Belladonna Quotes

“It was perfectly horrible. But it was perfect.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Luca’s freedom was at the tips of her fingers.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“He squeezed her against him and lifted her up into the air, spinning her around once before setting her gently back on the sand. “With you, I feel like anything is possible,” he said. “I love you.”
Cass smiled against his chest. “I love you too,” she murmured, but the wind and the waves and the beating of his heart stole away her words.
No matter. Their time together was just beginning.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Will you help me destroy the Order of the Eternal Rose?”
“I do.” Cass suddenly felt warm. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she looked up at him. “I will.”
Luca pulled her in close. He pressed his lips against her cheek. Cass turned her head. She reached up and stroked the back of his neck as she turned her mouth toward his. He tightened up for a second and then relaxed. His lips pressed against hers, gently at first. Then harder. Cass’s whole body trembled. She folded herself against him. Her hands found his hair, the muscles of his back. Everything was warmth. Light. New life.
New beginnings.
She wanted to kiss him until she ran out of breath, and then kiss him some more.
When they finally broke apart, Luca trailed his lips from her cheek to her jawbone to her earlobe. So softly, like rose petals being dragged across her skin. “Cass,” he whispered, “you make me want to be better.”
She buried her head beneath his chin. “You are already the best man I know.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“What then?” Cass asked. “Where will we go?”
Luca touched one hand to her lower back. “Wherever we need to,” he said, “to finish what our parents started.”
Cass glanced over. The sunlight glinted off Luca’s light brown eyes. “You still want to destroy the Order?” she asked. “After everything you’ve been through?”
He plucked a rock from the sandy soil and turned it over in his hands. “Especially after everything I’ve been through.” His eyes lifted to meet hers. “Everything we’ve been through.”
Cass thought back to a younger Luca who had once given her a similar stone, its edges worn by water, shaped into a heart. She had never imagined that boy might desire anything besides a life of traditional nobility. Servants. Children. A position within the Senate. A doting wife. Perhaps she had been wrong all along.
Luca flicked his wrist and sent the stone flying out into the waves. Cass watched it bounce across the surface of the water. He turned toward her, tucking a tendril of hair back behind her left ear. “Don’t you want the same? Will you help me destroy the Order of the Eternal Rose?”
“I do.” Cass suddenly felt warm. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she looked up at him. “I will.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Luca groaned softly. Cass looked over at him; he was still asleep. He had dirt and leaves in his hair, and his chemise had managed to lose a button in the night. Cass couldn’t help but notice that his right shoulder was bleeding through the garment. She reached out to touch the bloom of red and he flinched.
“I don’t know,” he muttered, twitching in his sleep. His shirt fell open, exposing a series of jagged red scars down the front of his chest. Cass gasped. Luca opened his eyes.
He blinked hard. “What is it?”
“You’re bleeding.”
Luca looked down at his shoulder. “It’s fine. The water carried me into a mooring post last night. I think I got caught on a nail.”
“And this?” Cass reached out one shaking finger and traced down one of the scars.
Luca stiffened. He sat up abruptly, adjusting the fabric so that he was covered. “It isn’t as bad as it looks,” he said quickly.
“What…what did they do to you?” Cass’s voice trembled.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” His voice softened. “What’s done is done, Cass. We need to look forward, not back.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Come on.” Luca led her back to the tree. The ground beneath her bare feet--even Siena hadn’t thought to bring an extra pair of shoes--was littered with leaves and brambles. Luca lowered himself to the ground. He brushed away the vegetation, clearing a spot big enough for the both of them. He leaned back against the tree trunk. Cass realized he was wearing only breeches and a chemise, that the plain black doublet Siena had packed was hanging over his forearm. He handed the doublet to her. “You can use it as a blanket,” he said. “Or a pillow.”
Cass sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Even in fresh clothing, he smelled of sweat and canal water, but she didn’t pull away. “I’m comfortable,” she said.
Luca draped the doublet over her arms and torso anyway. “Do you think you can sleep?”
She shook her head. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to sleep again.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Luca stepped away and turned around to give Cass privacy. She wrestled out of her waterlogged dress and slipped the fresh chemise over her head. She tugged the skirt over her hips. The dry fabric felt good against her skin. She slipped her arms through the sleeves of her bodice and stopped. The ties were in the back. She had no way to lace it without Siena’s help.
A sob escaped from her lips. Luca was at her side in an instant. “Cass. What is it?” he asked. “Are you hurt?”
“I need Siena,” Cass whispered, feeling incredibly stupid. “I--I can’t lace this bodice. I--”
“I’ll help you,” Luca said. With slow, fumbling fingers, Luca threaded the first lace through the highest hole. He dropped it and grabbed the lace on the other side.
Cass started to tell him it was faster if he threaded one lace through all of the holes first, and then did the same on the other side. But she stopped. There was something comforting about Luca’s painstakingly slow progress, about the methodical but innocent way his hands grazed her back repeatedly.
“Thank you,” Cass said, when he had made it all the way to the bottom and knotted the silk pieces in a clumsy bow.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“We’ll get out of the water soon,” he said. “As soon as the search parties spread out.”
Search parties. As if they were going to be rescued instead of executed. “San Giorgio,” Cass whispered. “Sie--” She couldn’t even say Siena’s name. “I left some supplies there. In the woods behind the church.”
“So brave,” Luca murmured. “So smart. I can’t believe you came for me.”
“I couldn’t let you die,” Cass said.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

““No man can achieve
greatness without
risking his life for it.”

-THE BOOK OF THE ETERNAL ROSE”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Cass?” The word came from behind her.
She spun around. The cell was dark, quiet. A roman numeral fifteen was painted upside down over the door. Had someone just said her name? Or had she imagined it?
A shadow stirred from inside the cell. There was a liquid sound in the dark, water being disturbed.
A man’s face appeared at the tiny grate. Siena covered her mouth with one hand. Cass swallowed back a gasp. He had a thick beard covering his cheeks and chin, but his brown eyes shined golden in the darkness.
It was Luca.
“Am I--am I seeing things?” Luca’s voice was dry, cracked. “Is that you, Cass?” His eyes were wide and staring, as though he had woken in the middle of a dream.
Cass felt like weeping. He was here. She had found him. She wanted to throw herself through the stone and press her face to his chest. Instead, she leaned close to the grate. “We’re going to get you out of here,” she mouthed.
Luca rubbed his eyes, like he still thought Cass was just a dream. He shook his head. “Impossible,” he whispered.
Cass reached for his face, barely managing to squeeze her fingers through the grate and touch his cheek. “I’ll be back. I promise.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Siena was heading into the garden, both arms laden with parcels.
“What is all of that?” Cass asked. She glanced up at the thick glass window at the back of the villa to make sure no one was watching them.
“Were you planning to wear your favorite dress into the Doge’s dungeons?” Siena asked, stacking several of the wrapped packages on the bench next to Cass.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“She wanted to hear everything. What did Cass think of the great marble Duomo? Had she gone for Mass? Had she visited the Uffizi, one of the oldest art galleries in the world? What about the Boboli Gardens? Were they as lovely as everyone said?
Cass didn’t have the heart to tell her aunt that between being attacked by dogs and having her blood drained in her sleep, she hadn’t had much time for sightseeing.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Two girls would be no match at all for an armed guard.
Unless they were armed too.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Luca had returned to Venice to protect Cass from his half brother Cristian. If he died, it would be partially because of her. Cass’s conscience was heavy with the blood of others. She would not add to that burden. She would save Luca, or die trying.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Teodor’s wife. They were planning to spend some of the summer in France, were they not?”
France. Luca had studied in France. Cass had to stop thinking of Luca or she would go mad. She forced herself to concentrate on Madalena’s face. “Is that right?” she mustered. “I’ve heard France is lovely.”
“Yes. She and her husband have been exploring Paris.” Mada smiled. “Her letter goes on and on about the Notre Dame cathedral. Apparently it has the most breathtaking stained-glass windows.”
“Notre Dame,” Marco mused. “Have you seen it, Signore?” He turned to Madalena’s father.
“I have, indeed,” Signor Rambaldo said. “A stunning piece of architecture. Though to be fair, Venice has her share of beautitful structures as well.”
“Is it true,” Marco went on, “that there are catacombs beneath Notre Dame’s courtyard? Ruins of the original settlement built by the Celts?”
“I have heard that. Crumbling walls, broken swords, perhaps some ghosts trolling the place looking for their bones.” Signor Rambaldo rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
Madalena flung down her fork. “Both of you ought to be ashamed,” she cried out. “I’ve been trying to distract Cass from morbid thoughts, and you two turn a lovely conversation about Paris into a ghost story.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“It’s a much smaller lock. What if I break it? Then she will know someone was in here. I could lose my position.”
“Falco,” Cass hissed. “Who locks up their clothing? There’s obviously something important in that armoire.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“She pressed her forehead against his cheek, but turned her lips away from his mouth. His face felt cool against her damp skin. “I need your help,” she whispered.
“My lovely tormentor,” Falco said softly. “How can I be of assistance?”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

““Traditional wisdom speaks of four
liquids, or humors, found within
the body. It is these four fluids that
determine the nature of a human
being, from health to temperament.”

-THE BOOK OF THE ETERNAL ROSE”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

““Dreams are a portal to
our fears, a harbinger of what may
come to pass. Thus we must
cull the most valuable insights of our
sleeping minds, unafraid,
or risk life’s greatest mysteries eluding us forever.”

-THE BOOK OF THE ETERNAL ROSE”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“There was a faint padding noise, and she saw a flash of movement as the blackness distorted around her. Someone else was in the room.
“Piero?” she croaked out. “Is that you?”
A candle flame sparked to life. “Sorry to disappoint.” Falco’s teasing grin materialized in the soft yellow glow.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“You don’t need to carry me.” Cass was blushing furiously. “I’m not an invalid.”
“I believe you said something to that effect last night as well.” Even though she refused to look at him, Cass could hear the smile in his voice. “And then you fainted.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“If I’d known you were going to spend such a long time in my chambers, I would have been there to entertain you.” Piero smiled, but there was nothing amusing about the way he looked at her--as though he wanted to devour her.
Cass found his gaze too intense; she had to look away. Thunder boomed outside the window, and she flinched.
“Are you all right?” Piero asked, his hand coming to rest gently on her forearm.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “Just in pain.”
Softly, he touched her face. “You have a fever,” he murmured. “Let me help you back to bed and then I’ll prepare your medicines.”
Before Cass could protest, Piero bent down and scooped her into his arms. He headed for the hallway.
“You don’t need to carry me.” Cass was blushing furiously. “I’m not an invalid.”
“I believe you said something to that effect last night as well.” Even though she refused to look at him, Cass could hear the smile in his voice. “And then you fainted.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“She had uncovered a cage.
A cage filled with spiders.
“Careful, Signorina. I wouldn’t want you to faint right onto my bed. It would look bad for us both.”
Cass whirled around. Piero was standing in the doorway.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

““Nature works in circles.
Trees lure prey and hide predators.
Predators leave behind carcasses
so that they might be absorbed
into the soil and feed the trees.”

-THE BOOK OF THE ETERNAL ROSE”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Come with me to my quarters,” he murmured.
Cass’s eyes snapped back open. No raised eyebrow, no lopsided smirk. He was serious.
“I can’t. I--”
“You can,” he insisted. “You want to. No one has to know, Cass.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Falco grabbed her without warning. He spun her around him so that her body was pressed up against the wall. Cass’s heart leapt into her throat. She knew she should protest, should turn away.
But she didn’t.
She surrendered. To Falco. To what she wanted more than anything. His mouth teased her, tasting her tongue and lips. She pulled him closer, her nails digging into the fabric of his tunic. He pinned her hands above her head as his mouth found the spot where her jaw met her throat. She exhaled hard. Her body threatened to slide right down the wall, but she didn’t push him away. She couldn’t. She angled her head to expose more of her neck. She felt his warm mouth, his soft tongue tracing circles on her skin.
“Come with me to my quarters,” he murmured.
Cass’s eyes snapped back open. No raised eyebrow, no lopsided smirk. He was serious.
“I can’t. I--”
“You can,” he insisted. “You want to. No one has to know, Cass.” His breath was hot against her lips. And her face. Her whole body was burning, like lightning was sizzling beneath her skin.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“I’m sorry, Cass. I said things I didn’t mean. It’s not fair of me to expect you to share my beliefs when we--”
“Come from two different worlds?” she finished softly.
Falco groaned. “Don’t do that.” He took a step toward her. “Are we really so different?”
“Aren’t we?” She could hardly breathe. He was so close. She could see silver threading through his blue eyes. Impulsively, she reached out with one hand to brush his hair away from his face.
Falco grabbed her without warning. He spun her around him so that her body was pressed up against the wall. Cass’s heart leapt into her throat. She knew she should protest, should turn away.
But she didn’t.
She surrendered. To Falco. To what she wanted more than anything.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“I’m sorry, Cass. I said things I didn’t mean. It’s not fair of me to expect you to share my beliefs when we--”
“Come from two different worlds?” she finished softly.
Falco groaned. “Don’t do that.” He took a step toward her. “Are we really so different?”
“Aren’t we?” She could hardly breathe. He was so close. She could see silver threading through his blue eyes. Impulsively, she reached out with one hand to brush his hair away from his face.
Falco grabbed her without warning. He spun her around him so that her body was pressed up against the wall. Cass’s heart leapt into her throat. She knew she should protest, should turn away.
But she didn’t.
She surrendered. To Falco. To what she wanted more than anything. His mouth teased her, tasting her tongue and lips. She pulled him closer, her nails digging into the fabric of his tunic. He pinned her hands above her head as his mouth found the spot where her jaw met her throat. She exhaled hard. Her body threatened to slide right down the wall, but she didn’t push him away. She couldn’t. She angled her head to expose more of her neck. She felt his warm mouth, his soft tongue tracing circles on her skin.
“Come with me to my quarters,” he murmured.
Cass’s eyes snapped back open. No raised eyebrow, no lopsided smirk. He was serious.
“I can’t. I--”
“You can,” he insisted. “You want to. No one has to know, Cass.” His breath was hot against her lips. And her face. Her whole body was burning, like lightning was sizzling beneath her skin.
And then there was a burst of loud applause from outside the room.
Cass slipped out from between Falco and the wall, her heart thudding like the hooves of a runaway horse. “What was that?” she asked, not caring in the slightest.
She had come too close. Too close to giving in, to letting go. No one has to know. She had actually been considering it. Images tumbled through her head. Falco carrying her to his bed. Her fingers ripping his doublet from his chest. His hands tugging at the laces of her bodice. The two of them lying together, skin to skin.
“Cass.” He took a step toward her again. She dodged him, turned and escaped into the hallway, fanning her cheeks with one gloved hand. She didn’t want him to see the look on her face.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna

“Cass retreated into a corner, hiding behind a sculpture of Venus where Madalena wouldn't see her, and where she and Falco could converse in relative privacy. When Falco got closer, they both opened their mouths to speak at once.
When Falco got closer, they both opened their mouths to speak at once.
“Your twin, I presume?” Falco said, gesturing toward the Venus.
Cass realized she and the sculpture both had their arms folded across their midsection. She dropped her hands to her side. “I just--”
“Come with me.” Falco didn’t wait for her to answer. He placed his hand on the small of her back as if he were merely helping her navigate the crowded portego. Once he hit the hallway at the back of the room, he twined his fingers through hers and whisked her into a small study, latching the door behind them. The walls of the room were painted dark gray and the furniture was made of a sturdy mahogany. He turned to her. “Now, at least, we can speak in private.”
Cass’s whole body felt simultaneously shivery and warm, as it always did when she and Falco were alone together.”
― Fiona Paul, Belladonna