Starling (119 page)

was sure but just too afraid to recognize it. But ever since, I’ve held
you in my mind and in my heart. Thoughts of you kept me strong
when I needed strength. The mere idea that we might reconcile gave
me hope in my darkest moments.”
“Cassandra . . .” Luca lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed
each of her bruised fingertips. “You have no idea what these words
mean to me.”
“I do,” Cass said, biting back tears. “And Falco, he— I don’t know
what that was. But we never . . .”
“It doesn’t matter,” Luca said. “The past is gone. None of it matters to me. I would love you regardless.”
Her chest tightened. “You are the only one I want,” she whispered. Immediately she felt buoyant. It was as if she had finally
shared a secret that had grown too big inside her, magical words that
saved her from drowning. Cass threw her arms around Luca’s neck,
inhaling the scent of sweat and sea air. She realized with a start that
she was still wearing the chain-mail shirt.
Luca held her tight against him. “Then I am the luckiest man
alive.” He pulled back so he could look down into her eyes. “And I
never thought I’d say this,” he said, his fingertips coming to rest at the
bottom of her chain mail. “But you look lovely in armor.”
Cass smiled. As she raised her hands, he slipped the chain mail
over her head. He dropped the shirt unceremoniously on the ground
and then embraced her once more. “There should be a pair of batèlas
moored at the most northern part of the island. See that Maximus
takes you down the back path so you don’t have to navigate the rocks
in the dark.”
Back path? She had struggled her way up those boulders for nothing? No. Not for nothing. She had done it for Luca. As the stars
looked down on them and Maximus waited a discreet distance away,
Luca kissed Cass gently and then released her to the night.
“Please be safe,” he said. “I cannot lose you again.”