Loving an Assassin [Ezio Auditore]

[Chapter 11]

Ezio rushes in and grabs my arms, holding them out to inspect. "How did this happen?" He asks. I stay quiet, so he asks me again.

"...I did it. I-I kept replaying what happened to my parents and I wanted the pain to stop," I say, averting my gaze. Ezio sits down on the bed next to me and pulls me into his arms. He kisses my forehead and smooths down wild strands of raven hair as my head rests against his chest.

"You don't have to go through this alone. Just keep that in mind," he says, still holding me close. I can't hold back my tears any longer, and he kisses my forehead again. "We will get through this together. Now, let me have a doctor bandage your arms. You will be taken care of, I will make sure of it." Ezio lets me rest in bed once more before getting off of the bed and going to find a doctor.

I lay back in bed with a sigh, pushing back a lock of curling black hair. Things were so normal just a few months ago, when my parents were alive and I was engaged to Ezio somehow. In what feels like a few days, the world shifted. And I cannot pray to God that my life will be returned to the way it was, for that is just not possible. Should I put my faith in God for this? Do I even dare?

Ezio eventually returns with the dottore, who stitches up my wounds and bandages them properly. He sits beside me to comfort me as the doctor stitches the wounds, the doctor remarking that I need to be more careful and should be monitored for any more incidents. Ezio slips the doctor 50 florins, and the doctor dismisses himself. "Are you alright?" He asks, and I nod.

"I'm just happy it's over. I just... I still can't believe how much has changed," I answer.

"I know, and I can't believe it either. Would you like to get some air?"

"Yes please," I answer, and Ezio helps me out of bed. Some fresh air might help me calm down for once, and with Ezio by my side, I won't be able to get lost in my thoughts. He should be able to keep me grounded during this trying time. He escorts me out of the room, and I pause every so often to admire Monterrigioni's crumbling beauty before continuing on. "What will you do now, since we've both escaped Firenze?"

"I intend to take my mother and sister to Spain. I want you to come with us. We could marry after we land in Spain and find a home for us. We can start anew, away from Firenze, and be together," Ezio proposes, taking my hands in his.

"Oh Ezio! Yes, I'll go to Spain with you," I say, smiling up at him. Getting away from Firenze, and being with Ezio, will be so helpful to me. He leans down and brushes his lips against mine.

"I'll tell my uncle and we will begin our preparations for Spain. In the meantime, we will gather necessities and money for our travel. For now, let us relax." Ezio gestures towards a bench and I sit down with him beside me. I rest my head on his shoulder with a soft smile. Things will be so much better when we depart for Spain.

"I want to explore Monterrigioni further. There is a beauty to this villa that should be restored," I say to Ezio.

"You and my uncle would agree on that, and I promised that u would help with renovations before we depart. Maybe you should discuss it with him. The villa might need a feminine touch," he replied. When I look around the garden, all I can see is potential growing out of the earth like the weeds currently do. Maybe, while Ezio handles the remaining business before Spain, I can tend to the villa and restore it for the next few days.

"I will gladly start the renovations, mi amore," I say. Ezio smiles before kissing my forehead once more. He wraps an arm around me and pulls me close, before we are interrupted by a mercenary.

"Messer Ezio, your uncle wanted to speak to you in his office. It's urgent," he says. Ezio looks to me, sighing, and I give him a gentle kiss before he stands and walks to the office. If we have to appease his uncle for the time being, then so be it, as long as we can go to Spain as planned. Hopefully nothing will interfere. I stand, smoothing my skirts of any wrinkles that plague it, ready to start on the garden, but a growling stomach demands my focus first. So I walk to where I believe the kitchen to be, and thankfully, the kitchen is empty. A rumble shakes the ground, and I grasp onto a nearby table to gather my bearings before running upstairs.

"What's happened?" I ask when I approach a nearby maid.

"Monterrigioni is under attack!" She exclaims, rushing me to safety. It is January, 1477, I have escaped Firenze, but now the villa is being attacked. Will I ever be safe?