Caterina awoke to Riario sitting a few yards away from her staring at the Florentine sunrise. The sun illuminated the city giving it an enchanting glow rivaling artistic visions of heaven. She studied her new husband for a moment. He seemed deep in thought unaware of her presence or that of anyone except his own mind. He was a thoughtful man that much she was sure of. Cathy had never been much of a deep-thinker. She was more of an instinctual actor, not thinking much of her decisions but always making them without regret and little consequence. Now that she was married to the Count, she would have to consider her manners, her choices, her behaviors, more carefully. She slowly moved towards the Count sitting beside him. A long time passed before he acknowledged her presence.

"Beautiful isn't it?" He spoke softly.

"Yes." Cathy mustered surprised by his unguarded tone.

"His Holiness would see this marvelous city destroyed before allowing her to flourish in such enlightened merriment."

"Do you not care for the security of Florence?" Cathy asked.

"Florence revels in its sin. While Rome is free to pluck the enlightened ideas without engaging in there sinful formation."

"So you think knowledge, or enlightenment requires sin to flourish?"

"So it seems." He replied.

"Well I found Rome to be less than pious. And I am sure that is why places like Florence relish the chance to point out the hypocrisy of it all."

"I agree." Riario sighed.

Cathy looked away pondering the Count's acceptance of her critiques.

"Things could become a bit unfavorable here..." Riario began. "The Florence you once knew will be vanquished, and you will find more enemies than friends."

It was Cathy's turn to sigh. She was all but too aware of what her current status would now be amongst the populous of Florence.

"I am not as easily wounded by the scorns of others as you might think." Cathy smiled. The Count returned this gesture.

"Of course not. You are a strong, freethinking woman. However, I think you will find that amongst my usual company your opinions will be looked upon distastefully."

"How could that be? When my opinions will be aligned with yours always."

Girolamo looked up at Cathy in shock.

"At least in the presence of anyone in our company." She smiled before leaning in closer.

"However…do expect me to make my beliefs perfectly clear away from the prying ears and eyes of all those we encounter."

"I am surprised at such agreeableness." He managed to muster.

"Well you are my husband after all. Our loyalty to each other is all that I can depend upon in such craven times. We are to appear untied always, albeit we be far from it." She said looking off into the distance.

"I hope to change that." He nearly whispered placing his hand over hers. The small gesture sent shivers down her spine.

"Yes." She whispered. Her eyes softened as he leaned in closer.

Girolamo's chest heaved impatiently as he looked down at her plump pink lips. He needed to believe her oath of loyalty, if he was to navigate such a quest that had been laid before him with the Book of Leaves.

He pressed his lips against hers. He kissed her with a passion that frightened him. And her reciprocation of such devotion sealed his fate. His greatest quest had just begun.

I know it's a small chapter, but it's time to start establishing the foundations of intimacy before plunging into the ungodly world of Florence ;) I missed this story.