The carriage lumbered along the dirt road with two of Rome's most handsome and attentive guards on each side. One dark haired guard was alternating between glowering at the other and attempting to gaze through the red velvet curtain of the coach, however he could only briefly glimpse the beauty within. The other guard was quite content to silently enjoy the ride with his two siblings, almost forgetting the purpose of this trip.

Lucrezia was jostled awake by the sudden stop of the carriage and the abrupt squealing cry of her infant son. Her first thought was to wonder if Juan was anywhere near the child. As she completely awoke she found her son being nursed by the young maid sharing the enclosed space with her.

"Thank you, Henrietta. I think I'll get out for a little while and see what is holding us up." Lucrezia opened the curtain, letting the soft warm light stream in. She looked around to see Cesare on her side of the coach. He smiled when he saw her emerge and gracefully got down from his horse, as if he had done it a hundred times, and probably had. He offered Lucrezia his hand to assist her. When she was down and arm in arm with Cesare, as was natural for them, Cesare suggested a quiet walk around the site to stretch their legs.

"The day is beautiful."

"Your beauty quite outshines it."

"Do you mean that truthfully Cesare?" Lucrezia looked up at her brother hoping to see the sincerity in his eyes. He did not disappoint her, as untold behind his eyes was much more the she could ever hope to understand. Instead of answering her question, he simply smiled and continued along the natural path in the undergrowth. Out of the corner of his eye he saw what looked like a modest flower resting among the beautiful bouquet crowding the path. Upon further inspection Cesare found it to be a deep red carnation.

"What is this?"

"A blossom for a blossom."

"It's lovely Cesare, and sweet smelling." A red carnation. Lucrezia attempted to think on her fleeting study of the meanings of flowers. Admiration? A red carnation means admiration and…

"Cesare is it true that you are going off with our brother to lead an army against Caterina Sforza?"

"Where did you hear that?"

"I am not completely ignorant. I know you, I have known you my whole life. You do not think I know what is happening with you? You don't think I have my own spies in this spider web called Rome?"

"I assume you have assassins as well then sister?"

"I have what I need. Do you?"

"I need you."

"You need war and honour Cesare, you do not need a sister." Cesare stopped his stride and turned towards Lucrezia. He stared at her intently, while she held his gaze, before grabbing her by the arms and pulling her close to him. They were so close that Lucrezia could feel his breath on her lips and knew that he could feel the same.

"I need you like my body needs this air. I'd rather stop my own breath then give you up. Do not ever doubt that."

"I would never doubt you brother." A red carnation means passionate love, she remembered.