by Emily Bex
Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Si, I deserved that one. I am sorry, mi amore, a lot in my head right now. Then you stroll in here, tempt me with that sweet ass of yours. And well, my mind goes haywire."
She gave a sharp tug on his hair and he grunted. "Okay, okay, you made your point, woman!"
Chuckling, she kissed his neck. He felt Max’s presence before he heard the knocker sounding loud.
"I do believe our company has arrived. I have asked Gi to show them into the living room. Shall we join them?"
Kate hooked her arm in his. "I’m ready. I’ll have Theresa bring Lorenzo down after we’re settled."
Taking her arm, they strolled down the hall and exited the stairs, entering the living room. Max stood with a glass of Midnight in his hand. His mate was already seated by the fire. Shade smiled and nodded to Lein and then shook Max’s hand.
"Welcome to Bel Rosso. Please have a seat, Max, and make yourselves comfortable."
Leading bel to the couch, he sat her down before getting them both a drink.
"I am pleased you have come to visit, Max. It is good to be away from the throng of people, to be able to relax and talk. Can I get you a refill? Good year for the Midnight."
Max downed the glass and held it up for a refill. The ancient butler quickly complied, filling his glass.
"Don't mind if I do. The vampire world owes you much for the production of Midnight, Shade. Don't know what we’d do without it. There’s a concoction they serve in the East that is similar to their saké. I can't say it quite hits the spot for me. Thank you for agreeing to see me, As I think there’s much we need to discuss. But first, you’re looking well, and your lovely mate. Life’s been good to you, it seems. And my life has changed dramatically as well. A mate changes everything, does it not?"
"Oh si, most definitely, and all for the better, I might add. Wait until you have a child. I never imagined this future for myself, and I did not see my beautiful Kate coming, but when she did, I stopped existing and began living.”
He took a sip of the wine then took a seat next to Kate as his free hand slid across the back of the couch, and around her shoulder, his fingers unconsciously playing in her crimson.
"I will be having a new brand of Midnight coming soon in celebration of my son's birth. I will make sure you get a case. Do you still have your mansion outside of Richmond? That place covered some ground if I remember correctly?"
Max smiled. "I’ll gladly accept the gift. Yes, I still have the mansion. We’re staying there now. It’s not on as much land as you have here, but the house is quite grand. At last count there were one hundred and twenty-three rooms. Twenty-seven bedrooms, I think."
Max's chuckled as he sipped at the wine, looking at their cozy but humble home in comparison. He knew the Medici had chosen this place, as it appealed to the more pedestrian taste of his mortal mate. He’d seen the grand castle in Florence years ago and knew this was a big step down for Shade. Talking him out of it should be easy.
Shade didn’t miss the dig, or the sly smile that spread across his face. "It sounds like Castello, but on a smaller scale. I rather like Bel Rosso, named after my queen, of course. I grew up in the luxury of a castle. We still go there and I have many memories there, but it can be cold as well. It does not provide the same comfort as here. I still have Castello, another home in Greece, France, and other places, but Virginia gives me what is important. This is where I find the simplicity of love, family, and a sense of home. Kate and I enjoy the nature of this place. It is very peaceful here, a nice change from the city, but it would be nothing without her. I am sure you have learned, being mated to Lein, that home is wherever your mate is." Smiling, he winked at bel. "Would you like to have our son join us? I do believe Max and Lein should meet the future of Medici."
Kate felt the gentle sparring that was going on between them. There didn’t appear to be any animosity, but it was clearly a game of one-ups, men-ship going on. She remembered Shade warning her to tread softly. When he asked about Lorenzo, she smiled and spoke softly, “Of course."
Kate went to the foot of the stairs, calling for Theresa. The nanny appeared with the baby, dressed for the occasion in a blue outfit that brought out the color of his eyes. Lorenzo had been fed and was now wide awake. Theresa slipped Lorenzo into her arms and he immediately grabbed a handful of her red hair.
She laughed softly as she carried the baby back into the living room. "You are just like your father."
Shade stood as Kate entered with his son. Lorenzo took in the two strangers in his presence, then looked at his father and began kicking his legs and flinging his arms, cooing. Shade smiled down at him, taking him in his arms and laying him easily across his chest.
"May I introduce you to my son, Lorenzo, Prince of Medici, and heir to the throne? He is our pride and joy. You need to have a few of your own, Max. Changes how you see everything around you. Secure your legacy."
Max took in this little scene of domestic bliss, trying to decide if this was for show or for real. This was certainly not the Shade Medici he’d known from the past. He’d had only two pastimes—fighting and fucking. If this was his adversary, then his mate had tamed him but good. This battle might be much easier won than he’d thought.
“I am sure there will be babies in my future. Fan Shen will expect his daughter to produce an heir for the Shen dynasty. But I think we will wait a bit for that. We are newly mated as well. We have plenty of time to create a family, but a toast to you, my friend, and your good fortune."
"Grazie!"
Lorenzo shouted out as well and they all chuckled. Shade handed him back to bel. "Kate has done a good deal to Bel Rosso; it was just a shell when I acquired it from Alec. Perhaps, you’d care to have a cigar and take a walk outside? I am sure our beautiful mates would like some time to talk. I have some damn fine Cubans, if you care to smoke?"
Max nodded. "Of course. I’d never deny myself a good Cuban cigar."
He stood as he thought to himself he wouldn't have to go outside to smoke it either. Shade was looking like easier and easier prey as he handed the baby back to his mate. Max followed him through the house, small by comparison to where he lived, both in Virginia, and the Royal Palace in Thailand. But the house was well appointed and tastefully done. He took note of the original artwork and expensive antiques, all true to the Tuscan style as he followed Shade out onto a patio that was well lit, as were the landscaped gardens that surrounded the house, now dormant with the winter.
"I don’t know about you, Max, but sometimes a damn good cigar is all you need after a glass of Midnight. I appreciate you coming here. We have to settle this situation between us. Neither of us wishes for this to become a problem. The land is simple here, the soil and the climate are perfect for the vineyards. It is vital in keeping the Midnight production for the States and that growing demand."
As they lit up, Shade began to walk, and Max followed.
"We added the stables. I wanted to breed some good horseflesh here; we have not started yet, but I do have some good Medici horses here now."
Max enjoyed the flavor of the Cuban cigar as they walked through the gardens down a path to the stables. The property definitely reflected a feminine touch as he tried to take in as much as possible. The camp wasn’t visible from here, and he doubted Shade would bring it up.
"The land is beautiful, my friend. And you’ve done a lot to increase its value. So, I am wondering...what's your price?"
Shade chuckled. "Not for sale."
Max stopped and looked into the night sky, exhaling a large cloud of smoke. "Shade, let’s not dance around the issue. We’ve known each other far too long to play such games. The warrior camp. I’m well aware of the open call, and the new camp. You found a mortal and have turned her, made her your mate, but surely you rule over her. You can live anywhere, and she’ll follow. You can't expect me to do nothing with a rival master building a warrior camp in the middle of my territory, and I don't expect you to walk away without fair compensation. That’
s why I will ask again, what's your price?"
Shade knew it was coming, and he knew he’d die to keep Bel Rosso. He leaned his elbows over the fence railing, staring straight ahead at the mountains.
"Max, no sale. l could live anywhere, and my mate would follow, but this is where we chose to live. I won’t play games. The camp is simply that, a camp. It is of no threat. I provide all of Alec's security, as well you know. I need to have a source of warriors here. D.C. is a fucking bevy of rogue activity and it draws vampires from all over. From one warrior to another, he could have easily asked you to provide his protection, but he asked me. I take that job very seriously. Alec gets exposed, we all do, and that threatens us all, so my camp serves all of us, Max, including you."
Max leaned against the fence rail. "I'm afraid I can't take that chance, old friend. Keep the property and move the camp. Move it anywhere, just get it out of my territory. You’d do the same if I built a camp in the middle of Florence. I’m sure you own more property than this in the States. And Alec still has his own coven in New England, and in California. If the camp is only here to serve his needs, then surely, he’d have no objections to you building a camp inside his territory."
Shade shrugged. “Well, that is easier said than done. I legally acquired Bel Rosso from Alec…how he acquired it from you is of no care to me. But I took it because it was a central locale for me. It provided me a home and was convenient to D.C. I can’t house and train warriors inside his D.C. territory, it is too metropolitan, and, I can’t keep a low enough profile in that environment. Warriors need to practice and train, and that makes noise. New England and California are too far away for a camp. Think about it, Max. This is a good locale. We are in the middle of nowhere. My warriors are disciplined, well cared for. You will not see trouble from them. I have nothing against you. We go back a long way, this can be easily settled between us."
Max looked skyward as he listened to Shade explain why he wouldn’t leave. It wasn’t the response Max wanted but wasn’t unexpected.
"Oh, I’ve heard how you provide for the warriors, my friend. A feeder compound inside the camp? Very clever. I’m sure the warriors are most appreciative of your generosity, not to mention it provides a most convenient and diverse way to entertain yourself. Never have to leave home. I'm sure your mate appreciates that as well."
Shade lowered his head, laughing. Max was typical of masters who felt their position gave them the right to feed from whomever they found attractive, regardless if they were mated. It was accepted in their culture when the mate knew the rules, but Shade preferred to follow in his padre’s footsteps and remain faithful to his mate. He’d only feed from her, unless, of course, she was pregnant.
"No, I would lose my family jewels if that ever happened. I have never stepped foot inside that compound, nor do I have any idea of what it looks like or who is in there. Kate is not comfortable around the feeders. Her first experience was not a great one. A disaster actually, thanks to that bitch Rissa. So, feeders are completely off limits to me. She would feed my balls to the wolves if she ever found me even thinking about it! I feed exclusively from her. And I like it that way. She is all I will ever need."
Max snapped his head around, looking at Shade. "You can't be serious! You’re a Master! You can feed from whomever you please. You let this mortal mate dictate to you?" Max shook his head. "I’ve heard many things in my lifetime, old friend, but this...I don't understand. You take nothing from her by feeding from others. She’s still the only one who feeds from you. Her position in your life remains unchanged for all eternity. This I don’t understand."
Shade stood straight and looked Max in the eyes. "Very easy to understand. I love her. She is everything to me. I’ve done my whoring and sowed my oats. I have no need for anything beyond her. Her blood is unique and made for me. I waited all my life for this one female who can walk beside me, rule at my side, and not stand in my shadow. I will not insult her by lying with another. She is mine, and I am hers. And until you find that, I don’t expect you to understand. She wears the title of Queen of Medici for a reason, and she owns my heart and soul."
Shade turned and began to walk back to the house with Max beside him. "Max, I knew this would not be easy between us, but it seems as though we are not going to come to any reasonable conclusion that satisfies both of us. Will you agree to meet with Council over this matter and abide by their decision?"
Max walked in silence next to him, as he pondered his suggestion. "I think Council is the next step, my friend. I’d hoped to buy you out. You can live anywhere. But clearly, the solution won’t be simple. Council it is."
Shade stopped in his tracks and they shook hands on the deal. "I will contact them and inform them we need a meeting. I’ll have them contact you when they decide the night and time. It is the least I can do. Any argument with that?"
Max shook his head. "No argument. Now let’s get back inside to the warmth of the fireplace and our mates, shall we?"
112
Max and Lein left Bel Rosso on good terms, but Shade knew this was just the beginning of the fight for what was his. Max would never give up, especially now that he knew of the warrior camp. Max was cordial, but Shade was no fool when it came to masters and their territory. He could think of no reason why the Council would deny his claim, but that didn’t mean Max would accept their ruling. He knew it could get ugly.
He stood at the window looking out, playing back in his head the words they’d exchanged tonight. He was already thinking ahead as to where this could lead. He was quiet and lost in somber thought when he felt her arms slide around him from behind and her head lying softly against his back. She was always there for him.
"Are you all right, mi amore?"
"I’m fine. Is everything okay? You seem very quiet."
He pulled her in front of him, her back against his chest as they faced looking out over the beauty of Bel Rosso on this cold night. "Look out there, it is so peaceful and beautiful. And it is ours. Max offered me a few choices, I denied them all. No one is moving us from here. I worry this will not end peacefully."
"He wants us gone from here?"
Shade sighed heavily, his eyes never leaving the mountain range in front of him. "He offered to buy me out, for us to move on. I told him no. He is concerned about the camp. He would agree to let me stay if I moved the camp from Virginia into Alec's territory. Alec’s territory is not practical for that purpose. It was a simple enough answer, but I knew he would not buy it. I have been through this before. We agreed to a meeting with Council and to let them decide the outcome.”
Kate bit at her lip. "If you go to Council and they find in his favor, even though you own this land, we’d have to go?"
Shade squeezed her tight. Feeling her fear he gently turned her around to embrace her. "No, mi amore, we will fight. Go to war and win what is ours. Council will advise, and most masters take their word as law, but that will not stop two masters if they decide to disagree. This master and his queen would not be satisfied with that answer, but then, if the tables are turned, you must be prepared for Max not to settle either. He does not wish war, I know that. He may accept their decision if it is in our favor and be done with it. Or, he may reject it as well."
Rubbing her back, he laid his head on top of hers, feeling her breath on his neck as he slowly rocked back and forth.
She felt the strength of him as he held her and tried to console her. She said, "I don't want a war, lover. I hope it won’t come to that. But I don't want to lose what we’ve built here. And if it means we must fight for it, you know I’ll support you in that choice. Just make sure you’re not the price I pay. Nothing we own is worth anything if I don't have you."
"Trust your warrior and master, mi amore. I fight for us, for our familia. I fight for Medici and its honor and integrity. You made this our home and it will stand as ours. So, tell me, how did things go with Lein?"
She took his hand, leading him back to the sofa. "She was very cordial.
Not the viper I saw in the ladies’ room at Rissa's reception. She seemed curious about the fact I’d been mortal."
Cuddling with her on the couch, he smiled. "Well, she would be. I doubt she has ever been exposed to many turned mortals, especially not one who becomes a queen. Tell me everything."
"She was more open than I expected. She shared their marriage had been arranged. She said it was common in her culture, and she grew up knowing her mate would be chosen for her by her father. I asked if she loved Max and she said love had nothing to do with it. She admitted she had a fondness for him, and he was a kind and good mate to her, but the whole point of the mating was to ensure the dynasty. To protect what generations of her family had built. That’s why she couldn’t understand our mating. She was pretty blunt about saying that as a mortal, I brought nothing to the table. I mean, I know it’s true, and I know from my own experience there were many who objected to our mating, but I guess I’ve just never heard it spoken so bluntly before. She said to mate for love is a weakness. It allows your rival to use love as a weapon. I guess she’s right. I mean, wasn't that the reason Cuerpo attacked me? To bring you down?"
He listened to her, knowing what Lein said had been meant to hurt her. "You listen to me. Love is not our weakness, but the most powerful weapon we hold! Lein and Max will never understand that because they never had it. A mortal is seen as weak. With most mortals, it is true, but you are not most mortals. So, do not take what she tells you to heart. I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks, including Council or even my own familia. I know in my heart what I believe and know to be true...we love like no other. Is that understood?"
Kate laid her head on his shoulder. "I know I’d let nothing come between us. I’ll stand by you through all things. I think we’re stronger when we’re together. Would Lein stand by Max to the death if she didn’t love him? If the answer is yes, then I truly don’t understand her reasoning at all. You’ve said your parents' marriage was arranged, and yet, I know how deeply your mother loved your father. So, I know it’s possible to have a great love in an arranged marriage. Still, I think it’s a rare thing. I look at Rissa and Alec, and I wouldn’t want their life, and yet I know Rissa loves him in as much as Rissa can love anyone. Now Max and Lein, they seem like business partners, not lovers." Kate shook her head. "Elana and Colin, I don’t understand them either. The more masters I meet, the more I realize how rare our relationship is, and why they look at us so oddly. I hope you never grow tired of me. I know I think our life is filled with drama, but when I see the others I realize you’ve left a lot of that behind for what, to you, is a very quiet and simple life. I hope you won’t grow tired of our life together."