Marco’s chest had a tiny, V-shaped cut on it—not a fingernail deep. Kat seized his wrists. She was shaking too badly to feel for a pulse. She pressed her ear to his chest. After a terrible instant of fear—silence!—then she heard his heart beating. Beating steadily.
Suddenly, Marco breathed deeply and put his arms around her. She clung to him like a drowning woman.
“I can never leave here, you know,” he said softly. “He said so. I have to stay, or he can’t protect Venice.”
She burrowed against his chest, not giving a damn who he was. “I will never leave here then, either.”
* * *
It was Benito who found them, nearly an hour later. He walked in and stared at the two of them.
“Thank God Claudia knew where this place was. Otherwise you two lovebirds might still have been here tomorrow. Tore the shirt off him, eh, Kat?” He was grinning broadly. “I must get Maria to have a little talk with you, girl. Tearing the breeches off him is much more satisfying for everyone.”
“Benito!” roared Marco.
It was a real roar. The windows rattled.
Benito started at the sound, but the grin stayed on his face even if it became a little less broad.
But as he looked around, studying the room, the grin faded away. The bodies. The paraphernalia.
“So I didn’t imagine the Lion,” he said quietly. “I think you two had better get out of here, before someone else finds you. I’ve got news for the two of you; besides that, Dorma and Montescue are both searching frantically for you.”
They got up. “Tell, Benito,” said Kat. “What’s happened?”
Benito managed another grin. “Well, lots of stuff. The Doge has stopped slipping into a coma, but he’s really weak. He’s offered his resignation, as he says the city needs a strong Doge in these times. I reckon Petro will be chosen, even as young as he is. A boat’s just come in from Chioggia. Grandfather Dell’este and the Knights of the Holy Trinity and the boys in the Polestine forts made my father and his army head back to Milan.” His good cheer faded. “But it looks as if Caesare Aldanto managed to escape.”
“What?!” They both exclaimed simultaneously. “Damn him,” added Kat, snarling.
Benito walked toward the nearest window, still covered with heavy drapes. “Let’s get some light in here, what say?” He shrugged. “Nothing’s ever perfect. Aldanto had a galley ready—in case things went wrong, I guess. That’d be just like him. When the fog cleared and the Lion’s Shadow spooked them, he took advantage of it. Just in time, too. Petro Dorma is spitting mad about it. And he’s looking for you pair of lovebirds.” He looked quizzically at them. “So what are you going to do now?”
Marco took Kat’s hands. “Kat. You realize that this doesn’t change anything? I made my promises. I’m still married to Angelina.”
Kat smiled. “Marco. I’ll be your mistress if you want me. I’ll be your friend if you don’t. But I won’t leave you again.”