12 years later
Antonello pushed the guards out of his way. He wouldn't stay here when his younger brother could be murdering his older brother and wife. He pushed the guards aside with his taller bulkier frame and marched down the corridor of the palazzo.
He could hear a fight, the sound of bodies aggressively assaulting each other and increased his pace. He rounded the corner to spot Vincente being dragged along, Giovanni was holding Nicoletta to him, and his face looked strained. He was so focused on Giovanni he didn't have the time to grab Vincente before he flung himself over the side to his death.
That evening in Giovanni's study, Antonello listened as Giovanni explained their nonnas death and Vincentes crimes. He had watched his nonno weep uncontrollable at the news he had not murdered his beloved, but she had been murdered by her own grandson. Nonno was inconsolable and left to return to his bedchamber.
Antonello was just as speechless. He couldn't believe what he had heard. Vincente a killer?
His heart seemed to tremble as Sarah's face floated through his mind. It had been years since the night with Sarah, and Antonello was still plagued with thoughts and his need for her. She had slept beside him that night, they had caressed each other and held each other until she had slept. He had laid awake most of the night, watching her face serene with sleep. Memorising her features. Her hands had clutched him closer in her sleep which had touched him on so many levels. That one night had altered him significantly. He had wanted to keep her close always. He kept thinking of ways he could keep her with him throughout that night. He had finally fallen asleep to the sound of her gentle breathing and had awoken alone.
His father had nodded at him in the hallway as if acknowledging what Antonello had done. Antonello had asked everyone in the palazzo and surrounding towns for word of Sarah but no sign. He had returned to his bedchamber well into the night exhausted after his search. All that had remained of his little nymph was the evidence of her lost virtue on his linens and her sweet scent clinging to his sheets. He had wept. He felt ruined by her, he knew he had never felt this way and he feared he had lost her. During the following week he had searched relentlessly, he had even questioned his father who had seemed amused at his interest. The exact moment he had given up hope was when nonna was murdered by his grandfather. His father was assassinated and Giovanni was pronounced Don. He had thought the Scarletti curse unstoppable. He wouldn't drag Sarah into a world of death and pain. Even when he knew without question he loved her and she was the only women for him.
His beloved Sarah. He knew now he could have searched for her without fear. He could have found her and have lived a full life. Instead his life had been bleak. He had never meet a women who made him feel as his little nymph had. No one took his notice. He had tried over the years to find another but more than 5 years ago he had given up all hope. She was his only. He felt grief that he had believed the curse real and never searched for her.
Antonello made his way back to his bedchamber. He wondered if Sarah was married now. No doubt her family had found her a suitable man to marry immediately after their night together. He was always plagued with nightmares of Sarah and another man. Of her embracing another and whispering her name to him, surrounded in moonlight. Sarah having another mans bambino within her. He shook his head to clear the unwanted images.
He spent most of his time hunting or walking in solitude. He knew Giovanni knew about Sarah. He had discovered all about her when he had question Antonello one night several years ago. Antonello had been drunk and pining for her. He had been trying to forget her, to drown out her voice still imprinted in his head. Giovanni had asked him straight out if he ever would marry. Both brothers had previously made a vow never to marry, but it seemed Giovanni knew Antonellos reasons where more than just fear of the curse. Antonello had laughed without humour, then sobered instantly before whispering "Never…. She ruined me".
Giovanni had looked upon his younger brother with confusion. Antonello had looked straight into his brothers eyes and whispered Sarahs name before leaving the study and staggering back to his cold and empty bedchamber.
The Following Winter.
The palazzo was over flowing with laughter and excitement. Antonello couldn't believe the impact Nicoletta had on their family and the arrival of the new bambino was only increasing the life and laughter flowing in their home. Her arrival had made the palazzo a home, whereas before to its occupants it had seemed a prison.
Everyone was busy with tonight's grand celebration. Everyone from the surrounding villages where being invited to a ball at the palazzo. It had been Nicolettas idea. Antonello wasn't excited about the night though, he rarely socialised and when he did he knew he would have to put up with the feminine advances of the local women. Many wanted the connection and status that would come with being his wife. Nonno had even told everyone he would be joining in the celebrations tonight.
He walked down the corridor heading towards the noise and music. The whole great hall had been decorated with colour and extravagance, plush armchairs, tables of delicacies, bottles of liquor, wine and flowers where filling the palazzo. The great hall was full of people, laughing, dancing and drinking. Once again Antonello was shocked by the change that had occurred within the household. His family where generally happy. It seemed only he remain locked by the past.
He sat in the corner of the hall and watched the smiling faces. Looking back, he cant remember what made his gaze fall to the door of the palazzo at that moment but his life was irrevocable alternated by it. At the door was Sarah. He would know her anywhere. Her brown gold tresses where bound delicately upon her head, her slim yet shapely form was enveloped in a light blue dress that would be the perfect shade of her eyes. Her face was the same yet, slightly changed. Her features more defined, yet still her eyes where large and startling. She was beautiful, even more so than before. His heart seemed to halt, his lungs refused to work as his gaze locked on her. He feared losing her again if he allowed his gaze to waver. It was then he noticed she had entered with a man. The man was considerably older than her and well dressed obviously an aristocrat. His hand was firmly planted on Sarahs arm and seemed to hold her in place at his side. Anger and black jealous swirled in his gut. He should have known she would be married. He felt murderous and wanted to drag her from the man and lock her forever to his side. His eyes bore into the hand clutching Sarahs delicate skin.
Sarah He spoke her name directly into her mind. He allowed her to sense all his turbulent emotion with that one word. The longing, the endless waiting, the jealousy. He watched her stiffen and her blue eyes begin to search the crowd. Her eyes where sweeping over the tables of people, through the dancers until she looked further into the shadows. Their eyes locked. Light and Dark.
Antonello He heard her whisper his name, the sound of her voice again after so long ran across his skin like a silken caress.
He kept his eyes firmly on her as he walked to the corridor, he hoped she caught the message he wanted her to follow. He watched as she made her excuses to the man upon her arm and the women who had gathered to admire her dress. He watched her glide through the people. He could no longer hear the music or people, his sole focus was on the women following him. He walked to the study and left the door open behind him. Sarah walked in a few minutes later and closed the door behind her. She kept her back to him for several minutes, her hand still resting on the door from when she had shut it. As if she was deciding against staying already.
Look at me picolla … please
She turned finally.
"It is good to see you Antonello" She said, her voice sounded the same yet now she spoke like an old acquaintance not like the lover she had been.
"Is it?" He had thought about her and worried for her everyday for the last 12 years, yet from her face he felt as if she barely recalled him at all. He felt like he wanted to shake her till she remembered him, what they had done.
She appeared less confident in herself and swallowed nervously before replying "Yes"
Why did you leave?
He needed to know. He had wondered why she had left his bedchamber. If she had stayed he was determined to marry her, with or without his padres permission.
We had done what we needed to do
I was just a task to you? A duty you needed to fulfil?!
What was I to you, if not a task? You know nothing about me so don't judge me!
My life!! That's what you where and are to me. My entire life. I have thought constantly of you for twelve years whilst you have been sharing you bed with another!! He couldn't help it, he had loved her for years and the agony of knowing she was married was unbearable. He needed her to breath, to live and she had thought nothing of him it seemed.
How dare you judge me, I had no choice but to marry. You never returned any of my letters. It was not I who kept us apart. It was you.
What letters? I never received… My father! Antonello struck the desk with his fists as he leaned against it. His father must of hidden the letters from him. If he where still alive Antonello would have killed him with his bare hands for this. The nights he had laid alone in his bedchamber his heart breaking and all the time his father withheld the letters. Forgive me I never received any letters. That is the truth. My father must have destroyed them.
Antonello Her voice had become more gentle It makes no difference. I am married… unfortunately. What happened in the past must remain there.
Why? He turned to her as he uttered that one word. He had already lost her once he wouldn't again, if need be he would challenge her husband and kill him if that's what it took. He wouldn't be foolish enough to have his heart ripped from him twice.
It must be so
Antonello moved towards her. Her large eyes where drinking in the changes in his body. His muscle and build had filled out considerably. He knew he looked more wild and rugged. He was a man now, no boy.
Kiss me… He whispered.