Page 91 of Storm and Sea

“Right.” Nyel forced himself to turn around.

What is my problem?

When they arrived at Marina’s booth, they only found Horace asleep in his rocking chair. Niccolo cowered under the blanket around his legs, likely spooked by the fireworks.

“Signore Finotto? Sir?” Atreus gently shook the man’s shoulder.

“Gabriella?” he wheezed, blinking back to reality. “Oh, Antonio. I’ve been watching the booth for Gabriella. She should be back soon.”

Nyel had to resist a laugh.

“I’m here!” Marina’s voice called as she jogged to them. She was rather flushed despite the night being cool. “And it’s Marina, Nonno.”

Horace smiled. “You look just like your mother.”

“I know Nonno. Ready to go home?”

“Yes, it’s time for this old man to be in a proper bed.”

As they helped Horace to his feet, Nyel noticed a pretty gleam of color below Marina’s ear.

“Are those earrings?” Nyel asked.

“You never wear jewelry,” Atreus said, squinting.

“And you never walk around half-naked. I guess we’re all trying new things tonight,” she quipped with a wink.

“Did someone give you those?”

“Don’t ask questions you aren’t ready to hear,” she teased in a sing-song trill. “And what happened to your shirt?” she asked before spotting it tied around Nyel’s waist. She eyed them with a raised brow.

“DoN’t aSk qUesTions You aRen’t rEady tO hEar,” Atreus mocked, mimicking her tone.

“You ragazzi keep me young,” Horace said with a sleepy smile from between their bickering.

Nyel was about to follow them to the pescheria when his stomach sank with sudden realization.

“Have any of you seen Leofel?”

When neither Atreus nor Marina had seen him, Nyel’s worries grew. He was supposed to meet him, but after the fireworks, Nyel completely forgot.

How could I blow him off like that?

“I’ll meet you guys at the house, okay?” he said, turning toward the carnival games. He thought he heard Atreus call after him but ignored it. The stretch of booths lined with games was empty now, save for the vendors packing up for the night. Nyel spun, worry eating at him like barnacles on a ship’s hull.

Nyel ducked around a vacant stall when a glint of golden curls hooked his attention. Leo wandered aimlessly from corner to corner, as if he had no particular destination in mind.

“Leofel!” Nyel called jogging to him. “Hey, sorry I didn’t meet with you. I got caught up, and then the fireworks, and…” Nyel gasped, his hand covering his mouth.

Leofel’s face was a mess. One eye was swollen shut, and a smear of blood streaked from his lips to his cheek, where he’d wiped it.

“Leofel, what happened—Oof!” Nyel made a startled sound as the air knocked from his lungs.

Leofel embraced him like a drowning man. He squeezed Nyel, his head bent, his mouth so close that Nyel could feel his shuddering breath.

“Hey, are you okay?”

It was a stupid question. Of course, he wasn’t okay, but Nyel didn’t know what else to say. After a moment, Nyel returned the embrace, rubbing his hands up and down Leo’s back in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. Leo shuddered again.