Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Halice glows with all the ethereal grace of Fate as we round the hill. The creamy city lit by a thousand candles and torches gleams like a crown fit for a goddess, settled beneath the dancing stars sprayed across the violet sky.
Alfieri doesn’t waste time, urging the horse to keep a steady pace.
At the gate I’m instantly recognised and let through, whispers and yells of the Maestrus’s return echo in my ears as Alfieri rides on.
We weave through the streets of Halice, Alfieri’s stallion sailing around corners and climbing the slopes towards the Di Maineri family home.
My hair streams out behind me, folding with the night air as we ride, my breath fast in my throat, heart thumping a steady but loud rhythm.
But Alfieri doesn’t take me home.
“Wait, what about my house?” I frown as we turn the wrong way. We trace past a few of the cypress trees at the green corner, the cobbled path flying beneath us.
“No one’s there,” Alfieri says. “After everything, Idris insisted the girls move temporarily into the Patricelli home where the Coari mercenaries will be there to protect them. He didn’t want them to be targeted because of their affiliation with you. We can’t trust their safety after everything.”
“They agreed to that?”
“Emilia was easy to convince. Serra doesn’t like it much,” Alfieri says. I’m not surprised by that at all. She’s such a free spirit – living with anyone, let alone a huge group of people, is entirely not her style.
“My sister—”
“Michelle and Giulia are happy to be close with Royah while she’s recovering, so generally it’s been a smooth transition,” Alfieri explains. “If a little crowded. But then, the Patricelli home is huge.”
“I was about to say, he has the space.” I chuckle to myself.
“I think Idris likes having a full house honestly,” Alfieri replies. “He doesn’t do well alone.”
Those words crack open my chest like a poisoned arrow.
“How is he?” I ask, trying to mask my pain. Alfieri doesn’t answer that, seeming not to know what to say. I twist to look at him, relentlessly meeting his dark eyes.
“Alfieri,” I say gently but expectantly, “how is he?”
“He’ll be much better now you’re back,” Alfieri answers evasively as we turn into the street towards his house.
We stop outside the large Patricelli home amidst a clatter of horse hooves punching through the quiet night.
That quiet’s to be expected at this rudely early hour, the awed hush gathered around slumbering homes that’s only broken by the whispering leaves rustling in the breeze.
The guards almost do a double-take when they see us, many nodding at me with glad smiles.
They don’t stop us entering the house. I push open the familiar dark door, goosebumps rising over my skin as I cross the silent threshold.
Moonlight casts my inky silhouette over the hardwood floor, the panel and stone walls shrouded in shadows.
I take off my borrowed jacket – it’s far too warm in this house for it now – and drop it on the nearby table.
The buttons clack quietly against the wood as I press ahead, my boots padding softly with each step I take.
My breath turns hot and itchy as I walk down the darkened halls.
My fingers tingle, the needles growing in intensity with every step I take.
A visceral, blistering tether snakes its way around my ribs and draws me closer.
I head for the stairs and run my hand over the smooth wood banister as I ascend into the darkness.
My throat boils and my heartbeat slams in my ears as I turn down the corridor.
I pass a few closed doors, knowing my friends lurk behind them. But I head for the heart of this dark, blistering star dragging me under its tantalising tide. My entire body trembles as I draw closer, eyes locking on his bedroom door. A hot, shaky breath leaves my lips as I walk closer.
The dark door is suddenly torn open wildly and I’m slammed with the fire of his hazel eyes. It stops me in my tracks. A wild, frantic Idris is panting furiously in the doorway. Blond hair ruffled from his bed, his bare chest and shoulders heave as he fights to control himself.
We are frozen, staring at each other like we can’t believe it. Afraid the other is some kind of phantom. Afraid this is a delicious, devastating delirium that might evaporate with the barest breath.
“Idris,” I manage to say, my voice quiet. Like that, the entire night shatters.
“Renza!” Idris’s relief is half sob, half roar as he sprints for me.
He folds me into his scorching arms, knees giving out under him as we fall to the floor.
The thick, demanding energy between us crackles and rages.
My pulse turns into falling, crashing stars as his lips find mine.
I wrap my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers into his hair as he holds me tight against his body.
He’s trembling – we both are. His mouth moves against mine with fierce possessiveness; an intensity to make sure this isn’t a vicious dream.
“You’re home, you’re home,” Idris whispers against my lips like he dare not believe his prayers have come true.
His arms tighten around me and I drop my head to his bare shoulder, welding myself to his naked chest. I suck a deep breath in, savouring the corrosive, ambrosian smell of him.
I grip tightly, scrunching up my eyes as I fight to control the plethora of sensations flooding every single one of my senses.
The stinging, the roaring, the burning, the relief, the pleasure, the need.
I twist my face around to see him again. His hand comes to cup my cheek; I’m mesmerised by the eviscerating golden gaze.
“Are you okay?” he asks, like this question is the most important thing in the world.
“Yes.” I nod, my hand trailing up his throat. He swallows as I cup his jaw. “You? What happened to you?”
“Madness,” Idris whispers, fingers entwining deeper with my hair as his breath fills my lungs. “I descended into madness.”
He drops his face to mine and kisses me, slow and deliberate. I open to his mouth, his tongue sweeping forwards to explore my mouth. I dive into him, drowning under the obsession of his touch.
“Renza!”
Idris and I flinch, our little bubble popped by the intruders.
The bond snaps back into place with a fury, shoving fistfuls of acid down our throats, dousing our skin in fire.
I twist around to see Emilia as I peel away from Idris and scramble to get my breath under control.
Emilia is almost crying, squealing with delight in her nightdress as she runs towards me.
Alfieri is a few slower paces behind, chuckling and offering us an apologetic glance.
“I had to tell her,” Alfieri says reasonably. I laugh, getting up as I wrap her in a hug.
“Are you okay? I’ve been so worried,” Emilia babbles. I hear doors opening around us.
“Renza?”
“What is going on?”
“RENZA!”
I recognise that voice. I look up and see Giulia sprinting towards me, blonde hair flying as she throws herself at me.
I wrap my arms tightly around my sister, relief clogging my throat with all the words I want to say to her.
I cling to her tightly, like our lives depend on it.
Giulia sobs as she abruptly pulls back and grabs my face in her hands.
“What happened? Are you alright? What did they do to you?” Giulia looks me up and down, searching for injuries.
“I’m fine, I promise. But you need a new colour for the wedding. I am not wearing this ever again,” I tell her. Giulia sputters with incredulous laughter as she releases her vice-like grip on me.
“Why don’t we go downstairs? Get more comfortable,” comes Tahira’s voice from behind me. I turn to see her over my shoulder. She crosses her arms and leans against the door, giving me a smile and nod of glad greeting.
“Great idea. I wouldn’t mind a seat.” Royah’s voice sets me searching for her through the sea of people.
Michelle is helping to prop her up a little, and she flashes me a relieved grin.
Royah offers me a cheeky smile, but the relief and guilt on her face mar it.
I drop my eyes to the bandages around her middle.
“Royah,” I say, worry biting at my throat. “Are you—?”
“I’ll live.” Royah waves off my words instantly, almost like my concern appals her.
“You will if you actually listen to the doctor,” chastises Michelle. “Come on, let’s get you sat down.”
“I can manage,” Royah says, pouting. “I’m fine. It’s barely a flesh wound.”
The following rounds of scoffs only deepen Royah’s scowl.
“Look, it’s great to see you all, but let’s do this in the morning. I’d like to find a bed, to be honest,” I admit. “I’m fine, I’m not injured, everything is fine. Can I fill in the gaps for everyone in the morning?”
“Are you sure?” Giulia says, taking my hands. “Let me send for a doctor or—”
“No, no, the only thing I need is rest,” I promise her. “And to get out of this dress and these awful boots.” Giulia nods, taking a deep breath like it’s the first one she’s taken since I went missing. She nods, before stepping back.
“If you’re sure,” she says, like she doesn’t want to let me go. I nod.
“Yes. We can all sleep soundly and hit the ground running with the plan in the morning,” I reassure her, then drop my voice. “Help Michelle with Royah. I’d hate for her to do another mischief, especially because of me.”
Giulia nods, smiling to herself before hurrying to Michelle’s side. She plants a kiss on her fiancée’s head before slipping to Royah’s side to help get her back to bed. Everyone choruses well wishes.
The doors close one by one and the corridor is empty again, the busy congregation slipping away to silence.
There is only a dark tempest behind me, the fierce black flame that threatens to swallow me whole.
Idris’s arms sweep around my middle; I gasp as scorching lips are pressed to the nape of my neck.
Idris pulls me backwards, sweeping me through the door into his bedroom. The door clicks shut behind us.