The Raven (40 page)
I am indebted to Sandro Botticelli and the incomparable space that is the Uffizi Gallery. I’m also indebted to the citizens of Florence, who gifted me with hospitality and inspiration.
I’ve used poetic license in locating Raven’s restoration lab at the Uffizi, since it would have been undertaken at one of the labs operated by the Opificio instead.
Quotations from Lucius Apuleius’s “The Golden Ass” are from William Adlington’s translation, as presented in Project Gutenberg.
I am grateful to Kris, who read an early draft and offered invaluable constructive criticism. I am also thankful to Jennifer and to Nina for their feedback and support.
I’ve been very pleased to work with Cindy Hwang, my editor. Thanks are also due to Tom Guida for his wisdom and energy. And thanks to the copyediting, art, and design teams who worked on the book and its cover at various stages.
My publicist, Nina Bocci, works tirelessly to promote my writing and to help me with social media, which enables me to stay in touch with readers. I’m honored to be part of her team.
Elizabeth de Vos, Bee W., Elena, Becca, Ellie, Heidi, Tiffany, and Chris all contributed in their areas of expertise. Thank you.
I would also like to thank those who have offered support, especially the Muses, Erika, Argyle Empire, and the readers from around the world who operate the SRFans social media accounts.
Finally, I would like to thank my readers and my family. Your continued support is inestimable, especially as we return to Florence for a new adventure.
—SR
A
SCENSION
2014
Keep reading for an excerpt from
the sequel to
The Raven
, the second
book in the Florentine series.
Coming soon from Berkley Books
W
illiam leaned over, bringing his lips to Raven’s ear. “Happy birthday.”
Raven stood, staring at the man in the cell, a feeling of horror paralyzing her.
William noticed her pale face, her pounding heart, and the obvious scent of fear that lifted from her skin.
“That is not the reaction I was hoping for,” he said dryly.
She lifted a shaking finger, pointing toward the cell.
“What’s he doing here?”
William frowned. “I should have thought that would be obvious.”
Raven’s eyes met his. She blinked. “What?”
“I swore I’d give you justice.” He extended his hand in the direction of the prisoner. “This is justice.”
“How?” she asked, her breath hitching.
“I brought him here so you can kill him.”
An Outtake from
Gabriel’s Redemption
“I
think if we sat here long enough, the whole world would walk by.” Julia’s voice was wistful as she rested her head on Gabriel’s shoulder.
It was their last night in Florence. They’d spent the evening dining at a romantic restaurant overlooking the Arno River. Then they’d wandered the narrow streets before arriving at the Loggia dei Lanzi. From this vantage point, they could watch the Piazza della Signoria come to life after dark.
Tourists and locals milled about the Piazza or enjoyed a drink at one of the cafés. Nearby, a string quartet played Verdi, filling the square with a beautiful melancholy.
Julia watched in fascination as street vendors launched glowing cylinders into the air, the toys sparkling like firecrackers against the inkblack sky. But always, the objects would fall to the ground, their brief foray into the heavens ended by gravity.
A strange sadness crept over her. “We try to touch the stars, but we always fall back to earth.”
Gabriel drew her closer, wrapping his arm around her waist. “That’s true, but it isn’t like you to despair.”
“I’m not in despair. I just don’t want to go back. Not after . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“I don’t want to go back either, but summer has to end eventually.”
He brushed a light kiss against her dark hair before pulling her to her feet. As the music continued, he walked her to the center of the piazza. Then he took her in his arms and began to sway to the music.
She closed her eyes, floating over the stone beneath their feet as he expertly moved them.
He tightened his grip on her waist. “I’m sorry we’ve been fighting.”
Julia opened her eyes. “Me too.”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“You brought me here.”
“I’m the reason you’re constantly falling back to earth.” Gabriel’s blue eyes were earnest and searching. “I drag you from the stars—from where you belong.”
She gave him a sad smile. “It’s the human condition. We’re bound to fall.”
He stopped dancing, his eyes boring into hers. “You should never have to fall, Julianne.”
He kissed her gently and they continued dancing, stopping only when the last strains of Verdi no longer echoed through the night.
They returned to the loggia, sitting side by side on the stone bench. His fingers traced the folds of her silk dress in what he hoped would be a comforting manner.
“I wish I could sit in this piazza forever.” She gazed at the elaborate fountain nearby, and the elderly couple who were standing next to it, holding hands. “We could grow old here.”
Gabriel followed her gaze, the edges of his lips turning up.
“If you remained in this piazza, you’d be cold when winter comes.”
“Not if I had you to warm me.”
A smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m glad you find me useful, if only as a warming device.”
“You’re also an excellent tour guide.”
“Another way in which I’m useful.”
“And since your Italian is better than mine, you’re an effective translator.”
He brought his mouth to within inches of hers. “Shall I translate my favorite words?
Labbra? Lingua? Seno?
”
She traced the fullness of his lower lip with her middle finger. “
Lips
.
Tongue
.
Breast
. You’re very provocative this evening.”
“You’ve forgotten the most important way in which I’m useful.”
“And that is?”
His gaze grew heated and he lowered his voice. “As your lover.”
He nipped at her finger slightly, before drawing it into his mouth. He toyed with her for a moment, laving her skin with his tongue, before releasing her.
“I’m afraid that if you persist in staying in this piazza, my capacity as a lover will be sorely diminished.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Diminished?”
“For example, I couldn’t possibly do this in a piazza.” He brought their lips together.
Julia hummed her appreciation and Gabriel deepened their connection, his tongue stroking hers.
His hands moved to her face as Julia’s slid to his shoulders, pressing him closer.
“And I couldn’t possibly do this.” Gabriel spoke against her mouth as his thumb glided down the side of her breast.
She shivered.
“Or this.” His hand slid over the curve of her waist and around to her lower back. He ran a single finger just above the waistband of her panties, almost as if he were contemplating their removal.
“Or this.” His eyes suddenly alight, he covered her bare knee with his palm before coaxing her legs to part.
Julia’s skin grew warm at his touch.
“Move your hand any higher and we’re going to get arrested,” she whispered.
His eyes appeared to darken. “It will be worth it.”
She placed her hand over his, stopping the slow, teasing ascent.
“I think we’ve been the subject of enough scandals, Professor.”
“Then you’re going to have to leave this piazza before I slip my hand under your dress and show you what comes next.”
“Where would we go?”
“I know a much quieter piazza nearby.”
She stifled a laugh. “Is that the best you can do?”
“There’s always the hotel. I have a view.”
She cocked her head to one side. “A view?”
He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“The only sight worth seeing in this city is you. But the view from my hotel room isn’t entirely unfortunate.”
She lowered her eyes and blushed.
He squeezed her hand. “Florence has exceptional architecture and art. But Brunelleschi’s dome lacks your compassion. And no painting in the Uffizi could ever capture the beauty and warmth of your love.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Are you flirting with me, Professor?”
Gabriel brought his mouth to her ear. “This isn’t flirtation, Julianne. This is seduction. And I won’t rest until I enjoy the wonder that is your body, lying underneath me again.”
He kissed the shell of her ear, before moving down to the side of her neck. He pressed unhurried kisses against her skin, brushing against her collarbone.
“This is just the beginning,” he whispered, his hand caressing her side. “Think of the delights that await you.”
She hummed softly. “I’d like to hear more about that.”
He stood, holding out his hand.
“I’ll do more than tell you. But I’m afraid you’ll have to leave this piazza.”
Julia glanced over his shoulder at the fountain. She sighed.
“It’s hard for me to leave, knowing what awaits us at home.”
“But we’ll be together.” He tugged her into his arms. “Tonight I’ll help you touch the stars. And when you fall back to earth, I promise to catch you.”
She looked up him, at his tender, intense expression, and lightly cupped his angular jaw.
“What about you, Gabriel? Don’t you want to touch the stars?”
He smiled his slow, sweet smile.
“You’re the only star in my sky.”
She kissed him fiercely, before taking his hand and walking hurriedly toward their hotel.
Fin.
An Outtake from
Gabriel’s Redemption
July 2011
At a house in Umbria . . .
“J
ulianne.”
Gabriel’s voice startled her and she sat bolt upright at her desk.
He was standing in front of her, watching her hungrily. He was clad only in a pair of black swimming trunks, a towel slung over his shoulder.
“Oh, I didn’t hear you come in.” She admired his bare chest over her laptop, her fingers poised over the keyboard.
“It’s time for a swim.” His voice was a throaty whisper.
She gave him a guilty look. “I have so much work to do.”
“Ah, yes. I do recall having to work now and then when I was a graduate student.” His lips twitched, as if he were resisting a smile. “And what is Signora working on this evening?”
“I’m brushing up on my French.”
His blue eyes fixed on hers.
“Pourquoi?”
“Because it’s one of the languages I need for my research.”
Gabriel nodded and walked toward her. “This is very good news.”
“It is?” She looked up at him, for he was tall.
“Yes. Not only do I speak French, but I’m proficient in their kissing style as well.” He lifted his hand to sweep her dark hair behind her shoulders, running the backs of his fingers down the column of her throat.
“I seem to remember that. I think I needed to ask you for a translation.”
“No translation necessary. I know you speak the language of love.” He brushed their lips together.
Their mouths met, innocently at first. Then the moment Julianne parted her lips, his tongue teased hers, retreating backward until she followed.
“Come on.” He spoke against her mouth.
“I’m working, Gabriel. I can’t.”
“You can’t kiss me like that and go back to work.” He frowned. “Have mercy on me.”
“I don’t mean to tease you.” Julia glanced down at her French dictionary. “But there’s so much to do.”
“Just a few minutes. A midnight swim will clear your head of all the regular and irregular verbs and you’ll
parles français
in no time.” He kissed the palm of her hand, his eyes darkening slightly.
When she didn’t move, he continued. “Paris wasn’t built in a day.”
Gabriel leaned forward, bending at the waist. His eyes focused on hers. “And I want my Julianne back for a few minutes.”
They exchanged a long look.
Julia nodded.
He kissed her hand once again and led her to the master bedroom. She changed into a purple bikini while he retrieved another beach towel. Then they walked hand in hand to the outdoor pool.
Julia watched as Gabriel eschewed the outdoor lights and instead lit a series of candles, placing them around the perimeter of the pool. Soon the area was dappled in a warm, flickering glow.
“Bathing suits are optional.” Gabriel smirked, placing their towels over a chair.
“I don’t think so.” Julia lowered herself into the warm water.
“Our nearest neighbor is over a mile away. I think your modesty is safe.”