Page 79 of The Truth About Myths
Henrique suppressed a snort. What a wimp. And he wanted to marry Isabel? She would maneuver him better than he steered his automobile.
Canastra cleared his throat. Henrique could well imagine his feline smile. "We will garner the army with the promise of a united Iberian kingdom."
Dio sucked in a breath. Henrique signaled for him to move away from the door. He needed to hear the whole thing.
"I promised Isabel I wouldn't jeopardize her brother's throne," Alfonso said, but his voice lacked conviction.
"You worry yourself about wooing your bride. I will gather the army's support."
Henrique paced the expanse of his bedchamber. When the clock struck four in the morning, he kicked the ottoman, sending it crashing to the wall. Too fast. Things were happening too fast. Two hours ago, his valet had left to comb the harbor for Pedro's yacht. But even Almoster could not amass a force in such a short time. The muscles on his chest and shoulders were stiffer than the marble under his feet. The only thing worse than Spain putting its hands on Portugal was the prospect of Alfonso putting his hands on Isabel.
Dawn hadn't broken the night's darkness, but the palace was awake. Servants and grooms readied carriages outside. Isabel was closeted inside her bedchamber, guarded by Lady Montijo. The dragon had sent him away, refusing him a word with the princess. He could bet the old patriotic lady was in league with Canastra.
Dio entered his room, closing the door behind him.
Henrique eyed his friend. "And?"
"Canastra sent Rafaela away. The scoundrel isn't taking any chances. Two guards hound your door. I told you the Spaniards had ulterior motives." Dio paced to the window and cast an alarmed look outside. Dropping the curtains, he groaned. "We must escape before they revive the inquisition and use our flesh for kindling. My flammability is uncertain, but with the amount of brandy you have ingested these past few days, I'm sure you will burn brighter than a fiesta bonfire."
Henrique ignored Dio's rant. Come the morning, Canastra and Alfonso would take Isabel to Madrid, and she would be lost to him forever. Portuguese independence would exist only in history books, soon to become a myth, like the country's great navigations.
Curse the princess for her gullibility. He brushed his chest, unable to soothe the pain inside. The image of her dancing in Alfonso’s arms would haunt him into Hades. Henrique exhaled and dropped onto his bed. He tried to hold on to his rightful anger, but then...
The way she looked at him before the proposal… Had Henrique pushed her into this? Stirred her passions without committing himself? Kept silent when she needed more from him? Through the years, he had achieved a balance with women, allowing him to take what he wanted without giving false hope. But with Isabel, it was not caution that kept him from speaking, from accepting her offer, but fear.
The fear of showing too much of himself was nothing compared to the panic twisting his gut now. If he stayed in this room, arms crossed, Isabel would be carted to Madrid, out of reach, her life at risk, and if Canastra's plan worked, she would help destroy what her ancestors had fought so hard to achieve.
And yet... Canastra's machinations put Isabel's welfare back into Henrique's hands. The realization was like electricity coursing through his limbs.
Henrique stood. "I can't allow it."
Dio pinched the bridge of his nose. "If they know that we know what we know… We must leave. Now."
"I won't allow Isabel to marry Alfonso."
"What? The bacteria have infected your intellect. We are in Canastra's country and alone against his horde of political allies and gruesome-looking militia. What can we possibly do? For Heaven's sake, I'm a poet, and you are a scientist."
"Is it not part of a hero's quest to face formidable odds?"
Dio exhaled, lifting his palms. "Hero? It was a metaphor. Don't place this burden on my shoulders. This coat is brand new."
Henrique paced, his fists pressing against his temples. "We need a plan."
"You cannot deal with too much on your hands. Remember the three bugs?"
"Do you mind? I’m thinking."
Dio ignored his glare. "You were on a nature walk when you found a couple of rare bugs. You had to take them to the house. But on your way back, another turned up. Since you already had your hands occupied, you had the brilliant idea to put it in your mouth."
Henrique grimaced. He had forgotten the blasted afternoon. The Coleoptera secreted acid in his tongue, and he lost the sense of taste for a week.
Dio chuckled, shaking his head. "As any lady could tell, your mouth is a lousy place for safekeeping."
Henrique stilled. "Safekeeping. You are a genius. I cannot stop Canastra's plans, but I can spirit away a princess."
A shadow fell over the window, and then the glass opened to reveal a figure cloaked in black. Henrique had prepared to attack the newcomer when he recognized Pedro.
"Are you in league with Canastra and mean to scare us to death?" Dio drawled.
