“That’s it?”
“Since you and I met, I’m afraid we haven’t socialized that much with other people. I only met him at our wedding. As it is, you have to squeeze in your royal duties with your mining concerns.
“Since the quake, Vincenzo has taken over some of your royal duties. He’s your grandfather’s grandnephew. He’s always had a great relationship with him. Your whole family is very close. Needless to say, you and Vincenzo have been like brothers.”
She heard the rustling of his sheets. “Speaking of brothers, if mine hadn’t died, he’d be the Crown Prince.”
“That’s true.”
Rini let out a frustrated sigh. “How soon can I get out of here?”
He’d grown restless. This was obviously too much information for one day.
“After your tests tomorrow, you’ll have your first session with Doctor Tullia. Then the barber will come, and Doctor Romano will make his rounds. You can negotiate with him.”
“Am I that impossible?” he asked in a dry tone.
“The hospital record in Rezana indicated you’re a tour de force.”
“In other words, I’m out of control.”
“Not at all. Let’s just say you have a convincing way about you.”
“That’s the definition of a tyrant.”
“Hardly, Rini. You’re a man who knows what he wants and goes after it.”
“Come hell or high water?”
“I’ll let you decide. According to Doctor Miakar, you’re manageable if you’re given time to think about it. I’d say that sums you up very nicely. Now, you need to sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow after your first session with Doctor Tullia. Buna notg, Rini.”
* * *
Rini wasn’t ready to call it a night, but his wife had other ideas and turned on her side away from him. The clock on the wall said 1:40 a.m. After the day Luna had lived through in order to find him, it shouldn’t have surprised him she’d just passed out on him.
Without her, he knew he would have eventually died in Rezana.
To realize that she’d followed her gut instinct to discover if he was still alive had humbled him so deeply, his body shook with sobs. He buried his face in the pillow, needing no convincing that he was married to the most exceptional, courageous wife he could imagine. And exceptionally desirable.
He went over the things she’d told him about their marriage. They’d taken vows within six weeks? Incredible. He’d married a beauty, but it came from her soul, too. Obviously, they’d been so close, they hadn’t wanted or needed other people.
But before falling asleep, something had started to disturb him. He planned to bring it up with the therapist Dr. Romano had told him about.
The next day when he was brought back to his room following his tests and had gotten into bed, to his surprise a younger man entered the room with Dr. Tullia. He introduced himself as Chispar, bilingual in Italian and Romansh. “I teach at the college here and have been sent by the head to offer temporary assistance to Doctor Tullia.”
Rini didn’t like it that Luna hadn’t come to this session. For that matter, she’d already left the hospital when he’d awakened. He’d felt abandoned. “Where’s my wife?”
Chispar explained there would be other times when the doctor wanted her there, but not for this first session. All Rini could do was accept the situation and they got started.
It was a strange experience because he’d thought Dr. Tullia would ask him a lot of questions. Instead, he said, “Rini? Doctor Romano tells me you’ve been told you have amnesia and understand the meaning of the word. Do you feel well enough to talk?”
Chispar translated.
Rini had to believe his wife knew about this and decided he’d better cooperate. Otherwise, it would be reported that he was “unmanageable.”
After Rini nodded, the two men pulled up chairs by him and sat down. Dr. Tullia appeared relaxed. “Memory loss affects people differently. Everything from frustration to fear. Why don’t you tell me what you want to talk about?”
“I feel fine and want to get out of here. How soon can I go home?”