Chapter 14

Time

Ezio's POV

We met Lorenzo on the bridge and walked up to him.

"When I was six years old I fell into the Arno. I soon found myself drifting down and into darkness, certain my life was at an end. Instead I woke to the sound of my mother weeping. At her side stood a stranger, soaking and smiling at me. My mother explained that he had saved me. And so began a long and prosperous relationship between two families: yours and mine."

Isabel smiled.

"I am sorry I could not save your father and brothers."

"You have nothing to apologize for." she said.

I nodded.

"I believe Jacopo de' Pazzi played a part in their deaths. The attack on you as well. Isabel and I need to find him."

"That coward fled before we could arrest him!"

"Have you any leads?" I asked.

"No. They've hidden themselves well."

"They?" Isabel asked.

He nodded.

"Jacopo was not the only conspirator to escape."

Isabel put her hand on my arm and squeezed gently. So this went even deeper? I sighed and shook my head.

"If they work with Jacopo, they were surely involved in the plot against Ezio's family as well as mine. Though that was many years ago. Give us their names."

He nodded and gave me all their names.

"I am sorry for the loss of your family as well."

"It is done." I whispered.

Ezio turned to him again.

"I will speak with my uncle. He has men in the countryside. But for now…" He took my hand. "I must take Isabel home. She's only recently learned about what happened to her parents and brothers. She needs time."

"Of course, I understand. But before you go, take this…"

He handed me another codex page.

"A codex page!"

"I took it from the files of Francesco de' Pazzi, seeing as he clearly no longer needs it. I've always had an interest in things of antiquity. As did you father."

"It is meaningful to me as well."

"Then consider it a gift! Che il Signore ci protegga. (God save us all.)"

I nodded and led Isabel away.

"Miss Ferrari."

We turned and he looked at her.

"Thank you for trying to save my brother."

"I'm only sorry I couldn't save him."

He smiled sadly.

"I'm just grateful that you tried. Thank you Isabel Ferrari."

She smiled at him and bowed her head.

"You're very lucky Ezio. Both of you."

"Thank you Signore." I said.

He nodded and we left. We went back to the Villa. Isabel needed some time to take things in and figure them out. She had learned everything so fast and all at once, yet still she managed to stay focused on Francesco. She never ceased to amaze me.

When we arrived, it was in the middle of the night. Uncle was there to welcome us.

"Do you ever sleep uncle?"

He laughed.

"Sometimes. Welcome back nipote."

Isabel smiled and then said goodnight.

"Did something happened?"

We sat down and I looked at him.

"Her father's name was Dante Ferrari, an Assassin."

His eyes went wide.

"I've heard his name before."

I nodded.

"Her entire family was murdered by the same men who killed my family. She found their graves in the catacombs of Firenze. That was how she found out."

He sighed sadly.

"After all those years…she should never have found out that way." he said.

I nodded and looked towards the ceiling.

"I brought her back so she has time to take things in. And I won't leave her."

"I understand. Isabel is very lucky Ezio, you always stand by her."

I smiled a bit.

"Because I love her more than anything."

"Marry her."

I snapped back to look at him.

"What?"

"Marry her nipote! You and Isabel are meant to be together. I know she loves you just as much as you love her. Marry her." he said.

I started to think about what he said after he left. He was right but was Isabel ready for that? Was I?

"Ezio?"

I turned and smiled at my sister. She smiled and ran to hug me.

"I didn't know you'd come back."

I nodded.

"Isabel need some time to think about some things."

"Is she alright?"

"She will be. As I said, she just needs a little time."

"Did something happen?"

I sighed.

"It's not for me to say. Perhaps Isabel will tell you, but you must not ask her. Do you understand?"

She nodded and then went back to bed. I went upstairs and found my mother still in the same position. I sighed. I was starting to lose hope that she would come back to us. I went upstairs but Isabel was not there. She was on the roof. She usually went up there when she wanted to be alone. I took off my robes, armor and boots. I got into bed, but I was used to having her beside me. I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep.

Isabel's POV

I stood on the roof and with tears in my eyes.

"You all died trying to save me. You could have run, but you sacrificed yourselves for me….why? Why didn't you run? I could have hidden or run with you. Why did you have to die?"

Silent tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Why?" I whispered.

I knew there would be no answer. The stars were as silent as stone. I fell to my knees and shook my head. I knew it was getting cold, but I did not feel it.

"Isabel? What are you doing up here?"

I looked at Mario.

"Thinking." I said.

"Yes….Ezio told me what happened. I am so sorry Isabel. No one should have to find things out that way. But I am certain they're proud of you. You trained hard and you've always stood alongside my nipote. He told me you killed Francesco."

I nodded.

"I remember he killed my mother. And Borgio, he killed my father and brothers."

He put his hand on my shoulder..

"I know you will avenge them."

I smiled a bit.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, now you should get inside. It's cold out tonight."

I nodded and climbed back inside the window. I was quiet so I wouldn't wake Ezio.

"At last!" he said.

His sudden comment made me jump.

"I thought you were asleep." I said.

"It's hard for me to sleep without you next to me."

I smiled softly and got into bed. He immediately put his arms around me and kissed my shoulder.

"I love you." he told me.

I smiled and closed my eyes.

"I love you too."

I could feel him smiling against my neck.

"You really can't sleep without me?"

"No. I need to feel you next to me, I need to have you in my arms." he said softly.

I smiled more and opened my eyes. I put my hand over his and pushed my back against his chest.

"I can't sleep without you either. It's funny."

"Hm?"

"I was always so used to being alone. But after that first night I slept in your arms…without you I just can't sleep. I need you with me."

Ezio's POV

She could not sleep without me? This made my heart beat faster and faster in my chest.

"You could never know how your words touch my heart. My beautiful Isabel. Now get some sleep, I'll be right here when you wake up."

"Goodnight Ezio." she whispered.

"Goodnight."

I kissed her shoulder and closed my eyes.

I woke later that night to someone pounding on the door.

"What is that?" Isabel asked sleepily.

"I don't know. Stay here."

I knew she would eventually follow me. I opened the door and found La Volpe there.

"What do you want? Isabel is sleeping."

He held up a letter.

"Her father wrote this for her. I guess he knew they were coming for him. He wrote letters for her mother and brothers as well, but she is the only survivor.I was going to give this to her when she was ready. I never meant for her to find out the way she did. I wanted to tell her what happened first. I know she will not want to see me, please give this to her."

He left without another word and I closed the door. I looked at the envelope and sighed. She had not followed me this time. I went back up and she looked at me.

"I saw La Volpe leaving." she said.

I nodded and sat down next to her. I handed her the envelope.

"He came to give you this. A letter from your father."

"What?"

She took it from me and started to open it, but she stopped.

"What's wrong?"

She shook her head and put the letter on the bedside table.

"I don't want to read it just yet."

I nodded and we laid back down. I couldn't help but wonder what was in the letter, it was thick and seemed a bit heavy. Either way it was not my business, so I just went back to sleep.

Isabel's POV

Ezio was awake and watching me when I woke up. I smiled and stroked his chest.

"Buongiorno." he said.

I smiled.

"Buongiorno."

He kissed me softly and gently.

"Now, what would you to do today? We will do anything you want." he said.

I smiled at him again.

"I think I'm going to take a walk outside the walls. Think about whether or not to open my father's letter. I just need a little time alone today."

"Then that is what you will have."

He kissed me and then got dressed. I watched him with a smile. He looked at me and chuckled.

"Like what you see?"

I got up and walked over to him.

"You know that I do. Tonight I'll show you just how much I like it."

He raised his brow with a smirk. He pulled me tight against him and kissed me hard. I relaxed in his arms and he slowly pulled back. He stroked my cheek and kissed me once more before leaving. I went to the ladder.

"I love you!"

"I love you too!"

I smiled and got dressed.