Page 20 of Brightness

Tony chuckles and pulls back from Amalia, who wipes her lips before moving over to me. “Sorry… my husband has a profound effect on me. You’ll understand when you meet someone you can’t get enough of.”

My mind flashes instantly to Void.

The way my body reacts when he touches me.

The way I want to let all my inhibitions go when I’m around him.

I could get lost in him—if only he would let me.

Amalia smirks. “I know that look. You have someone already. Someone you feel strongly about.”

Dash turns to face me, his eyes lighting up.

Amalia tilts her head. “You do too, prospect. Hmm… this will be a fun excursion for you both.”

Mia mumbles under her breath, making us all turn to look at her.

“Mia, principessa? Are you waking up?” Matteo whispers, his hand moving out to caress her pale cheek.

Her eyelashes flutter, her bright green eyes blinking leisurely. A slow smile lights her face as she sees Matteo sitting on the edge of her bed. Suddenly, with all the energy she can muster, Mia shoots up and throws her arms around Matteo’s neck, pulling him in for an embrace. “Uncle Matty, you’re here, you’re here!”

My stomach clenches as Amalia’s palm moves to her chest, her face drooping like her happiness is bittersweet. Matteo embraces Mia tightly, but there’s a little hesitation in him—he doesn’t want to hurt her. He adores her.

It’s only now I realize the blond hair of Matteo, the blonde hair of Amalia, and the fact Mia called Matteo ‘uncle’ suggests maybe Amalia and Matteo are siblings. Matteo is Tony’s brother-in-law. The reason Matteo cares for Mia so much is because he’s actually Mia’s uncle.

They are family.

I get it.

She’s his niece, and he wants to protect her.

“I’ll always be here for you, Mia-bear, you know that,” Matteo tells her, pulling back to plant a tender kiss on her bald scalp.

“You’re showing your hand, Matteo,” Dash quips.

After elbowing Dash in the ribs and he snickers to himself, my eyes widen when everyone turns to face us. Their eyebrows shoot up in surprise—it’s like they forgot we were here.

Matteo grunts, stands from Mia’s bed, and straightens his suit. “The thing is, prospect, with the way you look at Ivy, you’ve played yours too. Guess it makes us both vulnerable.”

I scrunch my brows, and Dash’s nostrils flare as he lashes out. “You don’t know shit!”

“Enough with the pissing contest.” Tony interrupts Matteo and Dash in whatever the hell that little display was all about. “We’re here to introduce Ivy to Mia. Nothing more.”

My eyes meet Mia’s, which are practically glowing in happiness, even though her weakened body doesn’t show the same light. “It’s nice to meet you, Ivy.”

I give a little wave. “Nice to meet you too, Mia. I’m going to help you with some… um, stuff,” I say, not really sure what they’ve told her about me or what I’m allowed to tell Mia.

“You’re the one with the golden blood, like me?”

With wide eyes, I turn to Tony. “Matteo likes to tell her stories of a fair maiden with golden blood who will come save her. Mia loves a good fairy tale.”

“Uncle Matty tells the best ones.” Mia shines with excitement as Matteo winks at her.

“So, are you her? The fair maiden?” Mia asks, bouncing up and down on the edge of her bed excitedly.

“Don’t waste your energy, principessa,” Tony warns.

She instantly stops, but her big doe eyes stare up at mine.

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