Page 38

Under the Brightness of the Moon.

T he tingles in my fingers pull me from the dark, calling out to me, desperate for me to notice it. There’s an echo from afar, a pinging noise as I struggle to open my eyes. I try to swallow and almost choke on something obstructing my throat. My eyes jolt open as the panic shocks through my body, tears beginning to pool in my eyes as the terror intensifies.

“Nera,” a familiar voice sounds beside me as my vision clears. I stare up at Rafael with worried eyes. “Don’t speak,” he says softly before screaming, “She’s awake! Get the doctor now!”

My pulse thumps at the base of my throat when I take in the several machines beside me, the needles in my hand, and the searing pain in my side. A man rushes past Rafael, pushing him out of the way before he presses a stethoscope to my chest.

“Miss Della Torre, you’re okay. Please try to stay calm. I’m going to take the tube out of your throat now.”

I squeeze my eyes shut as he unfastens something, the plastic tube now moving, scraping the inside of my throat. As soon as it’s withdrawn, I gasp, gulping the air into my lungs.

“Rafael,” I cry as his hand curls into mine.

“I’m here, P rincipessa. ”

“Nino…Santi…” My voice sounds croaky as I squeeze his hand.

“Everyone is okay,” he assures me and I open my eyes to be met with his steel gaze. “You’re okay.”

I have so many questions I want to ask, so many things I need to know, but I can’t speak. Instead, I focus on breathing––telling myself I’m still alive as the memories of that night begin tearing through the wall inside me.

I want to forget, to erase it all from my mind.

“Why?” I whisper.

“Don’t do that to yourself, Nera. I’ll tell you everything, I promise.”

My gaze travels down to his shirt and further down to his hands, the dried blood stuck on his skin like a blemish.

What did he do?

When I meet his eyes again, he smiles. “I missed you so much.”

We stay like this for a while, just holding each other, hoping the weight of the world can wait for just another day.

He saved me.

I don’t know what he did, but I know in my heart he did what he could to keep us all alive like I knew he would.

“Raf, I have to tell you something.”

He waits for me to speak again but when I stare into his eyes, I don’t have the heart to tell him.

How can I?

How can I explain to him that I was holding something within me…something that could have changed the trajectory of our lives?

It seems like a waste now trying to explain it. Why have him spend his energy and emotions on something that’s likely not going to be reality anyway?

“I know.” The low rumble of his voice is soothing as he leans forward.

My breath hitches and I pause.

“I know about the baby,” he whispers, and I fear for what he’s about to say next. Before I can fall apart, he places his forehead on mine. “ Our baby is okay.”

I sob. I didn’t expect to hear those words since I watched the knife plunge through me.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you.” I sniff. “I-I didn’t––”

“It’s okay, Principessa. ” His soft lips grace mine. “We have time to talk about it all. I just want you to rest now.”

I nod as footsteps enter my room and when I look up, I blink twice, my mind working to catch up to the image in front of me. Nino and Santi stand before me, smiling as the tears I’ve been fighting finally fall.

“Nez,” Santi says, taking a seat on my bed as Nino covers his mouth, warring with his own emotions. “What a mess, hey?”

I chuckle, tears rolling down my jaw. It’s been years since I’ve seen my brothers and as soon as I stepped foot on Falcon’s Keep, I knew something was wrong when they weren’t here. Seeing them now, I don’t want anyone to be apart anymore.

I finally understand my father’s vision.

“ Niente è più importante della famiglia ,” I murmur.

“Nothing is more important than family,” Dante echoes as he steps into the room.

I’ve found a new respect for my family and all that we’ve endured. Regardless of our differences, my loyalty doesn’t depend on anything but the love I have for them. When people say they can’t choose their family, it usually comes from a negative place. I’m thankful we don’t get to choose because I wouldn’t have chosen mine. I wouldn’t have had the joy of growing up alongside my brothers, learning from them and seeing the steadfast devotion they have for the ones they call their blood.

Dante places a stack of papers on my lap and smiles, holding my gaze. Glancing down at the dark letters on the first page, I see my name with a space for my signature on the deed to Falcon’s Keep.

“It’s all yours, Nera. Take care of our home.”