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AXE’S DEVOTION
Acknowledgments
DRMC Southeast
Devil’s Riot MC
DRMC Originals
DRMC Tennessee
Trigger Warning
Playlist
Devoted to You
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Available Now
Coming Soon
Social Media
Whip’s Breath
Finley’s Adoration
Tyres’ Wraith
Cedric’s Ecstasy
Viking
Keeping Reaper
AXE’S DEVOTION
A C K NO W L E D GM E NT S
My Husband – For years, he’s worked himself to death to give our
family everything we needed or
world. Well, in their own way, that is. They are an inspiration all by
themselves. They love to find out what I’m working on and give me
ideas. One of my favorite things is to ask them what I should have
someone do or how they should act. Some of their ideas are wicked.
My Alphas – You guys rock big time! Thank you all for being the first
to read the stories as they
come alive. It means the world to me. Especially when you all start
to get mad. That’s when I know
My Knox Publishing People – Thank you guys for being such great
people to work with.
Diane – If not for this woman, I’d swear I would lose my head. She
sets me straight when I don’t
know which way to look. Thank you for everything you do in being
the best PA I could ask for.
Kim and Jackie – No matter how much insanity is thrown your way,
you still put up with me and
I’m thankful for it all the same. Thank you both for taking on all of
my work. I love the fact I work with you both on each of them. Also,
the fact when it comes to something I miss, you help me
DRMCSOUTHEAST
Tate – C
Malice – VP – Willow – O
Delilah – C
Cy – Tech
Bruiser – Treasurer
Dagger – Medic
Rogue – Secretary
Brass – Chaplain
Glock – Member
Ruger – Member
Blade – Member
Colt – Member
Carbine – Member
DEVIL’SRIOTMC
Leanna Mercy– C
Horse – VP – Kenny – O
Kayla – C
Caden – C
Thorn – Sergeant at Arms – Lynsdey – O
Anna-leigh Cleo – C
Reagan – C (deceased)
Rosaline – C
Devin – C
Logan – C
Kagan – C
Keegan – C
Alec – C
Lincoln –C
Nico – C
K-9 – Member
Red – Member
Striker – Member
Brass – Member
Wolf – Member
Sabor – Member
Mace – Member
Melody – C
Huntson – C
D R M C O R I GI NA L S
Luca – C
Corinne – C
Sebastian – C
Talon – C
Tracker – VP – Victoria – O
Jamie – C
Jason – C (adopted)
Matthew – C
Mark – C
Cody – C
Chase – C
Rage (Travis) – C
Jane – C (deceased)
Daniel – C
Lincoln – C
Whip – Chaplain
Viper – Treasurer
Neo – Member – Harley – O
Piper – C
Cyprus – Member
Fist – Member
Aries – Member
D R M C T E NNE S S E E
Blow – Prez
Nines –VP
Keys – Tech
Shiner – Enforcer
Surge – Treasurer
Scorn – Chaplain
Nerd (Nick) – C
Storm – C
Flash – Member
Switchblade – Member
Torch – Member
DEVIL’SRIOTMCCOLORADO
Grinder – Prez
Blue – VP
Wrecker – Enforcer
Tic – Tech
Beast – Treasurer
Rock – Chaplain
T R I GGE R W A R NI NG
Proceed with caution. This book does entail several scenes that may
very well be a trigger to some.
Check out the Playlist that helped E.C. Land write Axe’s
Devotion.
Winds of Change – Struggle Jennings & Jelly Roll Feat. Yelawolf &
Tommy Vext
Devoted to You
To be devoted
Is to be loved
And cherished
To be devoted to you
Love me as I do
Trust me as I do
To be devoted
~ E.C. Land
P R O L O GU E
AXE
we all had grown fond of since she came into our lives, is laid to
rest. I glance in the direction of my brother Gunner as he holds his
little girl, Delilah, in his arms.
How none of us knew that sweet little girl was his is beyond me?
Delilah looks so much like her
father it’s unreal. I don’t get why Quinn never told him until right
before she’d been killed in a fire.
My brother is hating himself for what happened and that he lost the
chance to work things out with
Quinn. Now he’s got to raise his daughter without her mom.
Sighing, I stand strong with him while Quinn’s casket is lowered into
the ground. One of the
to him, Willow has tears falling down her cheeks as she holds Gates
in hers, while Lissa holds Gavin.
Glancing further down, I notice my Prez has his arm around his ol’
lady while she holds their little
boy, Tate.
“Tracy, come on,” I yell through the door, trying to get my sister to
open up. I can hear her
With our dad working all the time to support us, Mom ditched us for
some doctor and moved
on. I’m the only one left to look after my sister. Dad does what he
can, but Trace and I try not to put too much on him since he has so
much already.
“Tracy, open the door.” I pound my fist against the door when I hear
a thump and immediately
right after, the sounds of her cries cease. Throwing my shoulder into
the door, I finally get inside and stare in horror at my sister’s body
hanging from the ceiling fan.
“Tracy,” I scream her name. I grab her desk chair, pull it close to her,
and stand on it. With as much effort as I can, I untie the noose
she’d made. Tears spill down my cheeks as I know she’s
already gone.
Jumping from the chair with Tracy’s still warm body in my arms, I lay
her on her bed and call
911 and then my dad. After hanging up with my dad, I don’t move
from where I sit with my sister.
What happened to cause her to kill herself? Why when I’d been right
here willing to listen to
her?
Fuck.
police and coroner’s office took Tracy’s body, I’d found the letter
she’d written. She’d apologized
and couldn’t bear living anymore after what happened. Four guys
gang-raped her at the school. Since
she didn’t name those who raped her in the letter, the police said
there wasn’t much they could do but look into it.
They didn’t find the fuckers who caused Tracy to kill herself, but I
did. And when I did, I put them
in the ground where no one would find them. Shit, there hadn’t even
been much of the bodies left to
See, I’m called Axe for a reason. I have no problem cutting into a
body with an axe. It doesn’t
their owner. No, I’ll smile doing it, just the way I did when I took
care of those who hurt my sister.
I’m even known for putting those parts in a woodchipper after. Only
then do I put the remains in the
ground.
I don’t trust easily and now that we’ve lost another woman who
meant something to me, I’ll do
I’m devoted to my club and, in doing so, the women who are with
my brothers.
CHAPTERONE
CJ
“You know you don’t have to leave, right?” I close my eyes and hold
back from groaning at my ex-
I’d met her when I first moved here two years ago and quickly
became friends with her and the
rest of the ol’ ladies who come into Outlaw Racks. Hell, I’d even
made friends with several of their
kids to take care of and from what I’ve heard, they’ve been through
enough in their life to deal with anything else.
I finish loading the last of my boxes into the back of my truck, which
I’d bought when I first
moved here. I turn to look at Kenny and see the concern in her
eyes. She’s a ballsy woman, but I’ve
learned she’s got a heart of gold. It’s why I’m leaving now to keep
anything from happening to her. Or anyone else.
The threats started a couple months ago, and I won’t let those
threats be carried out.
I swear to them, it’s just a game that has ruined my life, but to me,
it’s life or death as I do what I can to survive. It’s why at twenty-
four, I’m still a virgin with no hopes of finding someone to be with.
Plus, I know if they find out I’ve lost the one thing they want most,
hell will be reaped not on just me anymore but my little sister who
lives in Alabama with her adoptive parents.
Our parents died when we were just kids and where my aunt and
uncle took me into their care,
they threw Apricot away like she was nothing. Yes, my sister’s name
is Apricot. Mine’s Citrus, which
protect her in a way I’m thankful for. Marcus, her stepdad, has
offered many times for me to come
there and stay with them, but I refuse. I sometimes think he knows.
He’s a member of the Toxic
Warriors MC down there and gives my sister all the affection a girl
should get from a father. I
Then I think about what will happen if they find me there and decide
they’ll go for Apricot as
“This is for the best. I need a change in scenery,” I say, hoping she
believes me.
Nodding, Kenny sighs. “Okay, fine, but you’re going down to South
Carolina to take that
“Yeah, I’ve already spoken to Hammer from the club and told him
I’m heading that way. He’s got
He’d asked questions about my experience with bars and I’d been
honest. I’ve been working in
them since I was sixteen and could get a fake ID. It’s at this age, I
ran away from home and never
looked back. From there, I lived in my car that I’d bought dirt cheap.
Damnit. I don’t like the fact I’d been so forthcoming with my history.
Maybe it’s ‘cause he’d had
his ol’ lady, Avery, talk to me first, to butter me up. I don’t know.
All I know is he knew things I didn’t want him to and now I gotta
hope he keeps that shit to
himself like I’d asked. I don’t want people knowing my life story and
I intend to be keeping to myself when I’m not working.
“I’ll keep you up to date. But I’ve gotta get on the road if I want to
make it down there in a decent amount of time without dealing with
a lot of traffic,” I murmur, not wanting to leave but at the same time
having no choice.
From the last threat I received, it was directed to Kenny and her
daughter. I couldn’t let any of that happen to them.
Kenny hugs me, and I climb up into the driver’s seat as several
motorcycles pull up next to
Kenny’s SUV.
I give them all a wave and start the truck. Putting the ignition in
gear, I pull out of the driveway, turn left and head for my next place
to call home for the time being.
Way too many hours later, I’m finally pulling into the driveway of my
home. It seems everything that
could go wrong on the way down did. First, I ended up getting rear-
ended by this little Honda. They
did more damage to their car and barely scratched my bumper. Then
after stopping for gas to top off
Run and hide again. Time ticks by and time speeds up. Don’t
worry, mouse, the cat will catch
you again and next time will be the last time for this little
game to end.
my phone down.
I finished pumping gas and got back on the road without worrying
about food or stopping for
damn tire.
Now finally pulling into the driveway, I’m both physically and
mentally exhausted. I put the truck
in park and shut the motor down. Opening the driver’s door, I hop
down and head for the front door
and bend down to snag the key from under the mat where Hammer
and Avery told me they’d put it.
Men’s voices can be heard from across the street, and I look to see
several motorcycles parked in
the driveway. A little girl squeals and runs around the men’s feet as
she plays. Sighing, I pray I’m
about to keep them from coming around me. Unlocking the door, I
take a moment to examine the inside
Once I have the lay of the house, I go back outside and start to
unload the back of my truck, more
than ready to pass out. I ignore the offers of help with a wave of my
hand and finish what I’m doing.
With the last box in tow, I close the tailgate and head for the door,
not missing the fact the men are watching me.
I’m used to the stares, it’s not uncommon. I get them all the time.
See, I’ve not only got a unique
name, but I have the hair to go with it along with the scars to go
along with it all. I guess you can say that’s another reason I’m still a
virgin.
Maybe, I don’t know. All I know is this time around, or until they
finally do catch up to me, I’ll
make sure they never hurt someone again. My aunt and uncle see
me as their slave to do with as they
When they were bored with me and wanted something new, they’d
throw me to the wolves. This
was when the cat and mouse game started, and now they want it to
come to an end.
Guess one way or another, I’ll be ending it once and for all, dead or
alive. But I won’t be going
back there. No way in hell will I allow them to hurt me anymore than
they already have.
CHAPTERTWO
AXE
Present Day
on that shit they’d put in her system. Seeing her the way she was, I
couldn’t help but want to help her.
She’d been out of her mind with hysteria and, worst of all, pregnant
with one of her rapists’ baby
When she’d given birth, during one of the lucid moments of time,
she’d given the baby to Tracker
and his ol’ lady. She didn’t want anything to do with it and no one
could blame her. I’d brought her to our clubhouse to help her, and
she’d been doing good except for she’d have a setback when she
heard
they’ve been keeping an eye on her for us. Viking, the club’s
President, let me crash at their clubhouse while I’d been down
visiting with Simone.
Over the past few months, I’ve gone down to check on her more
often. This last time, I’d been
I grin at the thought of the name Willow had given the clubwhores.
Making my way to the door, I
open it and step inside. I find Hammer and Malice sitting at a table
with Gunner. My chest tightens for my brother and I wish I could
help him through this shit he’s going through.
Heading to the bar, I snag the beer a prospect holds out for me.
Switching direction, I stride over
“How was your trip?” Malice asks when I take a seat next to him.
“Good. She’s doing really good there at that place. They let me take
her out of the building for
lunch and we spent some time outside,” I tell them, leaning back in
the chair.
“Yeah, so what’s been happenin’ here?” I left two weeks ago for my
trip, needing to enjoy the
road for a bit. I took my time with my trip down, having gone down
to Daytona and then rode up the
The trip had been good wind therapy and I’d stayed a day or two
along the way while gone.
Fucked a couple random bitches along the way and had a damn
good time doing it. With the way I’m
The answer to that question is no. To me, she’s become family and I
feel protective of her in a
way I did with my sister. I couldn’t help save Tracy when she’d been
hurt, but with Simone, I’m doing everything I can to keep her from
hurting herself.
I figure until I find the right one for me the way my Prez and VP did,
I’ll fuck who the hell I want.
When the day comes and she walks into my life, I’ll be sure to stake
my claim and hold on tight.
“The new manager started and she’s damn good at running the bar
now that it’s open again,”
Hammer announces, giving Gunner a sideways glance. I take my
brother’s expression in to find him
We haven’t caught up with the fuckers who started the fire, but we’ll
find them soon enough.
“Yeah, CJ’s a damn good bartender and handles the staff with a firm
hand. She moved into
Avery’s old place.” I nod, remembering him saying they were renting
the house out to the new
manager.
“That’s good, but the question is what skeletons does she have
hiding in her closet,” I grumble.
I’m not trying to be negative about the woman, but we’ve had
enough shit happen around here lately.
We don’t need more. Not when we’re in a calmly tense time right
now as we wait for the next foot to
fall after what happened with not only Quinn’s death but Malice’s
father declaring war.
“Twister and Horse both vouch for her. According to them, they
know she’s got something she
keeps close to her chest, but it didn’t touch any of them. They asked
that we keep our eyes open but
don’t expect her to open up or get close with anyone in the club,”
Hammer mutters, lifting his head to look behind me and grins.
I don’t have to turn around to know who’s caught his eye. Ever since
Avery entered our Prez’s
“Do you see her when she’s at the house?” Malice asks.
“The woman doesn’t speak to anyone. Hell, she didn’t even ask for
help in getting her shit in the
Gunner’s a dad. More than that, he’s Delilah’s dad and her mom,
even being around the clubhouse,
Maybe.
out. It’s not like women aren’t drawn to me. I could easily have her
talking while I have her body
“Yeah, see what you can find out,” Hammer says with a curt nod.
Grinning, I figure I might as well get to it—no time like the present.
She’s an outsider working in our bar. Until I know more about her, I
won’t rest easy. Trust only
CHAPTERTHREE
CJ
“Hey, CJ, can I get another round for our table?” Tory, one of my
regular customers, asks, coming up
to the bar.
I’ve worked in small-town bars and big-time bars. It’s all the same
and you have your different
problems. I can always sense those out and keep an eye on them.
Hammer, the President of the club that owns this bar, has two
members of the club here every
ensuing.
Tonight’s guys are Colt and Carbine. Still, though, a few others had
come in to have a drink and to
shoot some pool. I don’t know if they have pool tournaments, but it
would be cool to do here. The
club has a great setup here at their bar. Eight pool tables are set up
through the building, tables sit to one side, a dance floor in front of
the stage they have for live bands on the weekends. The bar itself is
long and spacious for me to move around behind. There’re two
hallways off either side of the bar.
One side is for employees only. It’s where my office is for doing
paperwork. The other one leads to
“You got it, hun,” I call out while getting those drinks.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a man I’d not seen yet greet
Colt and Carbine. They talk the
I hand her the four glasses of draft brew that’s from the local
brewery. It’s a hit with all the
Instead of responding with words, Axe gives her a jerk of the chin
while grinning. He then turns
“What can I get you?” I ask the newcomer, taking him in. Wearing a
solid white t-shirt with his cut
over it, it emphasizes his chest and the tattoos on his arms. I love
tattoos, it’s why I have my entire back done now, thanks to Burner
up in Franklin. He covered scars on my back that could be hidden
while making the ones he couldn’t not stand out. He mixed them
into the background of the tattoo,
“I’ll take a Jack and Coke for right now,” Axe says gruffly while
bracing his arms on the bar in
“Coming right up,” I murmur, turning away from him to go make him
his drink. I can feel his eyes
his drink and hand it to him. “Here you go,” I murmur, placing it in
front of him.
“Thanks, babe,” Axe says, giving me a grin that goes straight
between my legs. His voice alone is
Nope don’t go there. You can’t let yourself be pulled in. He’s just
another man looking for a night
them.
customers. The night wears down and it’s time to do the last call.
Axe has stayed in his spot the entire time watching me.
Once the doors are closed behind the last customer, he’s still sitting
there. During the weekend, I
full-timers who work throughout the week. Asa, Fallon, and Nova
work the weekends and rotate
tonight.”
arms.
Axe grunts something while lifting his tumbler up to his lips to finish
it off.
Sage and Meadow finish up the floor first and come up to the bar to
cash out.
“If we have more nights like this one, we’re going to need to get
Asa, Fallon, or Nova to come in
and help out. We were barely able to keep up. I mean, shoot, Tory
even took it upon herself to get her tables drinks,” Sage says,
seeming exhausted.
“We do that, then we lose out on the awesome tips like we received
tonight,” Meadow retorts,
Smiling genuinely, I had them their tips. “I’ll see you tomorrow
night.”
“Come on, you two, let’s get you out of here. The sooner we get you
out, the sooner we get CJ out,
the sooner I can get back to the clubhouse and crash,” Carbine
mutters, unlocking the door.
Freakin’ purrs.
“Baby, you couldn’t handle what I got,” Carbine chuckles, eyeing the
woman.
Shaking my head, I tune them out and go about getting ready to get
out of here.
“You two head on out. I’ll make sure CJ here gets to her car safely,”
Axe announces, finally
Damnit.
I can’t trust him or anyone else for that matter. It’s only ever going
to be me that I can trust and
AXE
Sitting at this bar all night, I didn’t know what to expect from this
woman. Seeing the way she
interacted with the patrons who sat at the bar, the ones who came
up to get their refills from her, and the waitresses, it’s like she has
honey wrapped around her and they were all bees attracted to the
sweetness.
I’ve never felt jealous over a woman giving her attention to anyone
before and now I’m feeling it
CJ.
The entire night besides filling my glass with what I ordered, she
ignored me for the most part. I
Only she’s got a way of keeping herself busy cleaning up and getting
the bar ready for the next
night.
When she’s finally ready to go, CJ doesn’t say a word. I stand at the
door, watching her every
“Then let’s get you out of here, darlin’.” I smile, seeing the challenge
within her and I, for one,
intend on accepting the chance to find out what’s behind the walls
she’s got up.
And those walls are so fuckin’ high, I swear she wears them like a
cloak of armor.
“Don’t call me darlin’,” she mutters, walking past me and out the
door.
“Okay, then I’ll call you sweetheart, or better yet, Sunbeam. Yeah, I
like Sunbeam,” I chuckle.
“Don’t call me those either. I have a name, so use it,” she snaps,
stomping toward her truck.
making sure the bar’s door is locked. I wrap a hand around her arm
and stop her before she can get to her truck. “Why did you ignore
me while being nice to everyone else?” I ask the question before
“Excuse me? Does the world revolve around you and I didn’t know?
Thanks for the memo. But I
think I’ll pass on getting to know you. I don’t need or want to. So
excuse me for not wanting to stand there chit-chatting with you like
we’re BFFs when we’re nothing. Now let me go and leave me
alone,” CJ yells, pulling her arm from my grip and turns to storm the
rest of the way to her truck.
I was simply fuckin’ with her trying to get her to lighten up and she
goes off on me.
With each step CJ takes to her truck, I take one right in her direction
like something draws me to
her.
leave. I’m fine and I’ll be fine,” she mutters, keeping her face away
from me.
been trying to hide. But during clean-up, she’d moved her hair just
enough I’d seen a peek of it, and it makes my blood boil to know
someone could hurt this beautiful woman.
“Well, no one asked you to think of me, so carry on with your merry
little life, get on your bike
and go.” Hopping into the driver’s seat, she closes the door before I
can retort.
I stand there and watch as she starts the truck. It rumbles to life.
The exhaust system she has on it sounds beautiful. Not extremely
loud like some of the dumbasses who think it’s okay to have it be
eyes—one of regret.
As much as I’d love nothing more than to find out what she’s
thinking or what that look meant, I
know now is not the time. I see with her it’s going to take more than
just me getting between her legs.
The air is crispy, same as the second tragic night that turned my
world upside down. One where I
are heading out in a bit to go out after he got off work. He always
did something with Tracy and
me for our birthdays, tonight being no different. Well, except for the
fact my sister’s no longer with us.
he was heading home. We’ve been closer than ever since my sister
killed herself. The man didn’t
“Are you Aiden Wyatt’s son?” one of the two officers standing on the
porch questions.
“Yeah, is there something I can help you with?” I ask, licking my
suddenly dry lips.
“Can we come in and speak to you?” the second speaks up, and I
don’t miss the remorse in his
eyes.
“What’s going on?” I demand, not worrying about inviting them in.
“Son, I’m sorry. There was an incident this evening. Your father was
killed when he stopped to
for Hammer and his brother at the time, I would be in the ground
myself by now.
Letting out a deep breath, I hit the throttle and take the curves as I
always do when I’m thinking. I didn’t think I’d let anyone else in my
life again. Now I’ve let Simone into it. She might not be family, but I
care for her and only want what’s best for her. Nothing about her
makes me attracted to her in
Why?
ladies, then I’m not giving up. I won’t waste a chance to be with a
woman who makes not only my
cock harder than ever but also makes my heartbeat for the first time
other than to pump blood into my veins.
I just need to come up with a plan now to claim the woman and
make her mine.
CHAPTERFIVE
CJ
It’s been almost a week since the encounter with Axe in the parking
lot, and my heart hurts every day that I haven’t seen him.
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cloth of gold. All the splendid chivalry of Castile were present; some,
representatives of ancient and illustrious houses who traced their
lineage back to the court of Roderick; others, whose patents of
nobility of more recent date had been won in long and honorable
warfare against the infidel. Among these were to be seen the white
turban and striped burnous of the Arab, who would have resented
the epithets of traitor and renegade, but who, actuated by inherited
prejudice or tribal jealousy, had not hesitated to draw his sword
against his brethren. Not less conspicuous than the nobles were the
prelates, in full canonicals, preceded by Cardinal Mendoza, Primate
of Spain, one of whose attendants bore the massive cross, still
preserved in the Cathedral of Toledo, soon to be raised, symbolizing
the triumph of Christian over Moorish superstition, on the loftiest
tower of the Alhambra. The heralds who preceded the royal escort
were dressed in tabards emblazoned with the arms of Castile and
Leon in silver, gold, and scarlet. In the centre of a brilliant group
came Isabella, attired in rich brocade and mounted upon a white
palfrey, whose housings of embroidered velvet swept the ground.
There, too, was Ferdinand, proud, stern, impassive; his stolid
features bearing no evidence of the exultation he must have felt, yet
willing to concede to his martial consort the larger portion of the
credit attaching to the crowning glory of the Christian cause. Around
the monarchs were assembled the princes of the blood, the great
dignitaries of the realm in their robes and bearing their insignia of
office, the haughty grandees, the female members of the Queen’s
household in splendid costumes and glittering jewels, the famous
warriors whose prowess had made their names familiar to every
nation in Europe,—sheathed in polished steel, with lance and
buckler, with pennon and heraldic device,—in all a picture worthily
representing the pomp and the magnificence, the pride and the
renown, of the Spanish monarchy. As the splendid procession swept
forward amidst the blare of trumpets, the strains of martial music, the
waving of banners, and the tumultuous applause of thousands, and
halted on an elevation near the Genil, a gate of the Alhambra swung
slowly open. From it issued a band of horsemen, whose appearance
and dress indicated that their origin and customs were foreign to the
continent of Europe. At their head rode a cavalier encased in armor
exquisitely damascened, and whose fair complexion and tawny
beard offered a striking contrast to the swarthy features of those who
formed his retinue. The latter were clothed in flowing robes of silk
woven in stripes of every hue, revealing, when moved by the
morning breeze, shining coats of mail and scimetars set with gems
and inlaid with gold.
The interview of the sovereigns was short and almost devoid of
ceremony. Obsequious to the last, Boabdil attempted to dismount
and kiss the hand of his conqueror, but the Spanish King, with
generous and unaffected courtesy, prevented this act of voluntary
abasement, insisted on his remaining mounted, and received the
kiss upon his sleeve. With a few words, which betrayed the
bitterness of his mortification and anguish, the Moslem prince
surrendered the keys of the city to Ferdinand. He gave them to
Isabella, and she, in turn, transferred these evidences of possession
and sovereignty to the Count of Tendilla, who had been appointed
Governor of Granada. The latter, with many nobles as escort and a
garrison of five thousand men, without delay entered and took
possession of the Alhambra, and raised upon the tower of Comares
the gold and silver cross of the Archiepiscopate of Toledo, the royal
ensign, and the consecrated standard of Santiago. The appearance
of the sacred emblem and the familiar banners upon the battlements
of the Moorish citadel aroused the wildest enthusiasm among the
spectators. The priests of the royal chapel chanted the Te Deum
Laudamus. Thousands of gray and battle-scarred veterans fell upon
their knees and wept for joy. The heralds, in all the magnificence of
their striking costumes, made proclamation, by sound of trumpet,
that the authority of the Moslems had forever vanished from the
Peninsula in the words, “Castilla! Castilla! Granada! Granada! por los
reyes Don Fernando y Doña Isabel?” The stately Castilian nobles, in
the glittering panoply of war, one after another, then came forward,
knelt before Isabella, and kissed her hand in homage for her newly
acquired dignity as Queen of Granada.
Followed by the principal Moorish officials, some of whom,
including the vizier, were secret renegades and in the pay of
Ferdinand, Boabdil retired to his dominions in the Alpujarras. Even
there he was not destined to remain long in tranquillity. Subjected to
ceaseless espionage, his every word and action were reported to
Hernando de Zafra, secretary of the Catholic monarchs. Despite his
apparent apathy, his presence was considered a menace to the
public peace, especially when the discontent arising from open
violations of the treaty began to be manifested. Emissaries were sent
to attempt the purchase of his estates and to suggest the probable
dangers of insurrection, as contrasted with the advantages of
voluntary exile. This failing of success, a bolder plan was resolved
upon. The false vizier, Ibn-Comixa, was induced to assume an
authority which he did not possess, to sell to the Spanish Crown the
possessions of the princes of the Moorish dynasty of Granada, and
to even stipulate, in detail, the time and manner of their departure
from Spain. The price this corrupt and treacherous agent received
for his services was never known. The rights of Boabdil and his
family thus were disposed of, without their consent, for the paltry
sum of twenty-one thousand doubloons of gold. When apprised by
his unblushing minister of the manner in which he had been
betrayed, he drew his sword, and Ibn-Comixa only saved his life by
instant flight. The unfortunate prince well knew who had suggested
the employment of this ignoble and perfidious artifice, and that it
would be dangerous, as well as useless, to attempt to repudiate a
measure which, dictated by cunning, would certainly be enforced by
violence. He therefore ratified the spurious contract, received in
exchange for his estates and all claims upon the crown nine millions
of maravedis; and, on the fourteenth of October, 1493, sailed with all
his household for Africa, where the Sultan of Fez had offered him an
asylum. Thirty-four years afterwards he fell in battle, fighting bravely
in the service of his benefactor against the savage mountaineers of
the Atlas. His body, never recovered, remained unburied in the
Desert, under a strange sky, far from the scene of his early triumphs,
his misfortunes, and his disgrace.
Thus ended the implacable contest waged by Christian and
Moslem so long and so desperately in the southwestern corner of
Europe. To the heroic queen of Ferdinand is to be attributed the
success of the last campaign of that portentous struggle. It was her
administrative ability that regulated the internal affairs of the
kingdom, suppressed lawlessness, established order, restored public
confidence, developed the resources and consolidated the strength
of a powerful and warlike nation. Her martial genius was ever with
the army, whether encouraging it by her presence on the march or
collecting and transporting supplies over mountain paths beset by
bold and cunning enemies; ever animating the living, ever aiding and
consoling the relatives of the dead. She was universally recognized
as the head and front of the crusade; every opinion was tacitly
subordinated to her judgment; her advice was sought in all important
undertakings; her cheerful personality brought courage and
enthusiasm to the disheartened camp; her masculine spirit did not
shrink from participation in the exposure of a reconnoissance or from
the certain and omnipresent dangers of the field of battle. In the
closing scenes of the eventful drama hers was the prominent figure.
On the day of the capitulation, she alone carried the sceptre and
wore the crown, tacitly belying the motto, “Tanto Monta,” which
admitted the equality of Aragon; it was her hand which bestowed the
keys of the city and the authority of governor on her hereditary
vassal, the Count of Tendilla; it was “Castile” that the heralds
proclaimed from the highest battlements of the palace; it was not
before the politic craft of Ferdinand that the haughty aristocracy of
the North bowed with profound and graceful obeisance in
acknowledgment of the sovereignty of a newly conquered realm, but
before the eminent talents, the earnest piety, the affable but majestic
and ever impressive dignity of Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Castile
and Granada.
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