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Panic rose in Alessa’s chest as the crowd rustled around them. “Guards, remove this man from the piazza at once.”
Captain Papatonis and his guards traded uncertain looks.
“The people are afraid, Finestra,” the Captain said. “No one has seen you perform. It might reassure them.”
Ivini smiled with satisfaction. “See? Call your Fonte out here and show us, then we’ll sleep peacefully in our beds.”
Easier said than done. It didn’t even matter that she hadn’t chosen one yet, because none of the candidates were there.
“The connection between a Finestra and Fonte is sacred.” Alessa fumbled for the tenets she’d read a thousand times. “You can’t honestly expect me to perform an act of divine intimacy in front of strangers?”
“It’s for a good cause,” Ivini said with a sly smile.
“Captain.” Alessa turned to Papatonis. “You’re married. If I gave the order, would you summon your wife here, take off your clothes, and perform your marital duties for all to see?”
Papatonis’s face went red. “Of course not.”
“Ah, soyouwouldn’t perform an intimate act in public. Interesting. ButIshould?”
Ivini’s eyes narrowed. “Lay hands on someoneelse, then.That’snot sacred.”
“Are you volunteering?” It might be worth it to watch him scream, but she struggled enough to control her power when she was calm and prepared. Now, it raged, unpredictable and angry like the rest of her. If she touched Ivini, she’d hurt him or worse, and while she’d love to watch the light dim in his eyes, it might be the last thing she ever saw if the crowd combusted.
“I’ll do it.” Dante stepped forward.
She forced herself to sneer, as if he and the whole situation were beneath her.
People were watching. Waiting. Her heart thudded.
“Here’s a brave soul.” Ivini glowed with anticipation. “If your words are true, Finestra, prove it.”
Alessa drew the moment out, making sure everyone had a chance to see her examine him, curling her lip in disgust. Then, as though deigning to touch something revolting, she extended her hand toward Dante’s.
“Where we can see,” Ivini said sweetly.
She rolled her eyes, gratified to earn a few chuckles. With a sigh of feigned irritation, she held up her hands so the crowd could see they were bare, then placed them on both sides of his face.
The crowd held its collective breath. A second passed, and another. With languid boredom, Dante slid his hands in his pockets.
Alessa turned to Ivini. “How long must I stand here before you admit you were wrong?”
Scattered chuckles. Ivini fumed.
Alessa flicked her fingers at Dante in a haughty dismissal. “If we’re finished here, I have more important things to do than appease your theories,Padre. And I imagine the good people ofSaverio would like to get on with preparations so we can enjoy Carnevale. I look forward to presenting my Fonte to you all tomorrow evening.”
The cheer that rose was weak, but they weren’t jeering, and Alessa marched back to the Cittadella with her head high.
Dante looked ready to haul her up the stairs when they were safely inside, but she shook her head. “The Fontes. They’re still locked out.”
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, her legs gave out. Alessa sank against the wall, breath shuddering out of her. She would have slid all the way down, but Dante yanked her into his arms.
“Dea,” he breathed into her hair. “I thought they were going to kill you, and I couldn’t fight them all—”
But he had.
She dragged his head down and stopped his litany of what-ifs with a kiss.
Dante stilled.
