I couldn't think. People called me a criminal for loving Valentina, my mom was in danger, Inquisition men had shown up... It was too much. My mom and Carla panted, apparently desperate. Roberto gawked, seemingly confused about the situation. Honestly, the insults weren't the things that hurt me the most. It was the Inquisition's boldness. How could they hold innocent women hostage just to make me surrender? Besides, Pietro was crazier than I'd thought. I never imagined he could put his wife's life in danger. I wouldn't say it out loud, but I wanted to sob. The guests' hateful stares made me sweat. It seemed they saw a beast. In their eyes, I was a monster for loving Valentina.

"This is madness," I frowned. "The Inquisition has no proof of what you said, Pietro.

"It's Mr. Attolini for you!" Tina's stepfather shouted. "Besides, they don't need it. I gave these good men some lire."

"You bribed them!" Valentina rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"

Mom gasped. "Don't surrender to these men, Val! If you don't challenge them, no one will."

A soldier squeezed my mother's neck. "Shut up!"

"Sandro, I believe it's time to use your special skills!" Roberto whispered. "Isn't it?"

Tina and I looked at each other, then back at the inquisitors. Although the regular Inquisition weren't Knights and had no Tenebris stones, they were still dangerous. If those idiots hurt my mother or Valentina, I'd never forgive myself. My woman approached me, apparently concerned. Pietro pursed his lips as if he wanted to kill me. If Ettore and Tina's stepfather had met, they would've become best friends.

What is the best option? I don't want just to stand here, but I also can't risk letting these men hurt my mother and Carla.

While thinking about that challenging situation, my eyes widened. I finally had an idea. It was risky, but I had to give it a try. Valentina would probably hate it. However, I saw no other choice. Despite having magical powers, I feared getting stabbed. I didn't want to test my immortality. Besides fearing death, I couldn't let my child be fatherless or Tina alone. I needed them as much as they needed me. Sighing, I prayed the Inquisition soldiers were weaker than they seemed.

Valentina decreased her tone of voice. "Please, don't tell me you're thinking of something dangerous."

"A little bit. I must know something first," I whispered. "Is your stepfather aware that we're immortal?"

"Pietro said he heard some of what I told my mom. I'm not sure immortality was among those things," Tina raised a brow. "Why?"

I took a step forward. "You'll see."

She held me by the arm. "San, are you about to do something stupid?"

"This will work," I tried to hide my fear. "Trust me."

Because I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't.

Walking closer to my enemies, I put my hands up to show I had surrendered. Pietro's lips curled into a huge smile. Although I didn't know Carla well, I was sure that horrible man didn't deserve her. Only God knew what else he could do if he was crazy enough to threaten Valentina's mom. Hopefully, that idiot wasn't a disguised Knight.

"Alright. You got me," I faked a sad face while holding a laugh. "I'm ready to be punished for my horrible actions that put no smiles on Valentina's face."

"Sarcastic and imprudent! Now I know why my stupid stepdaughter fell into your trap: you're both the same!" Pietro wrinkled his nose. "Why should I believe you?"

"I love Valentina too much to make her suffer," I glanced at Tina. "Besides, I won't let you kill innocent women."

Rubbing his chin, Pietro wouldn't stop analyzing my face. I remained still as a rock, controlling myself not to punch him everywhere I could. If the Inquisition men didn't arrest me, the situation could worsen.

"Fine," Valentina's stepfather turned to his men. "Take this dirty beast before I strangle him!"

Tina laughed. "I'd love to see you try."

"Stop being so sharp-tongued!" Pietro bared his teeth. "When will you learn to be a woman?"

Valentina shot the idiot a challenging gaze. "When are you learning to be a man?"

"Insolent! That's why I took such a long time to find a gentleman who'd accept your ridiculousness," Tina's stepfather pointed at me. "Take this Jew away before I lose my patience."

I let two Inquisition men take me close to the church's open doors. Pietro nodded, leading the other guards to release my mother and Carla. That was it, the moment I'd see if the Unity magic was as strong as Guido claimed. Closing my eyes, I felt the mystical energy running through my veins, making my wrists blue and shiny.

Mom's chin trembled. "Why are you doing this, my son?"

"Because Valentina's stepfather made a mistake," I smiled mischievously. "He underestimated a stubborn wizard."

Taking a deep inhalation, I levitated the guards and threw them against the painted church walls. The guests ran and screamed. Valentina took a step forward and did the same to three men who tried to attack her. They seemed desperate as their backs collided against some high columns.

I hope this ends well.

Sighing, I gazed at the giant cross at the altar. I couldn't believe that was the only reason I wasn't allowed to be with Tina. What crosses and menorahs were but symbols? Those differences shouldn't matter when the subject is love. Religion is supposed to give you a purpose, not control your life.

Roberto pointed to someone behind me. "Careful, Sandro!"

I dodged the guard's blow. My opponent would've stabbed me if it weren't for Roberto, so I thanked him. After escaping another attack, I set my enemy on fire and threw him into the street. That church didn't deserve to burn because of an inquisitor.

"You must die for what you did to Valentina!" Pietro bared his teeth. "Why don't you just give up?"

I chuckled softly. "Because I need to take you somewhere special first."

Using my levitation, I took Tina's stepfather so far from the church that I don't know where he fell. Carla laughed. Although Valentina's mother probably wouldn't admit it, I had done her a huge favor. My mother put a hand on her mouth, seemingly hiding a smile. Tina walked closer once she burned an inquisitor.

"That was amazing," Valentina winked. "It gave me some interesting ideas..."

I grinned. "Your wishes will be fulfilled later, beautiful."

"I hope so," she subtly licked her lower lip. "Otherwise, I'll be forced to punish you."

I couldn't hold a laugh. "I wouldn't mind."

I felt an annoying headache as more Inquisition men showed up. Even though Valentina and I were fighting them, it wouldn't solve the problem. They would keep coming, and we'd never get out. There had to be another strategy. I sighed, glad our family was still unharmed.

"I have an idea," I whispered to Tina while setting a guard on fire. "On three, we remove all these men from our way."

"Perfect," Valentina's purple glow became stronger. "One, two..."

"Three!" I finished her sentence.

Tina and I directed our magic towards the six remaining guards with all our strength. We levitated the men and threw them off the church, giving us more space to flee. Most of them screamed, apparently scared. Mom nodded and smiled widely, and Roberto hugged me. I returned the embrace, glad he was unharmed. Some guests were still running and shouting, so I swallowed hard. Despite my past experiences, I would never get used to how people saw me.

"What do we do now?" Roberto's eyes widened. "Are we done with those idiots?"

"Probably not. We must leave and pray they won't catch us at the exit," Valentina gazed at my friend. "I understand Anna is San's mother, but who are you?"

"Roberto Boralevi. His best friend," he shook hands with Tina. "I've heard a lot about you, Ms. Trovato."

"Hopefully, good things only," Tina slightly narrowed her eyes while looking at me. "Otherwise, Mr. Montefiore will be in trouble."

"I wouldn't worry," Roberto chuckled softly. "He adores you."

"It'd be great to say everything I love about Tina, but we're running out of time," I recalled our problem with the Inquisition. "They may come back any minute."

"You're right," Valentina sighed. "Why don't we turn invisible and wait until they go away?"

"That wouldn't work. We might get lost because we won't be able to see each other," I glanced at a wall. "Let's go as far as we can from this church."

Tina nodded. Taking a deep breath, I looked in every direction outside the church. There weren't any enemies. Mom, Tina, Carla, and Roberto followed me to a small street once we walked a few blocks. The silence was so great I could hear myself breathing. Valentina placed a hand on her head while grimacing, seemingly in pain.

I put an arm around her back. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm just a little dizzy. My magic makes the feeling go away, but it sometimes comes back fast," she explained. "Being a healer doesn't completely spare me from pregnancy symptoms."

"I know this was unplanned, but I'm excited to meet our child," I smiled while trying to imagine how my kid would be. "It'll be very..."

A noise interrupted me. Unfortunately, that sound was swords. I got in front of Tina once Pietro showed up with his men. Somehow, he had found two more soldiers. I had to make sure Valentina and our unborn child were safe. The baby may not have developed healing magic yet, so I wouldn't take any chances. Conjuring my magic, I breathed fast while the inquisitors walked closer.

"Did you think you'd escape your fate, filthy boy?" Pietro ground his teeth while pointing to us. "Get them! At this point, I don't care who gets killed."

I couldn't help but gawk. Tina did the same. Pietro indeed had no consideration for his wife or stepdaughter. All that he wanted was to look good in front of the Church. Valentina asked my mom, Carla, and Roberto to step back. Gulping, I used my powers as much as I could. I levitated men, threw them against walls, set some on fire, and turned invisible to make the idiots trip. Valentina did the same but faster. Even pregnant, she overcame me in agility.

I'm glad I have such a strong woman by my side.

My hands hurt after I used so much magic. Dodging blows, punching men, and using powers made me sweat. Valentina looked to our left. I saw a big round portal to the Laterano when I followed her gaze. Guido observed us from his bedroom, apparently concerned.

The Master Source's eyes widened. "Jump! All of you!"

Although Tina and I did our best, some enemies remained alive. My legs burned as I sprinted with her and the others. The portal closed when I thought Pietro and the inquisitors would reach us. I sighed in relief once we landed in Guido's large bedroom. Isabella hugged Valentina and me tightly. Even though we escaped the Inquisition, I kept panting. Those scary guards were incredibly quick.

Isa smiled broadly. "Welcome back, little wizards!"

I sighed in relief. "It's good to see you again, Isa. A lot has happened since we left."

"Spare me the repetitive gossip. Guido and I know everything that happened," Isabella chuckled. "Arranged marriage, pregnancy, the Inquisition... You certainly kept yourselves busy."

Valentina blinked fast. "How did you find out all of that?"

"I'm the Master Source, remember? I saw everything through my magic and showed it to Isa," Guido laughed. "We thought you and Sandro could use some help."

"You were right. However, I have a question," I recalled the guests running away from Tina and me. "Now that many people know about my situation with Tina, where do we go? We can't return to Venice. It's too risky."

"That's exactly why we wanted to talk to you," Isa took a deep breath. "We have a proposition."

Let's hope it's something worthwhile.

Although Isabella and Guido had always been great friends to Tina and me, I wasn't sure what to expect. I gulped, praying they wouldn't tell us separation was the best option. Mom and Carla breathed quicker, apparently concerned. I couldn't abandon Valentina and our child because they were my life. There was no way I would lose them again. The arranged marriage had been scary enough. I didn't need new things to worry about.

"As the Catholic Church's head, I have a lot of power. I know many clergy members," Guido walked closer. "Since I haven't resigned yet, I can talk to a priest. He'll marry you and Valentina."

Tina's lips curled into an excited smile. "That's wonderful!"

"There's only one problem... Sandro must convert to Catholicism. I'm only acquainted with Catholic priests," the Master Source turned to me. "You don't need to embrace the religion. Going through the rituals before getting married is all you must do."

My mother bit her lower lip. "Isn't there another alternative?"

Isabella shook her head in denial. "Marriage between people from different faiths is forbidden. Especially if the man is Jewish and the woman Catholic."

Pacing back and forth, I thought about Guido's words. Did I want to become a Catholic? Not exactly. Despite that, I couldn't put my interests above my family. I would survive going through some rituals to marry Tina. It was better than losing her and our kid. A few months ago, I would've denied it. However, love had made me different. Besides, I didn't need to be a real Catholic, so the false conversation shouldn't be a problem.

"I'll do it. It's alright," I winked at Valentina. "We'll be ourselves when no one's watching."

"Yes!" Tina looked deep into my eyes. "I can't wait to marry you!"

I pulled Valentina closer as she gave me a heartfelt kiss on the lips. Even though the circumstances weren't ideal, I was looking forward to spending the rest of my eternal life with Tina. Without her, my life would be empty and boring like before. I was wrong about love being horrible. It made me feel complete.

"My daughter will marry the man she loves!" Carla hugged Tina. "I couldn't be happier!"

"I feel the same," my mother embraced me tightly. "It's not a real conversion, so we don't have to worry."

Valentina caressed my arm. "Let's celebrate!"

"Wait! Before we do anything, can I feel our baby's soul?" I recalled the second glow I saw when Valentina broke up with me. "I've been curious about it for a while."

Tina nodded while smiling. As my magic ran through my veins, I placed a hand on her belly. I closed my eyes and directed my soul healing powers towards Valentina's second glow. Frowning, I realized there was a third essence. Confused, I compared the two elements with Valentina's. They were the same, meaning that all were souls. I gawked once I realized the truth. Blinking fast, I stopped using my powers. Everyone stared at me as if I had seen a ghost.

This is crazy and beautiful at the same time.

Tina took my hands in hers. "What happened?"

"I saw two souls besides yours!" my lips curled into a huge grin. "We're having twins!"

"Two grandchildren?" my mother laughed excitedly. "How delightful!"

Isabella's eyes gleamed. "Double cuteness? Congratulations!"

"Indeed! Now we must marry Valentina and Sandro before the twins are born and keep them here with..." Guido looked at the people with us. "Who are these individuals again?"

"I thought you knew everything, but we can introduce them," Valentina kept smiling. "I can't believe I'm pregnant with twins! This journey will be challenging and yet wonderful."

"I'm looking forward to experiencing this with you, my love," I kissed Tina on the forehead. "Now, I shall introduce everyone."

Once everybody got acquainted, we went to Guido's massive dining room for a celebration dinner. Sighing pronouncedly, I felt lucky to have amazing friends and family. The Knights and the stupid rules created problems, but we won. All I wanted was to be with Valentina and raise our children. Together we could do anything. If we were lucky, the day of our ideal marriage would come. Perhaps there was still hope for our unfair world.

****

Author's note: Valentina and Sandro have finally defeated evil. Will they have a happy life together? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend SVR1965