Thank you readers! Special thanks to Roundaboutgrl (good luck on your fic) and amarie5 for your touching reviews. I will make sure I will do what I can. ;-P
Translations: coche fúnebre: hearse
Picking up a juicy red apple, Tessa stared at its smooth exterior and shiny surface.
"Are you going to put it in the basket or contemplate some more?" Marta's voice drifted into her consciousness.
"Of course." Tessa's reply was a chirp, but her eyes were still faraway and looked towards the setting sun.
"What are you thinking about? Is it about Captain Grisham?" Marta became worried. Ever since news of the deceased captain reached their hacienda, Tessa seem withdrawn and depressed. Her usual sparkly brown eyes became dull and tinged with a sheen of unshed tears. Although, Tessa would never admit to having any feelings for the captain, Marta sensed there was something more going on between them. However, she always felt that Tessa knew the consequences of a relationship between the captain and her would only lead to heartbreak from the secrets and lies they both keep.
Marta never divulge the secret that she once read the cards for Tessa and the captain only to find a murky answer of a fate they both would have to face.
"You didn't kill him, Tessa. It was an accident. You must get over this. The stress is getting to you. I heard you crying again last night. You worry me when you cry."
"I know that, Marta. But it still hurts. I don't know why." Tessa gave a low sigh. "I keep seeing his face every time I close my eyes. His…….I can't take it anymore. I know I don't kill for my enjoyment and Grisham's done so much wrong…but it's not my place. I drew death, Marta…I drew death with my sword." Tessa's eyes pleaded to her companion. She needed repentance, but Marta can't give it to her. Only Tessa can forgive herself for what she had done.
A woman behind her nearly tripped her as the crowd pushed forward to get a closer look at the coche fúnebre inching down the path towards the courtyard. Montoya stood solemnly in the middle as the assembly of soldiers surrounded him. Waving a hand at the approaching men, he turned towards the flag atop the pole. A grand salute and everyone hushed. The trumpets played a soft tune and everyone turned towards the carriage. A large wooden box emerged and it was slowly carried towards the church.
Torches were lighted as the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Burning candles appeared and several lights reflected the tears that shed from Tessa's sad eyes. Inching her way out of the courtyard, she pushed against the tide of arms and shoulders. Grabbing her skirt tightly, she ran away. Away from the scene…running away from the face that is permanently imprinted in her mind.
"Grisham." She cried into the empty night air.
"ARrrrHH!" The guttural sound echoed off the canyon walls. A scream followed and birds flew in all directions away from the pain filled noise.
Chico's ears twitched and kicked its hooves at the dirt ground, a snort was the answer to the scream. Its owner was several yards away practicing her techniques.
Her pants died away as exhaustion overtook her. Tessa dressed in the queen's outfit had woken early and was training since dawn. The hot noon sun was glaring down on her and the black clothes were absorbing too much heat for her to take. She was tired, but she was glad, because she can have her dreamless sleep tonight instead of the previous nights when she would wake up wondering where she was.
Her nightmares were getting worse. Each time Grisham came back and dark red blood oozing from every pore to madly cry at her for killing him without shame.
Staring at her blistered hands, Tessa wandered back to her horse. Giving a short command they were off to the hacienda.
"Ouch!" He hissed at the pain caused by the splinter in his thumb. Besides the small nicks on his hands, he was perfectly fine. A few old scars but otherwise a healthy man in his prime.
"Take one more step, Grisham and you're looking for more chores to do. Come here." Montoya's voice emerged from the dark.
A loud sigh and a grumble were followed by shuffling boots on wood as Grisham came into view in the study room.
"Feeling stiff?" Montoya's mocking laughter was grating on Grisham's nerves.
"Hey! You didn't have to be nailed inside a coffin for five hours! I was gonna be claustrophobic and having a fit if my soldiers didn't open the box soon!"
"Well, I must commend you for keeping quiet inside when we nearly drop you."
"My soldiers almost drop the box!" He cried out.
"Quiet! I must say. This is the most brilliant plan I ever conceived. Now, we can do whatever we wish and no one's the wiser." Montoya's eyes glinted with his devious plans and his wide smile reveal nothing of them.
Grisham stayed quiet. Inside he was conflicted and he felt he compromised his conscience or at least a part of him felt guilty of his part in all of this. A small voice inside told him nothing good would come out of this new state of affairs.
He couldn't forget the look that the queen gave him when she glanced back for the last time before leaping off the balcony. He can't say that she actually care for his well-being, but she wasn't telling him something.
Looking down at his splintered hands, he grimaced at the grief he caused.