Page 47 of The Don's Eternal Vows

"Ancient magic," he murmurs. "Rituals older than time itself. She gave me a map and the silver obols and showed me how to open the veil between worlds."

I shake my head, struggling to process it all. "It's... it's like something out of a fairy tale."

"Or a nightmare," Gianni adds softly. "But it was real. As real as you are now, here in my arms."

We push through the dense undergrowth, branches snagging at my clothes. Gianni's hand is warm in mine, guiding me forward. Suddenly, he stops.

"This is it," he says, his voice tight.

I blink, scanning the small clearing. There's nothing here but wildflowers and tall grass. "What's it?"

"Where the gypsy's hut stood." Gianni's eyes narrow, searching. "It was right here, I swear it."

I step forward, my feet sinking into the soft earth. No sign of a structure, not even a foundation. "Are you sure?"

He nods, running a hand through his hair. "Positive. I remember every detail."

A chill runs down my spine. "It's... gone like it never existed," Gianni murmurs.

I turn in a slow circle, taking in the untouched forest. "This is surreal. Did we imagine it all?"

Gianni's jaw clenches. "No. It happened. You're here, aren't you?"

I squeeze his hand. "I am. But how-"

A thought strikes me, and I gasp. "Gianni, what if... what if it wasn't just the gypsy looking out for you?"

He raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Your ancestor," I say softly. "The one who started the Montagna family. What if he's been watching over you all this time?"

Gianni's eyes widen. "You think he could have...?"

I nod. "Sent the gypsy. Guided you to me. Protected you when I couldn't."

He's quiet for a long moment, his gaze distant. When he speaks, his voice is thick with emotion. "A legacy of protection. Reaching across time itself."

I step closer. "Your family's love is stronger than death, Gianni. Just like ours."

Gianni wraps his arms around me, holding me close as if he never wants to let go. "I believe that now, more than ever," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “Now come, let’s go home.”

I close my eyes, letting the reality of our shared ordeal sink in. The truth of how far he went for me, of the forces that must have been at play to bring us back together.

So why does the thought of going home, whatever that means, terrify me so?

Images from the Underworld flash through my mind - the dark river, the shadows lurking in the corners, the echo of Hades' voice beckoning me back. Despite Gianni's comforting presence, a lingering fear gnaws at me. But his hand in mine is an anchor, a lifeline back to this world.

He steps back, his hand in mine. “Come,” he says, his eyes full of love.

We continue walking, the forest thinning as we near the road. My legs feel leaden, each step a struggle against an unseen force. Suddenly, a familiar, chilling voice whispers on the wind.

"Genoveva..." It's Hades, his tone a seductive caress. "Return to me..."

I freeze, my heart pounding. The world tilts, trees blurring into shadowy figures. My breath catches in my throat.

"No," I whisper, but doubt creeps in. What if this is all an illusion? What if I'm meant to be in the underworld?

Gianni's voice cuts through the fog. "Genoveva? What's wrong?"

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