I laugh at him, and behind us, several Inquisitors stir in surprise at the sound. Only Magiano can coax joy out of me so easily.

He is not Enzo, I remind myself. But I don't want him to be. With Enzo, my energy yearned for his power and ambition, all too happy to let him take me into the darkness. But with Magiano... I am able to smile, even to laugh. I am able to sit here and lean back and point out the constellations.

The fire in you burns as fiercely as it did when I first met you.

Behold.” Magiano spreads his arms in a gesture of pretend triumph. “Revel in its majesty.”I wrinkle my nose. “Are you trying to impress me with a collapsed archway?”“No faith. No faith at all.” He is back to his old self, and it sends a rare thread of joy through my heart. “Follow me,” he murmurs. Then he takes a deep breath and dives down, grabbing my hand as he descends.

I found a secret place,” he whispers. His hand finds mine under the water, tugging on my wrist. “Come with me.” I’m unable to suppress a laugh. “Where are you taking me?” I say in a mock scolding voice.“I’ll beg your forgiveness later, Your Majesty,” he teases back, flashing me a grin as he pulls us toward the far end of the pool.

I have everything I could ever want here, Adelina,” he finally says. “You’ve handed me what feels like the world’s riches, a palace, a life of luxury.” He draws closer. “I get to be at your side. What more do I need?

Every bone in my body yearns to keep this boy safe, always. "Magiano...," I start to say. "I don't want to leave this world having never been with you.

Don’t be afraid,” he says with a half smile. “You’re with me.” His hand tightens around my wrist, tugging me down again playfully. And this time, I feel safe enough to take a deep breath of my own and do as he says.

Your Majesty,” he whispers, breathless. A note of amusement creeps into his voice. “You’ll ruin me.