AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A slight smile curved his mother’s lips—which was more than he’d dared hope for. “I think him an amiable young man. I should like to meet him in better health. I trust you will see to that.”
~
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
The following day, Giovanna embarked for her estate with their mother in tow.
“We’ll remain there for the rest of the season,” Giovanna explained to Enzo. “The children will be so excited to see their grandmother.”
Enzo appreciated this not just for their sake but for the very transparent unspoken reason behind Giovanna and their mother’s departure; namely, unwillingness to further impose on the household of a convalescent.
“Do visit as soon as you can,” Giovanna continued. “Often, if you cannot stay long. Quirina still needs to show you her swordplay. And Andrea has so many drawings awaiting Fiore’s approval.”
Enzo relayed the invitation to Fiore after her departure and found him not averse.
“Once you’ve recovered,” Enzo amended.
Fiore simply smiled. “Then I must apply myself to recovery.”
~
Recovery came easier than Fiore had expected. Not that it was easy in and of itself; rather, he found recovery from an extraordinarily faint dose of cantarella and a slight tear in his abdominal muscles more straightforward than anything else he’d suffered in the past year.
And having Enzo by his side made everything serene.
For the first few days they kept each other company entirely indoors. Enzo read to him and played his lute. Fiore slept and swam and strode a little further each day. Before the se’en-night was out he could accompany Enzo on short walks into the gardens that bordered the villa. Soon he had strength enough to venture into the hedge-maze, the arboretum, and the grotto on Enzo’s arm. Strength enough to bring out his zibaldone and capture every architectural quirk of the villa, every natural caprice of its gardens, and most importantly, every shy smile, every gentle gesture, every guileless glance that Enzo displayed—all of which kindled Fiore’s passions.
After a fortnight of settling in and regaining his strength, Fiore found he felt well enough, at long last, to act on his desires.
So when he and Enzo retired to their bedchamber for the evening, Fiore went to his sea-chest.
An eager gleam lit up Enzo’s dark gaze the moment he realized Fiore’s intention.
Fiore, meanwhile, took a moment to gloat beside the open chest and drink in Enzo’s hungry gaze at its treasures revealed.
“The crop?” Fiore suggested.
Enzo nodded.
“And what else?” Fiore continued. “Rope, perhaps?”
Enzo’s pupils blew wide. He nodded again.
Fiore indulged in a smile. He drew out the hemp in a lingering lackadaisical gesture, basking in Enzo’s fixed gaze on every slithering slip. The crop came out with a swift swish of his wrist. He shut the sea-chest and stood.
“Strip,” Fiore commanded.
In a trice, Enzo bared his flesh, leaving just his garters and stockings. Fiore loved how he didn’t need to be told to keep them on.
Fiore flicked crop towards the bed. “On your back.”
Enzo laid himself out supine. His scarred lip caught between his teeth as he watched Fiore undress with ravenous eyes. He all-but-shivered in eagerness for whatever Fiore had planned for him.
Fiore straddled his waist. “Give me your hands.”
Enzo surrendered them at once.
Fiore bound his wrists together with tender care. “Hold them above your head.”
