An: Nice, long chapter full of cuteness and stuff!

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With his back pressed against the far wall, Ezio remained quiet and unmoving within the shadows. Though it was early in the morning, the guards were called away from their normal duties to greet the Russian ambassador, and guard both him and the Duca as they have their meeting. The guards lined the hall; standing absolutely still with their spears presented. There was absolutely no doubt that Alfonso was trying to parade his troops, though, when Ezio caught a glimpse of the Russian ambassador, the assassin understood the want to look strong.

With heavy shoulders broad enough to challenge the stretch of the horizon, Viktor was the kind of man that could be described by only one word...huge. Even though the large man was dressed in so much fur that he believed the Russian had to kill every living creature in a small forest to obtain it, Ezio could see clearly that Viktor was without an ounce of fat on his body. His face was lean, and his eyes sharp; his short chopped hair being accompanied by a mighty and thick beard that blended into the fur circling his body.

"Viktor," Alfonso greeted; extending his hand and shaking with the apathetic Russian. "Welcome back to Italia. If you'll meet with me in the dining hall we can discuss our matters over some special food my cooks crafted especially for you."

All that Viktor offered was a quick nod, and a glance to the guards standing before the door leading into the hall. The two men quickly moved to the side, and Alfonso stepped forward to open the doors for his guest. The brute walked forward without much grace, but anything else went unseen when Alfonso shut the doors and the guards took up their positions. Ezio sighed and glanced around; ducking his head before he made his way for the courtyards in the back of the palazzo. There had to be a window somewhere.

~*~*AC*~*~

"I'm sorry for having to parade you for that show," Alfonso apologized, as he settled into his chair at one head of the table. "I know it is tiresome having to do the same routine every time you come here."

"I understand your actions," Viktor spoke, his Italian weighted down with the heavy accent of his home land. "Your men need to believe that I'm here for a reason other than the reason I am actually here. And, speaking of my reasons, I must leave for Firenze in the hour. I apologize for trying to be quick with our deal, but my services have been called for heavily this year. It seems there is much trouble in your country."

"Yes there has," Alfonso sighed. "Though, you are here to end some of that trouble. I've had some...problems, even within my own palace, but a simple drop of poison can solve problems that the most moving and inspirational speaker can't solve. Am I right Viktor?"

"Si," he grunted, as he stood and removed a large vile from under his furs. The liquid that swirled around was clear, and hardly able to be seen. Unceremoniously, Viktor slid it down the table, and into the hands of the Duca, who smiled at it with glee.

"And what is this disguised as?" Alfonso asked. "I can never really remember the drink from your land that you craft your poison to look like."

"Vodka," Viktor grumbled. "A strong, and very intoxicating liquid from my country. Take haste not to confuse it with any other of your drinks, if any are as clear as my own."

"I am more a man of fine wine, Viktor. So, confusion will be no problem," Alfonso nodded, standing and running his finger around the rim of the vile. "And in exchange, here you are," he began, before sliding a large money pouch to the Russian. "Florentine gold...the finest of Italia, and only the best for my supplier."

"I thank you," Viktor nodded, standing the weighing the pouch in his hand. "And I once again apologize for having to end our meeting so soon, but you must understand that I breed my horses for strength, and less for speed. The terrain here is very flat compared to the mountains I am used to. My rides are very long between cities, and I grow testy when my time is wasted."

"I understand," Alfonso nodded. "I'll have my guards escort you out of the city, and point you in the direction of Firenze."

"That would be appreciated," Viktor stated; extending his hand and shaking with Alfonso once again. "It was nice seeing you again. And if you ever need more of my services...well, you know how to contact me."

"Indeed I do," the Duca smiled. "Thank you, and safe travels on your way through Italia."

The brute nodded, and threw open the doors of the dining hall before he practically stalked towards the entrance of the palazzo, and Alfonso ordered some of his men to guide him on horse back. Those three men disappeared, and Alfonso excused himself to his study. Ezio sighed from his position hanging on the sill of the window; his muscles sore from being stretched in one way for two long. An easy drop to the ground allowed for him to move his arms freely, but as the knowledge of the purchase continued to run free through his mind, the assassin couldn't help but feel the undying need of finding his dear Lucrezia.

~*~*AC*~*~

"Duchessa," one of the women helping Lucrezia whispered, as they mused over the color of fabric hanging around the room. "That strange man that follows your husband around keeps passing by the window. I can hear his strange breathing, and it seems that his eyes never leave you. Doesn't that disturb you?"

"Very much so," Lucrezia sighed, before she stilled and listened for the soft footsteps once more. She smiled at the young lady beside her, gently touching her hand before she moved to the window and grabbed the pitcher of water sitting on the table nearby. She cast her hair over her shoulder, and easily dumped the water between the leaves. She smirked as Arturo squeaked and stumbled from the bush, looking up at her with wide, wild eyes. "Hello Arturo."

"Duchessa," the rat-like man smiled. "It's...I-"

"I'm going to give you thirty seconds to run like hell," Lucrezia threatened; resting against the sill with an angered smile on her lips. "If you don't, I'll send my dogs on you...and they haven't been fed yet."

Arturo looked at her in pure fear, before he stood up and bolted away from the window, leaving Lucrezia laughing with her girls, and a prime target for Ezio to sneak up on. Still sitting in the window sill, he crept up behind her, before he snuck his hands around her waist, and tickled her sides. She laughed and pitched forward; jolting to her feet before she turned to look at her attacker even though she already knew who it was.

"Vincenzo," she chuckled, resting her hands on her hips. "What are you doing here?"

"I was simply walking around," he smiled. "I got everything done I needed to do today, so the horses are roaming the pastures and I'm trying to find something to preoccupy my time."

"Well maybe a fresh set of eyes can help us," she offered, motioning for him to come through the window. "We're deciding on drape colors for the banquet, and we can't choose between the cream color, or the red infused with golden stitching."

"I like this creamy peach color," he chuckled. "It lightens up the room, and holds the essence of spring more so than the red. Though, I'm no professional."

"No, but I like your thinking," she smiled; handing the cream fabric to one of her girls. "We will use this, and decorate in celebration for the new season."

The ladies took to work, and Lucrezia smiled as she turned to Ezio and had to stop herself from reaching out to touch him. "Do you think Tuono and Cara will be up for a ride tonight?" she asked quietly.

"I'm sure they would insist upon it, if they could insist," he smirked. "Any idea where you would like to go tonight duchessa?"

"I've had the idea of exploring the woods near the fields in my head for awhile," she laughed. "And now that the water from the showers a few days ago is dried up in place of the huge storm that's coming, I believe we should explore."

"Then explore we shall," he chuckled. "Can you leave now?"

"I believe so," she muttered, before she turned to the other girls working on the ball room. "I'll be back later to see the progress girls. Will you be okay with the decorating?"

"Yes, duchessa," one maid answered for the group. "We will be fine. We should be done hanging the curtains around the room in a couple hours. You can come back then and make sure they look fine."

"Alright," Lucrezia nodded, walking with Ezio towards the door. "Good luck ladies."

Ezio smiled and pulled her out of the room, glancing around the hall to make sure no guards were around before he took her hand and brought their interlaced fingers to his lips. A soft giggle left her lips before he kissed her temple and set them in motion towards the stables. They moved slowly and silently; keeping their hands locked at their sides and away from the prying gaze of anyone around. She glanced up at him and noticed the thought on his face; a soft kiss on his cheek easily bringing him out of his reverie. "You're very thoughtful," she whispered. "What's wrong?"

"Your husband has obtained the poison meant for you at the end of the week," he sighed, casting a glance at her. "It is clear...completely undetectable to the eye of those who weren't hanging on the window sill and listening to the conversation."

"Don't let the future worry you right now, Ezio," she whispered. "We know what he's planning and when he is going to act on his plan. Until then, the only thing we have to worry about is not getting caught."

"Well, so much for not being stressed," he joked, opening the door into the stables and allowing her to enter first. She stopped and turned to him, smiling and holding his hands while she reached up and gently pressed her lips to his. One of her hands fell from his and slid against the side of his face; his beard scratching against her smooth skin.

"Relax, Ezio," she smiled, laughing when she tried to walk away, and she ended up wrapped within his arms. "I know you're used to having to worry about everything, but that's when you don't know what is going to happen next. We aren't to that point yet."

"I suppose you're right," he sighed, pressing his nose against her neck and taking in a deep breath of her perfume. "Is there anything wrong with the fact that when you're in my arms, I don't want to let you go?"

"Absolutely not," Lucrezia laughed; holding the arms around her waist, and turning her head so she could press her lips against his forehead. "I find it a wonderful change of pace. No one has ever told me such before. And besides...I don't want you to let me go in the first place."

"Well, I promise that if I ever have to let you go," Ezio whispered. "I won't let you slip so far away, that I won't be able to pull you back."

"What makes you believe that I would ever stray?" she asked; reaching behind her to cradle his cheek within her palm.

"I don't believe you one to stray...but even still, I will chase after you no matter what situation arises. I will not allow you to slip away," he assured; covering her hand with his own, and bringing her skin to his lips. He loosened his hold around her waist so she could turn enough that he had the ability to rest his hand on her cheek and bring her lips to his. Though, this kiss was special. One filled with passion and promise and free of any anxiety presented due to the illegality of their relationship. It was a kiss described simply as true...perfect, and absolutely sinful. She gasped as they parted; hair falling into her face as fire engulfed her from the inside out.

"I wish nothing more than to leave with you," she whimpered; holding his hand tight to her quivering stomach. "To be rid of every barrier that yet keeps us apart. Ezio, I grow tired of dancing about these guards. I am sick of acting alone and forgotten when I feel nothing but happiness. I feel weary when I wake in the morning to nothing more than the fleeting memory of you in my dreams, without your body present at my side."

"Then allow me tonight, to sneak within your bed," he spoke softly. "Drop your heavy curtains so no eyes may peer, and allow me the fantasy of holding you through the night...though, I must ask of one thing."

"And that is?"

"Chastity," he stated; his thumb moving against her still cradled face. "Lucrezia, you know I find that the term beautiful is a terrible insult to your being, and you know that in my eyes, making love to you would be...so wonderful that it was far surpass my comprehension, but you must know I value you far more than any other lover able to stand within your beauty. A night of passion within your bed in your husbands house is not how we should do this. It should be about us...and only us. If we allowed ourselves to be carried away, Alfonso would wade knee deep within it, and use it as his greatest weapon against you. And something so magical, should never prove to be dangerous."

A small smile touched her lips and she rested her forehead against his own, as he remained to hold her close within the shadows of the stable. Her touch was tender as she held onto his wrist, and allowed her hazel eyes to meet with the swirling chocolate of his own. "Ezio," the name was spoken on her tongue as if he was supernatural; something amazing that couldn't possibly exist. "What I see in you is not your outward potential to be an amazing lover. I see instead, your care for me, and the respect that you have for me. You are that one in a million person that women swoon over, and even though being with you in an intimate setting would, without a doubt, be phenomenal, I could almost weep over your insistence to wait. You are the perfect man, Ezio Auditore, and tonight, I want the arms of the perfect man around me while I sleep. Such a comfort is all I will ask for, and I promise nothing more."

"Then let us ride for now, so that we may sleep well, and awake well rested, another day closer to being together...without barriers."

"It would be my pleasure," she laughed; sharing one last kiss with him, before their grasps fell away from each other, and they readied their horses.

~*~*AC*~*~

"Tell me, my rat," Alfonso mused as he kept his eyes on the poison vile he was tilting around in a circular motion. "What is it that you have learned about my wife's affair. Tell me. Did you see her wrapped in the arms of my horse breaker, or did you catch them wrapped in each others arms in the bed I have given to her. Come on, Arturo. What have you found?"

"Um...my lord. I have a problem with that."

"What?"

"I...um, well, I was hiding in the bushes outside of the ballroom, spying on your wife of course, but somehow she knew I was there, and she dumped water on me," Arturo whimpered, as if he was a poor kitten that had been thrown into a river. "She threatened to send her dogs on me, so I ran as fast as I can. I jumped into the stream at the far end of the back commons trying to scrub off my scent, but I realized that if she sent the dogs on me, they would be following my scent, when I was soaked in water. Then I had to run back to my room and change and sit there until there wasn't a drop of water on my skin. By the time, I returned to ballroom to spy she wasn't there."

"So, not only have you not seen any adulterous acts that my wife has been indulging in," Alfonso growled; his hand fisting the vile of poison tightly. "But you lost her. Do you realize that you most likely could have found something of interest to me this day, but your idiotic nature prevented you from doing that. Arturo I have a secret to tell you. Stand for me."

"Of course, my lord," Arturo obeyed, standing and waiting as Alfonso walked around his desk. Arturo smiled as his master neared, but sputtered and screeched as the Duca shot his hand out and grabbed the small man by the nape of his neck. The chair Arturo was sitting in fell to the floor, and the rat-like man squirmed and screamed until Alfonso shoved him into the wall and held him there with a dagger to his throat.

"Listen to me, you insolent fool!" the Duca growled, shoving his blade harder into his pet's skin. "You have eight days to find something. Do you understand? Only. Eight. Days. If that time passes and you don't give me any reason to kill off my wife, I swear to God, you will be following her. Though, I won't make it as quick as I'm going to make hers. Yours will be bloody, and painful, and so damn long that you will have enough time to repent for your sins ten times over. I don't give a fuck about how you go about finding what is going on between Lucrezia and Vincenzo, but find it."

"Yes, yes, yes, my lord," Arturo whimpered; tears falling down this man's pale cheeks. He fell into a fit of coughs as Alfonso stepped back and tilted his dagger back towards his own chin. The Duca mused to himself, and turned to glance out of the window, watching the spring flowers pressing up from the damp earth.

"This banquet is in eight days, and if my plans don't work, then my marriage to Maria will be postponed until I can find another way to off my wife and be rid of our marriage," he sighed; scratching the flat of his blade against his long beard. "Such a blasphemous whore deserves to be sent to hell. I am simply doing God's work for him. He will forgive me," he nodded, smiling to himself before he cast a side-glance to the writhing man on his floor. "Go, Arturo. It is late. Begin tomorrow, and don't dare to enter my presence until you have found something."

Arturo looked at him with wide eyes and whimpered, standing up and gently rubbing at the small cut on his throat. "I...yes, my lord," he whispered, before he limped out of the study, and looked over his shoulder to look upon his master on last time; a neglected puppy cast out into the street.

~*~*AC*~*~

As the day fell to night, and her extravagant dress fell to the thin cotton of her night gown, Lucrezia let her curtains down; blocking all light from her room except for the rays of moonlight falling through the one window she left open for him. She felt butterflies bouncing within her stomach, and as she lit a candle by her bedside, she was sure she could have exploded with happiness when she heard his feet touch her marble floors, and the last of her curtains fell to hide their meeting.

His arms circled around her as he stepped up behind her; her back easily finding his chest as his lips found her cheek. His hands passed over the gentle cotton covering her alabaster skin, and she shivered as his fingers found a particular spot on her stomach; her hand gripping his wrist as she tried to push away the unconscious wave of ecstasy drowning her. He held her tighter, and reached up to brush her hair behind her ear; placing a chaste kiss against her neck, before he released her and let his hands rise to move to the buttons clasping his shirt together.

"I hope you don't mind," he chuckled, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. "I'm not a big fan of wearing dressing gowns when I sleep."

She smirked softly and reached up to assist him; methodically sliding each button from it's hold, before she pushed his shirt away to reveal his toned chest. The soft glow from the candle made his skin shimmer with gold, and overcome with tender affection towards him; she moved forward to slide her arms around his waist so her lips could press gentle kisses against his warm, muscled flesh. A smile graced his lips and his hand rose to cradle her head; his fingers running through the cascading waterfall of her soft hair while her loving kisses brought his heart to practically beat out of his chest.

"I don't mind," she eventually whispered, placing her ear over his heart and closing her eyes as his hands gently massaged at her back. Her soft sigh could have brought tears to his eyes, and a fleeting thought shot through his mind as he mused exactly how a man could be so terrible to a woman so sweet and loving. His lips found her forehead, and for an uncountable number of seconds, they simply stood and embraced; holding each other in the Eden they were able to discover.

Without any verbal interaction, Lucrezia allowed her hands to fall from behind his back, into his own, so she could lead him towards her bed. She kissed his cheek softly and left him to further ready for bed while she walked around and pulled back the blankets neatly stretched over the mattress. He discarded his pants and kicked off his boots; unbuckling all the weapons he had hidden within his body. Curled against her pillow, she laughed as he produced blade upon blade from unknown places she wasn't aware of. "Why so many blades?" she asked eventually. "Isn't one enough?"

"One is never enough," Ezio laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed before he sat back and brought the light, cool sheet covering her up to his waist. He opened his arms to her, and without pretense, she shimmied to his side. He encompassed her in his arms, and her head settled against his chest; her eyes closing as the heat of his skin mingled with the heat of her own to produce a feeling that was magical and breathtaking at the same time. "Any decent fighter knows that the more blades you have, the more likely you are to survive."

"Well, you seem to have a surplus," she chuckled; sighing softly as his lips pressed against her forehead. "It's a wonder you're still alive, especially seeing as how you seem to emerge with a few scars and nothing more."

He shivered as her gentle touch ran over the multiple scars littering his torso. Moisture built up in his eyes, and the infamous assassin was threatened, as the tears lining his eyes threatened to fall with every gentle kiss she pressed to his scars. His muscles quivered and an overwhelming sense of rightness washed over him. His hand rose, and his fingers gently slid along her jaw until her attention rose to his face. His eyes had darkened to almost black, and something within Lucrezia clicked. His hands ran into her hair, and they met together tenderly; expressing seemingly unknown and indescribable emotions through the brushing of their lips. This simple, gentle act that she preformed out of nothing more than care and comfort for him, was something that touched the assassin on a level to which he had never been touched before.

"You're amazing," he whispered between soft kisses that were sending warmth into the furthest part of their extremities. "And I don't understand how I seem to be the only person who sees that."

"Because you are the only person who was able to truly see me," she murmured in response; allowing her tired head to fall into the curve of his neck. "You didn't settle for the masks or the lies. You broke your way in, and tore through my barriers, releasing truth to the world. Such actions are ones you are very good at."

"Well thanks, I suppose," he chuckled; his thumb working against her hip in a soft rhythm. A soft, kittenish mewl accompanied his motions, while her fingers rose to gently trace against his chest.

"I like this."

"As do I."

"I...I keep thinking. After this week...once everything goes it's course and we're running for the hills...where exactly are we going to go? How are we going to get out? What all is going to happen?"

"I don't really know," Ezio admitted. "It just depends on how everything plays out. At this point the only thing I can assure you of is that you'll be happy, and nothing short of protected."

"Well, then I suppose that's really all that matters," Lucrezia smirked; her heavy eyes falling dangerously as she pressed a gentle kiss to his neck. "Everything else is simply conflict resolution."

"There's a way to look at it," he smiled as he felt her hand grow weak and fall over his heart. He reached up and intertwined their fingers; the hand at her hip starting on a soothing trip flowing from her hip to her shoulder and back. "I can tell you're exhausted. Why don't you go to sleep?"

"Because I don't want to fall asleep just yet. I want more time with you."

"We have all the time in the world Lucrezia, besides, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"Swear to it?" she teased; sighing once more in bliss as he turned and blew out the last of the light keeping them from being cocooned within cool, comforting darkness. She felt his lips against his forehead, and once again she was snuggled in his arms; barely on the edge of consciousness as his gentle touches lulled her towards sleep.

A soft chuckle left him in response, and as his thumb continued to pass over the knuckles of the hand he held, he brought the digits to his lips in confirmation; whispering: "I already have," before he realized that the woman at his side had fallen into a deep, impregnable slumber.