Object of Desire

Chapter Thirty : Awakening

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"I didn't think my drunken spirit conjured so much concern." I spoke, my voice clearly broken and cracking from the copious amount of tears I had only just finished shedding.

Terzo gazed down into me, his hands pressed close against my cheeks and holding me tight in fear I may fall away again. He couldn't say anything, only keeping his mismatched eyes on me in bewilderment and total rejoice. Without warning, he came close and deployed a fleet of kisses on any place he could on my face; my cheeks, my nose, many on my forehead, and finally on my lips. He lingered, a soft hum pressing between the contact as his arms wrapped tightly around my frame. I could feel the way his body trembled and shook, or how tightly his fingers gripped my body so that he could leave bruises in his wake.

Despite the subject at hand, I couldn't help feeling so overwhelmed with other feelings that bubbled in my stomach as he kissed me. His lips parted, taking in a breath before pressing even harder against mine, one of his hands coming up my back and gripping the back of my neck tightly. The way he tasted, the true desperation and depravity of it all, regardless of the grief he was feeling and the weight of others eyes on us, I wanted this all the more.

"Veda," he pulled out of the kiss, but still kept me in his grasp, "cara mia... you- I was so worried." He shook his head frantically, his hair falling from it's natural state in frenzied motions.

"I didn't mean to cause such a fuss." My hand came up, gently falling on his cheek and rubbing his cheek bone beneath my thumb.

"Do you remember who gave you that drink?" He shook me some, an attempt at trying to jog my memory or get me to answer faster.

"N-No, I hardly remember anything." I replied lowly, my chest tightening as what I could recollect came rushing back.

"Who did you speak with? And where did you go?" His tone was becoming more frantic with every question, my replies only to be the same and laced with disappointment. "Per favore, mia amore... tell me." He gripped my neck tightly, eyes never stopping in their nervous state and scanning my face wildly.

"Fratello," a gloved hand came down on Terzo's shoulder, effectively taking him from this mindset, his head snapping in the direction of his brother who stood just behind him, "she has probably been through the Hells and back. You may want to give her some time." He spoke gently, as if he were trying to coax a frightened animal from its hiding spot.

Terzo stared at him for a few silent seconds, the room around us shifting into an uncomfortable atmosphere. Alice lifted herself off of the bed, part of me wishing she hadn't and having the need for her to be close. While I rested in Terzo's tight grip and knew I was truly safe this time, I couldn't help the feeling of needing Alice here too. I watched as she met with Patricia at the foot of the bed, each of them talking quietly before moving towards the door.

"W-Where are you going?" I leaned forwards out of Terzo's arms, my hands reaching out as I nearly fell against the mattress.

"Oh love," Alice came back, taking my hands into hers and squeezing tightly, "it has been a long night. You need your rest, I know you have to leave early tomorrow morning." She rubbed my knuckles with her thumbs, giving me a comforting smile before pressing a tender kiss on my forehead.

"Sì," Secondo spoke again, moving towards Patrica and grabbing hold of her hand, "we too are leaving early in the morning. You must get your rest." He nodded firmly before looking to Terzo, gesturing him to follow.

"B-But I... I don't..." I shook my head, a feeling of dread returning to nestle itself in my stomach.

"You will return again, dear. I'll still be here, and we can talk more about what happened. But right now, Terzo needs you." She nearly whispered her words to me before releasing my hands and moving back towards the door.