by Emily Bex
Being chosen as protector to a royal mate was the highest station a warrior could achieve, but it could also be fraught with turmoil. Luca tried to imagine himself in this role had his master made another choice for a mate, subordinate to the upturned nose of Adriana, or the cruel ministrations of Sabine. He realized his good fortune here meant a life of honor and respect among his peers, as well as a life where he shared in the master’s bounty, and my lady’s kindness and good graces.
They wrapped up the planning for his room, my lady with a folder full of fabric swatches, paint colors, floor plans for furniture placement, and drawings for the designs of his custom cabinetry. She gave him a smile as she left his suite.
“Just a few days, Luca, and we’ll have everything here for you.”
“My lady, I’m most thankful. It’s more than I deserve.”
“I doubt that, Luca. I seriously doubt that. I hope you will be happy here.”
Kate headed back upstairs to the newly decorated master bedroom. The electronic blinds were closing as the early light of dawn filtered into the room. Shade will be home soon. She marveled at the restrictions on his life. He had this incredible strength and speed, the ability to teleport, to shadow himself in a cloak of invisibility, and yet, the sun dictated his life. She wondered if he envied the life of the day-walkers, who moved about freely day and night, just as she did. She thought about their conversation, about being turned. Would she be like him, and require a death slumber? She’d seen him push against that relentless pull that took him into that deep sleep.
She felt the energy in the room change as he materialized in front of her, dressed in the leathers he wore on the streets at night. She asked little about what he did when he is away, and he volunteered nothing.
He scooped her up in a big hug like they’d been separated for months, not hours. “Mi amore, did you miss me?”
She laughed at how happy he was to see her, and how happy she was to have him home. “Lover, I miss you always.” He kissed her before she could finish her thought. He set her down on her feet as he turned slowly to take in their bedroom.
“Our room is finished, well, except for some wall art I want to add, but what do you think, Shade?”
He walked around the room, checking the closets, stepping into the large bathroom, and back into the bedroom.
“Bellissimo! It is perfect. I would change nothing.”
Kate had her hands clasped in front of her, overjoyed with his reaction when he stopped suddenly and stared at the tapestry mounted over their bed.
“You’re very quiet. Don’t you like it?”
He didn’t answer but stood transfixed before the tapestry as he appeared to be lost in thought.
Kate looked at him with concern. “Please, what is it?”
“Mi amore, how...how did...”
“You don’t like it? We can change anything you don’t like.”
“Kate, mi dolce Kate, my madre would sit for hours, hand stitching the tapestry. This is the view of our home, Castello. Do you not recognize it? It was centuries ago, but not much has changed. It brings me such beautiful memories of the love I grew up with. There is such a beautiful story.”
Kate looked surprised. “Do you think it’s the same tapestry? What are the odds I’d select this very tapestry from all the ones the shopkeeper had to offer? Please tell me the story.”
“Si.” He pulled her onto his lap. “My madre hung this tapestry above their bed, just like this one is hung. My madre stitched it by hand. My padre told the story as one night he came home to find her sitting on the floor of the bedroom in a white dressing gown, by the firelight, her hair long and unbraided. She had toiled meticulously at the tapestry for months on end. He said his beast was insane to have her. She was like an angel to him sitting there. He made passionate love to her on the tapestry that night, and that was the night I was conceived. On the night I was born, she had just finished placing the final stitches on the tapestry, and I was laid upon it. From that night on, it hung above their bed, until the bonfires. On the night of the bonfires the tapestry disappeared, as did many things from Castello. I assumed those stolen things were burned. ”
Kate’s heart broke to hear the story, and yet, exploded with wonder at having the good fortune to find this piece. “Then I think your mother guided my hand when I was making the choices for our room. She looks over us, she knows the love we have for each other is like what she felt for your father, yes?
“Si. They were happy and in love. I cannot believe after all these years, just as madre placed you in my path, she placed the tapestry in yours.”
Smiling, he pulled her down on the bed with him. “I just want to lay here and look at you, forever.”
She laughed at him. “But I know you’ll be called away soon tonight.”
“No, mi amore, I answer no calls this night, tonight belongs to you and me.”
Rolling over on top of her, he kept his weight from crushing her as he held himself above her on his forearms, and kissed her softly, nipping and biting at her lips. His kisses softly grazed her skin, little teasing bites, and he felt her respond to him.
He straddled her, sitting on his knees as he began to undress her, opening each button of her blouse. Pulling her blouse from her jeans, he kissed the tops of those tender mounds, licking them before running his tongue over the tops of the lacey edge of her bra, while his hands cupped her breasts. Her hips began to arch into him and he smiled softly.
“Slow down, mi amore.”
“Slow down, easy for you to say. I’m ready to rip your clothes to shreds as you usually do mine.”
Leaning down, he removed her bra and tossed the garment across the room. “So, you want your savage lover?”
She giggled at him. “I love the beast, and I love the gentleman, and I love my master. So, whoever comes out to play will be fine with me. I never know what to expect, which is part of the pleasure.”
Sliding his hands under her ass, he lifted her hips to his mouth and buried his face into the crotch of her jeans and growled. Feeling his fangs elongate, he had her out of those jeans before she could even see what happened and found the red lace thong underneath.
“Cazzo, I love those!”
She reached up and started to slowly unbutton his shirt, touching his chest with her hands as each button was opened, followed by the lightest kiss, and tiny flick of her tongue. She pulled his shirt free of his jeans and ran both hands from his shoulders down to the waistband of his jeans. She started to remove his shirt, but he grabbed it impatiently and quickly removed it and tossed it to the floor.
“Slow down, lover. Now where did I hear that before? Ah yes, it was you, just a few minutes ago.”
“You, minx, are like a drug, never enough.”
Standing up beside the bed, he stripped down naked. “Sit up, bel.”
As she sat up, that red hair screamed at him. He leaned forward and let his cock slide through her hair as he threw back his head, growling.
“Cazzo! I could cum in that silk so easily. It makes me so fucking hard.”
“Do it, lover, cum in my hair.”
He thrusts his hips back and forth, letting his cock become entangled in that swirl of red silk. Reaching into her hair, he gripped fistfuls as his cock slid through that crimson, and he was about to lose his mind. His beast was rocking inside him and urged him on. His breathing was ragged. Everything about her was making him lose control.
Grabbing his cock, he started stroking hard, as her hair tumbled around it like velvet around steel, and then she did something that set his beast free. She grabbed his ass and squeezed hard, and he exploded into the silk. His head was thrown back, his eyes blazing red, his fangs hungry for her essence.
She felt him cum in her hair as she leaned in and gently sucked on his balls, first one, and then the other. She slowly pulled her head back and let her hair gradually fall free, untangling from his cock. Then she took his cock in her mouth and swirled her tongue over him as sh
e sucked away the last of his cum. She looked up at him through her tangled red hair.
“Is that what you needed?”
“You are my walking sin.”
Kate lay down, and pulled him into bed next to her, her hand in his hair, held by those piercing blue eyes. “Now close your eyes.”
He raised one eyebrow, wondering what she was up to. “Okay, closing my eyes.”
She slipped from their bed and walked to the dresser, removing the small gift she had for him before returning to lay next to him.
“You give me so much, and there’s nothing I can give that will compare to the lavish gifts you give to me.”
She took his hand and opened it palm up and poured the contents of the small drawstring pouch into his hand.
“Open your eyes, lover. I want you to have these rubies that have been faceted into hearts. You can slip them in the pocket of your jeans, or even your leathers, and carry me with you always. Think of me when you reach in your pocket and feel them there.”
Shade looked at the stones and holds them in his hand, feeling their smooth edges, so tiny in his hands, and yet, his heart exploded with his love for her. He looked into her dark brown eyes and he had no words. His expression must be so lost on her, for she’d left him speechless. A gift she felt was small but was more precious to him than anything. As he spoke, his voice was soft and cracked with emotion.
“Bel, your love is my greatest gift and you have given that freely. But, I have no words.”
He reached for her and held her tight against his chest and hugged her, laying his head on her shoulder, snuggling into her neck.
“This is so special to me.”
“I hate when you’re away from me, Shade. I understand that you must go, and I can't always follow. I wanted to find something small enough you could always carry with you, something that would remind you that you carry my heart.”
“You are always with me, bel.”
48
The work on Luca’s suite was almost complete. The furniture was in place, completing his bedroom and sitting room, and the workers were in the process of installing the custom cabinetry for his art studio. Luca seemed thrilled with his new living arrangements and said he couldn’t wait to start painting again.
Kate and Shade were checking out the room when Shade turned to Luca, “I will be staying home tonight, so you will have the opportunity to go feed. Be sure to arm yourself.” Luca gave him a silent nod as Shade led Kate from his room.
He noticed her pensive mood as he led her up the stairs to their bedroom. With her hand in his, he walked to the overstuffed chair by the window. The moon had begun to stream through the window, and he decided not to turn on any other lights, leaving the room lit only by the moonlight. Sitting down, he pulled her into his lap and they faced the window together. She curled into him as he wrapped his arms around her.
“So, what is on your mind, Kate? Is something troubling you?”
She laid her head against his chest. “I feel awkward asking, like it’s none of my business, but you sent Luca out, and I know he’s going to feed. He doesn't know anyone here. How will he feed? Will he find a mortal or another vampire? If he finds a mortal, does he have to attack the mortal? You told him to take weapons, so it concerns me. It scares me, actually.”
His hands played in her hair, he could feel her concern for Luca and that pleased him, she was attaching herself to him and that was exactly what needed to happen.
“Mi amore, listen to me carefully. When a vampire such as Luca feeds, he never attacks a mortal. That is not something I approve of, nor does the vampire culture as a whole. You have been brainwashed from movies and books. Si? Do you wish to know more? I would like for you to know what happens.”
“Yes, please tell me. And I’m relieved he’s not attacking mortals. I was having a hard time envisioning that from Luca. I have no doubt he’s a fierce warrior in a battle, but I couldn’t see him attacking an innocent.”
He chuckled softly, “No attacking innocents. Not how I play. Warriors are born to keep safety within our own ranks. We train to fight other warriors and only battle mortals who attack us. Blood is the mainstay of our life, we need it to live, if we do not feed routinely, our bloodlust overtakes us, and we will attack anything that has blood. It is rather like a heroin addict, we need it and if deprived of it long enough, we go into a state of aggression, and gorge, kill and drain. So, I am quite strict about my warriors feeding regularly. In our culture, we have females we call feeders. They are bred for that purpose, strictly used to feed vampires, male or female. It may sound very unusual to you, but for vampires who are not mated, or feeding from another vampire or mortal, it is a safe way to feed. Their blood is very pure. Mortals may think of them as whores, but that is very wrong. Feeders are highly regarded and respected in our culture. They feed and give strength. Luca had one specifically to whom he liked very much, which is normal. You know that feeding is a bonding of sorts, and before you ask, yes very sexual for them, it is a release in two ways. Do you understand so far?”
“Yes...that part I understand very well.”
“Well, now that Luca is here, he can seek out a lair of feeders or he can hunt. When we say hunt, most times it means feed from mortals. Other times, it can mean hunting down bad vampires or a threat. Tonight, and tomorrow, Luca will be hunting someone to feed from, a mortal. But he understands he can go to a club, a bar, any place, and find someone he is interested in, seduce them, get them in a dark corner, outside in an alley, wherever.”
He tipped her chin and grinned. “Sometimes your prey will invite you home. He will charm her, then feed from her, and wipe clean her memory, so she will not recollect the event. She may recall meeting him, but the details will be unclear, she may think she had too much to drink or some such. No harm done. As you know, you can easily embrace someone and feed and make it look, from a distance, as if you are cuddling or kissing her neck. It is very erotic for both mortals and immortals, understand?”
“Oh, I understand, lover, believe me. It was why I wanted you to only feed from me. It was most unexpected and took me by surprise the first time you fed from me. But why not just bring the girl who was his feeder here, especially if he was fond of her? Or does he want the thrill of the hunt, and finding someone new?”
He hugged her tight and laughed. “A feeder is not a mate. And a feeder relationship is never exclusive. It is a business relationship. Most have families they support because they are paid well. Luca was attached to her, but his feeder is being taken care of, and she will find another vampire to feed from her soon. It was not love he felt for her. A feeder can never be his mate. But it is not unusual for a warrior living in the barracks to become close to their feeder or prefer one over another, keeping the same feeder for a period of time, if they like her and the sex is good. Luca will find another feeder. There is a lair of feeders just outside of Washington that I have checked out. Luca may go there, or he may hunt. I think Luca was destined to come to the States, like me. Something tells me he will find his mate here, like I did.”
Kate stared out the window, a frown on her face. “Wow, that's a lot of information to process. First, I’d love for Luca to find a mate. So that part pleases me. But you went to D.C. to check out feeders for Luca? Couldn't he do that? I’m not particularly thrilled with that idea, Shade.”
“Oh, I love when you get jealous, mi amore.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Bel, I checked out the feeder lair to see what it involved, who runs it, how many feeders they have, what they can accommodate. Not to check out the females. I have arranged to pay them. This is a service I provide for Luca, Gi, and Reynaldo, even Theresa, all my staff and warriors. And Luca needs to feed regularly, to protect you. Gi manages the scheduling for the house staff, so they are not all gone at the same time. But Luca must work his feeding schedule around me. He may decline the feeder. That is his option. Or he may decide on some combination of the two, to sometimes use the feeder, sometimes to hunt.�
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He could see the perplexed look on her face.
“Theresa goes to the feeders?”
“Of course. All vampires must feed.”
Kate shook her head. “But you said all feeders were female.”
“Si. We make no distinction between feeding or sex, although most of us have a gender preference. Theresa may also hunt and seduce a male mortal, or she may find a male vampire who catches her eye. If not, she must also go to a female feeder.”
“But it’s still sexual…the feelings, if Theresa feeds from a female.”
“Oh si, that part does not change.”
“So, when you said most vampires have a preference, does that mean you have the mortal equivalent of homosexuals?”
“Si, mi amore. A male vampire who prefers the company of other males may still need to feed from a female feeder on occasion. But a female vampire who prefers females, I guess she has the best world. She can choose to hunt only other females, as well as use the feeders.”
“And did you go to feeders?”
“I am not sure how you manage to always bring this conversation back to me, but si, I have gone to feeders. Sometimes it is the most convenient option when we are on unfamiliar grounds. Large cities usually have underground clubs, like the one in San Francisco, where it is easy to meet other vampires looking to feed, or mortals interested in the sex. Or we strike out on our own to hunt. If we go too long without feeding, the beast takes over. The bloodlust must be satisfied, or the beast drains and kills his victim. That kind of behavior puts the whole community at risk of exposure, so for that reason, there is not the same social stigma on our feeding and sexual habits as exists in the mortal world. If a vampire waits too long, we have a last resort to control the beast in a safe house. A safe house is also underground, known only to the vampire community. You will find no mortals there as the beast reigns.”