Jessica
Venice. I remembered being here even before I came for the first time when I ran away from the place I had been trapped and tortured by Valentina. Isobel's memories told me a story of enchanting houses, beautiful monuments, narrowed streets with gondolas and boats taking people around town.
I had clear memories of the fantastic parties that the Royal Vampires threw during festivities like the Carnevale. The elegant Venetian masks always fascinated me. The plaza was filled with people selling the most beautiful trinkets and glassware. Marcus didn't want me to buy cheap necklaces with pagan symbols. Instead, we visited the most exquisite and expensive jewelry shops so I could buy whatever necklace I wanted. I wanted souvenirs, and he was pleasing my every whim. I’d never been that happy in this life.
We spent all morning sightseeing after leaving the gorgeous hotel that we had booked. Marcus indulged me in going for a ride in a gondola, letting me be fascinated by the romance and the beauty of the city. All seemed cheerful and carefree, but it wasn't. We hadn't come here to explore the city. We were here to talk to Francesco.
Therefore, in the afternoon, we made our way to his house, a huge, old mansion with its foundations bathed by the river and its rocky walls surviving the test of time.
A housekeeper took us to the library. His house was familiar to me, not from another life, but from a couple of months ago when I went there to find out more about what happened to my relatives, and I stumbled upon my Book of Shadows.
The décor was sumptuous and old-fashioned. Velvet red curtains and golden panels decorated the space. There were also cozy red sofas where I sat next to Marcus who had my hand in his since we arrived there. He didn't want to leave my side, and I didn't want to either. The only reason that I was there was because I was feeling guilty about something I had supposedly done in another life that made Valentina hate me.
“It wasn't your fault, Jessica. You don't even remember what happened. You can't keep blaming yourself for something that Valentina holds a grudge against. They are mates, she was a witch, their relationship would be frowned upon, and she would probably be put to death. It's not your fault that you chose her to accompany us abroad and to be Eric's nanny. You probably saved her life.”
I nodded again. It wasn't the first time that Marcus had tried to relieve my conscience. I knew that he was partially right.
“I still need to know what he has done to her.”
“They are mates ... If he had kept her for so long ... living the way they lived, I'm not sure if he did punish her for wanting to betray him and us.”
“Still, I need to talk to them before we return to America.”
“As you wish, principessa,” he whispered, sending goosebumps down my spine with his Italian accent.
I loved when he called me that. Reminiscences of past memories of the two of us together came rushing to my head and left a fuzzy, warm feeling inside my stomach. Butterflies flew, tickling my throat.
We were so enthralled in each other's company that we didn't hear my former brother arriving to the library until he cleared his throat.
“What do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Have you come here to turn my life upside down more than you've already done?”
Francesco’s sarcasm and serious face weren't left unnoticed. He was far from the sofas, but not near the exit. He was merely standing there, arms folded across his chest, severe features, and cold gaze.
“I came here to check on you,” I said, getting up with Marcus by my side.
“So, this is a family visit? Where were you when I needed you in the United States to talk to my wife?”
“What do you mean? I have nothing to say to your wife. I've taped her madness for you to see and for everybody to know the twisted plan she had to kill you and deliver me as a prize to Alaric. Don't try to blame her hate for you on me.”
I raised my voice only enough to make him understand that I wasn't going to tolerate being held responsible for something that his twisted wife had been plotting for ages.
“This is a friendly visit, but if you want to accuse my wife of your mate's insanity, then we are leaving and forgetting all about you.”
“Your wife? Have you married?” Francesco asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Not yet. We will once we arrive in the States, and I have time to plan a proper wedding. You might even be invited if you lose your fear of flying and rent a private plane.”
“I have no intentions of leaving my home while my wife isn't well.”
I frowned at his muttered words. “What punishment did you give her?”
“She's locked in her quarters until she comes to her senses.”
“Yes, that will help a lot because all she needs is a bit of time alone,” I said while rolling my eyes.
“What do you suggest? That I kill her? And then what? I die, too, of a broken heart.”
I folded my arms. “Do you even love her enough to die of a broken heart? Aren't you in an open relationship?”
“Not by my choice. She's been punishing me all these years for not keeping her by my side. For sending her to you ... She can't understand that it was the only way to keep her alive. Father was growing suspicious. He would have put her to death if he could.”
“Have you told her that?”
“She doesn't believe me.”
Sighing, I asked, “What can I do?”
“Do you remember what happened in the past?”
I shook my head.
“And she won't be forced to remember by talking about the past,” Marcus warned.
I knew he was afraid that I could have a stroke and lose my last memories in the process.
“Well, all I need is for Jessica to talk to Valentina and explain to her that the only reason she picked her to be Eric's nanny was because I asked her to. It was not due to a whim from my dearest sister. Isobel was aware of my love for Valentina, and she tried to keep my mate safe as requested by me.”
Marcus addressed my former brother. “I don't think she will believe it. Plus, are you sure that you want to save your marriage? The woman was planning to betray you and break your sacred bond so she could be mated to your nephew, my former son.”
Francesco sighed and looked at the ceiling painted with lovely cherubim and mythical creatures.
“I love her, and I know that deep inside she loves me, too. She's just ... holding a grudge that I brought on myself. If only I had explained to her why Isobel wanted to take her with her so far away from me.”
“Well, for now, I think she deserves a punishment. Whether it is to stay behind closed doors or to be left alone in the world. Francesco, you can't continue to let her do what she wants and get away with it,” I warned him.
“I'll let her come to her senses, and then we'll have a serious conversation. Meanwhile, congratulations!” His gloomy expression changed when his lips curled into a smile. “Eric waited for so long! I'm thrilled for him, despite the circumstances of what happened.”
“What are you talking about?” Marcus asked.
We shared a look, unaware of what Francesco was speaking of.
“Eric found his mate. Don't you know about that? Didn't they call you? My daughter told me, and I called Eric to confirm. He seemed excited. Giovanna also seems happy, living with your granddaughter's old crew.”
I blinked. “You lost me at Eric found his mate and piqued my interest when you said Giovanna was still in the US.”
“You should probably call home and discover all the news.”
“We will,” Marcus declared. “But we have taken the day to come here, see the city, have a romantic stroll, talk to you, and then go back home.”
“I appreciate the concern,” Francesco said.
My mate walked to him and put his hand on his shoulder. “Jessica and I are truly sorry for what happened to your mate. I'm sorry that she's losing her mind. I hope it's nothing to do with bloodlust and it's something you can fix if you tell her the truth and stop hurting yourselves on purpose with other lovers and the inability to share your feelings.”
Francesco arched an eyebrow and crossed his hands behind his back. “I see he has regained the ability to speak more than two sentences.”
“You’re still a clown,” Marcus muttered as he walked back to put distance between them.
I sighed at my brother’s sad attempt to annoy my soul-mate. “Marcus talks a lot. We talk a lot. Stop teasing him. Besides, you are the one that doesn’t seem fit to talk to your mate. Now, it has been fun, but we really need to go.” Reaching for my mate’s hand, I headed to the door.