That evening, I’d intended to visit Niccolo, some of the other warriors, and Elena, but exhaustion had other plans for me. Thankfully, my old rooms were still intact, and Livia only needed to send someone to bring fresh sheets and towels. There was an unexpected comfort in lying my head on a familiar pillow, and sleep claimed me almost instantly.

In the morning, the sounds outside my door stirred me awake. It took only seconds to recognize Alessandro’s return, his voice ...