The Price of Love
- Madrid, Spain 1815 -
The sun was rising, casting its rays through the tree branches and onto the couple beneath the shade.
"Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?" The young man was on his knees in front of a young woman, the warm summer breeze ruffling his dark hair.
"Yes!" She cried, all but jumping into his arms, prompting looks from passing students on their way to their classes.
The young Don looked around nervously and wrapped his arms around the young woman. "I'll need to speak with your father."
"Let me do that." She grinned as he bent deeply to press a gentle kiss to her lips. "After our classes today I will ride home. Just wait for me here in the garden."
Diego smiled widely. "He may not be entirely pleased that I want to take you back to California with me."
"No." She sighed, leaning into his strong embrace. "He probably won't be. But, Diego, he likes you and thinks you will do good by me, something I already know, but he may need a little more convincing."
"Whatever I have to do for his approval, know that I will do it." He pressed a kiss to her head, prompting her to lift her eyes to his.
"Well you could always challenge him for my hand." She chuckled and stood on tiptoes to kiss his chin. "I'm sure my father would be no match for the University's best fencer."
Diego grinned. " I still can't disarm Sir Edmond." He tickled her and she struggled out of his embrace. "I would never challenge your father for your hand. If he does not give his consent then I will just have to find another way to convince him."
"I think he will." She wiggled herself back into his embrace. " He would be hard pressed to find another man with whom to marry me off to. Since I am going to marry for love and not for a convenient arrangement."
"I should be so honored." He pulled away from her and executed a sweeping, elegant bow that brought a blush to her cheeks and attention from passing students.
She slapped at his chest and just missed. " You had better get to your lesson or Sir Edmond may roast you over an open pit instead of a lamb for our wedding supper."
He chuckled deeply and pulled her into his arms for a kiss that left her breathless. "Why don't you come with me." He pulled his timepiece out of a small pocket and glanced at the time. " You have another hour before you have to be at your next class."
"I should be so honored that the great Diego de la Vega would like me to watch him get his butt kicked by the greatest fencing master in Spain." She laughed and it was his turn to swat at her.
He wrapped long arms around her shoulders and led her to the University fencing grounds where he would begin one of his last lessons with Sir Edmond Kendall.
That afternoon, they lay in the garden, delicately munching on a great spread of food prepared by the University cook and put together into a nice picnic lunch by Diego.
"I want six children." Sephira lay on the blanket looking at the sun as it slowly descended behind the large University complex.
"Six!" Diego almost coughed up what he had not swallowed of his tamale and gulped. He finished chewing quickly before she hit him with any more surprising revelations.
She giggled and gripped his hand, pressing his long fingers to her lips. "I was wondering what kind of reaction that would get from you."
"Why you." He rolled her over onto her side and captured her lips with his. After a few moments he pulled away and gazed into her somber eyes. " I will love any and all the children we have."
A few more minutes passed with her laying quietly on the blanket he had spread out for them. She was wrestling with a decision. A decision to tell him something that could endanger himself and as well as her family if he reacted badly to this news. She decided to bring it up as a general topic.
"What do you think of the revolution?"
She could feel Diego's intake of breath although he was barely touching her. Diego was from a staunchly royalist family and she knew that by even bringing up the topic he could have her arrested for treason. Or anyone that overheard the topic they were discussing could compromise her fiancé, a distant relative to the King of Spain himself. But she had to know where he stood on such an important issue. She had to know for her own personal reasons before he found himself married into a staunchly revolutionist family.
"Many talk about the revolution but they are very quiet about it." She even noticed Diego's voice drop as he spoke with her. He also knew the danger of speaking about such things. He was a smart man, and she knew that if she didn't tell him about her families activities, he would find out eventually. And rather find out now, than after he was trapped in a marriage that he would be hard pressed to dissolve after all was done.
"What is your opinion about it?" She risked the question and was rewarded with a surprised look from her husband-to-be.
"Uh, you know my family history, Sephira." Diego began, his voice still hushed. "I really have no opinion one way or the other. I can't get involved, for obvious reasons."
She knew he was talking about his bloodlines.
"But I also don't want to enlist in the military. My father has other plans for me." He reached forward and cupped her cheek with a very large hand. " And I have plans for us."
He bent forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips and muttered. " Don't concern yourself with these activities. As soon as we set sail for California, we won't hear anything more about them."
She sighed and stood, gathering her belongings. "Well, I'm off to see my father. Wish me luck that he gives permission."
Diego smiled slightly. He sensed something change in her demeanor but he couldn't quite place his finger on it.
Her choice of topics for the afternoon had startled him just momentarily. He knew she was not going to be a conventional wife. She had her own spunk, her own interests, and many of them fell in the category of a male dominated society. She would not be a delicate wife that he would need to baby and coddle of for the rest of his life. He chuckled. That was what he loved about her. She had the desire and the know-how to take care of herself despite her wealthy upbringing.
But he would dote on her for the rest of his life. She wouldn't want for anything and, what he could remember of California; it was a place of ever-changing opinions and a place where a woman could feel that she was a man's equal. Well many of the women didn't feel that way, but Sephira would certainly not let any man push her around.
He lay in the garden waiting for his lady love to bring news from her father. Diego was sure he would give his permission. If he didn't, well the young don would have to pay a visit to Sephira's father to press his suit.
Two Weeks Later
"He left?" Sephira whispered, her voice breaking. After all that had happened, after the people who had been killed in the last two weeks. She thought she would at least have a strong man who loved her to run home to. To hold her and comfort her in her loss.
"Sí, Señorita." The doorman confirmed. "He left two days ago."
"He didn't even wait to graduate." She frowned. She turned around and walked slowly toward home. With luck she would not return to find her family arrested for treason.
She mind was a cloudy mess. Her life over the last two weeks had been turned upside down and she didn't know what she was going to do. The man she loved no longer loved her, or he would not have left for home, and left his education behind.
He probably had somehow found about her traitorous activities and was ashamed at having been involved with such a woman. Tears wet her young features as she stumbled along the path toward home.
She realized that she looked as if she had been attacked, hurt, beaten or worse.
She had just spent the last two weeks of her life trying to save her dying brother. All of her efforts had been for nothing for he had died the day before from injuries sustained during a small skirmish outside of the city.
The man leading the attack had refused to allow her to leave, adamant that she would identify them and turn them all into the government.
After convincing Correna that she needed to get back to her fiance, he allowed her to leave their encampment. But it had been too late.
"He could have at least left a note. Gave me a reason for his hasty departure." She wiped at the stray tear that slipped down her cheeks. "He could have at least told me like a man that he didn't want to marry a revolutionaries daughter."
She was welcomed home with a sense of relief from the surviving members of her family. They hugged and bathed her and she revealed little of what she had discovered about her former fiancé.
"You were better off without Diego as your husband." Sephira's father comforted. "A man like him, being so staunchly royalist, would have done nothing but harm to this family."
"I loved him." Sephira whispered in her father's arms.
"That will recede, in time."
She nodded but couldn't shake the feeling that it would take longer than her father counseled to rid herself of the powerful emotions involved in loving the young don from California.
"Yes. In time."
- California 1821 -
The small band gathered in an abandoned windmill not far from the boarders of Los Angeles.
"Go back to him." Joaquin held her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm. "Enlist his help in our cause. Convince him to marry you."
"I do still love him." Sephira confessed, eyelashes lowered to cover the painful look she was sure to receive from him.
"I know. You loved me because of the cause. We believed and fought for the same things." Joaquin's voice was soothing to her ears and she was relieved. "But your first true love slipped through your fingers because I refused to let you go back to him. Now I want to give you that opportunity. You deserve a better life than what you have found here."
"He refused it when I offered it before."
"Perhaps he has changed his mind. Sephira, " He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You would be happier with him. Convince him. You can still help our cause married to a wealthy California caballero."
She nodded. She would be in a much better position to help the revolution if she married Diego. She found it hard to believe that he had forgotten his love for her.
She knew the man well. Loved him so deeply. The years married to Joaquin had not diminished her love for the handsome caballero.
Joaquin slipped a piece of parchment into her hands. "Take this as proof of the dissolution of our marriage. It will be required for you to marry again."
Trembling fingers took the parchment without even reading it and stuffed it into her jacket.
"I will fight until California is free of Spanish influence." Sephira pressed a tender kiss to his lips before turning to mount her mare. "I will set our plan into motion."
She didn't look back as she pressed her knees into the horse's sides and galloped down the path she hoped would lead to the happiness she had once had in Spain - in the arms of Diego de la Vega.
Her arrival was not well received. And she hadn't expected it to be. The last time she had set foot in the pueblo, the military was on her heals trying to arrest her for treason.
She would just have to make sure the plan went smoothly and no one suspected her involvement in the revolution.
She knew Diego was surprised to see her. And she couldn't tell if he was upset about her appearance or concerned that she would be caught.
"I know you told me that your heart belonged to another." Sephira leaned toward the young Don, her eyes bright with hope. "But I know that you love me and.."
"I did love you, Sephira." Diego began. He was uncomfortable with her tone and even her presence back in the pueblo so soon after she and her husband fled, the Spanish military hot on their heals. "Our lives have taken different paths. I am no longer the man you once knew. And you, you are no longer the same woman."
"No. I have changed. For the better." She smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Although I am not so sure about you."
Diego's eyes narrowed. This woman sitting before him knew what kind of man he was. Knew that he would not sit by and let anyone be harmed if it was in his power to stop it. She had witnessed his skill with a sword. She had attended several of his lessons with Sir Edmond.
Diego had to think of a way to get her out of the pueblo. Not just for his own safety, or the safety of his other identity, but simply because he didn't want to be near her.
She had hurt him deeply, yes. But he had forgiven and forgotten. Now he just wanted to go on. Go on with a life with the woman he now loved.
And that woman was walking toward him right now.
"It might not be a good idea for you to be here." Victoria whispered as she bent to re-fill their glasses.
"Are the soldiers.?" Sephira glanced around the crowded taproom nervously.
"No. But they could walk in any time." Victoria risked a glance around the room as well.
They were seated at one of the tavern's corner tables and thus were not easily seen by anyone in the tavern. But tempting fate was not something Diego wished to do tonight.
"Diego, wouldn't your father put Sephira up for a while until she decides what to do?" Victoria asked and she suddenly regretted her words - she didn't know why - when she noticed the small shake of the head that Diego
gave her.
By nature, Diego was a kind and generous man. He found it difficult even thinking about turning this woman, who had meant so much to him at one time, away.
He did wonder why she had come back to this little pueblo that had almost meant her death and that of her husband and his gang.
"Why did you come back here?" Diego asked quietly, partially afraid of her answer.
Victoria blinked at the young don's direct, yet pointed, question. She couldn't help but think Diego was uncomfortable around Sephira. That piqued her curiosity and casting another look around the tavern, she slid next to Sephira and listened intently to the young woman's answer.
Sephira pulled a folded parchment out of her small jacket and held it out to Diego who hesitate a moment before taking it.
Silence hung in the air, making everyone at the table uncomfortable.
Victoria studied Diego's face unable to read the emotions that played across his face as he read the parchment.
"This is a signed, legal document dissolving your marriage to Joaquin Correna." Diego hoped that the nervousness could not be heard in his voice. Showing him this document and her confession to him the last time they met, could only mean one thing. She had come back to Los Angeles to continue her pursuit of the young don.
Victoria's eyes widened and she took glanced from Sephira to Diego and back again. She was immediately uncomfortable and stood, directing a rather heated comment to Sephira. " I don't think it would be safe for you to stay here. I do have my other customers and boarders to think of and if the alcalde knew you were here. Why, they would be endangered and .."
"I understand, Señorita." Sephira interrupted, not bothering to acknowledge Victoria's obvious denial of shelter at the tavern.
Diego took a deep breath. He glanced briefly at Victoria and came to a decision he was certain he would regret later. "I will check with my father and see if you would be able to stay in one of our guest rooms."
Sephira's face lit with relief. "Thank you, Diego!" She reached forward to grasp his hands and squeezed them tightly. She didn't even notice that he did not squeeze them back.
Victoria turned when she heard Diego's words and bent to whisper into his ear. " Are you certain that is wise? You could be arrested for aiding a criminal."
Diego turned and would have missed the disappointed look that flashed across her face if he hadn't been looking for something to explain the young señorita's strange behavior.
Diego's eyes narrowed and Victoria turned quickly to another customer so that Diego could not see her reaction to his offer of sanctuary for the beautiful young woman.
Diego blinked. He had never heard the edge in Victoria's voice directed at anyone but the alcalde or a lancer. Was she upset with his decision to allow Sephira to stay at the hacienda? If so, why?
"We should go." Diego stood and extended his hand in front of him to allow Sephira to go first. "I don't want the alcalde to step into the tavern and see you here."
As Diego and Sephira left the tavern, a pair of amber eyes followed them until they disappeared from sight.
What was wrong with her? Why was she so upset with this young woman's appearance?
Victoria slammed a mug into a wash basin and didn't even flinch when the clay mug shattered in the water.
Hadn't Diego told Sephira that day a few months ago that his heart belonged to another and he was no longer interested in courting the young revolutionary? Why, then, was she back, with a paper proving the dissolution of her marriage, if she was not interested in persuading Diego into their former relationship.
"Why am I so upset over this?" Victoria muttered while cleaning the pieces of broken clay out of the basin. "Diego said himself that he was interested in another. He wouldn't go back to her."
As her hands dipped dish after dish into the basin, she also remembered when she had asked Diego the identity of this other woman who had captured his heart.
"What did he say?" She muttered. "That the woman he loved as in love with someone else?"
That would mean that woman was out of his reach and if Sephira was able to persuade him that she was within his reach again, maybe he would..
"No!" Victoria muttered the word with a little more emotion than she had intended, prompting a startled look from Maria, who had just stepped through the curtain to plunge some dirty dishes into the cleaning basin. "He wouldn't."
Victoria cast a look a Maria and muttered. " Just talking to myself, Maria. Pay it no mind."
"Welcome, my dear." Alejandro smiled warmly at the young woman. Bowed respectfully over her hand. "Josela will prepare a guest room for you."
Sephira followed the young handmaid into the back room while Alejandro turned a questioning eye on his son.
"Is this the young woman who was ."
Diego took a deep breath, released it slowly. " Yes. I'm not sure yet why she has returned without Correna."
"There is something you are not telling me, Diego." Alejandro led his son to the library. " What is it? You look extremely uncomfortable."
"I told you a little about how my life changed at the University, but I didn't tell you all of it. Sephira was the young woman that I asked to be my wife."
Alejandro nodded slowly. "Sit down and tell me all about it."
"I'm not sure where to begin."
Alejandro could see his son's troubled look and vowed that he would not push his son to reveal and obviously painful time in his life.
Diego had informed his father about the young woman and the bandit Correna and having sheltered them and rendered aid when they had come for help.
Alejandro was not above helping others when asked, but he wished his son had used a little more discresion when openly aiding the wounded revolutionary. They were lucky that the alcalde had not arrested Diego for treason.
He wasn't sure where his son's loyalties lie and had questioned such beliefs after the incident with Correna.
They were staunch royalists and as distant members of the ruling family, had a duty to serve the King.
Diego had brushed off his father's pointed questions with a shrug of his broad shoulders saying that he rendered aid to a wounded man and would do so again if asked. There was nothing more, nothing less and no more questions to be asked.
"Where's Diego?" Victoria breathed as she rushed through the doors and into the library where Sephira was quietly reading a book.
"He left for Santa Paula today to take care of some business for his father." She answered calmly then regretted telling the young Señorita.
She involves herself way too much in the de la Vega's lives. Especially Diego's.
"Well you need to leave this hacienda before you give the alcalde cause to arrest Don Alejandro and Diego." Victoria breathed as Felipe, followed by Alejandro stepped into the library.
"Why would you say such a thing, Victoria dear?" Alejandro asked calmly.
"DeSoto is on his way here now and if he finds Sephira here.."
Alejandro nodded his understanding and smiled at the young Señorita. "I think the alcalde will listen to reason where this young woman is concerned."
Alejandro had grown to like the young women whose affections seemed permanently affixed upon his son. If only the infuriating man would open his eyes and see where the young woman's interests lie.
"I will explain..." Alejandro strode to the door while Victoria stood motionless for a few seconds.
"I don't think that is a good idea." Victoria offered, casting a momentary glance and a motionless Sephira.
"For the first time, I think I agree with the Señorita." Sephira admitted. "I don't want to put you in any danger by helping me. Maybe I should go into the back while you speak with the alcalde."
Alejandro nodded. " Very well. Felipe will escort you."
Sephira nodded and the two disappeared down the hallway.
"Well, alcalde." Alejandro blocked the uniformed man's entrance into his hacienda. " To what do we owe this pleasure."
"I hear that you have been sheltering a revolutionary." DeSoto pushed past the Alejandro, his guards following and fanning out through the hacienda. "I mean to find and arrest her for treason."
"Who? Oh, Diego's old schoolmate." Alejandro smiled slightly, following the alcalde as he looked around the hacienda. " She is here visiting from Spain. What makes you think she is involved with the revolution."
DeSoto whirled the man and glared. "She arrived in this pueblo several months ago with the traitor Joaquin Correna."
"That does not make the young woman a traitor. She didn't even know about his activities and has since left the travelling circus to..."
"Where is she?"
"She has gone to Santa Paula with my son for a few days."
"I will question her when she returns."
"Alcalde!" Sepulveda called from the hallway.
"What is it corporal?" DeSoto sighed, turning in the direction of the voice. "We have her."
The man appeared dragging the young woman by the arm, Felipe following helplessly.
"Gone to Santa Paula, has she?" DeSoto shook his head. " I should arrest you as well, de la Vega."
"Get her out of here!" DeSoto turned on his heal and took one step before he stopped in his tracks, a meter of sharp toledo steel positioned right above his adam's apple.
"This is none of your concern, Zorro." The alcalde seethed. The damnable bandit insisted on interfering where he was not wanted.
"Anything that affects the welfare of the people of this pueblo, is my concern, alcalde." Zorro smiled, his blue eyes searching the hacienda for the rest of the lancers.
"What has this young woman done to cause you to manhandle her so?" He reached out and twisted Sepulveda's arm away from the young Señorita's, causing him to release his grip on the young revolutionary.
He rubbed his wrist in momentary pain.
"Don't put your hands on the young woman again, Señor, or the next time I will break them." Zorro warned and turned cast a meaningful glance in Victoria's direction..
"Looking radiant as ever, Victoria." The masked man smiled and nodded respectfully in the taverner's direction, prompting a disgusted look to cross Sephira's features. Fortunately, no one had been paying attention to the
young woman to notice.
The masked man turned his full attention back toward the alcalde, when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, the man reach for the blade attached to his hip.
Alejandro pulled the two ladies out of the way as Zorro drew his blade and saluted seconds before the alcalde lunged, his blade aiming for the masked man's heart.
"Sepulveda. Shoot him!" DeSoto shouted, advancing on the man in black. Refusing to give ground.
Zorro retreated and parried the alcalde's attacks effortlessly, and as Sepulveda leveled his pistol at the masked man, two screams echoed in warning around the hacienda.
Sephira and Victoria shouted in fear seconds before Sepulveda's pistol discharged.
The women cast a startled look at one another and then back at the masked man who had dived behind a chair to deflect the blast.
"Apologies, Señor de la Vega. The alcalde will gladly pay for any damages." Zorro smiled and wrapped his blade around the alcalde's, catching his guard, and wrenched the blade out of the uniformed officer's grasp.
Sephira stared at the masked man. So this was the famous outlaw that she had heard so much about. She turned to move away from the distracted lancer when she heard again the stern warning come from the masked man's lips.
"Leave the young Señorita be, comprende?" Zorro extended his arm to press the steel blade to the alcalde's chest, reinforcing his point. "She has obviously made a change in her life and you are honor bound to respect that."
Sephira's head snapped back towards the man, her lips parted in slight surprise, her eyes wide. She knew that voice. Upon closer examination of the man in black, she realized that she recognized many of his mannerisms, many of his movements. His voice, at once soft and then firm. The tone with which he spoke with the alcalde, and then how he changed again to speak with Alejandro and Victoria.
The swordplay, the quick, movements, the ease in which he had disarmed the alcalde. She had seen these things and more when she was at the University.
She stared at the masked man and when his eyes passed over her, she caught them and refused to let go.
Zorro's heart twisted. She had recognized him. And why wouldn't she? She had seen his lessons with Kendall. She knew Diego better than anyone in the world; The real Diego. What would she do now?
She had just discovered his greatest secret and what the revolutionary would do with this information he could only guess. He only hoped that she did not reveal her discovery before he had the chance to talk to her.
"This will be my only warning, alcalde." Zorro's eyes narrowed and quickly struck the alcalde with a right hook that left him sprawled out on the de la Vega's fine Spanish carpeting.
Sepulveda turned to run, but in one crack of a whip, the man in black had wrapped the black leather around the Corporal's legs. One deft tug and the soldier was deposited on the floor next to the alcalde.
The masked man turned and prepared to leave when Sephira rushed up to him.
He did not meet her eyes but said simply. "Be careful with whom you associate from now on, Señora."
"It's Señorita, Señor." She smiled coyly, noticing that he did not meet her eyes.
Victoria noticed the young woman's interest and skipped beside the black-clad man and slid her hand into his.
His eyes took in the lovely beauty beside him and he squeezed the fingers gently before pressing them to his lips in a soft kiss.
Sephira's eyes narrowed. So this was the young woman to which his heart belonged. There is someone else, indeed. That was what he had told her when she had admitted that she was still in love with him all those months
ago.
"Gracias for helping the señorita this evening, Victoria." He smiled, and bent to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth before taking his leave.
"So the infamous Zorro has a thing for the tavern owner, hmm?" Sephira was grinning widely and for a moment Alejandro thought she was a little jealous.
Victoria knew it to be a fact.
Sephira turned to watch the masked man ride away, the lancers following half-heartedly, and grinned. She would have much more about with Diego when he returned from his trip to Santa Paula.
Sephira giggled, prompting a curious look from Alejandro and Victoria.
"Oh." Sephira bubbled. " I think I am going to go to bed. It's been a very busy day."
"Good idea, my dear." Alejandro agreed.
Victoria's eyes narrowed at the young woman's retreating back and Alejandro chuckled. "Now, now, Victoria. Sephira is more concerned with pursuing Diego than she is with Zorro."
Victoria sighed and shook her head. "I'm not so sure that is a good idea either. She is trouble. The worst kind."
"Victoria, I have never heard you speak of another so. Not even a lancer or the alcalde." Alejandro led her to the library and motioned for her to take a seat. "What is troubling you?"
"It's just a feeling. She came back here just to persuade Diego to fall in love with her again." Victoria shook her head. " It's not right. What about the other woman..." Victoria stopped short. She wasn't sure if his father knew about his conversation with her about this other woman to whom his heart was attached and she suddenly regretted mentioning anything.
But Alejandro had been following the young woman's words closely and leapt at her mention of another woman in Diego's life.
"What other woman?"
Victoria stood and made for the door. She couldn't betray a confidence even if it wasn't made clear that was what it was.
"Victoria?" Alejandro's hand enclosed her wrist and she stopped.
"I can't." She whispered. "Ask Diego about it."
Alejandro loosened his grip on her wrist and she pulled open the door, casting a pitying look back at the elder de la Vega.
"I don't think Diego has any interest in Sephira. His heart belongs to another. Talk to him about it. Maybe he will tell you more than he told me."
Victoria stepped out into the cool, night air before Alejandro could ask her to explain. She had said too much and she only hoped that Diego would forgive her.
"You can be sure I will do just that. " Alejandro muttered at the young woman's retreating back.
The stallion objected to being reared around in the opposite direction suddenly and whickered loudly his disapproval. Zorro was on his way back to the cave when images of his lovely señorita pervaded his thoughts. He grinned slightly when he remembered her reaction to Sephira's response to his saving her from arrest.
He could only attribute the reaction to jealousy and he wanted to allay any fears the young beauty had regarding where her masked man's interests lie.
He urged the stallion at a hard gallop towards the pueblo. He would not have much time as he wanted to get back to the hacienda to speak with Sephira.
He arrived just as the young woman closed her bedroom door for the night. He smiled, his eyes twinkling in the night as he watched her pull a comb off her desk and begin brushing the lovely locks.
She smiled when she heard the window open. She knew without turning that he was here. She seldom was allowed any time alone with the man and she relished even more when he visited her in the night.
She did not turn around this time, instead wanting him to come to her. She always rushed into his arms and this time she left the embrace up to him.
She didn't have to wait long, for as soon as the thought passed her mind, his arms were around her waist and she was being pulled against his chest by strong, well-muscled arms.
He didn't know why she hesitated, didn't rush into his open arms, but he wasn't leaving until he held her. Burned into his mind another memory of her yielding to his embrace, to his probing lips.
She melted into his arms and the stood there for a long moment, simply enjoying the touch of their bodies. She could feel his heart beat through her back and she leaned her head back taking in as much of him as she could feel.
He never stayed very long when he visited her bedroom. He was more concerned for her reputation than she was obviously.
"You have nothing to worry about." He whispered into her ear, his hot breath igniting her senses causing a warm glow to flow through her body.
She smiled and took a deep breath. Might as well play his game. " Worry about what?"
He chuckled and slid gloved hands up her bare arms, cupping her cheek and turning it slightly so that he could look into her eyes.
Her eyes danced as his head descended to capture her lips in a deep, probing kiss.
She could feel his body shudder as their lips met and she reveled in the knowledge that she could create such feelings in him.
She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. His tongue searched the depths of her mouth and she thought she would faint from the feeling of euphoria that washed over her.
In that kiss, she knew her fears of him ever taking Sephira seriously were un-warrented and she felt guilty about thinking such a thing.
His next words were as much of a surprise to him as they were to her. Victoria knew how he felt about her, knew because he had asked her to marry him. But she had never heard him utter the words. Something, some fear, whether it be hers or some fear of his own, had prompted him to say the words to her now.
"I love you." She would have missed the words, whispered into her mouth as they were, had the room not been silent. The beat of their hearts reverberating in their ears, the only source of sound in the room.
The shock was evident on her face as he broke the kiss and stared deeply into the compassion-filled eyes.
"I know." She whispered, a small smile curving her lips.
He pulled off his gauntlets and threw them onto the bed. His finger curved around a stray strand of hair and he grinned. " You're hair smells so beautiful, feels so soft. But nothing is softer, or more inviting than your lips."
He bent and fastened his lips to hers once again and her intake of breath proved to him that it was almost time to leave. When her fingers gripped his shoulders, pulling him as close to her as possible, he realized that it would take very little persuasion for him to remain with her for the entire night.
He couldn't allow that to happen, not now. Not yet.
"I must go." He whispered when she rested her head against his chest.
"I know."
"One of these days we will not have to part like this. That day is coming soon. I swear it." He lifted her chin with a long, slender finger and pressed his lips to hers for one last, penetrating kiss, before he retrieved his gloves from her bed and exited swiftly through her open window.
Sephira lay wide awake, her eyes searching the shadows of the room. She expected him to come to her and beg her to keep the secret.
"I wonder if he even went to Santa Paula?" She muttered, rolling onto her side so that she could gaze out the window at the star filled sky.
She became restless and donned her robe to go wander the dark hacienda.
As she rounded the corner, she ran straight into Diego.
"Sephira?" Diego gasped in mock surprise. "What are you doing up so late?"
"Waiting up for you, of course." Sephira laced her arm in his and led him out of the hallway and into the library.
She lit a few candles before settling into a soft cushioned chair.
Diego blinked. " Waiting for me? Whatever for?"
He would need to probe her carefully to see if she really knew Zorro's identity.
"I think you know." She leaned forward, noticing that he was still standing. "Sit down. You look as if you've seen a ghost."
She chuckled and he let out a long sigh.
"And where have you been tonight?" She smiled coyly.
He took a seat across from her and leaned back. She was an expert at mind games. An expert at dragging answers out of anyone she felt was hiding something - him included.
He would just have to play her game.
"My father didn't tell you?" He smiled innocently.
"He told me what you wanted him to believe."
Neither gave ground and neither would make the first step in asking the other. Diego could tell by her demeanor that she was just waiting for him to bring everything out into the open.
She leaned back and sighed. " Beautiful night for a ride, wouldn't you say?"
Diego smiled. "Indeed. The air is so fresh and crisp. Very soothing."
"And what do you need soothed that I could not do for you?" She grinned wickedly, noting that he did not look as uncomfortable as that comment had once made him.
Before he could reply, she answered the question for him. " Because the little tavern maid takes care of all of your aches and pains for you, doesn't she?"
Diego blinked. He had not expected such a response from the young woman sitting across from him. In concentrating solely on Victoria's jealousy, it appeared he had missed that of another as well. He kept his anger in check at the demeaning tone she had used and narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?" He leaned forward, his intent to shake her into an admission. "You appear to be a little jealous, Sephira? Is there a reason?"
"I'm sure you know entirely what I mean." She glared.
"I'm sure I do, but why don't you explain it to me."
She slipped off the chair and knelt at his feet, resting her elbows on his knees. "Very well. Zorro."
He nodded, smiling slightly.
"Now I know why you haven't returned any of my affections."
"Our lives, our time, is in the past now, Sephira." He began. "I did love you. I will never deny that and I will never deny the pain that I felt when I thought you had changed your mind."
"I explained to you what happened. I couldn't get back to you." She moved to sit on the couch next to him, taking his hand in hers.
"I know. But, Sephira, my feelings have changed over the years. I am no longer the man you knew in Madrid." He kept his voice low so that no one could overhear their conversation.
"I only know how much that statement means now." She smiled.
"And what are you going to do with this newfound knowledge?"
She smiled wickedly. "Who else knows?"
He changed the subject. "Do you still support the revolution?"
She blinked and grinned. "Do you think I would change just because I wanted you back?"
"I didn't think so." He sighed and shook his head. " You know the alcalde will arrest you, and anyone aquatinted with you if he chooses."
"I think Zorro gave him cause to think twice about attempting that again."
"Zorro's threats will only keep the alcalde at bay for so long."
"He won't have to wait much longer." She muttered.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Diego asked. Something else was going on here and he didn't like the implications.
She remained silent.
"The revolution is closer than we think, isn't it?"
"Freedom is waiting just around the corner." She turned to him, her yes pleading with his. "I know you will not betray me. But I have to know. Do you stand with Spain? Will you fight against the revolution when it comes?"
"I am a direct descendant of the crown of Spain. Do you expect me to fight against my own country?" "No. It is my hope that you will stand aside when the time comes."
"I can't give you an answer."
She sighed. She didn't want him to stand in the way. She herself would not pull the trigger to end his life, but any one of Correna's men would gladly do so if they felt he was interfering with progress.
"Will Zorro stand with Spain?"
"Zorro is wanted by the crown of Spain for treason. What do you think?"
"Well?" Correna stared at the young woman who used to be his wife. He cast a momentary glance at her hand and realized that she did not wear a band of gold around her finger. He was momentarily surprised but relieved. For he still loved her and allowing her to leave him to pursue her first love had been one of the hardest things he had ever had to do.
"Diego has no interest in re-kindling our former relationship." Correna could tell she was hurt and disappointed.
"Will he stand against us?"
"I don't know." She sighed.
Correna nodded. "Find out. I will go through the de la Vega's, to conquer Los Angeles for Mexico, if I have to."
Sephira nodded and Correna wondered if there was something else on her mind. She had been very quiet the last few times she had come to see him, and he was concerned that she was no longer as dedicated to the cause as she had once been.
"Have you set the plan into motion?" He asked carefully.
"I am working on it." She forced a smile.
"What's wrong?" He rested his hand on her forearm and gazed at her with tender eyes.
"I love Diego but he - he is in love with another woman."
"Did you expect that you would really be able to convince him? Did you think he still carried the same feelings for you?"
"No." She answered quietly. "We need to make sure there are no innocent people hurt when the army invades."
"Some may die, Sephira." He spoke quickly before she had a chance to blow up at him. Her temper was unmatched when she was angry and even he knew better than to inflame it even more. " I know that is not what you want to hear but there is no way that we can guarantee the safety of all the pueblo's residents. We will try but..."
An idea! He leapt at it before she tore his eyes out with her bare fingernails.
"Why don't you make sure, before the battle begins, that there are no pueblo residents in the area. Have them hide in that tavern."
"Victoria Escalante lives there, she could be hurt." Sephira glanced at Correna, her eyes hard. " I don't want her to get hurt."
"Yes, I know she helped us escape.."
"That is only part of the reason." She whispered, bowing her head. " She is the woman Diego is in love with."
Correna blinked. He couldn't remember that kind of a relationship between the caballero and the business woman. There had been looks exchanged between the two when Sephira confessed that she still loved Diego, but nothing that he would have considered to be one shared between a couple.
When Correna opened his mouth to ask her a question, she immediately answered his unspoken question. " I'll tell you one day."
As an afterthought she muttered. "That day may be sooner than we all think."
Correna glanced at her and decided not to ask. Maybe it was better that he didn't know. The less he knew about the pueblo residents that were most likely going to be killed in the next few days, the better.
"So the attack will come soon, and in the middle of the night." DeSoto grinned and the hooded figure nodded.
"So the traitors plan to take Los Angeles by surprise, hmmm?" DeSoto leaned back in his chair, pulling absently at his goatee. "Well we may just give them something they had not bargained for."
The figure stepped into the shadows as DeSoto called for Mendoza.
"I want half the garrison awake and ready for battle at all times. I want them searching for any treasonous activities. Do you understand me Sergeant?"
"Sí, mí alcalde." Mendoza executed a sloppy salute and exited the alcalde's office.
DeSoto turned to the figure who had provided this very useful information. "Thank you for your continued support. I have underestimated you."
"I have paid dearly for my past. I intend to exact retribution from those who took what was mine all those years ago."
"This way." The alcalde led the cloaked figure to the back door. " I wouldn't want anyone to see that you have been providing me with information about your own people."
DeSoto sank back into his chair, grinning evilly. " I pity any man that crosses that woman."
She strode confidently into the tavern, a look of determination on her face. She had to speak with Victoria and soon. Victoria had to know the identity of her masked lover. That must be why she was always involved with the de la Vega's.
She needed to make sure Victoria was out of the tavern and the pueblo when the attack came. She would see to it that
She noticed the taverner circling the tables, refilling glasses and taking orders.
Victoria barely glanced up for a cheery 'good morning' before disappearing behind the kitchen curtain.
Perhaps some privacy would be preferred when speaking about the notorious outlaw with whom she was in love.
Diego stepped into the tavern just as he noticed Sephira slide between the curtains that separated the dining room from the kitchen.
He was immediately pulled into a conversation before he could inquire as to what she was doing.
The whispered talk of revolution kept him interested in the conversation but he glanced nervously toward the curtain every few minutes to see if Sephira had returned.
He suddenly remembered that he had not revealed to Sephira that Victoria did not know his real identity! His heart flipped. She couldn't be talking to Victoria about Zorro! She wouldn't. Why wouldn't she? He hadn't told her that the woman he loved did not know the real man behind the mask to whom she had given her heart.
He flinched and was determined to disengage himself from the conversation when he heard Joaquin Correna's name.
He turned back to the conversation and asked a question directly pointed at the man who had mentioned Correna.
"Victoria?" Sephira called as the young señorita began spooning some beans onto a plate for a customer.
"Sephira?" Victoria blinked. "What can I do for you?"
Victoria continued her work, absently filling the plate with sweet smelling tamales and rice.
"I need to talk to you - about Zorro."
Victoria glanced hard at Sephira and set the plate on the table lest she drop it in her anger at the young lady's use of her masked man's name.
Victoria still held a certain animosity toward the young woman for her behavior when Zorro prevented the alcalde from arresting her. She had examined her feelings on the subject closely and realized that she had indeed been jealous and worried that the woman would attempt to steal away her dashing hero.
She wasn't even sure she would use the term lady when describing the divorced female. Any woman who dissolved her marriage to pursue another man was not someone who should be respected, in Victoria's book. Once those vows were taken, the man, as well as the woman, where honor bound to live by them - though the good times and the bad.
Victoria, in a way, felt sorry for Diego. This woman with whom he had once obviously been very in love with had turned out to be nothing but a dishonorable woman who Victoria felt was not worthy to be associated with the de la Vega's in any way, shape or form.
The irony was that the young woman was very much like Victoria herself. She had the same beliefs, the same burning desire to see freedom reign in Los Angeles and all of California.
Their families had both fought for freedom, even if on different soil. Victoria's family had died in the cause. She didn't know what had become of Sephira's family.
"What could you possibly have to say to me about Zorro?" The question was voiced with a little more hostility that she had intended.
"I would like you to spend more time out at the de la Vega hacienda this week." Sephira had caught her question and tone of voice but ignored it.
She knew the young señorita did not like the fact that she was staying in the home of the very same man that she loved. But she was determined to insure that this feisty woman not be caught in the middle of the coming battle.
"Why ever would I want to do that?" Victoria narrowed her eyes.
What was this woman trying to do?
"I think you deserve to spend more time with him rather than I." Sephira's voice was barely audible over the noise in the other room. "I am just sorry that I have treated you with such disrespect. I want you to be safe.."
"He? Who? Diego? Alejandro?" This woman was not making any sense. "Safe from what?"
She took a few steps closer to the young woman.
"What do you know that I do not?"
Before Sephira could answer, Diego stepped through the curtain, a determined look on his face.
Victoria jumped as his appearance startled her and Sephira turned and smiled up at the tall caballero.
"Sephira," Diego began. " I must speak with you."
"Can't it wait for a few minutes?" Sephira asked politely. " Victoria and I are in the middle of a conversation. But, I suppose, since you are a part.."
"Sephira. This is very important." Diego's gaze was hard as he struggled not to meet Victoria's questioning stare.
"I need - to," Victoria searched for the plate she had set on the table. "Deliver these to my waiting customers. Take - all the time - you need." Victoria hurried out of the room, plates in hand.
Diego grasped Sephira's hand and led her as far away from the curtain as he could.
"Please don't mention anything to Victoria..."
"She doesn't know?" Sephira's eyes widened in surprise then narrowed in frustration when she realized that Diego had not revealed his secret identity to the woman he supposedly loved.
She slapped his arm and then his chest. " How could you keep such a secret from her?!"
Diego looked around the room, hoping that Sephira's raised voice had not alerted anyone to their disagreement. To his relief, no one stormed through the curtain to see what was wrong.
"I can't. Not while Zorro is still wanted for treason." Diego lowered his voice to a whisper. " Do you know how badly it would reflect on her?"
"Ah , always the proper caballero, with a hint of passion and excitement. Always daring, but in a quiet, unobtrusive sort of way."
Diego grinned. She had always been able to nail down his personality and now was no exception. " Those speaking out against a ruling government have not always met with the law on the best of terms. Zorro is no exception."
He leaned closer Sephira, whispering into her ear. "When Zorro is free from the possibility of arrest and execution, then I will be able to reveal myself without causing her harm or dishonor."
Sephira nodded in understanding. "I still don't think it's right."
Victoria stepped into the kitchen with some more dirty plates and overheard Sephira's statement. She was confused. Didn't know what to make of the young woman. She had made some comments that confused the tavern owner but Victoria didn't have the time to sort them out in her mind. She was too busy.
She had work to do. And these two people, obviously having an argument in the middle of her kitchen, were in the way.
"If you two will excuse me. I have a tavern full of people that need to be fed and you are in the way."
Victoria was nothing if not direct.
Diego chuckled and muttered a apologetic, "I'm sorry," before taking Sephira's arm and leading her through the curtains into the crowded taproom.
"Victoria," Sephira called as she followed Diego. " Remember what I said. Please accept the invitation."
"What invitation was that?" Diego asked, once they were outside.
"Can't a girl invite a friend over for a visit?" Sephira muttered innocently.
Diego's eyes narrowed to little slits and he cocked his head. "You two have not been getting along very well. What prompted this decision?"
When Sephira didn't answer, Diego pulled her aside and whispered. " What is going on? Is there going to be an attack on the pueblo?"
Sephira blinked. She had given no indication that she was even still involved in the revolution. But Diego was a smart man and could have easily figured it out on his own.
"I simply wanted to invite her to spend more time at the hacienda." She smiled sweetly.
"I know you just as well as you know me, Sephira." Diego grinned. " You don't do anything without having a motive first. What is going on?"
She couldn't tell him and betray her confidences. But she also knew that he would persist until he got an answer that he was satisfied with.
"I wanted Victoria to spend more time at the hacienda with you." She confessed.
She wasn't sure if Diego was going to take that as a satisfactory answer. His response, however, was cut short by the untimely arrival of the alcalde.
"Diego." He acknowledged the young don with a nod of his head.
"Señorita." DeSoto took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her palm, surprising Diego. "How nice to see you."
Sephira nodded in respect and laced her arm through Diego's and pulled gently.
"Diego was just about to escort me home. It's been a long morning and I am ready for siesta." She batted her eyelashes at the officer and he smiled brightly, taking her comment to mean something a little more suggestive. However unbelievable it may seem to his eyes when looking at the scholarly de la Vega.
"Oh, then by all means don't let me delay you and your escort." DeSoto gave Diego a gentle nudge and the young don just shook his head.
Diego was not going to let the suggestive comment go by without an explanation.
"Felipe is in town as well Sephira," Diego nodded to where the boy was loading some horse feed onto a wagon. "If you require an escort, Felipe will kindly provide it for you. I need to return to the office to lay some more type for tomorrow's issue of The Guardian."
The disappointed look on her face was evident and DeSoto chuckled. De la Vega couldn't even muster up the courage to lie about the implied tryst. It would have given him more backbone in the alcalde's eyes.
The large black stallions hoof beats could not be heard over the explosions and the gunfire rocking the small pueblo. No one noticed the figure clad in black as he drove his stallion faster over the small hills toward the pueblo.
He was too late to stop the attack but he would not be too late to save the woman he loved from being caught in the middle of this battle.
The light that emanating from the small town, was enough to create fear in anyone who passed by this night.
It was early morning and the lancers would be waking soon, when the first volley of gunfire shattered windows and penetrated sleeping forms.
The pueblo residents had been warned to stay indoors at the last possible minute, resulting in many being caught in the crossfire.
Victoria had been one such resident.
She had been cleaning off the morning dew one of the taverns outside tables when she heard the first explosion.
It had lit up the still dark sky like a falling star and she gaped at the hole it had made in the garrison barracks.
She noticed the troops pouring into the pueblo and looked around to see if any innocent people had been caught in the crossfire.
Thankfully, it was still early morning but the farmers and those who worked in the fields had to make an early day of it before the heat became to unbearable to work. These were the men and children that had been caught in the crossfire.
Victoria noticed a peasant clutch his chest and sink to the ground beside his young son. The boy stood motionless in terror as gunshots echoed in his ears and explosions rocked the buildings around him.
Victoria tore off across the plaza, ducking behind anything that would provide shelter from the onslaught of bullets that pierced the air behind and in front of her.
He recognized her form in the growing light - he would know her figure anywhere - as she dodged behind anything that would provide shelter from the debris being blown apart by the powder. She was moving at a determined pace toward something the masked man could not see.
He shouted to her but his voice was muffled even to his own ears. The sound of the explosions were too great.
A flash of light exploded in front of his eyes and he pulled Tornado to an abrupt halt. When he opened his eyes, the bright light clearing, Victoria was nowhere to be seen.
His eyes searched the debris of the cuartel wall, which had been blown apart, and to his great relief, he couldn't see any bodies.
He pressed his knees roughly into Tornado's sides urging the great stallion around the debris. His eyes finally came to rest on his beauty's form as she knelt over something - presumably a body.
Bullets slammed into wood and adobe all around her and Zorro shook his head. He leapt off Tornado and rushed toward the young woman, shouting words of warning as he ran.
Something had been heard over the noise because she lifted her head and gasped when she saw the masked man rushing towards her. She pulled the crying child she held toward a barrel Zorro indicated, his black gloved hand outstretched.
He sighed in momentary relief as he noticed her hunker down behind the barrel. It offered minimal protection but she would be safe until he could reach her and get her to safety.
His steps were halted when a bullet skidded across his foot and skidded to an abrupt halt, his eyes scanning where the bullet had come from. His eyes came to rest on the smiling alcalde.
His spent pistol he threw to the sand covered plaza, its barrel still smoking and he lifted his other pistol and aimed at Zorro's chest.
Zorro could see the alcalde's mouth widen in a twisted smile, could see his lips move, but could not hear what he said.
"Zorro!" Sephira cried and pushed through the combatants toward the black-clad man's side. "Look out!"
Her voice, too, was drown out by the mayhem in the plaza.
She launched herself in front of the masked man just as the shot joined others, echoing through the plaza.
Her eyes widened as the bullet struck her back and she fell into his outstretched arms. Only Victoria, who was close enough, heard him cry out her name.
His eyes shot liquid fire as the alcalde lowered the smoking pistol. The need that burned in him to snap the alcalde's neck like a twig, faded to the background as he slid to the ground, grasping her tightly.
He knelt in the sand, cradling her body to his. "Oh, Sephira, why?"
Victoria slid the boy against the barrel and closed the few feet separating her from her masked love, in seconds, breathing a sigh of relief when she realized that the man had not been shot.
As she stepped closer, she heard the masked man's soothing voice.
"Oh, Sephira, why?"
"This is my fight. Not yours." She breathed, blood seeping through parted lips.
"But.."
"No." She reached up to press a trembling finger to his lips. "You love her. Now, if we are successful," She took a deep breath, determined to continue. "Perhaps you will have the freedom you have fought so long and hard
for."
He blinked away the tears. He had loved this woman with all of his heart at one time. And there was probably someplace deep down in his heart where he would always love her. To see her dying like this, on the eve of accomplishing something she had fought so long and hard for, tore his heart into tiny pieces.
"Please re-member." She coughed, her lungs filling with blood and making it harder for her to breathe. " I love you."
Her body went limp in his arms and he lowered his head to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I know."
Victoria knelt beside the man, her eyes wide at Sephira's declaration. She placed a comforting hand on the masked man's shoulder, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill down dust-covered cheeks.
Victoria had just learned, quite by mistake, the identity of the man she had loved for years. Yet she did not feel the tremendous euphoria and joy that she was certain would accompany such knowledge.
Instead she was saddened and her heart ached for the loss of this young woman who had obviously fought desperately for something she believed in. And she would not live to see what became of her struggle.
The gunshots and the clash of steel quieted as the revolutionary troops slowly over took the small pueblo, killing or injuring most of the Royal Lancers in the battle.
Freedom had come at last to the small California pueblo but what a price they had paid.
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