Chapter 3, 1913: December 4 Summary

Cruz, a young lieutenant, wakes in the arms of his young lover, Regina. Regina suggests that she will find a way for them to be together forever. She'll steal into each town before the rebels take it and be waiting for him there. In reality, they meet for an occasional stolen night.

The two met when Cruz, taking a break from battle, found Regina walking alone outside her village. He abducted and raped her, common behavior of soldiers at the time. Regina is in love with him, but it's too painful for her to think of the initial rape. Instead, she weaves a romantic story of their first meeting, in which she says she was gazing into the water on a beach and saw a handsome face beside her own. The two fell in love, and he peruses her on horseback...