Page 52 of His to Destroy

I blink.

It’s rare that Enzo talks like this. Rare that any of us do.

“Don’t be the man who regrets not trying,” he adds.

Sancia rises and slaps her file closed. “Well, this got emotional. Never knew you to be a romantic, Enzo.”

“Shut up,” Enzo snickers, rolling his eyes at her.

“An eye roll. Wow. My men are touchy and all up in their feelings today,” Sancia teases. “Don’t want all that love bug on me now. So I’m going to go interrogate someone until they cry.”

She walks out before Enzo and I can say anything more to her, and I can’t help but smirk.

But Enzo’s words linger.

Don’t be the man who regrets not trying.

***

Back at the mansion, I find Almeria in the garden, Luca playing in front of her with a wooden sword one of the guards must have carved for him. He’s swinging it like a knight, running in circles around the rose bushes.

Almeria is barefoot in the grass, her long braid trailing down one shoulder. She wears a light blue sundress that flutters with every breeze. The late afternoon sun turns her skin golden, glowing like something out of a dream I shouldn’t be allowed to have.

She tilts her head back to the sun, eyes closed, a smile softening her face as she listens to Luca giggle.

And she doesn’t see me at first.

For a moment, I just watch.

Taking in the moment.

I don’t breathe. I don’t move.

Because right now, this—this—is everything I’ve spent my life pretending I didn’t need.

Family. Laughter. Peace.

Love.

She opens her eyes and sees me standing there.

Her smile falters. Just a little. But it doesn’t vanish.

She says nothing, but waves me over.

I walk across the grass toward her, hands in my pockets, and Luca immediately runs up to me, sword held high.

“Senor!” he grins. “I’ve slain the red dragon!”

I crouch down. “Did he go down easy?”

Luca laughs heartily. “He begged for mercy!”

I ruffle his hair. “You’re ruthless. I like that.”

He runs off again, sword raised, roaring into the bushes.

Almeria watches him go, then looks at me. “He’s been at it all day.”

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