Chapter 14
December 1499
How many years has it been since he had been in Venezia? "Far too many" is what his mind is telling him.
The city had changed, but not as drastically as he thought it would over the course of thirteen years. It is still a very beautiful city.
But something tugs at the back of his mind.
Was she still here?
His heart seems to tighten within his chest. She had promised to wait, but then again, he thought that Cristina would have...
Pushing the thought out of his mind, he thinks of the present.
He's not even sure if he can recall how to get to her villa, as the few times he managed to find it were all rather on accident and with good luck. However, he spots a group of courtesans, and he approaches them, a small smile on his lips.
"Buongiorno, Donne. I have a question for you, if you do not mind."
They look at him, a few hiding their faces slightly behind fans and giggling.
"Buongiorno, signore. And ask away."
"Does Elizabeth Romano di Venezia still live in the city?"
"Indeed she does." One points down a long, winding alleyway to her left. "She lives just down that way, in fact. Look for the crimson banner; it shouldn't take you too long to find it. Why do you ask, signore? Do you plan on courting her?"
He raises an eyebrow.
"She remains unmarried?"
"Oh, yes." Another answers him, fanning herself. "I have heard that her parents were not pleased that she hadn't. She isn't getting any younger, you know."
"Do many still court her?" He asks.
"They do. She is still very lovely, even for being past her prime. But she turns them down; every single one of them."
"What does she say to them?"
"It varies from person to person, but she is very polite about it. And when they ask her why, she simply says that she's 'waiting'."
"Waiting?"
The women shrug.
"Oh well. Thank you for your time, Donne."
He bows slightly, making them grin, and he goes on his way.
She remains unmarried…
She simply says that she's 'waiting'…
His heart flutters slightly at the words and he smiles again, pulling his hood back and pushing all thoughts of her refusing to wait any longer for him out of his mind.
The courtesans were right; it did not take him very long at all. Peering through the gated entrance of the small courtyard in the front, he sees a woman sitting on the ground and tending to the flowers, his ears picking up the delicate sound of hummed music. A smile is brightening her face, and he immediately recognizes her.
The past thirteen years had been very kind to her, but she had naturally lost some of her youth over the years. The courtesans were right about that, as well; she is still very lovely, especially for a woman nearing forty.
His eyes travel to her neck, and when he sees a shining necklace set with sapphires gleam in the light, he swears that his heart has stopped.
"Elizabeth Romano di Venezia?"
The woman turns her attention from the blossoms to him.
"Yes? How can I help you, signore?"
Even her way of speaking is different. She is much more relaxed than when he had met her all those years ago. He smiles.
"Do you not recognize me?"
She blinks, clearly confused.
"I… cannot say that I do. Mi dispiace."
He falters slightly.
"May I come in?"
"Oh… yes. Yes, of course. Please excuse my poor manners."
She rises from the ground, brushing her skirt free of any dirt and wrinkles, and steps lightly to the gate. Her hand rises to undo the latch, but she stops when she finds his hand on hers. She looks up at him, questions in her expression.
"Your eyes…" He whispers.
She blinks.
"What about them, signore?"
"They are such a deep, striking blue. They remind me very much of the night sky of Firenze. Has anyone ever told you that?"
Her eyes widen slightly, and she feels as if her heart may burst from her breast. Only one man has ever said that about her eyes.
"E…Ezio…?"
He smiles and nods once as she averts her attention back to the latch of the gate before almost flinging it open. She merely stands there, tears welling up in her eyes as she stares at him, her lower lip trembling slightly. He takes a step towards her, his arms sliding smoothly around her middle, and she presses herself against him.
"Ezio…"
"I am sorry that it took me so long to return to you."
His grip on her tightens as her hands ball into fists, one coming up to pound a few times against his chest.
"I have been waiting for you for thirteen years…"
She trails off, and he can hear the unshed tears in her voice. He rests his chin upon the crown of her head as her arms glide around his torso, hands clutching at the loose fabric.
"I have missed you, il mio unico amore."
His words make her heart skip a beat.
"I have no reason to leave you again. I shall stay with you, if you wish."
She looks up at him, the difference in their height still noticeable, and nods vigorously, her grip tightening. He merely smiles as his fingertips brush against her cheek, and he takes her into a kiss before she leads him inside, the door shutting behind them with a click.
The past thirteen years had been hard on her. But he is back. And that is all that matters.