“I only need to survive this winter and protect what my father built.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet-lined box.

“This belonged to my mother,” he said.

He opened it to reveal a heavy gold ring set with a dark red ruby.

He took my hand.

His fingers were dry and cold, like parchment.

As he began to slide the ring onto my finger, a sudden, sharp metallic crash echoed from the courtyard below.

A shout followed, cut off abruptly by the sound of breaking glass.

Alessandro froze, his grip on my hand tightening painfully.

His eyes darted to the window as the sound of running footsteps began to rush up the stone stairs outside.

The door to the study burst open before the footsteps even reached the landing.

Matteo stood in the threshold, his dark wool coat dusted with light rain.

He held a heavy black pistol at his side, his knuckles white against the textured grip.

“We have a breach at the southern gate,” Matteo said, his voice flat and tight.

Alessandro did not let go of my hand.