by Emily Bex
Being chosen as protector to a royal mate is the highest station a warrior can achieve, but it can also be fraught with turmoil. Luca tries 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 realizes his good fortune here means a life of honor and respect among his peers, as well as a life where he shares in the master’s bounty, and my lady’s kindness and good graces.
They wrap 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 gives him a smile as she leaves his suite.
“Just a few days, Luca, and we’ll have everything here for you.”
“My lady, I am most thankful. It is more than I deserve.”
“I doubt that, Luca. I seriously doubt that. I hope you will be happy here.”
***
Kate heads back upstairs to the newly decorated master bedroom. The electronic blinds are closing as the early light of dawn filters into the room. Shade will be home soon. She marvels at the restrictions on his life. He has this incredible strength and speed, the ability to teleport, to shadow himself in a cloak of invisibility, and yet, the sun dictates his life. She wonders if he envies the life of the day-walkers, who move about freely day and night, just as she does. She thinks about their conversation, about being turned. Will she be like him, and require a death slumber? She has seen him push against that relentless pull that takes him into that deep sleep.
She feels the energy in the room change as he materializes in front of her, dressed in the leathers he wears on the streets at night. She asks little about what he does when he is away, and he volunteers nothing.
He scoops her up in a big hug, like they have been separated for months, not hours. “Mi amore, did you miss me?”
She laughs at how happy he is to see her, and how happy she is to have him home. “Lover, I miss you always.” He kisses her before she can finish her thought, tasting her mouth, inhaling her scent. He sets her down on her feet as he turns 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 loves that she has worked so hard to create a room that reflects his culture and reminds him so much of the Tuscany he loves. The colors are warm and comforting, the pieces she has selected all perfect. He likes the modifications that gave them more closet space, and the modern touches to the bathroom renovation.
“He walks around the room, checking the closets, stepping into the large bathroom, and back into the bedroom.
“Bellissimo, molto bella! It is perfect. I would change nothing.”
***
Kate has her hands clasped in front of her, overjoyed with his reaction, when he stops suddenly and stares at the tapestry mounted over their bed.
“You are very quiet. Do you not like it?”
***
The lamps from the bedside tables create a soft light on the tapestry, the hand work is detailed, and he is flooded with memories of his mother. He sees her fingers toiling with so much love as she worked to place each stitch in a tapestry that looked exactly like this one. Could it be? It is more than his heart can take. He sits on the bed, his eyes never leaving the beauty of the tapestry.
Kate looks at him with concern. “Please, what is it?”
***
Suddenly, he realizes she is talking to him, he feels her hand softly touch his cheek. He raises his eyes to her as she stands before him. He grabs her at the waist and buries his head against her soft breasts.
“Mi amore, how… how did...”
“You don’t like it? We can change anything you don’t like.”
***
She holds his face in her hands, this woman he loves and has pledged his life too. She has taken him to a place inside himself he has buried for so long, and she has unlocked so much inside of him.
“Kate, mi dolce Kate, my madre, she would sit for hours, always doing this type of work. 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 and the love I grew up with. There is such a beautiful story.”
“Do you think it’s the same tapestry? What are the odds I would select this very tapestry from all the ones the shopkeeper had to offer? Please tell me the story.”
“Si.” He pulls her onto his lap. “My madre hung this tapestry above their bed, just like this one is hung. How you knew this, I do not know. But the tapestry that hung above their bed, my madre stitched 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 was stolen, as were many things from Castello. I assumed those stolen things were burned. And now, here it is, and we will be together under this tapestry making love. I have no words to tell you the depth of my love for this beautiful gift, and the love you give me with your heart and soul.”
Kate’s heart breaks to hear the story, and yet, explodes with wonder at having the good fortune to find this piece.
“Then I think your mother guided my hand and heart 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. As are we and will always be. I just cannot believe all of this, after all these years, just as madre placed you in my path, she placed the tapestry in yours.”
Smiling, he drags her down on the bed with him. “I just want to lay here and look at you, forever.”
She laughs at him, “Well, that option is fine with me, we can just stay here. But I know you will be called away soon tonight.”
“No, mi amore, I answer no calls this night, tonight belongs to you and me. I need you. I need my woman!”
***
Rolling over on top of her, he keeps his weight from crushing her as he holds himself above her on his forearms, and kisses her softly, nipping and biting at her lips.
His kisses softly graze her skin, little teasing bites, and he feels her respond to him.
Pushing her down on the bed, he straddles her, sitting on his knees as he begins to undress her, opening each button of her blouse. Pulling her blouse from her jeans, he kisses the tops of those tender mounds, licking them with his tongue, running his tongue over the tops of the lacey edge of her bra, while his hands cup her breasts. Her hips begin to arch into him and he smiles softly.
“Slow down, mi amore.”
She lies on her back beneath him, purrs up at him.
“Slow down, easy for you to say. I am ready to rip your clothes to shreds as you usually do mine.”
Leaning down, he removes her bra and flings the garment across the room. “So, you want your savage lover, do you, now, my bel?”
She giggles 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 lifts her hips to his mouth and buries his face into the crotch of her jeans and growls. Feeling his fangs elongate, he has her out of those jeans before she can even see what happens and finds the red lace thong underneath.
“Cazzo, I love those!”
She reaches up and starts to slowly unbutton his shirt, touching his chest with her hands as each button is opened, followed by the
lightest kiss, and tiny flick of her tongue. She pulls his shirt free of his jeans and runs both hands from his shoulders down to the waistband of his jeans. She starts to remove his shirt, but he grabs it impatiently and quickly removes it and tosses 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, never enough!”
Standing up beside the bed, he strips down naked. “Sit up, bel.”
As she sits up, that red hair screams at him. He leans forward and lets his cock slide through her hair as he throws back his head, growling and moaning.
“Cazzo! I could cum in that silk so easily, it makes me so fucking hard.”
She leans her head into him, so he can tangle his magnificent cock in her long hair.
“Do it, lover, cum in my hair.”
“Cazzo, you are so mine!”
He thrusts his hips back and forth, letting his cock become entangled in that swirl of red silk. Reaching into her hair, he grips fistfuls as his cock slides through that crimson, and he is about to lose his mind. His beast is rocking inside him and urges him on, to let go and let him have his way with her hair. His breathing is ragged. Everything about her is making him lose control, her scent, her hair, her body, and her voice.
Grabbing his cock, he starts stroking hard, as her hair tumbles around it like velvet around steel and then she does something that sets his beast free. Her hands grab his ass and squeeze hard, and he explodes into the silk. His head is thrown back, his eyes are blazing red, his fangs hungry for her essence.
***
She feels him cum in her hair as she leans in and gently sucks on his balls, first one, and then the other. She slowly pulls her head back and lets her hair gradually fall free, untangling from his cock. Then she takes his cock in her mouth and swirls her tongue over him as she sucks away the last of his cum. She looks up at him through her tangled red hair.
“Like that? Is that what you needed?”
“Ti amo per sempre, mi amore.”
Kate lies down, and pulls him into bed next to her, her hand in his hair, held by those piercing blue eyes.
“And I love you. Now close your eyes.”
He raises one eyebrow, wondering what she is up to. “Okay, closing my eyes.”
She slips from their bed and walks to the dresser, removing the small gift she has for him before returning to lie next to him.
“You give me so much, and there is nothing I can give that will compare to the lavish gifts you give to me.”
She takes his hand and opens it palm up and pours 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 looks at the stones and holds them in his hand, feeling their smooth edges, so tiny in his hands, and yet, his heart explodes with his love for her and the meaning of the stones to him. He looks into her dark brown eyes and he has no words. His expression must be so lost on her, for she has left him speechless. A gift she feels is so small but is more precious to him than anything. As he speaks, his voice is soft and cracks with emotion.
“Bel, your love is my greatest gift and you have given that freely. But, I... no words... no words.”
He reaches for her and holds her tight against his chest and hugs her, laying his head on her shoulder, snuggling into her neck.
“This is so special to me.”
***
Kate watches the emotions roll across his face. She had hoped the rubies would find meaning in his heart, and she can tell that they do. She clings to him as he clutches her to his chest.
“I hate when you are away from me, Shade. I understand that you must go, and that I can't always follow. I wanted something... To find something that was small enough that you could always carry on you, something that would remind you that you carry my heart. You carry my heart with you always.”
“You are always with me, bel.”
48
The work on Luca’s suite is almost complete. The furniture is in place, completing his bedroom and sitting room, and the workers are in the process of installing the custom cabinetry for his art studio. Luca seems thrilled with his new living arrangements and said he can’t wait to start painting again.
Kate and Shade are checking out the room when Shade turns to Luca, “I will be staying home tonight, so you will have the opportunity to go feed. Be sure to arm yourself.” Luca gives him a silent nod as Shade leads Kate from his room.
He notices her pensive mood as he leads her up the stairs to their bedroom. With her hand in his, he walks to the overstuffed chair by the window. The moon has begun to stream through the window, and he decides not to turn on any other lights, leaving the room lit only by the moonlight. Sitting down, he pulls her into his lap and they face the window together. She curls into him as he wraps his arms around her.
“So, what is on your mind, Kate? Is something troubling you?”
She lays her head against his chest, “I feel awkward asking, like it is none of my business, but you sent Luca out, and I know he is 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.”
He lets his hands play in her hair, he can feel her concern for Luca and that pleases him, she is attaching herself to him and that is exactly what needs 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 am relieved he is not attacking mortals. I was having a hard time envisioning that from Luca. I have no doubt he is a fierce warrior in a battle, but I could not see him attacking an innocent.”
He chuckles 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 on a regular basis. 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 very 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 tips her chin and grins. “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 uncl
ear, 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 hugs her tight and laughs. “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.”
“Wow, that's a lot of information to process. First, I would love for Luca to find a mate. I would love for anyone, mortal or immortal to find the kind of love we have. So that part pleases me. But you went to D.C. to check out feeders for Luca? Couldn't he do that? I am not particularly thrilled with that idea, Shade.”
“Oh, I love when you get jealous, mi amore.” He laughs, 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.”