Chapter 25 – Althea
ALTHEA
I’m surprised when Vella has me follow her through the patio doors and down a stone path to what looks like a small cottage. I stop along the path to stare over at the water down below.
“Does this path lead to the water?” I ask, slowing my steps, taking in the splendor of the waves crashing as we pass through the trees and large rock formations.
Vella smiles at me over her shoulder. “It does. Although you shouldn’t venture down there without Enzo or Stavros. They’ll want to notify the guards that you’re taking a stroll. They’re on high alert these days.”
“Is that your subtle way of telling me I shouldn’t try to escape?” She gives me a knowing look. I’m only half teasing.
Vella stops, her hands finding their way to my shoulders with a gentle squeeze.
“It’s my way of encouraging you not to tempt our guards into shooting you.
They’re all deathly afraid of my nephew as it is.
” Leaning in closer, putting her hand to her mouth, she whispers, “He has quite a reputation, as I’m sure you know.
” Amusement dances in her eyes as she pulls back, and I find myself liking her even more.
“I don’t think my men want to test its validity. ”
All amusement leaves her expression as she explains, “I’m sure you’re aware of the threat your presence brings to us all.
Although I am proud of my nephew for making the right decision, I am not pleased with his prolonging the ceremony or waiting to tell your father of the arrangements.
A party could be planned anytime if that’s the only worry.
The only necessary ingredients for a wedding are a priest, a couple of witnesses, and the paperwork. ”
“I find that interesting, since you were the one who seemed so excited about planning the entire event.” I cross my arms, wanting to understand her endgame.
She smiles, rubbing my shoulders. “I am the wife of Eliseo Venatti. How I respond when my husband seeks my help with a situation is watched by all.”
“Meaning you’re just being the dutiful wife, playing her part.
” My eyes roll. “I don’t need an elaborate wedding.
The vows aren’t real. I see no point in putting in the effort.
I’d prefer to just get it over with so I can start serving my sentence.
The sooner we get this over with, the sooner Enzo and I can have it annulled. ”
Vella steps forward, her hand now cupping my cheek. “Oh, sweet child.” She taps my cheek. “You are na?ve to think that man in there will ever let you go. When a Venatti chooses his bride, he chooses for life. The only way out is death.”
“Death in human form is coming to meet you. Do not fear him—but embrace him. He will lead you to the truth. He holds the key to your past and the ring to your future. Trust him to protect you, even against his own instincts. Remember this. Death doesn’t know love, only pain.
But you will give him both.” An icy chill runs up my spine as I remember the fortune teller’s words.
“It’s not what you think. Enzo and I are—” My words are cut off by her laughter.
“Oh, you’re both fighting it. We can all see that.
But if he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have saved you from Nazario’s wrath in the first place.
Remember that reputation we spoke about?
” She gives me a pointed look, then releases me, turning to walk again.
“And think about this. It was Enzo who demanded everything be perfect for his bride to be.”
“That’s just Enzo being the dominant control freak that he is.
Or, like I said before, it’s all for show.
My papa will know this isn’t real, only an arrangement.
It will not be easy to convince him otherwise.
But we have to, because if he believes I’ve been forced into this union against my will, Papa won’t care about the consequences.
He’ll burn everything to the ground to take me away from here. ”
“You seem quite sure about this.”
I nod. “I am. Some men in our world would marry their daughters off to the most advantageous match, looking for the highest gain for the family. Since my brother’s disappearance, all Papa has cared about is what I want. It comes second only to my protection and happiness.”
“Well, let’s hope for all our sakes you two are convincing enough. I don’t think Enzo could handle the guilt of your father’s blood on his hands.”
I gasp as the severity of what she’s said sinks in. What would happen if Papa and Enzo went to war over me? Who would win? Would Enzo kill him to keep me? And what if Papa were to rescue me? Would I even want to go?
I’m lost in my somber thoughts, and Vella leaves me to them, not saying anything more about the wedding as we walk the rest of the way to the cottage.
She opens the door and there’s a spacious living room and kitchen with double doors that open onto a balcony view of the water below.
“The kitchen is fully stocked, and you’ll find everything you need for the espresso machine in the cupboard above it.
” I follow her upstairs to a small hallway.
“The bedrooms are all up here. The linens are in the closet beside the en suite, and your bags are already inside the main suite on the right.”
We head back down to the main floor where Vella makes a beeline and stops near the front doors. She doesn’t seem upset, but something I’ve said must’ve upset her because she suddenly seems in a hurry to get back to the main house and away from me.
“I’ll leave you to find your way,” she says, turning the knob on the door. “Oh, and you should know, Stavros will be staying in the cottage next door.”
Translation: your babysitter has returned.
“Thank you.”
I wait until Vella has left before I ascend the stairs again and find my room. Unfortunately, it appears my things have been put in the same room as Enzo’s. I hadn’t realized we would share a room. I’m about to move my things into the next room down the hall when I notice the en suite door is open.
With my bag in hand, I decide to take a little peek, and my breath catches at the sight of a clawfoot tub in the far corner next to a bay window.
The bottom half of the window is frosted with a floral design etched in the glass, and the top half is clear with a beautiful view of the sky through the trees outside.
I’ve always wanted to bathe in one of these with such a beautiful view. It seems a terrible thing to waste.
I can always move into the room next door after I take a bath.
Decision made, I drop my bag on the floor next to the bed and proceed to turn on the hot water.
I run down to the kitchen and find a bottle of red wine in the chiller and a glass, then take them back with me upstairs.
The water is nearly high enough, so I locate a bottle of bubble bath under the bathroom sink and pour in just enough to make the bathroom smell sweet.
Once the bubbles have formed, I turn the water off and strip down before settling myself into the water.
The heat against my tight muscles feels glorious. I hadn’t realized how much tension I was holding on to until right this second. The jasmine scent of the bubble bath helps to relax me further, but I still pour myself a glass of wine and savor its sweet flavor on my tongue.
I lean my head back on the tub and let my mind wander aimlessly, running through everything I’ve just learned, questioning everything and what it all means moving forward.
Am I ready to be married? No. Can I accept the hand of the man whose father kidnapped my brother and stole so many years away from us? I’m not sure if accept is the right word, but I can go through with it if it means mending my family and keeping them safe.
My thoughts wander back to Enzo. The way he held onto me while my world was crumbling as they told me about my brother. It was almost as if he was afraid I was going to take off. The almost pained expression on his face when they told me about how Enzo had killed his own father.
The last thing he should ever feel is guilt. A young boy watched his mother die in front of him at the hands of a monster. My heart breaks at the thought of young Enzo being in so much agony. But he did the right thing.
He tortured Annanias. He deserved to die.
I can’t feel bad about his death. I don’t blame Enzo. In fact, if I’m honest, I’m grateful. But is it enough to be grateful to the man who killed your brother’s abuser? Can I build love from that? Can he?
No, Thea. This isn’t going to be a marriage filled with love. Don’t be foolish. This is a marriage of convenience, born out of a man’s responsibility to protect his family.
Sadness clouds my thoughts. Tears begin to fall, and soft sobs fill the air as I mourn.
I mourn the loss of time missed with my brother.
I mourn for the scared little boy who was convinced he was abandoned.
I mourn for the child who lost both his parents to horrific deaths.
And I mourn the love-filled marriage I always dreamed I’d have but never will.
Time rolls by. The sky turns from light to dark, and the water in the tub grows cold, but I don’t move.
My thoughts are a jumbled mess of back and forth, anger and sadness.
Guilt and remorse. Before I know it, the bottle of wine is empty, the bubbles have all disappeared, and my eyes have closed. I should get up.
Just a few more minutes. Then we can face the real world again.
For now, I’m going to lie here and let the quiet room and soft fragrant scent of jasmine carry me away just a little while longer.