurt …. Mariah entered the dream world to find the ghost woman waiting for her, a hand resting protectively over a gentle light that now lay on her abdomen. Ka’í, Mariah realized.
I’m sorry; I haven’t time to stay. I must find my son, Mariah apologized quickly and sped through the dream world, the fields a blur, until she stood in the courtyard of her home. Another deep breath steadied her. She didn’t have time to search the entire house, but if she calmed herself enough she would feel him. She had known him in the d
ream world before he had been born, and though the connection had grown weaker with time, it was still there.
The wind whispered through her hair, telling secrets she thought she could almost understand. She turned her head as though to better hear, and found herself facing toward the gates. A slight tug pulled at her, a different direction that her perpetual lead-line to Miguel, so gentle that she might have missed it. Just as she began toward it, a footman rushed forward, throwing open the gates and her son, now a young man, came galloping through. He was rakishly good-looking, so much like his father that Mariah’s heart melted. He was full of laughter as two more horses charged in, each bearing a young woman. He slid from his horse, tossing the reins to a groomsman, and went to help the señoritas down. They were obviously Bethany’s daughters. The younger one blushed as Álvaro set her down and hid her face. The elder — Emelia, Mariah reminded herself — took his arm, and they joked as they went into the house.
They’re so full of life! Mariah thought. Were we ever that way, Miguel? Is this how we would have been had things been different? How much we have missed ….
A hand gripped her shoulder, and Mariah jerked around to find herself face to face with Sophus, back in his room.
“I had to know he was still alive,” she said before he could say anything.
“And did you find me to be a man of my word?” he asked, letting go of her arm.
“Yes.” She remained where she stood as Sophus sat and waited as he sipped from a glass.
“I have been patient; I have been kind, hoping that you would share these things with me on your own. I have given you this life and all the blessings that go with it. It is time to pay your price. You will tell me of your powers, but first, you must be disciplined. While I understand that you needed to know of my word, you still disobeyed.”
Aeonian Dreams (Zyanya Cycle Book 2) Page 25