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I dismiss it with a wave of my hand, the matters of my other life can wait. “It was nothing important,” I assure her, my voice a soothing balm meant to ease her worries.
But Jess isn’t so easily placated. “I can handle it, whatever it is.”
“Nothing you need to worry about. Now show me this castle.”
“You don’t have to pretend to be interested.”
“I am interested.”
As we wander through the historic halls, I watch Jess’s eyes light up with wonder. Her excitement is infectious, and for the first time in a long while, I allow myself to truly relax, to laugh and marvel alongside her.
That’s why I put the meeting back. I’m in no rush to let reality break into this little dream world we’ve set up together.
We play games like two children—racing through the gardens, hiding behind ancient statues, and stealing kisses in the shadowed corners of the sprawling estate. Jess’s laughter rings clear and true, a sound I would wage wars to keep alive.
I find myself captivated by her passion for the medieval architecture that surrounds us. The coolness of the ancient stones beneath my fingers brings an unexpected comfort, a tangible link to the past that Jess so dearly loves.
“Look at this,” she marvels, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings on a stone archway. “Can you imagine the history here? Who carved this eight hundred years ago?”
I try to match her enthusiasm, but my gaze keeps drifting to the high battlements, to the shadows that play along the ancient stonework. “It’s impressive,” I admit, my voice betraying a hint of my discomfort.
Jess catches the tone, her bright eyes flicking to mine. “You feel it too, don’t you? Like we’ve stepped into another time?”
“For you, it’s fascination,” I say, forcing a smile. “I see it from a defender’s eye. How secure the place is, how could people get inside? It’s got too many entrances.”
Her laughter is light, a sound that seems to dance in the open air. “Alessandro, the great and fearless, feeling uneasy in a castle? I never thought I’d see the day.”
The courtyard opens up before us, a sprawling expanse bordered by towering walls. The scent of aged stone mingles with the subtle fragrance of the gardens.
“This castle... it’s like stepping straight into one of my mother’s books,” she says. “Walking these halls, I can almost hear the echoes of her stories.”
We find ourselves atop one of the castle’s highest towers. The view from here is breathtaking, the French countryside stretching out before us, a tapestry of green fields and distant villages.
Jess leans against the battlements, her eyes taking in the view. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? To think of all the history that’s unfolded beneath us.”
I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close. “It is. But none of it is as beautiful as this moment, right here with you.”
Her laughter is the perfect melody to the tranquility, a sound I know I’ll carry with me long after we leave this place. As we stand there, the weight of the world and the shadows of my other life seem a million miles away. In this moment, it’s just Jess and me, our hearts intertwined with the history and the beauty that surrounds us.
When we pause by the cool stone of a centuries-old fountain, I pull her close. She squeezes my hand. “Why do you look so angry?” she asks.
“I’m not angry.”
“I see it in your eyes.”
“It’s you, it’s this. I hate that I brought such fear into your life. That you’re here against your will.”
“Do I look like I’m here against my will? I’m happy, Alessandro. Genuinely happy. Aren’t you?”
“I’ll be happy when Garibaldi is dead.” I smile, but it’s tinged with sadness.
As we resume our walk, hand in hand, I realize that my greatest flaw isn’t the violence or the control; it’s the fear of vulnerability. But with Jess by my side, I’m learning that it’s okay to be vulnerable, to need someone else.
Soon, the reality of my life will demand attention. But today, in the heart of France, amidst the echoes of medieval times, I’m reminded of the strength of our bond, a force that no darkness can dim.
Today, we live in the light, and I swear to fight with everything I have to keep this light burning bright.
FIFTEEN
