Chapter 29: Prompt# 53 Keeping A Secret
Two more years of assassination after assassination and you feel your heart dragging by. Ezio had been pushing you away. You were barely part of his missions. Not one sign of Minerva, Apollo or even Hades. It was like your life was on pause. All this preparation for nothing. So recently your days had been spent with Leonardo.
Venice 1486
"Oh the Carnevale, a wonderful time to forget everything even one's own identity," Leonardo opened a small chest on table. You've been curious to what laid inside since he placed there after Ezio left for "Sister" Teodora.
Leonardo had noticed you down expression. So a present seemed a good idea at the time. "Since Ezio has no need for you tonight. Why don't you enjoyed so fun with me?"
You smiled as Leonardo approached you with a beautiful golden mask. He brilliantly picked out a dress for you and even done your hair early.
"Leonardo!" you gasped as you glanced at yourself in the mirror. "How can I ever thank you?"
"By accompanying me tonight?"
"You have a deal!"
He held out an arm for you and you took it happily. Leonardo ushered you out of his workshop and straight to Squero di San Trovaso.
You knew about the contests but you never thought you would become part of one. As you danced and dined with Leonardo you both had overheard that there had been a tied with the ribbon contest. Thus the genius in hand noticed who was competing.
Leonardo guided you to Teodora and Antonio who at the time didn't look very happy. "I can believe this," she muttered.
"What's happen?"
"Ah Leonardo!" Antonio greeted before looking to you, "And who is this lovely lady?"
You clutched Leonardo's arm, silently telling him to keep your name out of the conversation. He caught the draft, "Eh? A dear friend of mine."
"It's a pleasure, "dear friend.""
You smiled, when Leonardo questioned again, "What's happen?"
"Ah, there's a tied and they're deciding what to do?"
Teodora chimed in, "I'm afraid whatever it is, it won't be fair." You glanced to in awaiting Ezio, who's growing impatient by the minute. You were about to speak when Leonardo suddenly pulled you away. Teodora and Antonio calling after your unstopping forms, until you both made it to the stand.
Ezio and the other contestant watch with curious gaze as the masked genius negotiated with the announcer. Leonardo finally stepped away and smiled.
You looked at him, "What are you planning?"
He held out a golden ribbon and tied it around your neck.
"It seems we have our tie breaker!"
You stared madly at Leonardo, when the announcer continued, "This young lady will hide and you two must searched for her. And the first one to obtain the golden ribbon will win."
Ezio gazed at you and you hearted hammered. Then you snapped back at Leonardo, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Making sure Ezio wins."
"How is that possible?"
"You'll see."
The announcer stepped off the stage, "I'll give you a couple of seconds to hide." You didn't move. You couldn't believe you were stuck in this situation.
Instantly Leonardo pushed you away from the crowd. You snapped out of your daze and ran. There was no way out of this one.
Patience was a virtue you ever perfected. You knew he would find you first but he was taking too damn long.
Carnevale was exactly how Leonardo described it, lots of colors and a lot more colorful people…personality and fashion wise. You smiled at your own amusement only for it to fade as you peered at the water below.
A hidden face held your gaze. You leaned further on your elbows that rested on the stone railing, fooling with the golden ribbon. Earlier you had parked yourself on one of the many bridges over the one of the canals.
"Hiding again, Daniela?" You whispered and straighten back up, feeling rather constricted in such tight clothing. You pondered over what your life would've been if you had a choice. Would you even choose to come here? Would you make the right choice?
Maybe it was better that Minerva chose for you. An assassin's life was your destiny even if you didn't play an active role. "This is where I'm supposed to be."
Finally tired of standing there only you decided it was time to go and look for Ezio yourself. You pulled away from the railing and spun around. Lost in the tangle of your thoughts you hardly noticed the man that stood behind you.
Thus your scared yelped was fully justified.
"Sorry," he defended as he paced up the bridge. You smiled, laughing at yourself, "That's quite alright." Ezio had finally come through, his face masked, but you'd recognize that outfit anywhere.
At a sudden forethought you inquired quickly, "How long were you here?"
"I only just arrived."
You breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know you were you. Fully expect that you had prepared to take full advantage of this opportunity. You weren't going to be Daniela that day. No you were going to be a normal star-struck girl, if normal is the right word.
"You're the one right?"
"The tiebreaker…that's me," you cringed, it was hard not to be yourself. Thankfully Ezio only smiled and continued to approach you. You braced the railing behind you as he pushed ever so close to you.
"I found you first, no?"
"Fortunately you're correct."
"May I have the ribbon then?"
He held out his hand, waiting patiently for you to slip the golden silk into his palm. But like you said before you were going to take full advantage of the situation.
You drew your hand, with the golden ribbon, out from behind your back. Slowly, you began to give it to him but suddenly you retracted your hand. After which you gain a curious expression Ezio.
"Only if you gave me something in return."
He smirked, possible knowing something like this would happen, "And what could I offer you?"
"A small price," you tapped your right cheek, "A kiss right here."
His smile never faded. Actually it grew stronger, with eyes glinting mischievously behind his mask. "As you wish."
Ezio silently bended forward preparing for a simple mindless kiss on the cheek. Nothing new to him, people do this every day.
When he was merely inches from you face you instantly maneuvered and caught him off guard. You firmly planted your lips on his. Even through close lids you felt the burn of his shocked gaze.
You lips twitched in a smile and enjoyed getting drunk from the sensation of his lips. Unfortunately you cut it short. You pulled slowly away from him, "Thank yo-."
"That ended too soon."
The drunken haze pause your reaction time as Ezio pulled you in another kiss. He hugged the middle of you back, making your chest collide with his. You couldn't deny the heat that flared the senses. Or the firm hold, he had on the back of your head to deepen a kiss that was far under to begin with. You gripped his sleeves urging to never let go as your lips moved instinctively.
He was forcing the air right out of you. Ezio's strong chest moved against yours only made you stand on your tip-toes. Your back was thrust against the railing comfortably pinning you between wall and Ezio. Ever so quickly he moved from your lips to breath. The breeze cooled your nerves, helping your brain function again, only for Ezio to light them on fire again.
Apparently the second kiss wasn't enough.
Your legs ached to be around him which he encouraged. He promptly rubbed your thigh knowing full well your response in lifting it right where you wanted, around his waist. You evaluated to higher heights of intimacy.
Hades, Minerva…nothing matter. Your feelings were busted at the seams. Being in Ezio's arms was the most honest you've felt in a long time. There was no shame in the secrets you were sharing with him.
Love was honest. Even if rejections kept occuring.
A bell chimed in the distance, unfortunately caused one of you to snap back to reality, "The contest." You merely hummed in mirth.
He reluctantly unlatched himself from you. The air felt so cold without him. You craved to be in his arms once again.
"Ezio," you whispered, however he heard you. He simply smiled savoring his name before he gently ran his hand down your cheek.
Without another word Ezio left.
Author's Note: Big time jump…Anyways this is close to the end, next chapter is the last one of this book…Sorry for the horribleness! I just ready to finish this.
