Luca's POV
I guided her past the crowds of onlookers, towards a hall on the far side. "Where are we going?", Mara asked softly. I smiled, "You'll see, bambina. Be patient", I replied, as I led her towards an open balcony. The sounds of the party faded more and more the farther we stepped away. When the garden and pond came into view, Mara gasped and released my hand to grab onto the railing.
"Holy-", she began slowly. "Don't say it", I cut her off. She stopped and looked at me suspiciously. A frown graced her lips. "Why can't I curse? You have monitored it for a minute now", she mentioned softly, tilting her head to the side. "I don't like it", I answered. Her frown deepened, "You curse all the time, Luca", she said. My lips twitched as a grin tried to form on my lips.
"I do, but tha
