Checkmate by Ariel Tachna

Author:Ariel Tachna [Tachna, Ariel]
Language: nld
Format: epub
Tags: erotic MM, Romance MM
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

young nobleman doubt himself. “It has a better chance of success than anything I can think to try.”

“I will go first thing in the morning, and Teodoro will be safely home with us by nightfall,” Christian declared firmly. He refused to consider any other outcome. Failure was simply not an option.

“He is no longer here,” Raúl replied quietly. “They have taken him to Toledo, to the dungeons of the Grand Inquisitor himself.”

“What?” Christian exclaimed. Immediately, images of faceless men torturing Teodoro assailed him, wielding whips, chains, brands.

The rack. Even in England, he had heard tales of the incredible cruelty of the Inquisition. The idea that Teodoro, still wounded, might be subjected to such merciless horrors added to the urgency he had felt since hearing his lover had been taken. “How far is that? We should leave immediately!”

“Nearly a day’s ride each way, but it is useless to follow him there. He will be returned to Madrid by Friday, in any case.” At Christian’s look of confusion, the gypsy explained, “Sunday is the feast of Christ the King—the end of the ecclesiastical year. The Grand Inquisitor apparently believes in beginning the new church year with a fresh page. Any prisoners remaining under accusation will be tried—

and sentenced—by this Saturday, before the feast.”

Christian digested that information slowly. “What does that mean in terms of my plan?” he asked after a moment, not sure how to go forward now. “Can it still work?”

“We have four days,” Raúl said. “I will continue to learn what I can, but I doubt anything I might find could sway the agents of the Holy Office.” He held Christian with a steady gaze, knowing the pressure he was placing the younger man under, but judging he had earned the right not to be sheltered from the truth, however harsh.

“Your influence may be the only hope we have.”

Christian nodded, his resolution hardening. Raúl wasn’t

pretending this would be easy, wasn’t patting him on the head and trying to pacify him. That thought buoyed him in a backhanded way.

The gypsy wasn’t treating him like a child, but rather like an equal, one capable of acting to save his lover. “Then I will have to be the kind of powerful man who wields that influence.” He looked at Raúl, then at Esteban. “I won’t let you down.”

Checkmate | 143

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