Page 7 of Beaux and Dragons

“How could you?” Maria stepped beside Padre. “You will ruin the family name if word gets out that you chose,” she dropped her voice to a whisper, “a stable boy.”

The air in her lungs stilled. Disappointment clawed up her throat, making it impossible to get a decent breath.

Lucia patted Ana’s shoulder as if to comfort her. “Federico isn’t a worthy suitor. He’s using our family’s name to improve his position in society.”

“You're so selfish,” Maria added. “You’ll leave the family in ruin.”

Hot tears sprang up in the corners of Ana’s eyes. She opened her mouth, but only a croak escaped her lips before she began to sob.

Lucia captured her sister in her arms, offering comfort despite her foul opinion of Federico.

“The ring?” Maria removed the item from Ana’s limp hand. “We’ll write to him straight away to remedy your folly. Don’t worry Padre, I will write the missive for you.”

By morning, Padre had placed the ring in an envelope along with Maria’s crude letter.

Where happy tears had warmed her cheeks on the balcony and pained sobs wracked her body at night, none would fall the next morning. Ana closed her heart off like the large empty passages of her family’s estate as she sneaked to find Celestia alone in the stables. No longer was her beast a tiny lapdog or a horse-sized creature, but a full-sized dragon, ready to train for the races.

Ana couldn’t keep the ring, but she could take care of Celestia like she had promised, and she would practice racing in honor of Federico.

Chapter four

The Dilemma

Three years later

Ana pressed against the molding on the wall, hidden at the parlor doorway from her Padre’s and Maria’s view. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but now that she heard the content of the conversation, it couldn’t be helped.

“What more can we do?” Padre sighed.

“Indeed,” Maria’s intonation was enthusiastic. “What more can anyone expect with so many creditors demanding for their payments to be settled? Ana will just have to do her part.”

“I spoke to the Racing Coalition, and they expressed that Ana’s beast would fetch a good price. We might even be able to stay in our house.”

Ana’s heart pounded so hard, she thought it might burst out of her chest. Padre and Maria enjoyed their balls, dinner parties, and the latest fashions from Lourdes City. Her mind calculated the savings they could set aside with a few simple lifestyle modifications.

“This might be the time to sell it,” Padre continued. “A colonel from the Airmen mentioned he’d like to buy it. With the money from the dragon and house, we’d be able to afford a home on Sendero in Lourdes City.”

“Why do you hesitate?” Maria’s excitement tinged every part of her voice. “Ana has refused to marry Julian even though she’s spent little time with our cousin.”

Ana willed herself to move from the hidden spot, but she had to hear Padre’s response. He must take her side on some matters. He wasn’t heartless.

The gap of silence extended far too long for Ana’s liking, but she couldn’t escape to save Celestia just yet.

Padre sighed. “I do love your sister, though she is an odd sort. She’s made no request besides keeping that beast and being allowed to choose her beau. She hasn’t opposed meeting any suitor and keeps the house in orderand—”

Maria interjected, “But she refuses her duty to accept a betrothal though she’s gotten many requests.”

Ana must go now if Celestia was to stay in her charge like she had promised Federico all those years ago, but her accelerated heart wanted to hear her padre act on his love for her. So many times, he’d chosen his comforts over hers. Footfalls approached, yet Padre had not responded to Maria’s statement.

When the steps grew louder, Ana escaped before she could hear her padre defend his youngest daughter. Yet when the cool night air smacked her face, gentle tears sprang to her eyes. She lifted her skirt and raced to the stable.

Ana strode into the building that had once been full of the giant creatures but now housed only the most majestic of the bunch. Celestia’s overgrown form curled into a ball inside her cozy stall, alone and sleeping. Even in sleep, the dragon sniffed the air and relaxed at recognizing her rider.

Her tail rested over a sharp black talon, at complete peace. Ana hated to disturb Celestia, but she had no other choice.

Ana cupped a hand over Celestia’s sleek cheek and placed the bit in her mouth. “Hey, pretty girl, weneed to find you a new home.”

Celestia’s eyelids snapped open with an intensity that made it seem like she could understand every word. Yet she allowed Ana to adjust the leather strap for steering and only grunted when she fitted the saddle between her neck and shoulders.