Page 50 of Eternal Craving

“This is not the way a gentleman defends his honor,” I shouted at Felipe.

“He has no honor,” Felipe said.

“Let me fight with him.”

“And ruin my entertainment?” Felipe nodded to a six-year-old boy who watched from nearby.

Ricardo, the child with my brother’s name and my sister’s eyes, ran to Felipe, clutching a small sword fashioned just for him.

Having lived with Salvador for most of his early years, I wondered how Ricardo would react. Salvador had adopted him, caring for him as his own. The child didn’t understand what was happening. Wielding his sword, he stabbed at an invisible opponent.

“Ricardo.” Felipe signaled to the boy. “Should your uncle fight?”

“Say yes,” I pleaded.

Ricardo frowned.

Felipe laughed and turned to his soldiers. “Continue.”

They besieged Salvador, thrusting their swords at him. One man closed in, while the other two stalked him from behind.

“Don’t make the boy watch this,” I said, stumbling forward.

A guard punched my stomach, winding me.

Salvador caught one of his attackers by surprise and struck his arm. Blood poured from the man’s wound, and his opponents forged ahead, inflicting viscous strikes. Salvador’s sword fell. They strode around him, closing in like animals.

Felipe gave me a bitter smile. “I’ve outmaneuvered you both.”

“Spare him.”

“Your life for his?”

“Yes.”

“How noble.”

Salvador looked at me, his expression filled with sadness and affection.

“Salvador, raise your sword,” I shouted.

His eyes glazed over as a rapier sliced into his back, and he sank to his knees, falling forward into the dirt.

With a nod from Felipe, his men let me go and I sprinted into the center of the courtyard, skidding on my knees, and pulling Salvador into my arms. Blood poured from his wounds. I pressed against them, trying to stop the flow. Several of his fingernails were gone. They’d tortured him first.

“Alicia?” Salvador gasped out.

“She’s safe.”

“I told him nothing,” Salvador whispered.

I glared at Felipe, full of hatred.

A trickle of scarlet leaked from Salvador’s mouth and onto his chin, his breathing becoming labored.

My vision blurred with tears. “I’ve always loved you.”

Salvador forced a smile and then his head fell against my chest, his eyelids half-closed. I rocked him into death.