39. Benedetto
I stood in the doorway of the sitting room, watching Rose as she carefully embroidered the final touches on the presentation gown for Julio, my newborn son.
The gentle sound of Rose humming a lullaby blended with the fire’s song in the hearth.
Luna napped in the main bedroom, within earshot. Immediately after the birth Sofia had braved the rain to gather fresh herbs to ensure the baby would be protected from evil magics targeting infants.
My wife had dozed off, our son next to her, and I’d moved to the next room to keep Rose company as she worked.
The gown was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, made from the finest silk. Rose's delicate stitches wove intricate patterns of protection and blessings for Julio.
Suddenly, as Rose worked, her fingers faltered. She’d pricked her thumb with the needle and gasped, the gown dropping onto her lap. My smile faded as her face paled, a look of shock and pain crossing her delicate features.
I took a step forward. "Rose? Are you all right?"
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her eyes rolled back, and she slumped forward, her body limp and lifeless against the back of the chair.
I rushed to Rose's side, lifting her head gently and feeling for a pulse. It was faint and erratic. I pulled her into my arms, shaking her lightly. Then I picked her up and strode into the bedroom.
Luna had already woken from her nap, reaching for her sister, her eyes wide with alarm. "What happened?"
"She pricked her finger," I said. "The needle, it must have been tampered with somehow."
I turned Rose's hand up so Luna and I could inspect it. A faint, dark mark spread from the prick on her thumb.
Luna laid her hands on the mark, called her magic to disrupt it, to no avail.
“Please stop, vixen. You’ve just given birth, you don’t have the strength.” My blood ran cold, and a wave of fury surged through me.
Who had done this?
Luna’s hands trembled as she brushed a strand of hair from Rose's face. "Your mother. She couldn't strike at us directly, so she went after Rose. She might have manipulated the curse our father put on her and made it strong enough to manifest, rather than hanging on as a weak threat."
I focused my magic, using the starlight as I'd been taught to attract Sofia's attention.
Then I went to Julio’s cradle and carried him back to the bed and gave him into Luna’s waiting arms.
Moments ticked past us,
I glanced down at Rose, her face pale and still, the dark mark on her thumb a glaring reminder of the curse's power. I tightened my grip on Luna and my son, as she trembled against me.
"Sofia will come," I said. "And if she can't break the curse, I'll find another way. Your sister will be fine. I swear it."
Sofia strode into the room, her hair and dress dripping, carrying a basket of wet plants.
Her face set in lines of grim determination as she dropped to her knees beside Rose, her hands already glowing with healing magic.
"Move aside," she said. "Julio would be better in another room, just in case."
Luna and I stepped back to the doorway, watching Sofia weave her magic over Rose's still form. The air crackled with energy, the scent of ozone filling the room.
"Can you help her?" Luna asked.
Sofia didn't look up, her focus entirely on Rose. "I don't know yet. The curse is strong, stronger than anything I've seen before. But I'll do everything I can."
As Sofia worked, I stood by, watching the flicker of her magic. A cold weight settled in my chest, the realization dawning on me that I may have to make a difficult choice. But I would do anything for Luna, who was also watching, her expression shattered.
I didn't want to owe Soulrider anything more, but if it meant saving Rose for Luna, I'd do it.
"If you can't break it," I said quietly, meeting Sofia's eyes for a brief moment, "I'll go to Soulrider. I'll make him help us."
Sofia's hands faltered for a moment, and she looked up at me, her green eyes narrowed. "Soulrider is dangerous. You both know that."
Sofia sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Let me try a little longer. I'm not giving up yet. Rose is fighting, and so am I. We have to give her a chance."
Luna and I waited, pacing the room, taking turns carrying Julio. He woke and nursed, and Luna fell asleep with him on the couch.
The sun had set, the last rays of light fading from the sky, and the shadows in the room deepened with every passing moment.
Time was running out.
Sofia's magic flared, a brilliant burst of light that filled the room. I shielded my eyes, blinking against the glare, and when I looked again, the dark tendrils of the curse had retreated, if only slightly.
Luna moved to the door with me.
"It's working," Sofia said, sitting back on her heels. "I’ve pushed it back for the moment. But I don't know how long it will last."
"Send for your master," I said, my hands clenching into fists.
Luna looked up at me, cradling our son against her shoulder, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Bene," she said. "Whatever he asks, I’ll pay."
“We’ll pay,” I answered.