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Morena stood on the top of a hill behind Monterossa Caste at her mother’s tomb. The cool autumn wind whipped Morena’s skirts. Amoro stood by her side, the two of them still covered with the grime of the underground tunnels.
In her palm she held the bloodstone gem separate from its backing. A simple jewel that had harboured the secret of Monterossa Castle for generations.
But the stone underwent a change. Its reddish brown spots upon the green background turned a pale ivory colour. “It is said that when the bloodstone’s energy is no longer, the red spots will turn to white, and then you must return the stone to the earth.”
She held the stone in the palm of her hand to catch the rays of sunlight and Amoro’s gaze. “See, it is like a miracle. I think it is fitting to bury it next to my mother.”
Together they knelt and Amoro dug a small hole beside Vittoria’s crypt. Morena dropped the stone in and Amoro covered the hole and patted the soil firm. He helped her to her feet and reached his hand into the pocket of his tunic. From within he withdrew another bloodstone embedded upon the same pendant.
Amoro’s eyes glimmered with emotion as he hung the pendant around her neck. “I purchased the finest bloodstone and re-attached it to the original gold chain and backing to form a new pendant.”
He stepped back to examine her in it and cupped her face in his hands. “The real treasure of Monterossa Castle is here in my arms. You are more beautiful and valuable than any jewel or piece of gold that exists in this world.”
Amoro gazed down at the beauty before him. He brushed a wayward lock off her cheek and drew her close to him. He grazed her forehead with his lips. “I love you,” he breathed softly.
He spoke the words to her in his heart last night, each time his mouth had touched the dewy softness of hers in hungry urgency or aching tenderness. “I love you.” The words had sounded like a song that resounded from his heart. When she had writhed beneath him and arched up to meet his thrusts, its melody had soared to a crescendo. He had brought her to the peak of ecstasy and then joined her there.
“I love you too,” Morena snuggled closer against him.
Amoro felt his body’s instant response and tried to control the passion Morena ignited just by being close. He pulled away to gaze upon her beautiful face and delicate skin. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
She bore an elegance that made her seem delicate, even frail, but he knew she was anything but that, and he liked that very much. From the very first sight of her, she caused his breath to catch. In that moment, he wanted her more than he ever wanted anything in his life.
“Come,” he whispered as he took her hand. “If we don’t hurry, we will miss the dinner feast.”
***
AT LEAST A HUNDRED torches lit the great hall. Morena and Amoro sat at the head table on a raised dais with Massimo. A great cacophony came from the numerous guests who sat at trestle tables throughout the hall.
Trumpets announced the beginning of the banquet and much of the din quieted. A long line of servants carried the courses into the room by torchlight. Big abundant platters snaked around the hall in a relentless procession of gilded peacocks, roast pork, venison, lamb, and a vast array of seafood.
Like the main course, the servants paraded the dessert into the room by torchlight. The desert caused a murmur of appreciation from the crowd. In addition to an astonishing assortment of sweets, each person received a special cake shaped in the form of a small doll.
Enthralled, Morena watched the light dance over Amoro’s face as a servant placed one of the tiny dolls on his trencher. A perfect effigy of herself. Torches flared behind her and she could feel the heat as a doll-cake of Amoro appeared on her trencher.
“What shall I bite off first?” Morena teased.
“I have a few suggestions,” Amoro retorted as he lifted the skirt of his Morena cake and peeked beneath it.
They exchanged looks and burst out in laughter.
“I think I’ll save mine for later.” Morena lifted her figure and wrapped it in a napkin then set it aside.
“I think I’ll enjoy mine later too,” Amoro seconded with eyebrows raised. “Besides, it is time for us to make our presentation.”
He offered her his hand and helped her rise. They waited for the crowd to grow quiet. With the copious amount of wine imbibed by all, it took quite some time. When the last titter died away, Amoro cleared his throat and began.
“Massimo Baronno, please rise.”
With a look of confused astonishment, Massimo pushed back his chair and complied.
Morena gave Massimo a smile of reassurance. From a small purse that hung from her waist belt, she pulled a scroll tied with a red ribbon.
“This is for you, for your unwavering loyalty, and for saving our lives.”
Morena’s voice cracked with emotion. Her vision blurred with tears, she tried to choke back the lump that formed in her throat, but could not. Amoro came to her rescue.
“Go ahead, open it,” Amoro urged Massimo.
Massimo broke the seal and untied the ribbon. He unrolled it and read. When finished, he looked up. “You have added my name to the deed for ownership of Monterossa Castle.”
The audience emitted a collective gasp.
“You have been like a brother to me and this has been your home for nearly your entire life. My father loved you, as do I. I think he would have approved. When the king learned of your loyalty, he wholeheartedly approved.”
“I, I don’t know what to say.” Massimo swallowed.
“Say nothing. Your actions in the rescue speak for you,” Amoro emphasized with a hearty pat on Massimo’s back.
“Thank you!” Massimo embraced both of them.
The crowd applauded and cheered as the trio maintained a long embrace. When they separated, Amoro invited Morena and Massimo to take their seats. He nodded at a musician who waited near the entrance doors. Immediately, the man raised the trumpet and sounded it. A drum beat a steady cadence as six guardsmen carried a casket into the room and set it before the head table.
Amoro walked around the table and stood beside it. With his hand upon the latch, he raised it. “Good people of Portovenere, I present to you the long hidden treasure of Monterossa Castle.”
The crowd emitted another gasp, this one much louder than the first.
Everyone came to their feet and craned their necks to get a good view.
Amoro feared a commotion. He raised his hand and motioned for everyone to sit. “I promise that you will all have a chance to view the treasure, but first, my lady wife and I have something to announce.”
Silence reigned again. A strange, crackling energy filled the room.
Satisfied that he gained everyone’s attention, Amoro began. “Good fortune has provided the Lady Morena and me with many blessings. We wish to share our good fortune with you. The House of Dragone will pay fair market value for these treasures so that they can become part of the ducal collection of jewels to be handed down through the generations.
The money shall then be dispersed to benefit the citizens of Portovenere.” He paused for effect. “Firstly, taxes will be reduced for every family.”
A burst of applause ensued. When the room grew quiet, Amoro continued. “Each family will receive a percentage of the money to be used to enhance their farm or their craft or their business.”
All rose. The applause grew even louder.
“And lastly, a convent will be built within the town walls to provide for all widows and orphans.”
Those gathered jumped for joy, cheered, and congratulated each other. They patted each other on the back while they shouted out blessings to Amoro and Morena.
***
WHEN THE FEAST ENDED, the first rays of dawn began to colour the sky.
Morena had never been so happy in her life. Nor had she been as proud of anyone as she was of Amoro.
“A new life and a new future together,” Amoro whispered into her ear as he carried her to their bedchamber. Like a precious treasure, he laid her upon the bed and began to remove her clothes. “I vow you are the loveliest woman in the world.”
“When you look into my eyes, I believe you.”
“We have been through much in order to arrive at this very moment,” he said as he climbed into bed and pulled her against his hard length. He kissed her, once, twice, and then over and over again. Each skim of his lips ignited her passion.
“You awaken my soul and stir my passion,” he murmured as he buried his face in tresses.
“I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” she breathed into his ear.
“And I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
“I love you, Amoro Dragone,” she sighed. She brushed a lock of hair from his cheek.
“Redder than the rose, whiter than the lilies, fairer than everything, I’ll always glory in thee. The true treasure of Monterossa Castle rests in my arms.”