The Blood Covenant: Book One of The Medici Warrior Series

by Emily Bex

  ***

  Back in Virginia, Rissa has only a few appointments for the day as she wraps up her schedule with a meeting for a catering service. Thinking about the plan for Shade and Kate, she decides to give Kate a call on her cell, making sure she is taking those pills and to make arrangements to come meet her at their house. It is time to introduce her to Desire.

  After several calls to Kate’s cell, she is getting nothing but her voicemail. Rissa begins to wonder what exactly is going on over there. She doesn’t like her calls to go unanswered. Finally getting to the car, she decides to call Shade's cell and see if she can get someone on the damn horn. The phone only rings twice when she hears the voice of an elderly gentleman with a thick Italian accent. It must be Shade’s manservant. Rissa can’t remember his name, Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum, some damn ridiculous name.

  Asking for Kate, he politely advises her that the master and my lady are in Paris and will not be returning for several days. Thanking him, Rissa hangs up, her blood already boiling. In Paris? What in the hell are they up too? Damn it, you foolish bitch, you should be taking the pills by now.

  Slamming her hand down on the steering wheel, her temperature is rising. This may only hold up her plans for a few days, but a few days are like months to Alec. Damn you Kate, you will pay for this!

  70

  Shocking him with her appetite, Kate finishes eating. She is so petite, and yet, she has wolfed down that food as if she hadn’t eaten in days. Shade sits back sipping his Midnight and watching her eat.

  “So, if your tummy is now full, which I cannot possibly fathom it is not, where exactly would you like to start on our tour? I am sure you have been planning this little venture since the last time we were here.” He winks at her, remembering their last interrupted visit to Paris.

  ***

  Kate finishes off yet another meal. She is eager to get this night started. She knows they only have the few short night hours to tour this city, but this is the City of Lights, and Paris is as beautiful at night as it is during the day. She had thought, originally, they would visit a few places and then come back to the Ritz for her to change before they went to the Moulin Rouge, but she realizes they will not have time, so she needs to change now.

  She runs into the bathroom, fixes her make-up, slips out of the casual outfit, and puts on a form fitting red knit dress that bares her shoulders for him, and Valentine's Day. She reappears, ready to begin their Paris adventure.

  “I am ready, lover, whenever you are.”

  “Mi amore...you look...belle et tous les miens! How is it possible you are going to walk all night in those heels?” He smiles and kisses her softly. “Come, let us make our escape, for I do believe we have much to see. Where shall we go first? It is your choice. This city lies at your feet as does your savage lover. Yours for the taking.”

  “Mine for the taking? I like the sound of that. I had thought originally of just walking, but there is so much to see, your driver has said he will take us from place to place, so we will drive some, and walk some, and kiss under the stars some, oui?”

  “Oui! But first, I have something for you. Please, may I?”

  “Of course! I thought this was my night to surprise you, but I should have known.”

  “I do not wish to usurp your surprises, but stay there, don’t move please.”

  ***

  Rushing into the bedroom, he quickly removes his black t-shirt, and replaces it with a white dress shirt, tucking it into his jeans. He leaves the collar unbuttoned but throws on a sports jacket. He calls out to her, “Close your eyes and don’t open them until I give you leave to.”

  Grabbing the roses, he peeps out and sees her with her eyes closed and a huge smile on her face. He walks up to her and whispers softly. “Now mi amore, open them now.”

  ***

  She gasps as she opens her eyes to see he has changed clothes and is holding two dozen red roses.

  “Red roses! What would a romantic night in Paris be without red roses? Let me put them in water, and maybe when we come back, I will scatter their petals across our bed?”

  “Just take one red rose with us for luck, si? Room staff will come in to clean and put them in water for you, and later, I have a use for them. Now let us be off. Oh, wait!”

  Sliding his arms around her waist, he bends his head to hers.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, mi amore. I have never celebrated this mortal holiday, and I am honored and happy to have my first one with you and many more to come. Je t'aime pour toujours!”

  “You have never celebrated Valentine's Day?” She touches her hand to his cheek. “Then I can't tell you how much more special this is too me. So, give me your first Valentine's Day kiss, please.”

  “It has no meaning in my world, but now, with you, my life has more meaning than I ever imagined.” Kissing her deeply, he feels her body melt into his, her moan soft and sweet, their lips locked. As he releases her from the kiss, he smiles into her eyes and grabs her hand.

  “Lead the way, minx.”

  They walk together down to the lobby, and Kate watches as the hotel staff nods and defers to him as they walk through. Shade's pilot Dante has agreed to chauffeur them around the city this night, and he has the car waiting outside the hotel entrance. The doorman rushes to open the hotel entrance door, while Dante holds the car door open for them, and they head off into the Paris night. Kate asks the driver to take them down the Champs Elysees.

  Kate is giddy with excitement to be back in her favorite city. “This is the widest street in Paris. There are seven roads that lead to the Arch de Triumph. If we were here during the day, this street would be teeming with people. Even now, you can see how many people are still walking about.”

  “This night is about us, and you are in charge, at least until we arrive back to the hotel.” Grinning at her, he lays his hand on her knee and squeezes.

  She slides her hand up his thigh and leans over to kiss him. “Thank you, Shade. I know you have been very busy, thank you for making time for this.”

  Kate turns to address Dante, “Please take us to the Pont Royal Bridge on the left bank, and let us out there, Dante.”

  "Yes, my lady." Dante expertly navigates the Paris traffic, heavy at all hours. He pulls up to one of the many bridges that cross the Seine and stops the car, exits, and opens the door for them. As they climb out of the car, she puts her arm in his and asks him to walk with her across this bridge.

  “This is one of many bridges in this city, all beautiful and each with its own rich history. Walk with me across the bridge. ”

  ***

  As they drive, Shade is amazed at the traffic. He guesses as a warrior he never paid much attention, using the rooftops and teleporting to get where he needed to go with a sole purpose in mind.

  He allows her to take the lead, guiding him across the bridge. “Bel, which bridge is your favorite?”

  “Pont Alexandre is my most favorite. I just love the beauty of that bridge. I love all the architecture of Paris. The architects and craftsmen were not content to build something that was just functional, but to create a piece of art, and it stands through the centuries. Napoleon crossed this bridge. Marie Antoinette crossed this bridge. It has seen such history! And speaking of art and history, this bridge leads to the Louvre, one of the largest art museums in the world. It used to be a royal palace. Your mortal ancestor, Catherine de Medici, lived there briefly. She played a big role in the architectural development of this city during the French Renaissance after she married into the Valois family. She brought the best of both French and Italian design. You could spend weeks inside the Louvre and never see everything. Isn't it magnificent? It takes up two city blocks. “They cross the busy street and walk into the courtyard behind the Louvre.

  He watches her joy in just being alive and it makes his heart explode with such happiness to share this time with her before they head into the unknown of the baby’s arrival. He looks at her, the lights of the city reflected on her face.
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  “Nothing in this city can compare to the beauty of you.” Bending down, he lets his hand slide along her cheek then dips her for a kiss.

  ***

  She lets herself be engulfed in his arms as they stand inside the courtyard of the Louvre, in the glow of the light from the glass pyramid. After all, Paris is not just the city of lights, but the city of love. She clings to his shoulders as he dips her back for a kiss.

  “Lover, we will never finish this tour by sunrise if we get too distracted. Can you do that thing you do, and summon Dante to meet us outside the Louvre, please?”

  Shade takes a deep bow, “As you wish.” “Dante, hustle your ass man, my beauty needs a lift, pronto, outside the Louvre!” “He should be here immediately. I don’t think I will ever forget this night. I love you with all my heart, bel.”

  “And I you, words cannot express my love.”

  Dante pulls the car up to the curb and they climb into the back seat once more. “Dante, could you go back across the bridge and take us to Notre Dame, please.”

  As Dante crosses yet another bridge, he takes them to the Ile de la Cite, the island in the middle of the Seine where the cathedral was built. “Look at it Shade. This cathedral was built in the Fourteenth Century. I mean, look at the majesty of this building. They did not have heavy equipment, it was all manpower. Look at the artistry of the stonework. I doubt it could even be replicated today. To think a man would dedicate his life to creating this building, knowing he would not live to see the completed project and would have to rely on a second generation of stonemasons. I am just in awe of it!”

  She looks up at the peak of the cathedral. “It is like you... it will live forever...”

  He takes her hand, “But only if you are by my side, for I would not wish for an eternity unless you are with me. I have no purpose without you.”

  She squeezes his hand, “That applies to both of us.”

  They walk through the cathedral, speaking in whispers, as solitary worshippers are scattered throughout the great cathedral, kneeling in prayer, while others offer up prayers as they light a candle. She takes his hand and leads him back outside into the night, and back to the car.

  Kate leans forward to Dante and whispers, “Eiffel Tower please, and we will get out for a while.”

  Dante continues to drive along the road that runs parallel to the Seine. As he pulls up near the iconic image so many associate with the city of Paris, the plaza is lit and the Eiffel Tower glows with lights.

  “Lover, this tower was built for the World’s Fair in the Eighteenth Century, and the city hated it. They wanted it torn down as soon as the World's Fair was over. But it has remained and is now the image most people associate with the city.”

  Dante opens the door for them and they exit onto the plaza, surrounded by other lovers enjoying this Valentine's Day in Paris. Shade opens the door and takes her hand.

  “Come please, I wish to enjoy this night with you in my arms.”

  ***

  He leads her away from the crowd and into a secluded side street where no one can see them.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Close your eyes, bel.”

  As she does so, he teleports them up into the clear night sky of Paris and lands atop a beautiful old building. Still holding her in his arms, he says, “Open your eyes.”

  He feels her arms around his neck as she opens her eyes and glances at the tower.

  “Si, you are not dreaming. You have an unobstructed view from the rooftops of Paris. And for me, all I ever wanted is within my arms. I want you to remember this night. Now, kiss your vampire as you should under the moonlit sky in Paris.”

  ***

  She holds him tighter and closes her lips over his, tasting him, inhaling him, and feels his hands with their firm grip on her ass.

  “Shade, I will remember this night for all eternity.”

  ***

  He teleports them unnoticed back into the crowd and sets her down as they walk around the plaza, taking the elevator to the top of the tower and looking out across this beautiful city, feeling the cool crisp night air, and the clear skies above them. He slips his sports coat around her shoulders and pulls her closer to keep her warm. With time, they return to the car, and climb back into the back seat.

  As the night progresses, he feels his desire for her increase and his body aches to have her, feed from her, but he is patient. She will need this in the months to come, to remember and know how much he loves her and will do anything for her.

  ***

  Kate asks Dante to drive into Montmartre. They leave the tower and cross the river again, heading to the outskirts of downtown.

  “This section of Paris can be rather shabby to some, but I love it! This is where all the artists lived and worked, and they still do today. During the day, there is always a huge artist colony here displaying their work. Luca should display here. He is so talented, I am sure he could sell his work here. I will tell him when we return. On the hill, that white cathedral, that is La Sacre Cour, or The Sacred Heart. Isn't it beautiful?”

  “It is beautiful in the night lights. I truly don’t think Luca sees himself as a very good artist. It is just something he does in his spare time to relax. Perhaps you can change his mind.” Shade chuckles softly, “I never would have thought you would connect with him over art, but I think it is very important you have a strong connection to him.”

  ***

  Kate asks Dante to let them out of the car, so they can walk down the steps in Montmartre. As they exit the car and he takes her hand, she leads him to the steps that run beside the great cathedral.

  “Lover, Luca is really talented. I think he underestimates his talent. He could definitely sell his work here. Come with me down the steps, aren't they beautiful? This is where the artists set up during the day, hundreds of them. You can find anything to your taste.”

  “Mmmmm, I have my taste all right.” Spinning her around, he kisses her hard and deep. “My own piece of artwork right here on the streets of Paris.”

  She giggles at him as she tries to drag him down the steps of Montmartre. “Follow me, and have Dante follow us in the car. I’m going to take you to the underbelly of Paris now, down some dark alleys to the Moulin Rouge. Come on, we are going inside.”

  The music is blaring as they enter the infamous Moulin Rouge, and even today, it draws an eclectic crowd from the Paris underground. They are seated at a table near the stage of the famous cabaret performers. As the elaborately costumed dancers leave the stage and move through the crowd, dancing freely among the patrons, he quickly grabs her up and takes her to the dance floor. She feels such exhilaration at the loud music and being in his arms. She wishes she had him all to herself like this all the time.

  ***

  The music is a very seductive dance beat, and Shade can feel the beat of the city inside him. He can sense her excitement as he grabs her up and they blend into the mass of gyrating bodies of the cabaret performers. Enigma’s “Principle of Lust, is playing loudly, with its slow, seductive beat and despite the scantily clad dancers, all eyes are on them as Kate slides that gorgeous leg of hers slowly up to his hip, her skirt riding up exposing her legs, her head drops back, hair swaying to the beat and Shade feels like he could take her right here on the dance floor.

  She moves her hips like a snake, and slithers down his body and back up again, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and ending with a kiss.

  “I love you so damn much, my little minx!”

  They dance away the hours, surrounded by the performers in sequins and feathers, her eye on the clock, making sure they have time for their last stop. It is what she has waited to share with him all night. “I love this man. I love this man. Can you hear me, lover?”

  “Si, no one can love you more than this man holding you right now. Never will you find one whose heart and soul is totally yours.”

  He spins her on the dance floor one last time before setting her on her feet.
“Come, mi amore, we must move. We have little time before sunrise.”

  He takes her hand as they leave the famous club and find Dante in the car on the narrow street outside. They slip into the back seat and Kate leans forward and whispers to Dante the instructions for their last stop. As he drives the car through the streets of Paris in the hours just before sunrise, he takes them to the famous Pont des Arts, which has become known as ‘The Lover’s Bridge.’ He stops the car to allow them to exit.

  “Look, Shade. The bridge is literally covered in padlocks. This is called The Lover’s Bridge, and people come here from all over the world to place a lock on the bridge to ensure they will be bound together for all time.”

  She extends her hand and shows him a heart-shaped lock she has brought with her, and together, they walk to the bridge and place their own lock among the thousands. As the lock clicks into place, they stand, and she tosses the key off the bridge and into the river Seine. She turns to him and he enfolds her in his arms for a kiss.

  On cue, as they stand from placing the lock and embracing, Dante goes to the trunk of the car and releases the red heart-shaped balloons into the early morning sky, turning pink on the horizon from the rising sun, and they watch together as the balloons float skyward around them and across the city of Paris.

  ***

  Her eyes are lit up like the stars in the sky. Her excitement over being able to share something with him is so electric he feels it tingling on every inch of her skin. She explains the story of the bridge and the locks, and he knows he will never revert to the man he was before he met her. She has changed him in so many ways, showed him how to love unconditionally, carries his child, and now, they will always have each other. He has no words for her, and they don’t need them. All they need right now is this moment.

  “Mi amore, do you not feel my love. See it in my eyes? Feel it in my heart? Ti amo.”

  She takes his hand in hers and kisses the back of his hand and speaks to him her own words of love.

  “Ti amo, lover. I have one more thing, a ring for you, made of titanium, strong like my warrior, and unbreakable like our love.”