I Object

The University Chapel was a cavernous space of stained glass and vaulted arches. It was packed. Every Don, every Capo, every professor was there to witness the union of the Valenti and Grecco families.

Enzo stood at the altar. He looked striking in his white ceremonial velvet, but his face was grey. He stared at the floor as Giulia Grecco, draped in pearls and smugness, stood beside him.

The Bishop raised his hands. "If any person can show just cause why these two may not be joined..."

The heavy oak doors of the chapel burst open with a resounding *BOOM*.

Heads turned. Gasps filled the room.

Elara Vance stood in the doorway. She was covered in dungeon dust. Her dress was torn. Her hair was wild. She held a dagger in one hand and a scroll in the other (stolen from the crypt warden’s desk on the way out).

"I object!" Elara shouted, her voice ringing clear and fierce.

Giulia Grecco turned pale. "Get her out of here!"

Enzo’s head snapped up. Life flooded back into his eyes. "Elara?"

"I object," Elara continued, marching down the aisle, "on the grounds of Article 7 of the University Truce!"

The Don of the Grecco family stood up, red-faced. "This is nonsense! Seize her!"

"Article 7!" Elara shouted, pointing her dagger at the Grecco Don. "States that no blood may be drawn, nor student detained, by a Family within the sacred grounds of the Crypts. Your men kidnapped me. They held me hostage to coerce this union."

She reached the altar, breathing hard. She looked at Enzo. "The contract is void, Enzo. It was signed under duress and violation of the Truce."

The University Chancellor, a formidable woman in grey robes, stood up. "Is this true, Lady Vance? Can you identify your captors?"

"They are wearing Grecco colors," Elara said. "And one of them is sleeping off a concussion in Cell 4."

"This is an outrage!" The Grecco Don drew his sword. "Kill them both!"

"Protect the Truce!" The Chancellor shouted.

The chapel erupted.

The University Guard drew their weapons against the Grecco enforcers. Students, sensing a fight, pulled daggers from their boots.

Enzo didn't wait. He tore off his heavy velvet cloak, revealing his undershirt and the rapier at his hip. He vaulted over the altar rail and landed beside Elara.

"You're late," Enzo grinned, parrying a blow from a Grecco soldier.

"I had to break out of a dungeon," Elara retorted, stabbing a hand toward an attacker’s knee with her dagger. "You're welcome."

They fought back-to-back. It was a dance they had practiced a thousand times in the sparring yards. When Enzo lunged, Elara covered his blind spot. When Elara ducked, Enzo swung high.

"Did you find the loophole?" Enzo shouted over the clash of steel.

"I *am* the loophole!" Elara laughed, dodging a mace. "They broke the rules!"

The fight was short and brutal. The University Guard, aided by the Valenti soldiers who rallied to Enzo, overwhelmed the Greccos. The Chancellor slammed her staff on the stone floor.

"Enough!"

Silence fell.

"The Grecco family has violated the sanctity of this institution," the Chancellor ruled. "The marriage is annulled. The alliance is dead."

Enzo sheathed his sword. He turned to his father, the Valenti Don.

"Father," Enzo said, his chest heaving. "I will not marry Giulia. And I will not marry anyone else just to save you gold. If you want to win this war, we do it my way. With steel."

He grabbed Elara’s hand, pulling her forward. "And with her strategy."

The Don looked at his son. He looked at Elara, fierce and unbowed, covered in dust. He nodded slowly. "Very well, Lorenzo. Do it your way."