I wouldn't stop crying. Sandro could die if I weren't fast enough. He breathed with difficulty, making me sweat more than ever before. I couldn't believe San had done that for me. Besides, I had to find out what he wished to say before the KHW invasion. It seemed important. Although I tried to heal him, I sobbed so much I couldn't concentrate. Isa hugged me tightly. Turning to her, I wasn't sure what to do. Guido's eyes were frozen open. It appeared he didn't expect the Knights to severely injure one of the Unity wizards. My chest hurt so much that it seemed a hand crushed my heart.

"Breathe, Val!" Isa placed her hands on my shoulders. "If you don't calm down, Sandro might die."

I panted. "It's just... San means a lot to me."

"My guards will carry Sandro to a guest bedroom. You can take care of him in there," Guido coughed while getting up from his bed. "Don't worry. I'll make them forget what they saw."

The Master Source called his guards. They quickly took San to a bedroom next to Guido's. Isa knitted her brows while looking at Sandro. Guido had both hands on his mouth, seemingly worried. Biting my lower lip, I cleaned San's injury. The bleeding wouldn't stop. His skin slowly turned pale, and he started closing both eyes. He was running out of time. I couldn't let him die.

Sandro can't shut his eyes!

I looked at Guido and Isabella. "Could you please leave me alone with him?"

They left and closed the door. My hands trembled as I attempted to close San's colossal wound. My neck was extremely sweaty. If Sandro were just another patient, I wouldn't be freaking out. My stupid emotions made the healing magic slower. I healed with one hand while I comforted him with the other.

"I'm here, San," I caressed his hand. "Don't leave me."

I took off Sandro's tunic, leaving him only with pants and boots. Once I saw his wound more clearly, I stopped the bleeding. Tears ran down my face as I felt Sandro's destroyed organs. Taking several deep breaths, I summoned my powers. The purple glow on my hands was so intense my eyes burned. My magic ran through Sandro's veins, reaching his stomach. With my eyes closed, I tried not to make any mistakes. I hated it when emotions messed with my work.

You will save him. Have faith in yourself.

Despite my efforts, San kept bleeding internally. The sword had hit an artery, flooding his insides with the red fluid. It wasn't easy to put blood inside a high-pressure vessel, so I couldn't stop sweating. Wiping away a tear, I moved the blood back into the artery and closed it. Healing his damaged organs, I sighed in relief. I put my hand on his arm again, ensuring no internal bleedings were present.

"It looks like my job is done," I stroked his cheeks. "Can you hear me, San?"

Nothing. Despite my successful healing, Sandro remained still as a rock. My eyes bulged as I placed my head on his chest. His heartbeat was so weak I could barely hear it. I touched his arm while closing my eyes, taking my powers to his heart. My head was spinning. Releasing a quick stream of magic, I attempted to make his heartbeats quicker. I did it numerous times. No change. That was it. I'd lose someone I cared deeply about... Somebody who would never find out how I felt.

Why did I let my fear take control? I should've told him about my feelings!

"You can't leave me," I rubbed my eyes. "I need you, Sandro Montefiore. Your crazy ideas, mischievous smile, warm touch, dancing skills... Everything!"

I wouldn't give up on him. Sending my magic to his chest, I tried again. On my seventh try, he quickly opened his eyes. Breathing quickly, he stared at the ceiling. I made the Sign of the Cross since I was grateful San had survived. He blinked fast, seemingly disoriented.

"Where are we?" Sandro tilted his head to the side. "Who are you?"

"We're at the Laterano," I looked deep into his eyes. "It's me, Tina."

San shrugged. "I don't know anyone named Tina."

My eyes bulged. That couldn't be happening. If Sandro had forgotten me, I'd never be able to express my feelings. Not even if I wanted to. He kept staring at me like he wanted answers. I pressed my lips together, unsure what to do. Suddenly, San burst into laughter. I scowled as he couldn't stop it. What was going on? Had he gone crazy? I shook my head in denial, unable to believe what had happened.

"You had to see your face!" San kept laughing. "It was hilarious!"

I ground my teeth. "Why did you try to deceive me?"

"I wanted to decrease the tension a little," he winked. "Don't worry, beautiful. I'd never forget you."

My expression remained stern as San put his tunic back on. I always enjoyed Sandro's jokes, but that was too much. Didn't he know I was freaking out because of his near-death experience? How could he pretend to forget me? That was outrageous! Either that or I was so overwhelmed that anything made me angry, even a simple joke.

Can't he see this isn't funny?

"Unbelievable!" I paced back and forth. "This is how you thank me?"

Sandro raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You let me believe you forgot who I am!" I bared my teeth. "After everything we've gone through, how could you do that?"

"It was just a joke!" San approached me. "Why are you so angry about it?"

My eyes almost jumped off my face. "Because one of the most important people in my life didn't remember me!"

Sandro froze. I swallowed hard. Why did I tell him that? I had to find out what made me tell unnecessary truths to San. Now he would suspect I liked him. Did I want him to know about my feelings or not? I couldn't figure it out. A part of me was sure it'd bring trouble, while the other knew life was too short to keep suppressing emotions. Every minute we spend with someone could be the final one. We never knew when the last moment would arrive.

Sandro's lips curled into a sweet smile. "I didn't know I mattered that much to you."

"You do! Congratulations!" I shot him a sarcastic look. "How could you do this?"

He frowned. "I'm completely confused here."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop pretending you don't know!"

This is killing me!

I wouldn't stop rubbing my head while walking back and forth. My emotions tortured me like a thousand knives. If Sandro hadn't risked himself for me, I wouldn't have started wanting him more. Why did life enjoy putting me in trouble? From all men, did it have to be the one I was forbidden to like? I could never understand. I had less control over my feelings than I had imagined.

San walked closer. "Can you explain what's happening?"

"It's better if I don't," I approached the door. "Thank you for saving my life today."

Although I didn't want to admit it, my emotions made me dizzy because nothing made sense. I ran from the bedroom like a crazy person. Isa seemed startled as her eyes bulged. Guido's guards tried chasing me, but he stopped them. Luckily, the Master Source had gotten rid of our enemies' bodies, which meant the guards wouldn't bother us much. I didn't know whether I laughed or cried as I left the palace. To make things worse, I got soaked. It was raining outside.

"I should've just thanked him for being a hero!" I panted while putting both hands on my head. "Now Sandro will think I don't like him... or that I like him? I have no idea!"

I wanted to tell San the truth. After all, I had almost lost him. However, I was still afraid. What would my family think? Did he feel the same? Even though Sandro flirted, maybe he did that with everyone. Most men never saw me as a woman. I was either annoying, invisible, or just another guy for them. I didn't want Sandro to hurt me as well. That was the last thing I needed.

"Tina, is something wrong?" Sandro ran to me. "Did I upset you?"

I shook my head in denial. "I'm sorry for freaking out. I've been going through something complicated lately."

"Please, tell me about it," he walked closer. "I'm here for you. Always."

"I... I just don't understand!" I knitted my brows while panting. "This is crazy!"

He raised his brows. "You'll have to elaborate."

I squeezed my eyes shut. "Why did you make me like you so much?"

God, this felt good!

Sandro gaped while I glanced at the ground. The rain became more intense, causing me to shiver. I wanted to regret what I had said, but I didn't. Hiding the truth was making me lose my mind. Despite fearing the consequences, my heart didn't care. Only my head did. Regardless, I had removed a huge weight from my chest.

"I want to be with you. I feared what others would think, but that's not the case anymore. Especially after I almost lost you," I took a deep breath. "You're not just good-looking, San. You're kind, sweet, funny, and make me crazy with your mischievous grin."

Sandro blinked fast, apparently freaking out. I sighed in relief, glad I told him how I felt. Perhaps he thought I was insane, but I didn't care. San had to accept my weirdness. Despite my frustration with men, I wouldn't change for them. Not even for one I really liked. Taking several deep breaths, I tried not to lose control.

"I won't be upset if you don't feel the same," I sighed while remembering past disappointments. "It's been like this my whole life anyway."

Was I being dramatic? Not really. Nothing I said wasn't true. Ettore had not been the only man who'd rejected me. Perhaps I shouldn't tell men I liked them. I didn't know what the right thing to do was. If I died alone, at least I'd still be myself. San tilted his head to the side, analyzing my facial expression. I had no idea what he was thinking. Although I could jeopardize our friendship, I had to take that risk.

"I'd normally get angry at this silence, but it's better if you don't say anything," I huffed. "I'm sick of that speech. I've heard from many people that I must change for men to appreciate me and..."

Sandro gently pulled my face closer, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips against mine. An explosion of sensations took place in my chest, spreading an unexplainable warmth through my body. I shut my eyes, feeling him passionately sucking my upper lip. I felt insane hot shivers as San ran his fingers through my hair, wishing he would never let me go. I put my hands around his neck as he pulled me closer by the waist. I never thought I'd be so happy about Sandro shutting me up. That was the best interruption ever. We were out of breath once the kiss ended.

"I wouldn't change a thing about you, Tina," Sandro put a strand of hair behind my ear. "Don't listen to the nonsense people say. They're wrong."

I smiled. "Thank you for telling me that."

"I just have one question," San pressed his lips together. "Did I ruin your first kiss?"

I laughed. "Only if you don't give me a second one."

Sandro smirked. "How about ten more?"

He's amazing!

I chuckled as we kissed for a second time. Then for a third, a fourth, a fifth... I lost track as we kept feeling each other in the rain. Every kiss made me want Sandro even more. I loved it when he put his warm hands on me. Despite having had feelings for other men, none made me feel like San did.

My lips curled into a shy smile. "I guess it's safe to assume you like me too."

"Incorrect. I like you insanely. That's what I wanted to tell you before that stupid noise," San caressed my cheeks. "You're the most fascinating and wonderful woman I've ever met. Let's be together."

I heard someone clearing their throat when we were about to kiss again. I gulped as I saw Isa at the Laterano's entrance. She had a huge smile on her face. I felt my cheeks turning red and wanted to hide from her. Sandro rubbed his neck, seemingly surprised too.

"I'd stay away from the rain if I were you," Isabella winked. "You might become lovesick."

"You're unbelievable," I rolled my eyes and laughed. "How much did you see?"

"Enough to know you stopped stalling," Isabella embraced Sandro and me. "I'm so proud of you, little wizards!"

Can she become any cuter?

Although I was suffocating because of Isa's tight hug, I didn't want her to stop. All I needed was happiness that day. She wouldn't stop giggling, which made me laugh uncontrollably. Sometimes it seemed Isabella supported me more than my family. She was the craziest and loveliest friend.

"I'll tell Guido about you two later. Now, you must get dry and return to heal him," Isabella said. "See you in his bedroom!"

Isa walked away, leaving me alone with San in the hall. He wouldn't stop smiling mischievously, making me chuckle. We held hands while observing the palace. I grinned as he put an arm around my shoulder. After so many heartbreaks, I thought I'd never have that moment in my life. I finally felt seen.

Sandro slowly caressed my back. "After we finish our healing session, shall we take a walk around Rome?"

"Of course," I nodded. "Maybe we could have some beer and swordfish."

"A perfectly imperfect combination," he brought me closer. "Just like us."

We laughed as I rested my head on his shoulder. Even though trouble could come, I wanted to give that relationship a try. He was so different and yet so like me. I wished that moment would never end. A small part of me still feared the consequences, but I neglected my fear that day. I didn't want anything to get in the way of my joy. Despite the problematic situation with the Knights, all I thought about was San. I couldn't wait to see what the future had prepared for us.

****

Author's note: Valentina and Sandro finally took an important step! Will Santina survive the obstacles life has to offer? What does the future hold for them? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend NatashaIli