Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

bravely.

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    He stared down into the pounding, foaming water, the waves rushing at the shore and crashing against the rocks. His fingers found the nape of her neck, massaging gently to ease her fears. "Is that what Scarletti men do? Own their women?"
    "You tell me. You are the one afraid of the curse, Giovanni. I do not fear the curse anymore, only one who believes so strongly in its power to destroy us."
    He was silent for a long time, giving her words the respect of thought. "How did you get to be so wise at such a young age?"
    "Each of us has our strengths to balance our weaknesses. I have many weaknesses, Giovanni. Men are not one of them. I am loyal and truthful, and I will be your faithful helpmate if you allow it." She ducked her head. "Among my weaknesses are that I do things without thinking, and I need the freedom of the hills." Her voice was becoming drowsy.
    He laughed softly. "I never would have guessed such a thing, piccola. But you are weary, falling asleep.
    We must go home this night. You will have a patient waiting. I would like to get there soon to ensure his identity is not discovered."
    Nicoletta groaned softly in protest but obediently stood and stretched to ease the stiffness in her body.
    She rubbed her cheek along his broad shoulder. "I do not care where we sleep, as long as we do it soon."
    Giovanni swept her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. "You look like a bambina with your big eyes drooping, ready for sleep." He bent his head to hers, his mouth drifting lazily over her face. "Thank you for being my wife."
    She smiled up at him, her long lashes sweeping down. "You are very welcome." She was floating, half awake, half asleep, as he carried her back to where he had left the horse. She welcomed sleep, but most of all she welcomed the comfort of his arms. She had dared to tell him her thoughts, and he wasn't angry with her, nor had he dismissed her ideas as silly and childish. He had treated her as an equal. That meant more than any gift he could have given her.
    Far off, somewhere on the edge of a dream, she heard the cry of an owl. It seemed to echo through the fog, a strange, distorted note that brought a shadow to her dream. Nicoletta frowned and turned her face into the shelter of Giovanni's chest, pressing close to the steady beat of his heart. The owl was answered by another, this one much closer and louder. The inner shadow lengthened and grew.
    "Nicoletta." There was a clear warning in Giovanni's whisper. He put her feet on the ground, his mouth against her ear. "There is trouble, someone stalking us. The horse is gone." His arm swept her protectively behind his solid frame.
    "I am sorry, I was so sleepy," she murmured softly. It was a poor excuse; she should have realized the danger immediately. The owl had warned her twice, the shadow had grown deep within her, but she had been tired, drifting in and out of sleep. Now they were in peril.
    They heard a faint sound to their left, something moving stealthily through the brush. Far off the owl hooted again. Some distance away, they could hear the sound of hooves thudding on the ground. The fog was very thick, weaving in and out of the trees, swirling madly. Giovanni reached behind him to take her hand as they moved together along the narrow path in the general direction of the palazzo.

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    Nicoletta knew the hills, even at night, but Giovanni would not allow her to take the lead. He moved silently, so much so that she clutched at his hand to ensure that he was still there. The white mist spread like a blanket, moving through the trees and brush. Visibility was poor, but the shadow within her grew until her heart was pounding and her mouth was dry. Something was after them, man or beast, stalking them in the darkness.
    Men, Giovanni whispered in her mind, obviously reading her intense emotions. He squeezed her hand in reassurance. They made their way in silence, with only their breathing and the loud beating of their hearts to betray their presence. The path winding through the hills began its steep descent. They would be entering the narrow mountain pass soon. The cliffs rose sharply on both sides, and the trail was rocky.
    Giovanni stopped so abruptly that she ran into him before she could halt. "This is a perfect place for an ambush," he whispered.
    The wind here tore