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“In my professional opinion, his collapse was a result of multiple factors. Divine or not, your profession is physically taxing, and Mr. Toporovsky should have taken better care of himself. I do hope when you are called to train the next Duo, you prevail upon the Consiglio to assemble a team of medical consultants. Despite what some may say, it isnotan insult to Dea to use the wisdom she granted us.”
Alessa bowed her head like a guilty child, though she’d never objected in the first place. The Consiglio were the ones who got their robes in a bunch when Tomo had suggested seeking outside opinions about Alessa’s little problem.
“I expect he’ll make a full recovery, but until then, he needs rest.Completerest.”
“Yes, Dottoressa. Of course.”
The nurse gave a sorrowful look at Kaleb’s angelic profile, as though she suspected Alessa was there to finish him off.
Alessa closed the door too fast, and the sound rang out in the quiet.
Dante, leaning against the stone banisters, raised his eyebrows as if to say, “See? I told you.”
She wanted to laugh. Or cry. Or both.
Dante held out his arms, and Alessa walked in. Her harbor in stormy seas, warm and solid and hard to kill.
Kaleb was alive. And he’d remain that way as long as she stayed away from him. She still had a Fonte. Technically. He might notbe strong enough to fight, and they’d have to replace him with one of the others for the actual battle, but she hadn’t killed him.
Startled by a sudden shout, they leapt apart, Dante’s face mirroring Alessa’s alarm.
Afraid to look, but needing to know who’d spotted their ill-timed embrace, Alessa peered over the railing.
Renata stood in the courtyard below, her hand pressed over her mouth.
Behind her, Tomo stared up at Alessa, looking more disheveled than she’d ever seen him before.
Dante whispered, “They were frantic when I left.”
Alessa let that fact sink in as her mentors hurried up the stairs.
“Blessed Dea,we thought you were dead!” Renata said, breathless, when she reached the top.
“Not quite,” Alessa said with a rueful smile.
“We thought we’d lost you,” Tomo said.
Renata cast her eyes to the ceiling in silent prayer. “Child, you scared a decade off my life.”
Tears trembled on Alessa’s lashes. They were relieved to see her alive—her, Alessa, not the Finestra. She hadn’t realized how much she needed that. “I’m sorry. I thought I’d killed Kaleb, and the gods were telling me to sacrifice myself.”
“Dear girl.” Tomo shook his head ruefully, too choked up to continue.
“While I admire your decisiveness, this would have been averygood time to ask for a second opinion.” Renata exhaled a shaky breath. “But I must say, I am proud of you for your willingness to make difficult choices. You’ve grown up.”
The tide of guilt retreated at Renata’s gentle tone, and Alessa pulled herself together. “What will we tell people?”
“Nothing,” Renata said firmly, brushing her sleeves as though trying to smooth the wrinkles in their plans. “You’ll pick someone else, and we’ll keep it quiet until after Divorando. I don’t like lying to the public, but all will be forgiven once you’ve saved us.”
“We’re just thankfulyou’resafe,” Tomo said fervently.
Renata’s face softened. “Dea have mercy, I might sleep tonight after all.”
“Come on, then.” Tomo tugged on Renata’s arm. “You need sleep, and I need a drink.”
Alessa backed away from the railing as they left, and the Cittadella fell silent once more.
Brushing her hair aside, Dante dropped a kiss on the back of her neck. “I should go,” he said, but his arms tightened around her.
