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tricks
on me? How different life would have been if it were only a
hallucination.
As I stood in confusion, he offered me his
arm. I accepted and we headed into the mansion together, leaving
Antonio behind to follow without a word. I didn’t dare anything
more.
There were whispers when Dante and I entered
the mansion arm in arm. I exuded confidence and loved the
attention. It was like I was nobility myself instead of a normal
girl turned courtesan. I recognized many of the men from their
visits to my chambers.
    “ Cortigiana!” I heard a
voice call out and a man brought a bouquet of red roses that
matched the scent of my perfume.
Dante had an odd smile and gave a small nod
when I looked up to him questioningly. I accepted the flowers,
realizing they were from him. A thorn had been missed and I sliced
my finger on it. I tried to hide it, but the cut had not escaped
Dante’s attention. We paused near the regal chair he had been
sitting in the first night we had met. Another, slightly smaller
chair pushed up against it. He lifted my hand and popped my
bleeding finger into his mouth in front of everyone. I was shocked,
but also found it oddly enticing.
On the small platform beside us was an easel
with a black cloth draped over what I could only assume was a
painting. I was becoming very aware that the night was more
significant than a welcome home party.
We were brought drinks. Mine was red wine.
His darker and thick in appearance. I finally made eye contact with
Antonio. He was at the back of the room staring at me as he took a
sip from his own beverage.
    “ Attention, my subjects!”
Dante called out. “We all know we are here because I like a great
party.”
    Subjects? Sanuto had influence and power, but he was not a
king. How could he have subjects? As I looked around, I noted that
the people did project a sort of reverence for the man. Normal
guests tended to be far less blatantly admiring than these men and
women, these perfect, beautiful people.
There was a round of laughter and clapping.
From the drunken exuberance in the room, I decided the party must
have started long before we arrived.
    “ Some of you know, Evelina
Angelis.” He gestured toward me. “Those of you who do not soon
will. The time has been long since I have had a constant companion.
Evelina is a woman that could rival any royalty. She is a queen to me. I wanted to
announce, to you—my most faithful children, my intent to wed
her.”
My eyes were still on Antonio. Vaguely, I
heard Dante’s words. At the announcement, Antonio clenched the
glass in his hand and it shattered. His hand was instantly coated
with the crimson drink. He didn’t even seem to notice what he had
done as he looked from me to Dante with an expression of pure
rage.
Dante. Marriage. Queen. I had trouble
processing the information.
    “ What do you have to say,
Evelina?” He asked.
I started once, but my voice caught in my
throat. “I… I have no idea what to say.” He squeezed my hand
tightly as if threatening me not to embarrass him. I dared not
protest so I added with a huge smile. “I am so happy that I cannot
find words to express the feeling.”
It was a lie. I had no problems pretending
to love the man, but marriage was sacred. There was only one person
that I could see myself marrying. Now it was hopeless. In front of
a crowded room, I had devoted myself to Dante. He was a man with
untold power and influence. To be the bride of someone so handsome
and rich should have been a dream come true. But all I could think
of was the lost opportunity to have a life with Antonio.
Dante released my hand and walked over to
the easel with the dark cloth. In a gesture faster than my eyes
could process, he whipped back the cover like a matador taunting a
bull, and revealed a painting. I was staring at myself. Was it
really me? The features seemed too perfect and precise, as if the
woman in the painting was more than human. Her left breast was
exposed. That depiction, I thought, fit