Venetian Nights

by Charlotte Davis

There were whispers. A sense of expectation ran through the city like ripples on the canals we depended upon. Signor Bracconiere had found something, a gift to the Doge. I didn’t know what, but I did know we would find out tonight; the first night of Carnevale. I also knew I would don my mask and join the festivities. Enjoying the false freedom anonymity provided.

I pinned my mother’s brooch to the front of my dress—the large amethyst stood out against the royal blue brocade and embellishing silver thread. A matching tricorn sat waiting atop the stand on my dresser. The volta mask I had selected for this evening sat beside it, its ribbons drooping off the edge.

I had nine days left. Nine days to pretend I wasn’t being sold like chattel. On the tenth, I would be presented to the Doge for marriage to his nephew, a man I had never met. I intended to enjoy every second of what freedom I had left.

#

Allyssa’s eyes opened slowly as if even the act of untangling her eyelashes might be too much to bear. No burning beams of sunlight accosted her irises. No soft blanket of starlight. Instead, an unnatural twilight seemed to stem from all directions as if filtering through the walls themselves. She could think of no other explanation as she could see no windows.

Gradually, she raised her head and pushed herself to a sitting position. Her wings naturally flared to assist her balance, but the tiny movement sent a wave of pain crashing through her. A deep breath helped calm it but added further worries to her gradually panicking mind. The air felt blank. No scent of the pines or the delicate fragrance of mountain heather that should just be starting to bloom. No gently undulating breeze or howling gale. No taste of salt from the far-off ocean. Blank.

Unsteady on only her feet, she approached the wall. As she neared, she thought she saw movement beyond. Another fae stumbled slightly and seemed to have just noticed Allyssa also. She wasn’t alone. Relief coursed through her and she leapt forward, wincing as her wings opened wide and fluttered a moment to give her stability. The other fae matched her movement. It was only when Allyssa’s hands met smooth glass, and she found herself staring into her own wide, lilac eyes, that she realised her mistake. A pained cry left her mouth, and she slammed a flat palm against the face of her reflection. She could now see the second, darker wall beyond, its soft shadowing playing tricks on her perceptions.

#

I took the offered hand as I disembarked my gondola, following my Zia up the steps towards the piazza. She would find her coven soon enough and I’d be able to slip off into the crowd.

“Come Isabella.” Flicking her fan, she paused for me to catch up and wove her arm through mine. “We must be seen. Just because you are to be betrothed does not mean we cannot show what others are losing.”

Behind expressionless porcelain, I rolled my eyes but said nothing. I had no interest in someone who could choose a wife based only on a painted facade. I allowed myself to be led through the throng past Basilica de San Marco. Strains of Vivaldi and Rossini wafted around us and I let myself be swept along on the sweet scent of frittelle and castagnole.

We had almost reached the Palazzo Ducale when it happened. Distracted by the lanterns strung along the waterfront, my shoulder collided with that of a young man. I stumbled back and felt the crunch under my foot. The man’s hand flew to the extended beak of his now askew mask and I heard a vague whisper as he cursed under his breath. Sweeping my skirts aside, I looked to see a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. One of the lenses had been turned to glittering dust by the heel of my shoe.

“Mi dispiace, signore!” I apologised as I handed them to him. “I did not realise-” He cut me off with a wave of his hand. Straightening his mask he rebalanced the glasses on his beak.

“Nessun problema, signorina, the fault is mine.”

I was about to argue but felt a tug against my arm and was once again swept away into the crowd. However, I could feel his gaze, as if he watched me long after I turned my back.

#

Long fingers searched for any sign of weakness or imperfection - anything that might indicate a way out. Round and round Allyssa went until the twilight dimmed and changed. What had been a steady greyish blue had gone and now slowly flickered with an ever-changing orange tint.

She had lost count of how many times she had walked the edges of her prison when she heard it. Music. Muffled and indistinct, but music nonetheless. Melodies and harmonies danced like water tumbling down a rocky brook. The slightly pointed tips of her ears quivered as she searched for the source, but it echoed around the glass like a memory bouncing around her mind. Other sounds were joining it now. Voices. Not those of the fae. Deeper, slower, like an old river as it nears the sea, yet there was a buzz to them, an underlying tension that thickened the previously blank air. A slight draft caught her attention, and she tracked its source to where the wall met the floor. Kneeling, she flicked her tongue out, tasting the air. Not fear. Excitement, anticipation. All wrapped up in hot sugar and - she flicked her tongue out again - spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg and others she didn’t recognise.

#

I have always enjoyed balls, although not for the reasons most girls do. I can dance, and with the right partner I even enjoy it, but what I love most is watching the other attendees. There are many secrets unintentionally laid bare just by watching interactions in a ballroom.

After making our grand entrance, my Zia quickly spotted a close acquaintance and lost interest in her task as my chaperone. I took advantage and slipped away to a quieter corner where I could see without attracting too much notice. I studied the men on either side of the Doge as he looked down upon the proceedings, trying to figure out which was his nephew, which one I would soon belong to. Masks hide a great deal and I could not discern who my potential jailor would be.

No. I would not think any more of it. I watched as a man approached my Zia, bowed and offered his hand; sensed her smile from behind her black velvet mask as she accepted and he led her to the dancefloor.

There was a prickling down my spine as I realised I too was being watched.

“You will not tempt many partners if you stay in the shadows, signorina.”

I knew who it was without needing to turn and see the glasses perched on his pale mask.

“You assume I wish for partners?” I did look at him then and took a moment to study what the mask did not cover. Dark hair, curling slightly at his collar. His costume understated but clearly expensive. I wished I could see his eyes but they were hidden in shadow. Did they twinkle with the same mischief I could hear in his voice?

“I assume nothing about you, signorina. But come, tell me, who is it you watch so intently?”

I hadn’t the heart to admit my attempts to identify my betrothed, to say as much out loud would have made it too real.

“My Zia, in the red dress with gold birds embroidered on the skirt.” My breath hitched as he stepped closer to see what I could.

“And the man with her is your uncle? They must make for a happy pair.”

“My uncle did not attend this evening. He detests these kinds of things.” I felt his gaze switch to me and was glad for my mask to hide the heat in my face.

“Carnevale gives people a freedom they can rarely enjoy. Being just another mask among many… it is a moment that is hard to resist.” I turned to him then. Tried to see his eyes past the broken lenses and mask. But in this dim corner of the room, I could not.

Before I could answer, there was an interruption in the music and a vibrantly costumed man stood on a raised dais, with a small bell, calling all attention to him.

“Signore e signori, nobile Doge. I, Signor Bracconiere, present the first-ever proof of magic in our world!”

My new friend offered his arm.

“I do believe you will not want to miss this, signorina.”

I took his arm and we joined the mass of guests who all pressed forward, desperate to see. Somehow he steered us to the front with little effort. On the dais beside Signor Bracconiere stood a wooden plinth. Whatever was atop it was covered with a dark velvet cloth, hiding the surprise from his eager audience.

#

There was a sudden rush in the draft. It ruffled her hair, catching her slightly off guard. The voices were now louder and all around. The air sat heavier on her tongue. Spinning she searched for somewhere to hide but found nothing. In one last panic, she threw herself to the floor and spread her wings over herself. Peeking out between their quivering and misshapen tips, she waited. The voices had hushed, but the suspense was palpable. Without warning the shadowy walls vanished, and Allyssa was blinded by light.

#

The cloth was lifted and my eyes locked on the tiny creature within. She was clearly terrified. Cowering beneath wings of shimmering cobwebs. Trapped beneath a cloche of glass, her imprisonment struck a chord within my soul. My own cage was larger, but its invisible bars were just as restricting.

I have never been so sure of anything as I was when I found the broach in my hand. I watched it arch through the air. Watched as a spiderweb of cracks became an explosion of glass. Watched as a cage became the same glittering dust as the spectacles had in the street.

Women screamed and even Signor Bracconiere cowered away. An arm came up around me to protect me from the shower of glass but I pushed it away trying to see if the tiny fata had escaped. Had I managed to free her?

The arm was now around my waist urging me away.

“Signora you must go!”

I ignored his urgent whisper. Desperately searched for any flicker of delicate wings but in the chaos, I could see nothing.  I could resist the strong warmth of his clutch no more and I allowed myself to be pulled away.

#

Alyssa felt the walls around her shatter and saw her chance. Gritting her teeth against the pain she launched herself up and away. She was too weak to get far and it took all she had to reach the chandelier that sparkled above the shocked guests. From here she watched, as the woman who had saved her was ushered away by the man at her side, but not before he had lent down and collected her brooch from the floor where it had fallen. Using her last morsel of strength Alyssa dropped the smallest amount of fairy dust on the pair, the only thank you she could manage before her eyes closed and she fell into a deep sleep.

Hours later, Alyssa was woken by voices below her. She wanted to ignore them and return to sleep but she dragged herself onto to the edge of one of the chandelier’s arms. Two men, one old, one young, were staring at her shattered prison.

“I demand whoever did this shall pay!” raged the old.

“I already told you, it was I who smashed your precious fairy glass. And I will pay what you ask, but you cannot keep such a creature caged like that,” came the younger’s cool reply. Alyssa frowned. Why would this man take the blame for something he did not do?

#

I did not see my unknown friend at any of the festivities for the next few nights, although I found myself eagerly searching for him. I tried not to let my disappointment show when it became clear that either he was not present, or he did not care to seek me out. Instead, I searched the ballroom for any sign of the fairy. I hoped she had truly escaped in a way I knew I never could. The end of my freedom loomed closer with every mask I donned.

#

Each night Alyssa watched as her savior entered the ballroom, the young woman’s hope and anticipation like nectre on her tongue. She then felt it turn sour with disappointment as she did not find what she so clearly sought. The dust Alyssa had sprinkled that night still shimmered unseen on the woman’s blonde curls and she hoped it would be enough to ensure her happiness. For she had no more to give.

#

I had dreaded this night for so long. Tonight my engagement would be announced to the world, and I could no longer pretend to just be me. As soon as I could slip away from my Zia I retreated to my corner. The one where he had found me. Was it really only so few nights ago? It felt like a lifetime. I didn’t know you could miss someone you didn’t know. Even his name was a mystery to me and yet it had felt like a meeting of kindred spirits.

“I had so hoped to see you again.”

Warmth like a summer sun washed over my back and I turned. He could not see it but I hoped he felt my smile.

“And how could you be sure it was me? Are we not all just anonymous ghosts in the night?” His deep chuckle reverberated through me.

“I would know the curve of your neck and the spark in your eyes anywhere.” My heart both swelled and broke all in that moment. To find such a one and know I was to lose him just as quickly. But I could not show it.

“I did not see you to thank you. I hear the Doge was not happy his toy was freed.”

“Indeed, I have been banished to my room like an errant schoolboy since he found out it was me.”

My jaw dropped at the implication. He had protected me, taken the blame for my rash actions. I didn’t know how to thank him.

“Signor -”

“Isabella!” My Zia’s voice distracted me as she searched among the crowd. I had but a moment. Pulling off my mask, I leaned forward and kissed the spot where porcelain met warm skin.

“Signore, mi dispiace.” I dropped my gaze to the floor, fumbling as I retied the strings of my mask, but his fingertips at my chin brought my gaze back up to meet his.

“No apology needed, Isabella.”

With my mask back in place and a final look over my shoulder, I stepped out of the shadows allowing myself to be found. My Zia fussed over my dress and my mask; bemoaned the loss of my brooch, then hurried me away towards a small audience room at the side.

#

Alyssa nearly wept at the bittersweet taste of lost love as it washed over her in waves. Had she not had enough dust for both? Had she brought them together only to break them like waves on a rocky shore? Her wings needed longer to heal, otherwise she would have followed Isabella. But alas it was beyond her. Instead, she watched as the young man who had taken the blame for Isabella’s actions, and borne the punishment in her place, stared longingly after her. His gaze did not falter until a servant appeared at his elbow and whispered in his ear. Only then did he drag himself to a side door and disappear.

#

We were shown directly to a small waiting room where we removed our masks and I hoped my face didn’t show the war of emotions raging inside of me. At least carrying it gave my hands something to do.

“Signore Lombari, Doge di Venezia, may I present my niece, Isabella Giordano. As per our agreement, she turned 18 this autumn past, and is now of age.” My Zia curtsied deeply and I copied her. Keeping my gaze on the floor as I had been taught, I did not see who flanked either side of the Doge’s throne.

“So this is the girl. Bella cosa, she will suit you, will she not, Matteo?”

“Indeed. I believe her to be perfetta.”

I knew that voice. My eyes shot up to meet his smiling ones. He looked so different without the distorted features of his mask, but the broken glasses perched on his nose confirmed everything my heart already knew.

#

Alyssa felt the flood of emotion, even from her perch amid the sparkling chandelier. It gave her strength. Nimbly as a fleck of dust dancing in the sunlight, she took flight and darted from the ballroom. Her debt was repaid. All three of them would live happily ever after.