him to assume, thinking because I’m standing on this stage, I’m here to call for peace.
No one listens. Whatever is going on, the people ignore his pleas, and it’s not until bodies start parting that I see why.
A figure dressed in black lace from her shoulders down to her feet walks toward the stage. I have to loosen my tie, barely able to breathe. Everything stops, the whole fucking world grinding to a halt. I must be hallucinating. Yes, I’m seeing things. Someone slipped something into the liquor, causing me to conjure up Mila.
Although, why I would conjure Trey fucking Lastra up beside her, I don’t know.
Coming to a halt in the middle of the now empty dance floor, I look around, wondering if I’m the only one seeing her.
“People of Vita, as you can see, I am no more dead than you. My enemy failed, as will anyone else who attempts to take my life in the future. I want to be clear. Before the attack on me, I wanted peace for our city, and was prepared to marry the mayor to achieve it. But no more. I will not give up my fight for Vita. Therefore, peace will not come tonight.”
My feet move before I make the decision to leave the stage. With a clear path toward her, there’s no one to get in my way.
Her deep brown eyes narrow, but it doesn’t deter me.
“You had your chance to kill me and you failed. Try it again and I will…”
She pauses mid-sentence as I go down on one knee, lowering my head in respect. No one breathes. If a pin dropped, it would sound like an explosion.
“What are you doing?” she hisses.
Lifting my head, I raise my voice, proclaiming, “I, Raphael Marocchi, offer peace to you, Jamila Camarco. My men will lay down their weapons. No more blood will be shed in our name.” Her sharp intake of breath ripples through me as I rise to my feet. “The Marocchi’s bend the knee.”
I’ve shocked her, but she quickly masks it as she watches my men all drop to their knee.
“Do you swear it by the Lord?”
The mayor is at my side, holding the mic under my chin. I go to swat it away, but it clicks as to what he just said, and I want every man and woman to hear me.
“I do.”
Muffled movements begin to filter around us, but I can’t take my eyes away from her. If I do, I may wake up, and she’ll be gone again. If this is a new nightmare, I’ll live it every day, happily, for the rest of my life.
“The declaration will be unified with a dance, bringing with it a new era for Vita!” Alexander shouts to the crowd as a soft, haunting melody begins to play.
I hold my hand out, but it’s Trey she looks to. Nodding her head, he backs off, and she takes a step closer to me, placing her hand in mine. Feeling her warmth, I flip it over and rub my thumb over her wrist, checking her pulse. It beats fast, thumping with life under my touch.
Wasting no time, I pull her against me and close my eyes, relishing in the feel of her heart beating against my chest.
She’s really here and in my arms. I have so many questions, but they can wait for another time. Neither of us say a word as we glide around the dance floor, watched by every person in the room. Father DiMarco and Alexander cease to exist. I’ve made countless promises to a God I have ignored for many years to have her back, and while I don’t believe for a second He has brought her here, I thank him regardless. We shared a dance many months ago, and more death followed. However, neither one of us bent the knee and offered peace.
The people watch on with trepidation, as I can see they’re wondering if this is another ploy, this time from me.
The people’s lack of trust is justified, but come morning, when changes will no doubt be made, they’ll see this is real for themselves and every day that passes after without trouble and death. The melody quickens, and I know it’ll shortly be coming to an end.
Twirling around, I dip Mila low and brush my lips close to her ear.
“Don’t say anything to anyone, not until we’ve talked,” I whisper before pulling her back up.
We continue dancing until the last note of the melody has