Diplocarpon Rosae

[kawaii5lyfe]

 Juan’s death left a foul taste in the mouth of Cesare Borgia. It wasn’t only the loss of the banker that irked him, or the funds that were stolen. It was that damn Auditore and his little assassino gremlins that popped up like papaveri all around Roma, trying to ensnare the people, and slowly choke the life out of his armies. Cesare tightened his grip on the reigns wishing it was the neck of that damn Fiorentini. When the men he had sent to retrieve the money the whores had taken before Juan’s death failed to return, Cesare decided to reinstate his invitation to the Auditore.

Cesare barely recognized the Centro district, though it wasn’t an unpleasant sight. The tall buildings that had once fallen into disrepair with crumbling exteriors stood proudly showing off their renovations in the lantern light. The shops that he had once forced to close were alive and buzzing with activity. Under different circumstance Cesare would have found this renewal of the district very pleasing if it hadn’t been the assassino’s doing. He cast a bitter glare at the tower that used to be a symbol of his power. It was like a mocking phantom, and he made a mental note to reclaim it as soon as funds allowed.

The streets were still lined with small crowds of people despite the approaching midnight hour. Women were fanning away the lingering heat of the day, and men still wiped sweat from their brows with their shirt sleeves. Cesare had always hated summer with its insufferable heat, increase in insects, and seemingly endless days. These were the days that lead to nights where his insomnia peaked, and he drank too much wine, and indulged in the sins of the flesh trying to find any solace for his mind to allow him a few moments of rest. No rest for the wicked, he thought with a smirk. He tugged on the reigns, slowing his stead to a stop as the Rosa in Fiore came into view. The soldiers that Cesare brought with him fanned out in a protective perimeter, the square suddenly becoming quiet as the inhabitants noticed the formation.

“Remember,” Cesare began lightly, tilting his head as he took in the brothel. “No one leaves, and no one enters.”

He dismounted as the group murmured “Sì, capitano” and made his way across the square. Some groups of people scurried out of the way and ducked into buildings or down alley ways, while others stood frozen by curiosity or fear. Cesare raised a hand and gave a signal with a flick of his wrist sending the soldiers scattering. Six moved around the perimeter of the Rosa in Fiore barking orders at archers on nearby roof tops. The remainder pushed forward, forcing the door of the brothel to allow their entrance. Cesare slowed his stride to a leisurely walk when the surprised cries of the courtesans and their patrons reached his ears. He heard her voice rising above the din as he pushed his way through the soldiers, a dark smile curling his lips.

“You bastardi just don’t know when to give up, do you?” Claudia Auditore pushed away from the counter bristling with anger as she marched toward the throng.

Cesare grinned as she stopped short and her eyes widened as he emerged from behind the wall of armor. A hush fell over the brothel and the air turned heavy as tension filled it.

“I’ve decided to pay the Rosa in Fiore a visit!” Cesare began genially, taking slow steps toward the Auditore girl. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve stepped foot inside.”

Cesare glanced around the establishment giving an approving nod to the improvements. He made sure to look each individual in the eye, memorizing each face and already dreaming up ways to have them killed later. He could sense Claudia taking tentative steps away from him.

“A lot of things have changed.” Cesare mused. He turned his full attention on the Auditore girl. Claudia was beautiful as her brother was handsome, with olive skin and calculating honey brown eyes that glittered with animosity. She was chewing the inside of her petal pink bottom lip like she was literally biting back words.

Cesare nodded to himself, his grin broadening. “Yes, you’ll do for the evening.” He closed the distance between them in two long strides, enjoying the look of shock and horror that changed Claudia’s delicate features.

She shrank away from his touch when he reached for her, pinning herself against the counter. Cesare could see in her face that it was not fear that repelled her but disgust. A mosaic of emotions exploded inside his chest ranging from irritation, to amusement, and arousal.

“Now, now,” Cesare spoke through his teeth, the grin still in place as he grabbed Claudia by the arm. “Essere una brava ragazza.”

She struggled against his grip, the fingers of her free hand prying at his clasped around her arm. “Pezzo di mer--!”

“You are not welcome here!”

The guard was already advancing when Cesare turned his head toward the doorway where a much older version of Claudia stood. The Auditore girl froze confirming the identity of the woman in a whisper.

“Gentle.” Cesare spoke in a sing-song voice as a soldier reached for the old woman. He could almost hear the air around him snap with how fast Claudia turned her head to look up at him. In his peripheral vision he could see the confusion and distrust knot between her brows.

“Don’t worry mama Auditore I’ll pay good money for her.” Cesare purred, dragging Claudia up the steps. The last few words barely left his lips when the brothel came back to life with curses, dry sobs and scandalized gasps.

Cesare expected resistance from the Auditore girl but he wasn’t expecting the strength behind her tugs and twists as she fought to be free of his grasp. The flames of irritation and arousal danced dangerously together inside Cesare’s chest. It was the same flame that burned beneath his skin just before a battle, making him crave the smell of blood and the cries of slain men. It was the same flame that fueled his sadism when interrogating a captive. The flame that gave him pleasure from the pain he gave. Cesare grinned at the prospect of Claudia fanning that flame.

“Now tesoro,” Cesare gripped Claudia’s shoulders, forcing her to face him when they reached the first landing. “Where is your room?”

She drew heavy breaths from her parted lips, her hands balled into fists against Cesare’s ornate chest plate pausing in her resistance. He held her gaze, studying her eyes and smirked when she glanced up to the left.

“Left it is.” He spoke genially again as he roughly turned Claudia away. She was cursing, trying to pull her arm free.

The groan that escaped through her teeth when Cesare twisted her arm behind her back and slung his free arm across her chest sent heat flooding his loins. A woman’s resistance was very arousing to Cesare. The fight that gave way to pleasure was a recreation that he had not enjoyed in months. The women he laid with in recent weeks had been over eager, wanting to mount him while he still wore his armor. Even Lucrezia sought him out, only offering up resistance when he killed off one of her lovers. It left something to be desired, and Claudia Auditore would give him exactly what he wanted.

Carnal urgency propelled him down the hallway half dragging half carrying his prize. Cesare kicked open the last door at the end of the hall with such force that it bounced off the interior wall. Someone below cried out but Cesare only paused in the door way to wrestle with the Auditore girl, releasing his hold on her arm to detangle her hair lacing from her chaplet. She squeaked as she fought against his arm across her chest and his prying fingers. Cesare caught whiffs of wild violet and pomegranate when he pulled the veil free and shoved the squirming girl into the room. He lifted the thin cloth to his nose and inhaled deeply the rich floral scents left by Claudia’s dark cocoa tresses. His eyes were trained on her as she stumbled, falling to one knee before scrambling to her feet. Catching her breath like she had just ran a long way, the Auditore girl pulled her hair over her shoulder in a way that made Cesare think it was by habit.

He found it all endearing; the slight flush of her cheeks, her hair cascading over her shoulder, and the daggers she was throwing from her eyes. Cesare chuckled giving a slight shake of his head as he tossed the hair ornament onto a nearby chair. The room was very well furnished, with ornate rugs, finely crafted chairs and chests, a marbled fire place, and a velvet draped canopy bed. It had a warm, welcoming feel to it despite the animosity emanating from its owner.

“Take it off.” Cesare instructed simply, turning his back on the Auditore girl to shut the door.

“What?” Claudia asked breathless and incredulously.

“Take it off,” Cesare turned once the door had been locked, eyebrows pulled together and jabbing his finger toward her. “Or I’ll cut it off.”

Claudia’s fingers twitched at her side weighing her alternatives. Taking leisurely steps Cesare began to slowly close the distance between them, his head cocked to the side as he considered her.

Swallowing thickly Claudia raised her chin a little higher. “Poi tagliato, mingia.” She sneered.

It was like music to his ears. Cesare hardly recalled how he obtained a dagger as he was caught up the frenzy of struggling woman and tearing fabric.

He had thought his intentions were clear before he blew a hole in Mario Auditore’s skull. Perhaps they were not clear enough.