Beyond death

Lunchtime discoveries

Alba POV

As I prepared for my outing with Enzo, my mind was a maelstrom of confusion and curiosity. The discovery I made in the servant’s pantry—hidden bottles of herbs, ancient spell books, and concealed family secrets—left me reeling. Why had my family hidden these truths from me for so long? Why hadn’t any powers manifested in me? With so many questions, I hoped Enzo might provide some answers during our time together.

The hours seemed to slip away, and soon only an hour remained before Enzo’s arrival. The day before the Summer Solstice brought a cool breeze, yet an inexplicable heaviness lingered in the air, as if the world was holding its breath. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something monumental was about to unfold.

On my bed, I laid out a flowing ankle-length linen skirt and a delicate cream blouse with lace trim—an ensemble that balanced elegance with a touch of the everyday. As the clock neared midday, I stepped into a warm bath scented with lavender oil, hoping to calm my fraying nerves. Afterward, I dried my hair, arranging it into soft waves with a few strands pinned back. A light touch of makeup followed—a bit of rose-tinted balm on my lips and a hint of kohl around my eyes to make them stand out.

With only moments to spare, I descended the staircase, my sandals clicking softly against the stone steps. The rustle of fabric and the faint creak of wood from the kitchen accompanied me as I passed by, my heart pounding with anticipation. The distant clip-clop of hooves pulled me to the window just in time to see Enzo dismount from his horse at the front gate. His appearance was striking—a fitted cream shirt tucked into dark breeches, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing sun-bronzed skin.

“Enzo,” I greeted, stepping onto the front porch as he approached, the reins of his horse in hand.

“Alba,” he replied with a smile that carried both warmth and something deeper. He offered his hand, and I took it, allowing him to guide me toward the waiting horse.

“A horseback journey?” I asked, tilting my head with curiosity.

He grinned, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. “Not just a journey. A ride to somewhere special.”

He helped me onto the horse, swinging up behind me with practiced ease. His arms encircled me loosely as he took the reins, and the horse began its steady trot down the path. The gentle rhythm of the ride and Enzo’s presence so close soothed some of my tension.

After a short journey, we arrived at a secluded clearing by the edge of Lake Bracciano. The expanse of shimmering water stretched out before us, its surface kissed by the golden afternoon sun. A small patch of grass nestled between the trees had been prepared with care—a soft blanket spread out, and a wicker basket resting at its center. The scene was idyllic, like something from a romantic painting.

“A picnic?” I asked, my voice tinged with surprise and delight.

“For you,” Enzo said, offering his hand to help me dismount. “I wanted today to be perfect.”

He led me to the blanket, where we settled amidst the shade of the trees. From the basket, he produced an array of delicacies: fresh bread, ripe figs, cured meats, and creamy cheeses. A flask of chilled lemonade accompanied the feast, its sweetness balanced with just a hint of tartness. As we ate, we exchanged light conversation, his humor and charm easing the weight of my earlier worries.

But as the meal wound down, Enzo’s demeanor shifted. He grew quieter, more thoughtful. The air between us grew charged, and I felt my heart pick up its pace.

“There’s something I need to tell you, Alba,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with an uncharacteristic gravity.

“I’m listening,” I replied, setting down the slice of bread I’d been nibbling.

Enzo took a deep breath, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach flutter. “Bracciano is not just a town; it’s a place steeped in magic and ancient curses. Your family has been part of this world for generations, descended from a line of witches whose history is tied to Benevento. My father leads the coven here, but… there’s more.”

He hesitated, and I placed a hand on his arm, urging him to continue. “You can tell me,” I said softly.

“The lake… it’s cursed,” he said finally. “Centuries ago, a powerful witch named Serafina was betrayed by the man she loved—a lord who ruled these lands. In her anguish, she cast a curse that transformed the crater into the lake you see now. Her descendants, and those tied to her betrayal, have been bound to it ever since.”

The weight of his words sank into me, the pieces of my life—the whispers, the secrets—beginning to click into place. My family’s role in this curse, their desperate need for secrecy, suddenly made sense.

“And what about us?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo reached for my hand, his thumb brushing gently over my knuckles. “In our world, we believe in soulmates. Someone who’s destined to complete us. Alba, you’re mine.”

The revelation sent a shockwave through me, a mixture of disbelief and something deeper—a recognition that I couldn’t quite name.

Unable to hold back any longer, I leaned forward and kissed him. The initial surprise in his eyes gave way to something more profound as he responded, his lips moving against mine with a tenderness that left me breathless. His hand slid behind my neck, pulling me closer, and I let myself be guided, surrendering to the moment.

The world around us seemed to fade as we sank onto the blanket. His touch was gentle yet insistent, his lips trailing from my mouth to the curve of my jaw and down to my collarbone. A soft moan escaped me, and he paused, his eyes searching mine for permission. I nodded, my fingers threading through his hair as he returned to explore the sensitive hollow of my throat.

Time seemed to blur as we lay there, our connection deepening with each shared breath, each whispered word. His hands mapped the contours of my body, careful and reverent, and I felt an answering heat rise within me. The passion between us was undeniable, yet it was tempered by an unspoken promise—a vow of trust and devotion.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless and flushed, he cupped my face in his hands. “Alba,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion, “I will stand by you through everything. The curse, the magic, whatever lies ahead. You’re not alone in this.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I blinked them away, nodding. “Thank you,” I whispered.

As we packed up the remnants of our meal, the weight of what I had learned settled over me, but so too did a newfound sense of determination. I reached out and touched his arm, drawing his attention. “Enzo,” I began, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling within me. “Will you come with me to confront my father? I need answers, and I can’t do this alone.”

His dark eyes softened, and he nodded without hesitation. “Of course. Whatever you need, I’m with you.”

Relief coursed through me, mingled with a flicker of hope. Together, we would face the truths that had been hidden for so long. The confrontation with my father loomed ahead, but with Enzo by my side, I felt ready to step into the unknown.