Chapter 48

Dario

The light and music of the ball faded behind us as we strolled from the manor. Our footsteps crunched lightly against the flagstones, and the cool night air kissed my cheeks in a welcome respite from the stifling perfumes and colognes and potpourris of the ballroom.

A gentle wind wove its fingers through my hair, as if to remind me how free the air was here—no fake laughter, no passive aggre