Carnem Levare Read Online Free Page B

home, by his lonesome.
A leather-bound brown travel satchel awaited him. It contained very
little, perhaps about two days’ worth of attire. He hadn’t planned
beyond that. Didn’t believe he needed to. The only definite thing
Stefano believed he needed was his perfect Anastasia.
    *****
    Stefano slipped away from home, the luggage in tow.
The pavements were filled with many people. With everyone caught up
in the madness of carnival, Stefano was able to blend in. He wore
an elaborate gold and black costume, complete with shiny bauta
mask. He initially carried a tricorno hat to match, until it became
too complicated to manage without damaging. His golden mask was
secure, reinforced about his ponytail.
    The closer he drew to the meeting point, the quicker
his pace. As their dock came into view, a large streetlamp shone
down, drawing attention to how remarkably beautiful Anastasia
was.
    Stefano’s breath hitched.
    He clutched his chest.
    No more than several kilometers away stood his
blessed lover. Her attire consisted of tons of cloth, but he could
recognize her anywhere. Though she wore gold and red eye coverings,
perfect pink lips puckered. Several rings of curls fluttered over
bare shoulders, nestling on pale skin. Everyone else disappeared
from sight. Stefano wanted to drop to his knees and worship at her
feet. From this moment on, he had no intention of leaving
Anastasia’s side.
    “ What do you carry,
Stefano?”
    “ Enough attire to carry me
through,” he responded. Glancing to her left and right, he was
perplexed. “Should I fetch your luggage?”
    Anastasia uncomfortably shifted from leg to leg, her
frock lazily swung. Stefano’s heart sank.
    “ I cannot . . .” she cowardly
responded. “Such a big decision . . . not at this time.” Her head
dashed from side to side.
    “ You are choosing him instead of
me?” His voice cracked.
    “ No, Stefano. We will wait.” She
moved to him with only two full strides. “We can sail on the canal.
We won’t be recognized.”
    Stefano stepped back, refusing to be influenced. He
felt betrayed by the one woman to whom he had given his heart. He
flung down his parcel and began pacing at the canal’s edge. There
were a series of voices passing by, minding their own affairs. He
briefly turned to see pairs of lovers, flaunting their happiness.
When he faced his own prospective lover, she drew into him,
shamefully pressing against his chest. She easily bewitched him
again. There was no more fight as they made way to a nearby
gondola.
    While they sailed about the canal, the waters sang a
lovely tune of promise. Anastasia began humming aloud. It was the
first sound to come alive from either of the two. Stefano’s heart
weakened as the oar became burdensome in his hands. Nestling it
securely across the tip, he allowed the vessel to drift, with only
the mild declarations of fated love spewing from Anastasia’s
lips.
    She’d removed her mask. Her expressions floated
across the space between them, the light wind from the waves
brushed fresh perfume to the sides of Stefano’s face. His eyelids
lowered. As usual, he was in a trance. The boat rocked, forming a
natural lullaby.
    “ We can leave now, mio amore!”
Stefano spoke and bore deep into her eyes.
    Initially, Anastasia only continued singing. She
turned away, as much as possible, considering her dress was highly
restrictive.
    “ By the time they notice our
disappearance, it will be too late to stop us,” Stefano
encouraged.
    And still, Anastasia pretended as if his words held
little meaning. Her own ceased, replaced by taunting hums.
Stefano’s heartbeat sped up; this time for all the wrong reasons.
He took hold of the oar once more and begun moving wildly. With
little direction and intent, the gondola spun with and against the
current.
    After about five minutes of Anastasia’s insensitive
murmurs and Stefano’s own frustration, they somehow landed by the
Ponte del Diavolo. He stopped moving the wooden oar as before.