The Blood Covenant

by Emily Bex

  “Speak the words, mi amore. Is Luca your choice?”

  “Yes, Luca is my choice.”

  Picking her up, he hugged her and spun her around. “Ti amo! Grazie!” Kissing her face all over, he was overjoyed. “Let us go change and then we shall go tell Luca the good news, si?”

  “Change? What do you want me to wear now? I left all my clothes strewn on the floor.”

  “Well, where we will find Luca, you will not make it far in those heels. They are on the training field, a place inside the warrior camp that is designed for the warriors to train. They will be at sword practice at the moment. They have their barracks there, and most live there if they do not have mates. I believe you may want to change, perhaps into some jeans?”

  “Jeans! That I can manage. And some flat shoes. Can you help me find our bedroom? If you send me back unescorted, I have no idea where I’ll end up.”

  “Oh si! I will take you there. And I think I should change into some leathers and boots.” Picking her up, he teleported them right into the bedroom.

  Shade had Gi bring a small snack for Kate to eat while they were changing, and he convinced her to wear some boots instead of flats, before they headed out for the training field. He was conscious that she’d not seen much of the place, and he led her through some of the formal gardens as they walked along outside. He watched as her eyes grew large at the size of the place, and how much land it covered. The Medici Castello was well known in Florence. Holding her hand, he felt happy here, something he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

  “So, what do you think, mi amore? Do you like it here in Florence? I know it is not Paris, but I hope you can think of this as your home now as well.”

  “Shade, this...palace. I had no idea it was so large. It’s beautiful, and you know I love Italian architecture. I’ve visited Italy, and I loved it. Florence is my favorite city in Italy. I’d seen this castle from a distance on the Arno before. I could never have imagined that, someday, it would be my home. But my home is wherever you are, Shade.”

  He squeezed her hand. “And my heart is wherever you are, bel. You shall have whatever you wish here. The house, the gardens, they are all yours.”

  As they got closer to the field, the clanging of swords became louder, and it sounded like music to his ears. The cheers and cursing were also loud and cut through the sound of the swordplay. Looking over at her, he smiled and stopped.

  “Bel, my warriors are a bit gruff but respectful, so I ask that you excuse whatever you hear before we get there since they do not know we are coming.”

  She laughed softly. “I’m sure I’ve heard it all before. I think I’ll be fine.”

  Taking her hand, he led her around the blockade of towers that housed his warriors and onto a huge field. They stood at its edges, viewing the activities. There were about fifty warriors fighting with swords, sparing, and working out, some doing acrobatics in the air as vampires do when fighting. Shade stood with his arms crossed and said nothing, letting her take it all in. One by one, the warriors became aware of his presence and laid down their swords, standing at attention.

  “You have trained all these warriors?”

  “Si, I trained them, along with my Second-In-Command, Marco, since I travel all over the world. But in my youth, I spent my days and nights as they do now, living as a warrior in training. Now come, we have a task at hand, and a very important one.”

  Taking her hand, he led her onto the field. Positioning her in front of him, he stood behind her, his hands upon her shoulders, his pride bursting.

  “My brothers in arms, at ease! You are looking well this night. Your master is pleased with your progress. I wish to present to you my mate, Katherine. You will show her the respect that is her due. You will show her what Medici warriors are made of, not only strength and honor, but integrity.”

  As each warrior went down on one knee and bowed their head before her, his heart roared with pride, for these were his legion, this was his destiny and they accepted her as their own.

  “Kate, my warriors are honoring you with this gesture. You may ask them to rise and they will, and then I will call forth those we saw today, si? Speak loud and clear. This is what you should say...Sorgere guerrieri di Medici!”

  She did her best to imitate the words he spoke, and called out to the warriors, “Sorgere guerrieri di Medici!” She had no idea what she had said...Charge the barracks, for all she knew.

  He smiled at her thoughts. “You just said, ‘Arise warriors of Medici!” He watched as they each stood, legs spread and hands behind their backs, and it pleased him. He’d done what he’d been taught to do, bring forth the Medici warriors into the new century. “You did well, mi amore, but we do need to work on your Italian.”

  Calling out each of the candidates for her protector by name, he asked them to step forward. “I thank each of you for your loyal service. You were hand-selected by me for consideration as my lady’s protector because you represent the highest standards of a Medici warrior. I have asked my lady to choose a protector from amongst you this night and she has made her decision. Luca step forward!”

  As he approached, Shade noticed Luca caught her eye and smiled softly. Luca stood before her in his leather garb and went down on one knee, took her hand and kissed it lightly. “Mi amore, your protector is before you, you are required to do nothing at this moment. Just watch what happens and I will instruct you.”

  Taking her hand, Shade led her to the block containing many swords. “Bel, you must pick one of these swords, we must honor Luca in front of the others as is his due. I know you are nervous, but you must carry it back to him. I will then proceed with the ceremony and help you. It is not difficult, bear with me.”

  She looked at the block that contained numerous swords of different lengths and designs,

  and removed one from the pile.

  Taking her hand, he led her back to Luca where he remained kneeling. Shade stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her as they gripped the sword together, his hands on top of hers. Luca bowed his head. “Just watch and move your hands with mine.”

  “Luca, warrior of Medici, as your master, I honor you with the title of protector to my mate. You shall, from this night forward, give your life to her as if she were your own, honoring me and my mate.”

  Taking the sword, he raised it above their heads and then lowered it slowly, tapping Luca first on the left shoulder. “Your heart belongs to her.”

  Raising the sword again, they lowered it together and tapped his right shoulder. “Your soul belongs to her. Arise!”

  As he stood, Luca kissed each of her cheeks and took two steps back.

  “Bel, release your hands from the sword and just watch, do not move an inch!” Taking the sword from her hands, he raised the sword to the sky and tossed it high in the air behind her. As he did so, the warriors raised their swords in the air and shouted in unison, ‘Medici, per sempre!’

  Luca leaped into the air and did a flip over her head, retrieving the sword in midair, then performed a mid-air backflip, landing in front of her, standing at attention, the sword pointing to the ground between his legs.

  “Go forward and take the sword from him and place it across his heart, he will hold it there for you.”

  She stepped forward and reached for the handgrip on the sword as Luca released it to her hands. She raised the sword and placed it at an angle across his chest and heart. Luca raised his hand and held the sword in place.

  Shade hoped she understood this ceremony was important to Luca. He stepped up closely behind her and placed her hand over Luca’s as he held the sword, as she was now sandwiched between him and Luca.

  He spoke to Luca, “I give you my sword Luca, to protect my heart and soul, for she is all I have in this world. We form the wall of protection that no other can break through.”

  Nodding to him, Shade watched as Luca’s eyes bored into hers and he spoke to her and her alone. The night air was still, and no one moved for this was
a solemn moment, one of greatest honor, one a warrior worked his entire life for.

  "I am Luca of Medici, and I am now your protector, my lady. I honor you with my heart, my soul, and my life.”

  As he finished, there was a moment of silence, and Shade could feel his parents around him, he could feel Madre’s hands on his shoulders in approval of his choice and he looked at Luca, his face solemn and honored. He was master here, but this moment was overwhelming even for him. “You may say something to Luca, mi amore. You may also hug him or kiss him on the cheek and the ceremony will then end.”

  She reached up to place one hand on each of Luca's shoulders. “It is my honor, Luca of Medici, to be under your protection.” She must stand on tip-toe to kiss each cheek, before stepping back. She felt Shade behind her and leaned her back against him, letting her head rest back on his chest, as she felt his arm encircle her.

  In unison, the warriors dropped to their knees, swords in hand and raised their heads, fangs elongated, eyes blazing and the growl that roared through the night shook the earth under them. All of the vampires of Tuscany knew the master had taken a mate and they were now stronger with their bond.

  The warriors called out in unison, “Per sempre Medici!” As they dropped their swords and turned to slap each other on the back, Shade took her hand and led her away from the camp.

  The warriors cheered and exchanged fist bumps before returning to their practice. Luca walked from the field, heading to the barracks to begin packing his stuff. He passed Cory on the way as he watched from the doorway of his workshop, and nodded to him.

  “Good thing you made me new leathers. Looks like I’ll be leaving with master to live in the States.” Cory smiled back at him. “So, what was all that about, Luca?”

  Luca beamed back at him. “I’ve been selected as protector to our master’s mate. I’ll remain with him now, and her, for all of their lives.”

  ***

  As the night progressed and Shade held her in his arms, the travel and the night’s events took her into her dreams. Once she was soundly sleeping, he crawled silently from the bed and made his way outside of the castle in need of a smoke. He could hear the crackling of a fire and he grinned. Someone else was also up and he turned the corner to find Luca sitting in one of the portico alcoves staring into the fire.

  “Luca, you should be preparing to head to the States, why are you out here alone?” Shade plopped down in one of the chairs opposite him and lit up, wondering what was going through his head.

  “I’m ready, master, but you think I could relax after this night?”

  Shade watched as Luca smiled and twisted the ring on his finger. “Well, I suppose you cannot, but you have earned this honor Luca. I needed Kate to make her own decision. I had hoped she would choose you and she did.”

  “I‘m more than honored, master. I can tell you love her with all of your heart. You are fortunate to find your mate.” Luca stood up and paced in front of the fire.

  Shade frowned as Luca continued to twist at the ring. “Damn it, Luca, what is it? You can’t hide it from me.” Shade recognized that nervous habit of twisting the ring on his hand, and almost laughed out loud.

  Luca stopped his pacing and looked up at him. “I hope she likes me. This will be a great change for her, being mortal and coming into our world. And even though I have left Florence before, it was not a permanent move, and now I’ll be leaving, alone.”

  Shade felt his melancholy. He understood that leaving home was never easy. “Luca, you will not be alone, you will have me with you, and Kate. I will also be bringing Gi back with me, as well as Theresa to help Kate with the house, and Reynaldo to cook for her. I need Luciano to oversee the vineyards. We live in the countryside, in a vineyard on about 3,000 acres, and it will be a culture change, living in the States. You are warrior. It is a lonely life, you are still young, and you have much time to find a mate that suits you. Besides, Kate likes you. She will come to love you as do I. You need to feed, build your energy, the States is one hell of a teleport and it sucks the energy from you. Do you have a feeder?”

  Luca turned toward him. “Of course, I have a feeder. I am worried for her, she knows I am leaving. She’s in my quarters now. Will you make sure she’s well cared for? Will I be able to find another where we’re going?”

  Standing up, Shade threw the cigarette butt into the flames, turned to Luca, and put his arm around his shoulders. “Luca, I will arrange everything for her. I cannot have you worried about such things. Your head needs to be clear and concentrating on Kate. Do not let me down. As for a feeder, there are feeders in the States, very different from our feeders, but do not worry. You will have no problem with feeders. Now get to your quarters, be prepared to leave at sunset. I need to get back to bel.”

  As Luca turned and gave him a brotherly hug and slapped him on the back, Shade knew he’d be fine. Being a young warrior and leaving home for good was never easy, he’d done it himself once.

  44

  Teleporting inside the Virginia house, Shade set bel down and stretched. “It feels good to come home, mi amore. Fuck, it’s cold in here.”

  Walking to the fireplace, he raised his hands and watched the flames roar up, the wood already stacked there. He turned on his heels. “Luca! Damn, where the hell is he?”

  Kate looked about. “Did we lose him? I don't know how teleporting works. And what about Gi and the others? ”

  “No, we teleport separately. But that trip takes energy, it sucks it from you, and they may not be used to it, the house staff especially. It is a long trip.” Hearing a rustling, he saw Luca coming from the kitchen.

  Luca walked in, looking around the living room. “Is there is a place you wish for me to stay, master?”

  “Bel, will you show Luca where you wish him to stay and perhaps give him a tour? Get the others settled in the staff quarters once they arrive, please.”

  Kate stepped forward. “Of course. Luca, I apologize. We haven’t lived here long, and I wasn’t expecting you, so I haven’t had time to really finish all the work here. But you’ll have your own space in the house.” As she spoke, Gi, Theresa, and Reynaldo all entered.

  “I am sure Luca will be very comfortable here, bel. I must go into D.C., check in with Alec and the warriors and make sure there were no problems while I was gone. I will return as soon as I can. Take Gi and the staff to the staff quarters and take Luca with you so he can see the property before you get him settled.”

  Looking at Luca, he nodded, indicating he wanted Luca to stay with her, not leaving her for any reason. Pulling bel into his arms, he whispered softly into her ear, “You will be fine here with Luca.”

  She responded to his embrace, laying her head on his chest. “I miss you already, but yes, I’ll be fine. Just be safe and come back to me as soon as you can.”

  Hugging her tightly to his chest, he sighed, hating to leave her for any amount of time, but feeling better knowing Luca was with her. “I always come back, Kate. You know that.”

  Tipping her chin up, he ran his thumb over her lips and leaned in, kissing her like it was the last moment he’d ever have with her, and then whispered softly. “I love you so much. It pains me now to have to leave you. I won’t be gone all night. Please get the staff settled, start getting to know Luca, help him acclimate, si?” He slapped her ass lightly. “Now I must go, you minx, before you do something to keep me here.”

  Kate watched him leave, and her heart broke a little. She hated when he had to leave her. But it was comforting to know he’d be back before sunrise. She sighed and turned to Luca and the rest of the staff.

  “Well, I guess I should show you around. Compared to the castle in Florence, this house is very small. Well, compared to the castle in Florence, all houses are small....and again, we haven’t completed all the work on these rooms. Tomorrow, if Shade is busy, there are some things that will need my immediate attention, and I may require your help.”

  Luca nodded. "Yes, my lady, it would be our
honor."

  She stifled the urge to cringe at his use of 'my lady'. She knew it was important to Shade, and it was customary, but it felt so unearned.

  “Okay, well the staff quarters are behind the house. If you’ll follow me, please.”

  Kate led Gi, Theresa, and Reynaldo out the back entrance of the house and through a garden path to the large stone staff quarters, as Luca walked along beside her. The Tuscan style house had a very large central great room with high beamed ceilings. The large open room included living, dining, and kitchen space with a huge stone fireplace, and four bedrooms with dedicated bathrooms and individual sitting rooms off from the main great room. The house had been decorated in the same style as the main house and was lavishly appointed with beautiful pieces that reflect their Tuscan homeland.

  As they walked into the great room, Kate explained, “I thought everyone could use this space, and Gi, Shade said you might need a space for the staff to gather, so I thought this room could be used for that purpose as well.”

  They all looked around the space but remained silent. Kate felt uncomfortable, thinking this was a big step down from Castello and they were probably all disappointed. She led them to the largest bedroom, which she had assigned to Gi as he was the senior staff member and would be in charge of the rest of the staff.

  Gi entered the space as the others looked on from the doorway. “My lady, this is quite…”

  Kate frowned, fearing she hadn’t lived up to the living conditions to which they’d all become accustomed. “If this is not to your liking, please, we can change anything.”

  Gi turned to her and bowed his head slightly. “Quite the contrary, my lady. Our accommodations at Castello were quite modest. I was the only staff that lived inside Castello, and my room met all my needs but was quite modest. The others, including Theresa, and Reynaldo, resided in separate staff quarters designed to be functional. This is…opulent. This looks like a home for a master.”