Page 21 of Beaux and Dragons

Ana tugged her white mask over her mouth and pulled her hood over her head. She wouldn’t stand out in such a large crowd of racers who also maintained different levels of ambiguity. One man had a giant crest of the Garcia house on his chest but covered his face. Many other ladies dared to enter in full covering. One tiny woman with bold green eyes and curly black hair left her face uncovered, daring anyone to challenge her in the decision to race.Though Ana envied her boldness, she quietly waited in the back of the line.

When it came her turn at the front of the line, Ana said to the male clerk, “I’d like to enter Celestia for the House of … Montenegro.”

“Are you the rider?”

“Yes, Bregonia Medina Machado.” Ana gnawed on the inside of her cheek, hoping Padre would take zero interest in the races since he technically wouldn’t be entering.

The clerk eyed her for a moment and then wrote the name on a line in black ink. “You try out at 8 pm tonight.”

Her eyes popped wide. “I heard you give the others different times throughout the week. Could I not change my appointment?”

The clerk’s deadpan stare diminished Ana’s confidence. “The only available spots for the female heat are tonight.”

Ana swallowed hard. How was she going to attend the Acostas’ ball and race? But then she pictured having to settle with Julian who had been kind but hated dragonsand didn’t know her.

“It’s one thousand pesos to enter. Are you in?” The clerk’s gaze drifted over the long line behind her. “There aren’t many spots left.”

“Yes.” Ana dropped her small purse on the counter and pushed the coins through the metal railings.

“Here’s your dragon’s official tag and your ticket. You can drop off your dragon anytime today. Next.”

The next few hours passed in a blur. The coachman left her at the path to Dragon Valley, and she flew Celestia to the Racing House where she settled into a cramped stall between two very tame beasts who didn’t bother to lift their heads at their arrival. She’d heard rumors of dragons fighting in their stalls before the races and being too beat-up to compete.

Celestia nuzzled her scaly snout against Ana’s cheek as if begging her to stay in the dank space with only dim firelight overhead.

“I’ll be back for you soon.” Ana whispered to her friend. Though she was most sincere, a whisper of doubt niggled in her ears. It would take thirty minutes to cross town to her new house by coach, thirty minutes to dress for the ball with a plain hairdo, and another twenty minutes to walk to the ball where she’d have to stay for at least an hour before she could slip out. That meant she would onlyhave one hour to cross town and make it back ten minutes before her heat in her riding dress. Ten minutes to qualify for the event that would free up the possibility of marrying whomever she chose.

As she marched away from Celestia, she rammed into a cloaked male rider in a yellow face covering and black attire. He grabbed her wrists to keep her from tipping over. The jolt shocked Ana’s nerves into a tighter ball in her stomach.

She caught her breath and said, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t—”

“It happens to the best of us.” The pitch and easy candor of the gravelly voice put her mind at ease. He let go of her wrists and bowed his head a fraction. Dark strands of black hair escaped from his cloak and tickled the space between his eyes. He strode away with a confident stride that kept her looking rather than speeding to do all the tasks she must complete.

He turned into a stall across from Celestia where a familiar yellow dragon peeked from its space. Was Federico racing? No, it couldn’t be, since he had risen up the ranks. He must have hired riders to compete in such a lucrative competition. The yellow dragon bowed its head to the rider in complete submission. The sight tingled her curiosityand planted a seed of fear she hadn’t felt about joining the competition.

Either way, she needed to go arrange a coach and head to her new home.

Chapter fourteen

The Surprise at the Acostas’ Ball

Padre had a few rules about how his daughters behaved and dressed at any ball because the family had to demonstrate the honor due to the Montenegro name.

“We’re in perfect timing.” Padre checked his pocket watch before leaving the carriage to make sure they were late but not too late. When his gaze rose, he examined the three sisters’ attire for the tenth time. “Your new gowns are lovely, though I daresay that Ana’s is looking too close to last season’s fashion.”

Ana’s fingers curled into fists at Padre’s insistence on his silly expectations, but she pinched her lips shut. She had to remain free from suspicion. The party exited the carriage.

Padre extended his elbow to Ana. She placed her hand on his arm, making herself the daughter Padre would be exhibiting, meaning she had to be extra cautious to only speak to those introduced by someone with an excellent reputation. They strode onward.

The atrium of the Acosta Estate was meant to rival palaces with its marble flooring, crystal chandeliers, and spacious arrangements. Ana stood on the right side of Padre, while Maria and Lucia stood on the left side as the family entered. She glanced over her shoulder to catch Julian winking at her. The gesture came across like a threat to maintain his promise to commandeer her first two dances.

“Señor Montenegro,” Señor Acosta greeted warmly with his wife attached to his arm. The two could be twins with their curly white hair, long noses, and potent blue eyes. Though the señor carried a heftier load beneath his vest than the señora did beneath her gown.

The lady curtsied with a welcoming smile creasing the corners of her eyes. Ana returned the gesture but found herself soon released to grab a refreshment. She had but an hour at the ball before she had to bolt home again. She picked up a glass and reached for the ladle when a man swiped the tool.

“Allow me.” Julian poured the refreshment into her cup without her consent. “I envy your padre. He has all a man could desire in life with three beautiful daughters.”

The splatter sprinkled on her wrists, adding salt to her agitation. “Thank you for your attentions,” Ana said curtly. She spun on her heel and chose a seat in the far corner between two quiet young ladies who wouldn’t distract her from keeping track of time.