by Emily Bex
Luca raised his glass. “Then let us celebrate!” He turned to Kate and bowed to her. “My lady, may I have the honor of this dance?”
“It would be my pleasure, sir.”
Luca led her to the center of the ballroom floor as people stepped aside to clear a path for them, and Kate could hear the whispers in the crowd. About her, about him, about Shannon... and she no longer cared. We have made our choices, our choices, not theirs. Our lives, not theirs.
Luca stepped in closer to her as they reached the center of the ballroom to begin the slow dance.
Shannon watched as Luca led her best friend to the dance floor and she turned to Shade. “Well, there’s no way I'm standing here like a wallflower, besides, I’ve never danced with a king before. Come on, let's give them something to really talk about.” She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the center of the dance floor.
Shade was startled by her abruptness. Taking her into his arms, he locked her in his gaze. “Is not the king supposed to ask the lady to dance first?”
Shannon laughed. “I wouldn't know. Like I said, you're my first king. Don't go all ‘protocol’ on me, your Highness. Just show me what you got.”
Shade chuckled and slow danced with her, but as the song came to an end, he whispered, “Well, if this is how you truly want it to be, mia dolcezza, I think we need to change up the music.”
Holding his hand up as the music faded, he spun his hand in a circle over his head at the musical director, and the whole tone of the night changed as masters and mates emerged onto the dance floor. He looked down at Shannon.
“Does this suit you better? Now, let’s move some ass across this floor.”
The band switched from the ballad to some head banging music by Disturbed, Ten Thousand Fists. Shannon broke from his hold. She reached up and pulled the pins from her hair and let it cascade down around her shoulders, so she could swing it freely as she moved to the music.
Smiling as he watched her bang her head to the beat, he saw Luca break his hold on Kate to change his dance to the new music as well. Shade slipped away from Shannon and walked up behind Kate, wrapping his arms around her and spinning her to face him, as Luca moved to be with Shannon.
“Would you care to dance with your king, my queen? I would be most obliged.”
“Seriously? I’m wearing a gown that must weigh fifty pounds, and forty-nine of those pounds are in the skirt, and you want me to dance at the head-bangers ball?”
She laughed out loud as he twirled her around, the voluminous layers of tulle in the skirt swinging and swaying around her.
Nodding to the musical director, the music changed once again and he took her in his arms, and watched as the crowd circled them, watching them dance together, just the two of them on the dance floor.
She felt him sliding his arms around her waist as he pulled her close to his chest. Into the Mystic began to play... their song. She slid her arms around his broad shoulders and laid her head against his chest. She could feel him tuck his face into her hair, felt his breath. Their heartbeats synchronized as their bodies found the haunting rhythm of the music. This night was perfect.
“Rock my gypsy soul, lover.”
Shade took a deep breath and inhaled all that was his bel rosso. She was finally his forever. “I love you, Kate. I will always love you.”
Leading her around the ballroom, they made quite a show, but he saw nothing of the faces as they spun and twirled past them. He had eyes for only one, and she was his heart and soul. Suddenly, he felt a pull, a strong emotion very deep and his eyes roamed across the room. There in the corner, he saw them.
“Mi amore, look to your left, the corner of the ballroom, we have company.”
She lifted her head slightly and looked in the direction he was nodding. And there they were, in their own embrace, moving slowly to the music, Portia and Christofano. They had joined them on this night.
“Lover, they have come to celebrate with us.”
“Si, mi amore, as it should be, but I have a bit of a surprise for you.”
Releasing her from his arms, he walked to the front of the crowd and nodded to the musical director. The music stopped, and an entire choir emerged and lined up. Holding up his hand, everyone turned to look at them.
“I honor this night, my queen, and my warriors, those of this household. But also, I honor the love and grace of my parents, Christofano and Portia Medici. Please join us in this ceremonial song that celebrates the joining of two souls, and was played at their own coronation. Per sempre, Medici!”
Taking bel’s hand, he led her to the center of the ballroom and bowed deeply to her and began to waltz with his beautiful mate, as he looked over to see Madre and Padre dancing beside them and his heart burst with love.
The band played a classical piece, Una Stravaganza Dei Medici, and the choir sang.
Kate saw his parents, as they moved from the corner and danced next to them, visible only to them. She saw they only had eyes for each other, remembering their own first night as king and queen, centuries ago, she imagined. The elder masters held their mates close as the classical music played and the chorus sang, remembering an era long past.
As the music ended, Shade watched Padre look to him with approval. “Look, mi amore, Padre is very happy. I think, for once in my life, I have pleased him. I only hope we will love like that and so much more, forever. Tell me you are happy, you do not regret your choice.”
“Lover, there are no words for how I feel. I’ll never regret this choice. I’ve left my mortal life behind, and I’m yours now, in a way I couldn’t be before. There’s so much ahead for us. I can't wait for it to begin, and at the same time, I want each moment to last. Eternity will never be enough.”
Shade reached his hand to her hair. “I do believe we may leave our own ceremony now, mi amore. I think, perhaps, it is time we depart quietly and let the others celebrate. I want my alone time with you. Besides, I can feel you are getting hungry. Let us dance out the doors of the veranda and into the gardens and run like hell for our room. Ready to escape?”
“I’m so ready to get out of this dress, for more reasons than one. Let's go, you’ll have to lead the way.”
He took her hand and started to lead her through the crowd as the band switched back to more traditional music. They were almost to the door when they saw Alec and Rissa approach.
Alec held up his glass to Shade, in a silent toast. “Before you sneak away, please allow us to extend our sincere congratulations, brother. I think I can safely say I’m the only other master here who chose a mortal mate. I'm sure you’ve heard from the Council on that? They pestered me to no end on the matter.”
Shade nodded to him. “Alec. We graciously thank you. Take no objection to Council’s presence, you are both welcome here. Malachi is just testing his strength. The Council needs to move with the times and lighten up a bit, told him to suck it up and deal. Glad you could make it.”
Alec turned to Shade’s new mate. He must admit, she looked regal, and after the incident with Cuerpo, he was forced to reconsider his view of her. Not the weakling he’d thought. He offered his hand palm up, and she laid her hand in his. He lifted her hand as he bowed his head, kissing the back of it.
“And you, my darling, look ravishing this evening. Clearly, the two of you were trying to sneak away. I’ll not keep you any longer, brother, from enjoying what is finally yours on this night.”
“Thanks, brother, the night is young, and we are off. Enjoy the entertainment. Anything you need is at your disposal.”
Kate nodded to Alec and looked to Rissa, who was obviously ignoring her, looking about the room at everything except her. Kate thought her old friend was jealous, but before she could even speak to her, Shade started to move away, and she felt his hand at the small of her back, guiding her in the direction of the veranda doors leading to the gardens.
“Well, that was a rather cool reception from Rissa, don't you think? She’s staying here at Castello as our
guest, comes to the coronation, and can't even acknowledge our presence? I can’t figure her out, lover.”
Once outside, he took her in his arms and teleported up into the highest parapet of Castello. Sitting her down lightly on her feet, he wrapped her in his arms as they stared out over the Florence skyline.
“All of this is yours, mi amore, as far as you can see. As for Rissa, perhaps she was simply overwhelmed.”
“I know a cold shoulder when I see one, and that wasn’t Rissa feeling overwhelmed, that was Rissa making a point of ignoring me. Clearly, you don’t know Rissa.”
“Si, I didn’t bring you hear to discuss Rissa.”
She felt him grab her unexpectedly, and before she could respond his mouth was on hers, his tongue exploring. She reached around his shoulders, pulling him to her, before breaking the kiss. “Call Theresa... or get me out of this dress please.”
“Do you wish to keep the dress or have it in shreds? Vital info I need, mi amore, before my next move!”
“Lover,” she started laughing, “I want to keep it. Please, don't rip it off. Just...get me out of this thing! One of our girls may want to wear this dress someday.”
Picking her up in his arms, he teleported straight into their bedroom and found Theresa standing there waiting. He loved when his staff knew him better than he knew himself. “Do your thing, Theresa. I have a queen to accommodate. ” He was flinging off his clothes as he headed to the bathroom. “Be ready, mi amore, when I get back!”
4
Marco quickly walked out of the ballroom, heading out the double doors onto the veranda and into the night breeze, and fuck if he didn’t need it. This news had taken his beast and temper overboard. How the hell could she go back there with them? Teleporting quickly to a small grove of trees far beyond the coronation guests, he began stripping off the jacket of his ceremonial leathers. Flopping down on the grass, he sat there, trying to cool down and get his anger under control. He always thought he’d have Terri. “Cazzo!”
Theresa followed behind him, but watched as he teleported away from her. Damn him! She kept walking through the gardens as they neared the camp, and found him seated under a grove of trees, his jacket lying on the ground beside him. “So, do I even warrant the courtesy of a discussion, Marco?”
He stared at her. “You obviously didn’t give me that courtesy when you made this decision, Terri. You couldn’t tell me? I had to hear it from the staff? That tells me where the hell I rank in your life. Please, by all means,” throwing his hands out, gallantly waving them about, “discuss.”
“Marco, we’re not mated. You’ve never even brought that up for discussion in all the time we’ve been together. You never asked if it was what I wanted. You never asked if I wanted children. You’ve been happy with the status quo, which was, you were free to pursue your life as a warrior. You were free to rise through the ranks as SIC, unencumbered by the responsibilities of a mate. And all the while, I was always available when it was convenient for you. I loved you, I still love you, but it was always clear to me I’d be second place in your heart. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Cazzo! Terri, you knew, you have always known, I’m a warrior, born and bred. But you never came to me, either, to tell me how you felt, never once. You left at master’s command, as was your duty, just as staying is mine. It was the right thing to do for Medici, for the coven and for our master. We’re not free to pick and choose. But you tell me now you were given a choice! And still you didn’t come to me and tell me you wished to be mated. I’m older now, Terri, and more settled. Shade won’t send me out to battle. He’ll use my skills to train the younger warriors. But you left me out of the decision. I love you, and I’ll always love you for everything you’ve ever given me. But my fate is warrior and I fight and love with that same heart. My allegiance, my heart belongs to that fate and my master, and if it could be different, it would be. But this is who I am.”
She knelt beside him, “I understand you, Marco. I’ve always understood you. I’ve lived at Castello for several hundred years, surrounded by its warriors, so believe me when I say I understand the loyalty of the warriors. But I was nothing, Marco. I was a house maid, one among many. Why master picked me to go to Virginia, I’ll never know. But he picked me. And now I run that household, and I’ll be Lady in Waiting to the Queen. I’ll raise the children of the King. It’s an honor I could never have imagined for myself, and it’s as important to me as being Second-in-Command is to you. I too have a loyalty and a duty. My lady confides in me, relies on me, just as he relies on you. Don't lay this on my shoulders. You knew I loved you. And since when, in our world, have women been allowed to make their desires known? We wait. We wait for the men we love to pursue us, choose us. Not the other way around. For all our enlightenment, our vampire culture is stuck in time. Women don’t approach men about mating...about children. We wait. And I waited, Marco. I waited. I still love you. We’ll visit here often. They’ll have children, they’ll return here, and when they do, I’ll be with them. If you still want me... If you want this relationship to continue, then I want you to know, I still love you.”
He listened as she opened her heart to him, and her words rang true. She too had come far within the ranks of the coven. He didn’t want to deny her what she truly deserved. Watching as she turned on her heels and walked away, he quickly stood and grabbed her arm. Spinning her around, he took her in his arms, crushing her to his massive chest.
“Terri, please, I don’t want us to separate like this. I’ll never be able to rest knowing I’ve done this to you, made you feel less than what you are. You are an amazing woman and mate for any vampire.”
Leaning down, he kissed her gently on the lips, sliding his fingers under her chin. “Go to the States. Find what you deserve, find your dream, and do your duty. You deserve so much more than me and what I have to offer. Be happy.”
Smiling, his heart felt as though he’d been hit with a hammer. He released her and turned, walking back to grab his jacket. His innocent sweet Terri had come back a different woman. She had more spunk, was more vibrant. Her freedom and new responsibilities were giving her a greater sense of herself. He knew only too well that feeling, to seek and find yourself and discover your potential, without ties binding you. He turned to look at her and there were no tears in her eyes, just determination and pride in the woman she’d become. He turned and walked slowly to the barracks.
Theresa called out to him, “So this is it, Marco? All or nothing?
He answered her, his voice low, “Si, Theresa. Find your soul. Seek and find what it is you truly want. Go without obligation. It does neither of us any good to pine for what might have been, and I find it hard on my old heart. I’ve waited for you to return, and it damn near killed me. I won’t wait more. You deserve to have this, Theresa. You truly deserve it.”
He tried to say the words without breaking, but his heart was screaming. He put on his false bravado and never let her see his pain. He hardened his heart and the expression on his face.
Theresa sighed because it was as it had always been. Like it or not, women didn’t hold equal status in their culture. Theresa looked back at him. If he couldn’t have her on his terms, he wouldn’t have her at all.
“Then remember I loved you, Marco of Medici, and we’ll both break these bonds that have tied us together. I wish you only happiness.”
She left him to return to Castello. She was sure my lady would be leaving the reception soon, and she’d be needed.
Marco watched the only person who understood him walk away. He felt something inside him die, but he couldn’t let her see that. He must let her go to follow her fate, for she’d never find it here, or in him. He dropped to his knees once she was out of sight and placed his face into his hands. Tomorrow, he’d go on as always, the Second-In-Command of Medici and once again, he had given all he had to Shade.
5
Theresa helped Kate out of the dress, protecting the skirt with the layer upon layer of tulle, a
nd carried it away to store it. Kate slipped out of her under garments, added a fresh spritz of her rose scented fragrance, ran a brush through her hair and climbed into that massive bed to wait for Shade.
Shade could feel her waiting, her anticipation high. It had been a long journey for them to get to this moment. But this night was important. She claimed him as her master, her king, and he was hoping he got to see more of the beast that lurked inside of her.
He walked into the bed chamber and saw her lying naked and face down on their bed, in wait for him. He didn’t speak, just watched as she felt him close and lifted her head to look at him. He saw her eyes change to that beautiful hue of red, and her fangs instantly protruded. He let the towel wrapped low and loose around his hips slide slowly to the floor behind him, as he walked toward her.
She ran her hand over the empty space in the bed next to her. "We have waited too long, lover. Come. Join me in our bed.”
He crawled in from the foot of the bed as his body slid along the backs of her legs, across her ass and up her back, kissing her spine as he went, flattening her body under his. Snuggling into her neck, he gripped a handful of hair and whispered, “Did you miss me, mi amore?”
Kate closed her eyes, skin on skin, was there ever a more delicious feeling? She loved the feel of him as he slid up her body, his kisses sending shivers up her spine, nuzzling into her neck. He grabbed a handful of her hair. It was his weakness, that hair. It was his kryptonite, and she knew it.
“Where should I start, lover?” She lifted her head from the bed so it was next to his, their lips only inches apart. She raised her hips in the air, pressing her ass against his cock.
In a whisper she inquired, “Soft kisses, or passionate ones? Or maybe you prefer bites now?”
She nipped at his neck with her fangs, and a small drop of blood appeared. She licked it slowly, and hissed at him. She would tease him tonight, past the point of no return. “Who do you want to come out to play tonight? Your gentle bel rosso, or do you want to see the beast inside your queen? Tell me what you desire.”