The Carvagi Sisters: Book One--The Rise

Chapter Two

"Kleon, quiet!" 

He responded with a smile, barely showing in the dark. "Come on, Nicola, we're all the way out in the gardens. No one can hear us." He pulled on her hand again, pulling her deeper into the vineyard. She followed with a quiet giggle, pulling up the bottom of her tunic so it didn't drag on the ground. 

The half-moon shown down not he grounds, illuminating the shadows around the gardens, which stretched for at least an acre all around. Rows of exotic fruits and vegetables surrounded them, all prizes her father had brought back from his tours with the Roman Army. The vineyard was the largest part, a seemingly man-made cave of grapevines over trellis' that wove in and out all over the gardens. 

He finally stopped in the deepest part, taking a seat on one of the few benches that were scattered through the gardens. Nicola sat next to him, leaning back into the foliage and breathing deeply. It was near harvest time, the grapes were almost ripe.

Kleon reached upwards and grabbed a cluster, yanking it off the vine and bringing it into his lap. "Your father must have one amazing groundskeeper. I know for a fact I haven't seen any better gardens anywhere I've traveled." 

Nicola smiled and took a grape from him. "You say that every time we're out here."

Kleon smiled at her. "And you respond the same time every way, and I'll argue, and it always ends with some sort of grape stain on your tunic that you have to explain to your chambermaid in the morning."

Nicola's smile grew broader, then she looked away, blush hidden in the darkness. "Either way, I'm sure there's one better somewhere."

They sat in silence for a minute, each comfortable in it. She had known him almost all her life--there was never an awkward moment between them, even when he had made his first advance on her. Nicola smiled to herself, remembering the moment fondly. They had snuck out, as usual, and were walking in the woods. This was before she was as handy with a bow and arrow as she was now, and they had but one small knife between them. A noise had startled them, and thinking it was a wolf, he had grabbed her hand, smiling at her. 

'I promise I'll keep you safe, Nica.'

Nica. That was his nickname for her. No one else had used it, and no one ever would. The only time it was spoken was under the cover of darkness, hidden beneath grape vines and moonlight.

She reached to take another grape, yet Kleon grabbed her hand, holding it tightly. He brought it to his lips and her breath caught in her throat as their gazes connected. His lips brushed it gently, barely a kiss. He lowered their hands, intertwining their fingers.

"I can't wait until I can do that in the light of day." He breathed, dropping the grapes onto the ground and lifting his free hand to the side of her face. "What I wouldn't give to see your eyes in the light, the look on your face when I kiss you for the first time."

Nicola gave him a small smile. "It may happen sooner than you think."

Kleon dropped his hand, instead settling it on top of their hands that remained on his lap. "That's all I can hope for. I leave for the army soon, and I hope he can see it in me to be worthy of a senator's daughter."

Nicola smiled, scooting her legs closer to his. "Well, if my opinion values to anything, I think you're worthy."

Kleon smiled up at her. "As long as you view me in that way, I shall never stop trying to win your hand." He got down on one knee in front of her, sweeping both her hands up in one motion. "Nicola Carvagi, daughter of Rufus Carvagi, Senator of our great district…I have one thing to say to you, and one thing only. And I hope you do not think me a childish fool to say it in such an obtrusive manner."

Nicola stared at him, wondering if this was another of his games. "Kleon, I will forever and always think you are a childish fool, so nothing can change that view of mine."

Kleon smiled broadly, "And I appreciate the honesty! Which is why, Nica, I have something to tell you." His face grew somber suddenly, and he gripped her hands tighter. "I've been waiting to tell you for quite some time now, actually. And I can't think of a better time than the present. Nica, I love you."

Nicola's eyes grew wide as her heart stopped. Then, her smile stretched so far across her face that it hurt her cheeks. She flew down onto him, sitting on his lap as tears of happiness dripped out of her eyes and onto his shoulder. 

"Kleon! Oh Kleon!" She laughed, pulling back to look him in the eyes. "Kleon, I love you, too." 

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. They stayed like that, holding onto each other, completely silent. No words were needed. It was understood that these two were together, and that was how it was meant to stay.