[Content warning: This section contains non-consensual sexual content and violence.]
They led her through the burning ruins of Monteriggioni, the once-beautiful town now a hellscape of smoke and destruction. Amelia's heart ached at the sight, memories of happier times flashing through her mind. How quickly everything had changed. Her stomach churned with bile as she saw the burned bodies and heard the moans of the soldiers not yet dead.
As Amelia approached the outskirts of town, her heart skipped a beat as she spotted a group of powerful horses standing at attention. Among them stood a tall and imposing figure - Cesare Borgia. Her father's killer. The one who would now determine her fate. She could feel his piercing gaze on her, sending chills down her spine. His dark armor glinted in the sunlight, reflecting the fear and hatred in Amelia's eyes. This was not just a simple meeting, but a clash of wills and a fight for survival.
Cesare's eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as Amelia was brought before him. He looked her up and down appraisingly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Ah, the lovely Amelia Tessaro," he purred, his voice dripping with false charm. "We meet at last. I've heard so much about you."
Amelia lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his gaze with fire in her eyes. "And I've heard too much about you, Cesare Borgia. Murderer. Tyrant."
Cesare's smirk widened. "Such spirit. I can see why Ezio is so... fond of you." He reached out to touch her face, but Amelia jerked away.
"Don't touch me," she spat.
Cesare's face twisted into a cruel sneer, his hand shooting up to grasp her chin in a tight grip. "I will take what I want," he spat out, his fingernails digging into her skin with savage force.
Amelia's heart raced as Cesare's fingers dug painfully into her jaw. She glared at him defiantly, refusing to show fear despite the terror coursing through her veins.
"You're brave, I'll give you that," Cesare sneered. "But bravery won't save you now." He released her chin roughly, leaving red marks where his fingers had been. "Tie her to my horse. We ride for Roma immediately."
As the soldiers moved to comply, Amelia's mind raced frantically. She knew that if Cesare took her to Roma, her chances of escape or rescue would be slim. She had to act now, while they were still in familiar territory.
With a burst of desperate strength, Amelia drove her elbow into the stomach of the soldier binding her to the horse. As he doubled over, she kicked out, catching another guard in the knee
Amelia's desperate attack caught the soldiers off guard, buying her a precious moment of freedom. She spun away from the horse, her bound hands making her movements awkward but no less determined. Her eyes darted around frantically, searching for an escape route.
Cesare's enraged shout cut through the air. "Seize her, you fools!"
The soldiers scrambled to obey, but Amelia was already running. She ducked under the swing of a sword, feeling the whistle of air as it passed inches from her head. Her side screamed in agony with every step, but she pushed through the pain, fueled by pure adrenaline and the will to survive.
She made it barely ten paces before a weight slammed into her from behind, driving her to the ground. Amelia cried out as she hit the hard earth, the impact sending waves of agony through her.
Cesare's laughter rang out cold and cruel. "Foolish girl," he sneered, striding towards her. "Did you really think you could escape?"
Before Amelia could regain her footing, Cesare's hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back painfully, pulling her from the gasped, tears springing to her eyes as she stared up at his twisted grin.
"I was going to be merciful," Cesare hissed, his face inches from hers. "But now, I think you need to learn your place."
With brutal force, he shoved her towards a nearby tree. Amelia stumbled, her bound hands unable to break her fall as she collided with the rough bark. Before she could regain her balance, Cesare was on her, pressing her face-first against the tree trunk.
"You want to act like a wild animal?" he growled in her ear, his breath hot on her neck. "Then I'll treat you like one."
Amelia struggled against him, but Cesare's strength was overwhelming. She felt his hands roaming her body, rough and possessive. Panic rose in her throat as she realized his intentions.
"No, please," she gasped, her voice breaking. "Don't do this."
Cesare laughed cruelly. "Begging already? We've barely begun."
His hands moved to her hips, gripping them tightly as he pressed himself against her. Amelia could feel his arousal through his clothing, and she renewed her struggles, desperate to break free. But Cesare only tightened his grip, one hand moving to the back of her neck to hold her in place.
"Stop fighting," he growled. "You'll only make it worse for yourself."
Amelia felt his other hand fumbling with the laces of her dress, and she squeezed her eyes shut, hot tears streaming down her face. This couldn't be happening. Not like this.
"Please," she whimpered. "I'll do anything. Just don't—"
Her plea was cut off as Cesare roughly spun her around, slamming her back against the tree. His hand closed around her throat. Amelia gasped for air as Cesare's fingers tightened around her throat. His eyes burned with a mixture of rage and lust as he leaned in close, his breath hot on her face.
"Anything?" he hissed, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Be careful what you offer, my dear. I might just take you up on it."
His free hand trailed down her body, roughly groping and squeezing. Amelia squirmed, trying to escape his touch, but she was trapped between his body and the tree. She could feel the rough bark scraping against her back through the thin fabric of her dress.
"Stop," she choked out, struggling to speak past the pressure on her throat. "Please..."
Cesare's smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed unnaturally sharp in the fading light. "Your pleas only make this more enjoyable," he growled, his grip on her throat loosening just enough to allow her to gasp for air.
With a swift motion, he tore at the front of her dress, exposing her chest to the cool evening air. Amelia cried out in shame and fear as Cesare's hungry gaze raked over her body. She tried to cover herself with her bound hands, but Cesare batted them away easily.
"Such beauty," he murmured, his tone almost reverent as he cupped her breast roughly. "It's a shame its marred by such disgusting scars." Amelia flinched at Cesare's cruel words, her scars burning with phantom pain. She tried to twist away from his touch, but he held her firmly in place.
"Don't worry," Cesare sneered, "I'll give you plenty of new ones to match."
His hand slid lower, bunching up her skirts. Amelia thrashed wildly, panic overwhelming her. "No! Stop!"
Cesare backhanded her across the face, stunning her into silence. Stars exploded behind her eyes as pain bloomed across her cheek.
"I told you to stop fighting," he snarled.
Amelia's head lolled to the side, her vision swimming. Through the haze of pain and terror, she caught sight of the soldiers watching nearby, their faces a mix of discomfort and cruel anticipation. She opened her mouth to cry for help
Amelia flinched as Cesare traced the jagged scar that ran across her collarbone - a remnant of the attack that had killed her father. His touch made her skin crawl. She turned her face away, unable to look at him, but Cesare grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you," he snarled.
His eyes burned with cruel desire as he pressed himself against her. Amelia could feel his arousal through his clothing and her stomach churned with disgust and terror. She renewed her struggles, twisting desperately to break free, but Cesare's grip was like iron.
"Please," she begged, her voice breaking. "Don't do this. I'll do anything else, just not this."
Cesare laughed, the sound sending chills down her spine. "Oh, my dear Amelia," he purred, his voice dripping with malice. "You don't seem to understand. You don't have a choice in this matter."
His hand slid lower, pushing up her skirts. Amelia thrashed wildly, panic overwhelming her. "No! Stop!" she cried out.
But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Cesare's fingers dug painfully into her thighs as he forced them apart. Amelia squeezed her eyes shut, hot tears streaming down her face as she felt him positioning himself between her legs.
"Look at me," Cesare growled, grabbing her chin roughly. "I want to see the fear in your eyes as I take you."
Amelia reluctantly opened her eyes, meeting Cesare's cruel gaze. His eyes burned with sadistic pleasure as he saw the terror reflected in hers. Without warning, he thrust forward brutally, tearing into her unprepared body.
Amelia screamed in agony as Cesare violated her, the sound echoing through the ruins of Monteriggioni. She tried to retreat into her mind, to escape the horrific reality of what was happening, but Cesare's brutal assault dragged her back with each vicious thrust.
"That's it," he growled in her ear, his breath hot and rank. "Scream for me. Let everyone hear your shame."
Tears streamed down Amelia's face as she sobbed, her body wracked with pain. She could hear the jeers and laughter of Cesare's men, watching the spectacle with cruel amusement. The shame and humiliation burned as hot as the physical pain.
Cesare's fingers dug into her hips with a savage grip, his sharp nails tearing at the wound on her side until blood oozed from the edges. Amelia's cries of pain only seemed to fuel him as he continued to inflict agony upon her.
But suddenly, a woman's voice pierced through the air, causing Cesare to freeze in his movements. Over his shoulder, Amelia could see a regal-looking figure in a revealing dress, her eyes flashing with fury. "Must you always be such a brute?" she scolds, clearly displeased with Cesare's violent actions. "You can finish with that later," she adds dismissively, as if their cruel treatment of Amelia was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Cesare growled in frustration but withdrew from Amelia, who collapsed to the ground in a heap. She curled into herself, shaking uncontrollably as sobs wracked her body.
"Lucrezia," Cesare said, his tone both irritated and deferential. "I was in the middle of something."
The woman - Lucrezia - rolled her eyes. "So I saw. But we have more pressing matters to attend to. Father is expecting us back in Roma immediately."
Cesare sighed dramatically but nodded. "Very well." He glanced down at Amelia's trembling form. "Bring her. We'll continue this... discussion... later."
Rough hands grabbed Amelia, hauling her to her feet. She stumbled, nearly falling again as waves of pain and nausea washed over her.
One of the soldiers bound her hands tightly behind her back and lifted her onto a horse. Amelia's entire body throbbed with pain, and she could barely keep herself upright in the saddle. As they prepared to depart, she caught sight of Lucrezia watching her with a mix of disdain and curiosity.
"So this is the girl who's caused so much trouble," Lucrezia mused, circling Amelia's horse. "I expected someone more... impressive."
Amelia remained silent, her eyes downcast. She had no strength left for defiance.
"Oh come now, don't be shy," Lucrezia cooed mockingly. She reached out and grasped Amelia's chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. "I can see why my brother is so intrigued. You have lovely eyes."
Amelia flinched away from Lucrezia's touch, her skin crawling at the unwanted contact. Lucrezia's lips curled into a cruel smile at Amelia's reaction.
"Skittish little thing, aren't you?" she purred. Her eyes raked over Amelia's disheveled form, taking in the torn dress, the bruises forming on her skin, the blood staining her side. "My brother certainly did a number on you. But don't worry, pet. We'll have plenty of time to... get acquainted... once we reach Roma."
A shudder ran through Amelia at Lucrezia's words and the predatory gleam in her eyes. She wanted to shrink away, to disappear, but there was nowhere to go. She was trapped, surrounded by enemies, with no hope of escape or rescue.
"Mount up!" Cesare barked. "We ride for Roma immediately."
The soldiers scrambled to obey, mounting their horses and forming up around Cesare and Lucrezia. Amelia swayed in the saddle, struggling to stay upright as pain and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. As they set off at a brisk pace, each jolt of the horse's movement sent fresh waves of agony through her battered body.
Amelia's mind raced frantically, searching for some way out of this nightmare. But she was bound, surrounded by enemies, and too weak to attempt escape. Despair washed over her as the reality of her situation sank in. She was being taken to Roma, to the very heart of Borgia power. What horrors awaited her there?