Page 79 of Eternal Craving

“Evidence is required.” Sunaria leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Dissent is everywhere.” She reached under the table. “For your journey, from His Majesty.”

Felipe glanced at the bundle she offered and hesitated.

“Take it.” She gave a thin smile of reassurance.

He accepted the parcel of doubloons and shoved it into his coat pocket.

“No expense has been spared,” she said. “You may use it for bribes, or for whatever you may need. Your safety is the king’s priority.” She offered him a feathered pen and then slid a small pot of ink across the table.

Felipe stared at the paper. “I’m not going.” He leaned back. “I’m not qualified.”

“Per contra, you speak Spanish, French, and, more importantly, Italian – the language of the crew. And you have the king’s favor. He trusts you.”

“I need to speak with His Majesty.”

“Turn around.”

Felipe followed Sunaria’s gaze, which fell upon an unsuspecting, well-dressed businessman sipping his ale at the bar.

“He’s here to ensure I do my bit, and you do yours,” she said.

The man frowned, uncomfortable with Felipe’s critical stare.

Felipe spun round to face Sunaria again. “What will happen if I don’t get on that ship?”

“I’m not willing to put that to the test. Are you?” She slid the parchment closer to him. “In your note to His Highness, clarity is important.”

Felipe glanced at the blank piece of paper.

“You’ll need this as well.” Sunaria offered him a velvet wrapped object.

Felipe eyed it suspiciously.

“For your protection.” Her voice was low, somber.

He peeled back a corner of the material and gawped at the tip of the small knife.

Within the hour, Sunaria and I were lingering in the shadowy doorway of an inn that had long closed.

A fresh sea breeze blew across the dock.

“Having friends ensconced at the royal palace pays off,” Sunaria said.

I shook my head. “Remind me never to vex you.”

She snuggled against me.

“I’m serious.” I hesitated and then continued. “You make a dangerous enemy.”

She peered up at me. “You helped with the details.”

“Still, you’re executing it so well and yet you have the face of an angel.”

Our lips met and I kissed her leisurely. A man passed by and gave us a wary stare. He thought he’d caught two men at it. I burst into laughter.

We turned our attention back to the Santa Maria, escorted by the Pinta and the Niña, as all three vessels set sail. Hundreds of spectators had gathered to watch the caravels launch. Columbus waved from the bridge. He cut a fine figure with his striking white beard and his traditional admiral’s coat. His intelligent blue eyes scanned the harbor, and I wondered how a man of the sea could appear so light in complexion. His aquiline features provided an air of sophistication that reflected his Italian heritage.

A crew of ninety or so navigated through the harbor. Under the moonlit sky, the fleet reeled out its sails to full mast. Columbus wasn’t the only well-dressed man who offered a wave to the crowd. Felipe also bid the spectators goodbye from the bridge of the Niña.