The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Thirty One

Alice walked beside Terzo, their footsteps crunching softly on the frost-covered paths that wound through the ministry's vast garden. The garden, once a vibrant array of colours was now a beautiful, monochromatic, icy wonderland- just in time for Yule. They walked around the edge of the lake, its surface shimmering with a layer of glittering ice, reflecting the pale winter sun like a sheet of glass.

Terzo had officially been moved out of the infirmary after almost two weeks of intensive care. Endless blood transfusions saw him slowly gaining his complexion again, while he was pumped with all kinds of nutrients to rebuild his body after the resurrection.

Alice had taken him for an evening stroll, wanting him to get in as much exercise to help recover his muscles and bones. She had wrapped him in a long, heavy coat, complete with gloves and a wooly hat to keep him warm against the biting cold; he was still a long way from fully recovering, and so she made sure he was bundled up before they even stepped a single foot outside, even if he did put up a bit of a fight about looking ridiculous.

As they walked through the gardens, the crisp winter air nipped at the tips of their noses, whilst their breaths puffed out in visible, white clouds. She held his arm for support, matching the pace of her own steps to his slow ones due to his slight limp that, whilst noticeable, never hindered their walk or his spirit as he leaned against her, taking in the fresh air.

"Everything looks dead out here." Terzo huffed as he gazed at the barren trees and dormant flower beds.

"Not everything." Alice smiled, shaking her head gently as she strolled slowly past the lake. "There are some flowers that blossom even in winter. Have you ever heard of hellebores or snowdrops?"

"No." Terzo shook his head, his interest suddenly piqued. "I like the sound of hellebores."

"They're beautiful." She smiled. "And snowdrops are these little delicate white flowers that grow through the snow." Alice explained, her eyes sparkling as she spoke. "It's quite fascinating really."

"Huh." Terzo let out a small laugh. "You haven't been spending too much time with Primo I suppose, sorella?"

"No, no." She chuckled. "Where I was from in England, we used to get a lot of snow and cold winters."

"Ah, si, si." Terzo listened intently, nodding along. "Can we find a hellebore? I want to show eh- fratello mio Primo." He stumbled on his English.

"We can try." Alice smiled, squeezing his forearm.

They walked slowly, scanning the ground for any sign of the winter blooms. Terzo kept asking Is that it? at every small patch of brambles or dead leaves they saw, making Alice laugh. Just as they were beginning to doubt they'd find anything, Alice suddenly saw the deep red colour appear in the distance.

"Look! There!" She excitedly exclaimed, pulling towards it; then her heart dropped. "Shit."

Suddenly a group of siblings had spotted Terzo. Like a wave, they swarmed around him, excitedly chattering and reaching out to touch him, to see him, speak to him- anything to prove he was really there. Terzo's face drained of colour, his breath quickening as panic visibly seeped out of every pore of his body as the crowding and the noise started to stress him, flinching every time someone got closer.

"I want to go back inside. Amore I don't like this." Terzo's breathing quickened. "Amore."
His voice cracked as he gripped her forearm tightly. "Please, Alice."

"It's ok Terzo. We're going back now." Alice's heart pounded as she tried to clear a path through the masses of siblings- she couldn't understand how so many people had managed to gather round them so quickly. "Please, give him some space!" She shouted, her voice strained against the noise of the excited siblings. She could hear Terzo's rapid breathing getting worse as he clung to her, his glossy eyes stricken with fear. "Please!" She called but it was no use. "Give him some-" But suddenly a sister of sin accidentally hit her cheek, trying to reach out to Terzo, then something in Alice snapped. "I said give him some fucking space!" She screamed, her voice cracking as the features of her face contorted with anger.