Chapter Sixteen
Every part of his bodyburned and ached. Felix knew what was going on around him, but his mind grew fuzzy so fast.
He was going to die.
A laugh bubbled up in his throat that he didn’t have the strength to stop. To think he’d made it through being an officer for Metropolitan Police and taking a bullet, and then coming to the Amazon jungle for three these years, only to die likethis? Good grief, this wasn’t the way he wanted to die. He could envision himself fighting a tiger—or jaguar. Yes, the jaguar.
The jungle cat leapt onto him and wrestled him to the ground. The animal opened its jowls and the sun glinted off the cat’s razor-sharp teeth. Felix braced his hands on the animal’s mouth, to keep from being eaten. They continue to struggle. At times, Felix thought the animal would overtake him, but soon he would find his strength and overcome it. He flipped the animal on its back. The cat growled, ripping pieces of his skin off. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt. Only a slight sting. Felix wouldn’t stop fighting for his life. But soon, his strength faded, and his arms became weak. That’s when the jaguar had control. The animal lunged at Felix and clamped his teeth on Felix’s neck. Pain shot through him, then, finally... nothing. He was dead.
Grinning, he nodded in satisfaction as the vision evaporated from his mind. Nowthatwas a hero’s death. Not some coward’s poisonous dart that shot out from nowhere by someone who wasn’t brave enough to face him. Where was the jackal now? Why couldn’t the weakling come out of hiding and fight like arealman?
Felix’s vision blurred and he blinked a few times. His men sneaked peeks at him. Sadness filled their expressions.I’m definitely not going to make it. But I must!
And his beautiful, kind-hearted, stubborn Katrina—the only woman he had ever truly loved. The only woman he wanted to bear his children and grow old with. After his death, she would be sad. Lonely. But she would eventually move on with her life. Hopefully, the money from her father would allow her a better life so she wouldn’t have to serve ale to drunkards.
Katrina brought a canteen to his mouth, urging him to drink. Her voice was soft and smooth. As the liquid touched his tongue, bitterness coated his mouth. He turned his face away and mumbled that he didn’t want anymore. She pushed him to drink it...in a louder and more commanding voice. To satisfy her and stop her from yelling, he drank. Now it tasted like those herbs he had his men gather that replaced the quinine medicine. She must be trying to get him better.That’s my girl.
Once again, his thoughts drifted away from what was going on around him, and he pictured the family he hadn’t seen for so long. He missed his mother terribly, and he wondered if she had missed him as well. He’d thought about his sisters, Ellie and Laura, and his grandmother, constantly. He prayed someone kind would take care of them. Hopefully his cousin would become responsible after he took over the Earl’s title. Felix would have made a fine Earl, too. He would have been respected and admired. He would have been happy in England as long as Katrina was by his side. He’d also miss his life in Brazil, but all good things must come to an end.
Just like his life.
Farewell everyone. Farewell, my only true love, Katrina.
Yet, even as he mumbled his goodbyes to everyone, something in the back of his mind told him to fight. The voice was commanding, and almost sounded like Katrina, but the instructions were clear—stay awake and fight for his life!
* * * *
TEARS POURED FROM KATRINA’Seyes, making it impossible to see where she walked. She glanced at Pete who also had watery eyes. For the past little while, they’d heard Felix’s disjointed mumbles about his life. About his regrets. His loves and what he would miss after he died. He went as far as to tell everyone farewell. That’s when Katrina’s heart had broken to pieces, and she sobbed openly. Remorse filled her. Why had she fought off his advances—his love? She should have just accepted it. Embraced it. She should have let his sweet words convince her that although she had a terrible past, they would make it as husband and wife and their lives would be happy.
Now it was too late.
Angrily, she snapped her shoulders back and marched onward.No!It was not too late. They would be at her father’s plantation any minute now. Her father would help. He wouldn’t allow Felix to die.
“Pete?” she asked with a cracked voice.
“Yes, Miss Landon?”
“What was Felix talking about... that he’d make a great duke?”
