Kat's POV

Ezio is sleeping in a chair tucked in the corner of the cabin. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. I slip on a saffron yellow dress and style my hair into a twist. I gently remove the book from Ezio's hand.

The ship is so quiet when I creep up to the deck. Venice is a few metres away from the hull of the ship. I run down to Ezio. He's moved from the chair.

"Morning, Bella." Ezio smiles behind me.

"Um, we'll be arriving in Venezia any second."

"Okay." We leave.

When we step on land, it feels like fresh air from spending hours on a boat.

Our chauffeur, Isadora, leads us to a suite in the Doge's palace. Thankfully there is a room each.

"Grazie, grazie, Isadora." Ezio and I mumble after Isadora gives us a spiel on that the Doge has given us clothes and that he wants to have lunch with us.

"Bella, you might want to change."

"You too, messere." I smile

I change into a yellow and silver dress with three quarter length sleeves with a translucent white fabric flowing out from the sleeves and a lace back to the bodice. Isadora comes back in to do my hair. My hair is swept up into a braided bun.

Isadora finally lets me go and I half walk, half run down to the supper hall. Ezio catches me on the stairwell.

"You don't know if anyone is a spy at dinner." He mutters as he fastened my hidden blades to my wrists. Ezio also secures my sleeves with some gold beads.

"Ezio, mio vecchio amico! Do sit!" A man smiles as we come into the dining room.

"Agnostino, this is Katia, Katia, Agnostino."

"Pleasure to meet you, messere." I curtsy, not entirely sure what to do.

"Don't be silly child, you are my guest, not my servant. Sit." Agnostino and Ezio laugh.

"How are you Ezio?"

"I'm alright, Agnostino, and yourself?"

"Splendid. How are you, Katia?"

"I'm fine." I quickly eat what is on my plate, hoping to deter the conversation away from me.

"I do hope you are coming to Carnivale."

"We are."

"Va bene. You will find your masks in your rooms. Remember to wear them. Isadora, take the servants out with you."

"Si, messere." The attendees leave

"I have good reason to believe that people still loyal to my fratinello, Marco and my cousins Emilio and Silvio are plotting to kill me at Carnivale."

"Merda. Agnostino, give me names so I can dispatch them."

"Mi dispiace, dear friend, they have several informants within my circle and my servants so even if you kill the ringleaders, someone will still kill me."

"I am going to need some help."

"I have sent for Bartolomeo and La Volpe. They will arrive tomorrow."

"Good. Bella and I shall adjourn to our rooms."

"Goodnight Messere." I smiel as we leave.

The following morning

"Madonna. Madonna!"

"What… Who?"

"Bartolomeo D'Alviano, at your service!"

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Katia."

"Ezio is with Gilberto-La Volpe to you, downstairs."

"Ah, please leave so I can dress."

"Si." Bartolomeo leaves and I change into a simple sky blue gown. I brush my hair. With haste I run down the stairs.

"Buon Giourno, Bella." Ezio smiles "This is Volpe."

"Nice to meet you, Katia." Volpe smiles from next to Ezio.

"We have come up with a plan."

"Agnostino has given us names. You will tail them once they move away from the party and engage them only if they launch an attack. Volpe will be tailing from the other side while Barto and I guard Agnostino."

"Sounds good. When do we start?" I smile

Later that day

I see the brilliant gown that was picked out for me. It is a rose gold detailed gown with long sleeves, sweetheart neckline. It is just beautiful. I slip into it. This was custom made for me. Isadora comes in and does my hair. It is twisted and held in the middle and most of the hair falls in waves- like a less curly version of Christine's hair in the Phantom of the Opera movie with Gerard Butler. I now put on my golden mask and blush pink satin heels. I feel like a princess.

I am ushered out very quickly from the house and into the courtyard.

"The man in the robes- Cosimo. Next to him is the son of Il Spagnolo- Cesare Borgia with his sister, Lucrezia. And the woman; a courtesan who gets to dress up for the night. Tail the woman. I'll meet you there."I presume La Volpe whispers and disappears.

Presumptuously I make my way to Ezio and whisper in his ear "Volpe and I will tail the group. Just letting you know that everything is going well."

I dance away.

Surprisingly, the Borgias don't leave when everyone else does. I quickly make my way behind them but make it seem like I'm not tailing them.

They meet up in a closed off garden with an alchemy set on a bench.

"Cosimo, we must tread carefully."

"Cassa. There is no we; you just have to look pretty. Did you bring it?"

"Yes, mi amore."

"Now; we slip a bit of belladonna into poor Agnostino's wine and no one will know."

"And if it fails; I'll kill him."

"Good girl. Now do your job." As she begins her 'routine', you reveal yourself.

"Salve, traitors."

"It wasn't what you heard!" Cosimo pleads

"Well if it isn't poisoned, then both of you drink it. At the same time." You smile.

"Fine."

"Okay." They take a sip out of the poisoned cup.

They then wobble about, looking very drunk. They vomit everywhere. They try speaking and moving but it is very hard.

Then like A Ring of Roses, they all fall down.

"I have seen some creative kills in my time but nothing like this." Volpe smiles.

"Me or them spiking the wine."

"Both. I liked how you used their weapon against them. That'll be very useful."

"I want to go back to the party."

"Sure."

I walk back to the courtyard. Everyone clears the way for me. Then Ezio walks down the stairs.

"Volpe came about a minute before you."

"Ezio, what is this?"

"Happy Carnevale, Bella."

He takes you in his arms and leads in a waltz. One two three, one two three. One two three, one two three. You spin about, it is so beautiful around you.

Then as people wait for midnight when Ash Wednesday begins, people clear to the walls

Ten,

Nine,

Eight,

Seven,

Six,

Five,

Four,

Three,

Two,

One.

Fireworks go off and Ezio presses his lips to mine. He is gentle and soft, like fluff. While this is going on, we still dance. It is like we are a piece of calm in heavy, raucous, loud revelry. The best party I have ever been to.