He raised an eyebrow and grinned. Turning to Daniel, he said, “The armory is this way.” He coaxed Daniel away from me and off the patio. Yaretzi shook her head at her brother. Were they talking using their minds? It was all so confusing!
I followed Yaretzi in the opposite direction, but not without giving another glance toward Daniel walking away with Tizoc. I hoped a day together would not be too much for them.
Chapter Twenty-four
As I strolled through the Sunal menagerie, Tizoc’s sisters took turns telling me about all the birds, reptiles, and mammals in the varied collections. I soaked in the information and all the sights, marveling at how beautiful everything was. Many fantastic animals I had never seen back in England populated the menagerie. A display featuring both salt and fresh water creatures particularly interested me.
Had Eric and Riley ever seen anything like this marvelous city? Was Florida as magnificent? Had any place my father had sailed to compared to the exquisite beauty of Ezenoch?
We exited the menagerie and wandered through a botanical garden like no other. Lady Elizabeth’s gardens had been impressive, but the variety in the Sunal gardens produced something magical. Pleasing to the eyes and the nose, the gardens stretched out in many directions, spilling color and fragrance everywhere.
“Oh, this is lovely.” I inhaled, filling my lungs with the perfumed aroma of flowers.
“Do you have gardens in England?” Eréndira ran her fingers along the petals of a bright orange flower next to her.
“Yes. Ones I thought were marvelous until I saw these.”
Wide smiles stretched across each of the sisters’ faces as we meandered through the gardens.
My day with them passed quickly as we visited all of our stops. We bought food for tonight’s dinner at an outdoor marketplace and lugged it all back to Tizoc’s home. I helped Citlali and the sisters prepare the food, impressing them with my cooking skills. I was happy to show them some of my techniques. It was a beginning in repaying them for their generosity.
“Cihuapilli.” Citlali had taken to calling me princess, and I enjoyed the nickname. Especially when Tizoc said it. “Do you know what these are?” She held up something round from a basket at her feet.
“Apples,” I answered, taking it from her.
“We have this basket of them from an expedition that visited here before you came. We have eaten them like this, skin and all. We have sliced them and dried them and mashed them. Do you know of any other ways to prepare apples?”
Thinking of Daniel, I smiled. “I know exactly what to do with them.” I glanced around the kitchen at other available ingredients. “I think I can make it work.” I picked up the end of my skirt and selected ten of the best looking apples, placing them in the fold of my skirt. “How many will be here for dinner tonight?”
“We will have fourteen people,” Xochitl said.
“Fourteen?”
“Our mates will be returning,” she said. “They are from another calpulli, or clan, you would call it. The emperor sent them to the west shores, but we received word they are on their way back. We will go back to our homes with them tomorrow. We only stay here when they are away.”
“I see.” I dumped my first bunch of apples on a table and selected ten more.
“You and Daniel are not the only ones that have love,” Xochitl said with a grin.
“I have been caught up in my feelings for him, I guess.” Just thinking of him stirred my insides. My heart always beat extra hard when Daniel was around. Sleeping wrapped in his arms all last night was the closest I’d been to content in a long time.
“You’re certain Daniel is the mate for you?” Yaretzi asked.
The rest of the sisters and even Citlali paused in their work to look at me.
“I’m sure.”
“Mmm,” Teiuc hummed. “That will not stop Tizoc, you understand. Be easy on him. He is a hardened warrior on the outside, but his heart is fragile. Always has been.”
A curl of… what was it? Guilt, I suppose, swirled around me. I tried to shake it off, but it clutched tightly. Tizoc deserved a love, deep and complete. Surely a Sunal woman could give him that.
I set about peeling the apples, wanting to keep my mind busy so I wouldn’t accidentally link to Tizoc’s now that I was thinking about him.
“What else do you need, Cihuapilli?” Citlali asked.
Yaretzi fetched the remaining ingredients for me, though some substitutions had to be made. I peeled and chopped. Mixed and filled. I threw all I had into my work, and some time later, two apple pies—slightly different from the ones found in England—sat on the table.
Eréndira took in a deep sniff. “The kitchen smells like—”
“Apple pie,” Daniel’s voice finished.
He appeared in the doorway adjacent to the patio. Tizoc was behind him, both looking to be in good spirits.
“You made apple pie.” Daniel’s expression softened as he walked over to me.
“Different from our mothers’,” I said. “But I think it’ll still be delicious.”
“I’m sure it will be.” He brushed something off my cheek with his finger. “I can’t wait to taste it.”
“Well, you have to,” Citlali said. “Dinner is at sundown and that is still a time away.”
Daniel pouted so only I could see him, causing me to giggle. Tizoc walked into the kitchen and checked the fire in the wide stone hearth. He seemed to be forcing himself not to look in my direction.
“Come with me.” Daniel nudged me off the stool I was sitting on. “I want to tell you about what I saw today and hear about what you saw.”
“Go on, Cihuapilli,” Citlali said. “You’ve helped more than you needed to. Don’t be late to dinner.”
Nodding, I followed Daniel, but he stopped before we left.
“Thank you, Tizoc. I enjoyed myself today.”
Tizoc looked up, the fire from the hearth glinting off his eyes. “I did as well.”
A glance passed between them as if they had reached an understanding, a truce perhaps.
Daniel led me out of the house and down the street. We passed several Sunal warriors and citizens along the way that bowed their heads to us. We also encountered a few members of our crew that shouted greetings to Daniel and tipped their hats at me.
I paused to look at where Daniel had taken me. Water gurgled a soothing melody in a stone fountain with a wide walkway circling it. More colorful flowers like the ones I had seen in the gardens earlier adorned the fountain, and birdsong floated in the air.
“Oh, it’s beautiful, Daniel.”
“I knew you would like this spot.” He studied my face for a moment before we both sat on the rim of the fountain. “Tizoc took me to the armory which was impressive. The Sunal army is well stocked, and the training is rigorous. I visited a school also where the boys were learning history, religion, and military skills. Some of them were learning about agriculture. One of the farms I saw had corn growing in it for as far as I could see.”
I closed my eyes, letting the sound of Daniel’s voice wash over me. I could spend a lifetime listening to him.
“Girls go to school too,” he continued. “I saw some that were learning how to dye fabric. Quite a process.” He paused then said, “It’s incredible here.”
He shifted his blue gaze toward me, and I could tell his day seeing Ezenoch had touched him deeply. In a quick motion, he scooped up both of my hands in his left one and stared into my face.
“What do you think, Charlie, of staying here for a while? I know my uncle will probably stay for a short time, but he’ll be moving along to find my cousin, Ronald, and to deliver the supplies before returning to England. I’d like to remain here longer. Something about this place is perfect. I want to enjoy it. Enjoy it with you. Will you stay with me?”
I pulled one of my hands free to press it to Daniel’s cheek. “Of course I’ll stay here with you.” I ran my thumb along his cheekbone. “I want to be wherever you are. I can’t think of a mor
e beautiful place for us to be together.”
Daniel leaned forward, his grin threatening to melt me once again. He caught my lips with his, and I knew I truly did want to be wherever he was.
“What did you see today?” he asked when he pulled away.
I told him of my day with Tizoc’s sisters and that there would be four additional guests at tonight’s meal.
“Only Tizoc has yet to find a mate.” Again, that guilty sensation poured over me.
“I think he has an idea of who he’d like his mate to be.” Daniel leaned back on his arm to look into the fountain.
“He knows I love you.” I traced the veins on Daniel’s hand with my fingertip.
“Let’s hope so.”
“I’ve told him. More than once. He knows, Daniel.”
“Well, he knows I love you.”
“What did you say to him today?” A worried feeling fluttered around in my stomach. Tizoc had to see that he and I could only be friends, but I didn’t want to be the cause of any pain to him.
I don’t want to hurt you, Tizoc, I thought in the deepest recesses of my subconscious.
I know, came the response I hadn’t expected.
I didn’t mean to reach out to Tizoc. It just happened. I could feel him waiting for me to think something more. The link was open. We were connected.
You deserve someone who was made for you. Someone who is going to give you all of her love.
Xochitl said that very thing to me after you left.
She’s right.
My head knows she’s right, but my heart doesn’t agree. I’ve never met anyone like you.
I shook my head. As I’ve said before, you don’t know me.
I want to know you, Cihuapilli, but I see that you and Daniel belong together. He is a good man and will treat you like the princess you are. I, on the other hand, will be content to protect you if that is what I am bound to do.
I sensed the amusement in his thoughts. I’ve become a mere duty then?
Not a duty. Friends, Charlie. We will be friends.
For a long time, I hope.
For a long time, I promise. He ended the link, and the sound of Daniel’s voice reached my ears.
“… getting back to the house.” And then, “Charlie? You coming?”
“Yes.” I focused on Daniel standing in front of me. I rose and gave the fountain one more glance. “A lovely place. A lovely people.”
Daniel led me back to the street. The sun was sliding to its resting place below the horizon, and we quickened our pace back to the house. The kitchen was full of waiting food but empty of people.
“They must be cleaning up for dinner,” I said.
“As should we.” He tugged me toward the steps leading upstairs.
With a parting kiss, Daniel and I slipped into our respective rooms. Inside the walls of my quarters, I walked over to the full washbasin on the small table in front of the polished obsidian. I freshened up and met Daniel back in the hallway.
When we arrived on the patio, Citlali turned away from Tizoc and spread her arms out to Daniel and me. She embraced us both and waved a hand to the table where the rest of her family was gathered.
“More introductions are necessary.” Yaoti rose from his place at the head of the table. He turned to Xochitl who was seated beside a bulky looking Sunal male. A simple vest of dark purple fabric covered his upper body, which was all I could see of his attire. He smiled, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth and a jovial expression.
“This is Acalon,” Xochitl said, resting her hand on her mate’s shoulder.
Acalon tilted his head toward Daniel and me. “Xochitl has told me about you both. You are enjoying our city, yes?”
His coal black eyes searched our faces, waiting for our reply.
“We saw quite a bit of it today,” Daniel began as he approached the table, “and it is impressive.”
Acalon smiled again, wider this time, pleased with our appreciation for Ezenoch.
“My brothers,” he announced, indicating the other Sunal males sitting next to Tizoc’s sisters. “Chimalli, Itzli, and Matlal.”
Each of the men were dressed similarly to Acalon but in colors matching their mates. Blue for Chimalli and Teiuc. Red for Itzli and Eréndira. Green for Matlal and Yaretzi. Yaoti and Citlali also corresponded in pure white. Daniel and I did not match, and I felt as if I were back at one of Lady Elizabeth’s fancy dinners where I did not belong.
Looking around, I noticed that no one matched Tizoc’s attire either, gold tonight.
Shaking my head at my own disorganized emotions, I dragged Daniel over to two of the four empty seats. After we got settled and Xochitl had poured drinks, Captain Finley appeared on the patio.
“Good evening.” He took the seat next to Daniel. “I have come from the accommodations you have given to the rest of my crew that arrived today. Yaoti, your kindness is without limits. My men are comfortable and in awe of your fantastic city.”
Yaoti held up his glass in acknowledgement. “They came with only daggers as you did, Captain. Your men trust you deeply.”
“Most of them have been with me on the Rose for many years. All good men and loyal to a fault. Know how to follow orders.” Captain Finley patted his nephew on the shoulder.
The only open seat left was next to me. As Daniel and the captain discussed matters of the crew, Tizoc stood next to his mother. His eyes, of course, were on me, looking more golden because of the garments he wore tonight.
As he studied me, I lowered my eyes to the seat next to me then looked back at him. He lithely crossed the distance between us and sat. Daniel didn’t grumble about it, and I raised an eyebrow in wonder.
What did he say to you today? I thought, looking at Tizoc.
Lots of things, came the reply, a hint of amusement in the thoughts and on his lips.
He’s been jealous of you. Now, all of a sudden, he seems less so.
We came to an agreement.
What does that mean?
Anything you want it to.
You’re not being helpful.
You could find out exactly what he said to me if you wanted to. The fact that you haven’t searched my mind deeply means you don’t want to know.
Maybe he was right. Whatever had passed between them today was a good thing. It would make life easier for me if they weren’t against each other.
Fine. I’ll drop it, I thought.
Tizoc took the bowl of potatoes Citlali passed to him. Filling his plate, he plopped a scoop down on mine and handed me the bowl to pass on. I took a moment to examine the intricate carvings along the rim of the wooden bowl.
“My mother’s work,” Tizoc said.
“She is gifted.” I had not expected such artistry in simple things like bowls, but as I looked around the table, I realized beauty was all around me. From the bright fabrics of the Sunal clothing to the gold and silver jewelry to the very people that had gathered for this meal, Ezenoch held many masterpieces.
As the bowls made their rounds, my plate became covered, a mix of delectable scents wafting up to my nose. Once everyone had been served, Yaoti stood and spoke to Captain Finley.
“It is with great pleasure that my family shares this meal and our home with your family.” He nodded at Daniel and me. “May the gods continue to bless us, Sunal and English alike, in Ezenoch.”
Captain Finley raised his drink. “Thank you, Yaoti, Citlali. We have only been here a short time, and yet I feel as if I’ve fallen in love with your culture. Other places I will sail to next will pale in comparison to what I’ve seen here.”
“Eat,” Citlali said. “Enjoy.”
And that’s exactly what I did. I dove into the food, not realizing what a hunger I had worked up exploring Ezenoch with Tizoc’s sisters. Everything tasted like heaven, as it had at the feast the night before. I took some pride in knowing I had a hand in preparing this meal.
“So,” Captain Finley began, around the scanty remains of food on his plate,
“I saw Timmy and Jonah Leaven this afternoon. They were asking about you, Charlie. Told them you’ve changed a bit since they last saw you. They’re curious.”
“We’ll find them tomorrow.” Daniel added his own grin, thinking of the trick we’d be playing.
“They’d like that.” Captain Finley turned to Yaoti. “I’ve told my men we’d have a furlough here for two weeks if that is agreeable to you.”
“Stay as long as you wish, Captain. Your men have made no moves against us,” Yaoti said.
“Two weeks is plenty of time to study, rest, and enjoy,” the captain said.
“Uncle,” Daniel began in a firm voice, one that sounded commanding like Captain Finley’s. “Charlotte and I have decided we’d like to stay in Ezenoch a bit longer, with your permission and Yaoti’s, of course.”
Captain Finley’s mouth opened and closed several times. Finally he managed to say, “You sure, Daniel? I mean, Charlotte is welcome on the Rose. I would not deny her passage… or work.” He shot me a small smile around Daniel.
“It’s not that, Uncle Samuel,” Daniel said. “We would like more than two weeks here amongst this beauty and some time alone together.”
“Oh, I see.” The captain’s smile expanded from ear to ear now. “Boy, she’s captured you, eh, son?”
Some chuckles rippled amongst Tizoc’s sisters and their mates as they listened to the exchange. Though Daniel’s cheeks pinked a little at the attention, he leveled his gaze on his uncle. “Yes, and she can keep me.”
Captain Finley slapped Daniel on the back and roared in laughter himself.
“Good for you, boy! Good for you.”
“It is acceptable to me,” Yaoti began, “if Daniel and Charlotte wish to stay. My house is welcome to you both.”
“They will be in good hands then,” Captain Finley said. “I will miss you greatly on the Rose but will come back for you when you want to return to England. Charlotte, I will send word to your father.”
“Don’t go out of your way, Captain,” I said. “He does not concern himself with my whereabouts.”
Those gathered around the table sobered quickly at my tone and words. I regretted speaking what I was feeling in my heart.
Sail With Me (A Discovery Series Book) Page 20
