Page 122 of The Devil's Fire

“You were struggling to walk for a bit. More than before.” He gave a smug grin.

“You went quite…hard on me.” I was incredibly sore to the point I needed to have my legs slightly spread, so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

“Hmm, I tried to hold back, but watching you tied up like that, I couldn’t help myself.” He remarked. We came to a stop in front of the clinic, and he looked at me with hunger. I immediately recognized the look on his face when he ran a thumb over my lip.

“Oh, hell no! Don’t give me that look. You broke my vagina. I need a break!” I scoffed.

Damiano let out a laugh, one I couldn’t help but smile at as I enjoyed the rare sound. He looked so carefree right now, and the fluttery feeling in my stomach returned with a full force.

“Looks like it’s too early for someone.” Ellie chuckled when I struggled to keep my eyes open.

“I don’t know how you people do it. I will never be a morning person. I value sleep too much.” I tiredly leaned back in the chair so Ellie could examine me.

“It’s not too bad if you go to bed early.” She said, and I still disagreed. “Well, everything looks great!” She smiled.

She put on a pair of gloves and cleaned the wound before taking the tweezers and scissors in her hand to remove the stitches. Ellie had promised me this wouldn’t hurt, so I was a lot more relaxed when I felt the cold scissors on my forehead.

I shuddered in disgust and felt a wave of nausea as I could feel the threads being pulled out.

“Are you okay?” Ellie stopped.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just weird to feel them coming out.” I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my nausea. I directed my attention to Damiano’s tattooed arms, focusing on the art. He had incredible taste, and each piece was executed with precision.

One of my favorites was the lion. The majestic creature bared its teeth in a menacing snarl; the sharp canines were on full display, poised for an imminent attack. Yet, what captured me most was the subtle detail; a chain delicately draped around its neck. I loved this one so much because I saw it as a beautiful representation of his name.

“All done.” Ellie chirped.

“Already?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes. Everything looks wonderful, so you’re good to go. Are you making sure you’re resting and not putting pressure on your foot?”

“I’m making sure she’s staying in bed and doesn’t move around.” Damiano commented, shooting me a wink that had me blushing.

“I’m getting plenty of rest.” I smiled shyly.

I gave Ellie a big goodbye hug since I wouldn’t be seeing her until Cara’s wedding.

“What were you thinking about? You were smiling while she removed your stitches.” Damiano asked as we drove back to the manor.

“Oh, I was looking at your tattoo, and how I think it somehow represents your name.” I said, not knowing I had been smiling.

“Let me hear.”

“Damiano means ‘one who tames.’ Lions are known for their ferocity and untamed nature and can easily overpower and pose a lethal threat. They are not creatures typically subjected to domestication. Yet, there’s a contradiction in your tattoo since it has a massive chain wrapped around its neck. It’s as if you’ve tamed the untamable, asserting your dominance as Damiano, the one who tames.” I mused on his inked masterpiece.

Damiano responded with a knowing smile. He didn’t say a word but instead took my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of it, all while his focus remained on the road.

“And your name?” He asked, keeping my hand in his.

“Althaia means ‘one who heals and one who takes care.’”

“I like it. You are a pure soul, and your name suits you.” He gave me a soft smile, making me return a shy one.

“You know, in Greek mythology, Althaia was the Queen of Calydon, and a woman of fierce passion. She is celebrated in an ancient story about the fate of her son, Meleager. When he was born, the Moirai, or the Fates in English, came to foretell his future, and they predicted he would die as soon as one of the sticks in the fireplace burned out completely. When Althaia heard that, she pulled the stick from the fire, put the fire out, and hid it in a safe place.”

“Meleager turned out to be a very well-respected prince and one day, a large boar was sent to Calydon to ruin the land, and he was one of the warriors alongside Althaia’s brothers and a famous huntress, Atalanta. Meleager killed the boar but gifted the skin to Atalanta because she had landed the first strike. But also, because he was in love with her, even though he was married to someone else.”

“When his uncles heard of it, they were furious and insulted her, saying she was nothing but a mere woman and didn’t deserve the gift. Meleager got pissed and killed both of his uncles for insulting the woman he loved. Althaia heard of it and became so enraged that her son killed her brothers. And then she burned the piece of wood that was supposedly keeping him alive. Once engulfed in fire, he died.” I finished.

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