“My studio,” he called, hoping to see Mirella for a change.
Between the solar storm and her confinement in the safe quarters, he hadn’t talked to her in a while. He missed her more and more, but had applauded Gabriel’s fast thinking. His bride’s safety came first.
To his delight, the mirror responded to his order and became opaque, then its surface rippled with outward waves and Dragon and Gabriel smiled at him. They were sitting on the edge of Valentine’s desk, and both held crystal goblets.
“Is that my special reserve Laurum?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and a resigned sigh.
“We need it to forget the sight,” Gabriel said, raising his glass and pointing his chin in Valentine’s direction.
“You are right. Perfection can blind the lesser eye.” Valentine relaxed on the bench, exposing even more of his anatomy which prompted the two on the other side of the mirror to consume their wines at once. “You could at least savor it.” He shook his head. “News about Balenus?”
“The terrorists finally provided details for the drop off. We’ll accompany Martali, then we’ll follow the kidnappers back to their hideout. If we are lucky, we’ll catch some big fish,” Dragon answered.
“Act with the utmost care,” Valentine said, looking at the Solarian. “I have no intention to take in your future wives. Mirella wouldn’t like it, and I have no patience for drama.”
“Don’t worry, Valentine. I’ll take them off your hands,” Gabriel said, then turned slightly to Dragon. “I promise to keep them warm and utterly satisfied—”
“Aren’t you a true friend.” Dragon slapped the vampire’s shoulder with his enormous hand.
“Ungrateful barbarian,” Gabriel sputtered, then moved around the desk, heading to the liquor cabinet Valentine kept stocked with his best spirits.
“Please, help yourself,” Valentine said, mockery heavy in his tone.
“Thank you.” Gabriel rummaged among the crystal decanters before deciding on a purple bottle.
“The Crow King, aged 75 revolutions. Excellent choice, only five bottles are left of that vintage,” Valentine commented, drawling the words, but Gabriel didn’t seem to notice or care.
“Dragon, would you like some?” he asked the Solarian after a sip from his goblet.
“How is my bride?” Valentine asked, after both his friends had liberally partaken of his precious wine. Good thing their vampire and shifter physiology would metabolize the alcohol before they could get truly sloshed.
“She misses you.” Gabriel smiled, then his brow furrowed.
“Is she okay?” Valentine asked.
“She is fine—” The vampire hesitated a moment too long for Valentine’s liking.
“Is she okay?” Valentine repeated, his voice louder as he rose to his full height.
Dragon answered, “Both your bride and the baby are fine. We had to call Mama Bee because Mirella lost some blood—”
“She bled,” Valentine said, his knees suddenly weak. He lowered himself to the bench again. His stomach seized in a painful cramp, and he pressed his hand against it. Sweat pearled his forehead.
“I know very little about pregnancies, but Mama Bee reassured us it was of no consequence and that it sometimes happens.” Dragon put his goblet down on the desk. “As Gabriel told you, the Blessed Bride is fine, and she really wants to see you.”
Gabriel continued, “You’ll see for yourself that she is in fine condition, although not in the best of moods after being segregated all those days inside the safe quarters.” He chuckled. “Anyway, I gave her permission to use the mirror inside the harem—” He raised his empty hand to stop Valentine, who stood once again. “Don’t worry; she’ll be safe. There are already ten of Martali’s best men guarding the safe quarters, and the head guard sent ten more to the harem,” he turned to look at the clock on the wall, “She will be let out of her apartment in about five minutes—”
Valentine barely listened to the rest of Gabriel’s speech, looking for a pair of pants, so that he would not embarrass Mirella if she wasn’t alone in the room.
“Best of luck, and contact me as soon as you are back. I might still be able to take the call.” Valentine brought his left fist to his heart that was beating too fast.
Gabriel and Dragon bid him farewell with the same gesture. Valentine couldn’t help but notice the brand on Dragon’s arm, and he automatically caressed his, tracing with his finger the puckered VL. “The harem,” he said out loud as soon as the mirror reverted to a reflecting surface. Waiting for his command to be executed, he lay back on the bench. He was still shaking and crossed his arms over his chest to still the nervous tremors.
Liquid waves, like the concentric ripples created by a drop of water falling into a pool, disturbed the mirror. Soon, he caught a glimpse of a colorful room. As the image came into full focus, he saw Mirella pacing from one corner to the other.
She was talking to someone, vivaciously gesticulating, but stopped at once when she saw him. “Valentine!”
Mirella’s bright smile filled him with joy and reassured him that she was indeed fine as Gabriel and Dragon had sworn she was.
We’ve been together for only three months, but she’s become everything to me.
Uncalled, his father’s words came back to mind, and Valentine gulped down a lump lodged in his throat. “Hi, kitten.”
“Hi, husband,” she said with a smirk, giving him the once-over. Her green eyes lingered on his loose pants.
“How are you?” he asked, trying to keep the tremor in his voice under control as he stilled his body. To his credit, he had waited the whole of two sentences before springing the question.
She read through his unspoken words though, because she tilted her head and said, “Have you already talked to your friends?”
Valentine nodded. “Tell me, how are you?”
“It was so sudden. I had never experienced cramps so painful before and then…” Mirella’s face paled.
“Kitten,” he whispered, wanting nothing more than take her in his arms and cradle her.
“Then I saw the blood. I thought I was going to lose our baby. I—” She visibly shivered and pressed her hands against her belly. “I was so scared.” Then she gave him a small smile. “But everything is okay now. It didn’t happen again, and Mama Bee is taking good care of me.”
“I should’ve been with you.” Valentine’s heart was still galloping against his ribcage.
“You couldn’t know. There were no signs—” Her hand caressed her belly in large circles. “But it’s okay now. Nothing happened. Mama Bee says that our baby is growing strong.” She paused, then added, “I miss you.”
The sigh that followed her statement sent a shiver through him, awakening his senses like a caress and transforming his worry into excitement in the span of a heartbeat.
Valentine marveled at the power she held over him, and his lips curved into a lazy smile. “I miss you, my beautiful bride.”
“Valentine—” Her gaze darted to the side where two men were standing by the wall, and her next words didn’t leave her pink lips.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Boring, but I’ve complained enough to Crea already. How is your stay so far?” she asked, sitting on the edge of a large four-poster bed with orange silk draperies.
Valentine raised one leg to the bench and rested his chin on his bent knee. He wouldn’t tell her that he felt like driving his fists into a reinforced wall from all the accumulated frustration. “I found my father’s diary, and it’s been an enlightening read.”
“You don’t talk much about your father.” She dangled her legs, and one of her silk slippers fell to the floor, uncovering her small foot.
“There isn’t much to say. We weren’t close.”
Instead of delving further into the subject, she surprised him by asking, “Did he look like you?”
“No, I was told time and again that I was my mother’s spitting image.”
“She
must have been very beautiful then.” Mirella tilted her head to the side, her soft lashes coyly batting when she blinked.
Did his bride know how enticing she was?
No, Mirella had no idea of how enthralled he was with her.
“What did you find in your father’s diary?” she asked.
“I found that we have something in common after all.” Valentine leaned against the wall, resting his arm against his knee.
“And what’s that?”
He smiled. “He loved his wife to pieces as do I.”
She blushed. “Is that so?” Her chest swelled, and once again she was about to say something, but the guards’ presence inhibited her and she averted her gaze.
“Look at me.” He waited for her eyes to lock with his. “I absolutely adore you.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened in a silent comment, then her hand moved to her belly, and she gasped.
“What is it?” Panic edged his question, sending his heart into a frenzy again.
“I know it’s impossible because it’s too early, but for a moment I thought I felt the baby move.” She laughed, caressing her flat stomach.
After the first moment of terror, a wave of longing swept over Valentine, leaving behind a bittersweet emotion. He wanted to cross the space separating them and embrace her, pressing her close to him to feel her heartbeats synch with his.
“I want our son to have your hazel eyes and your mouth,” she said.
“And your auburn hair—” he added.
“That I won’t ever cut.” She pointed her chin up.
“What, you don’t like my haircut?” Valentine brought both hands to his head in mock despair. He hadn’t shaved since putting foot on Sidera Prime.
“I like you,” she said, her voice lowering as her green eyes darkened.
Valentine groaned. He was about to send the guards outside so that he could have some privacy with his bride, but Martali strode into the room, taking everyone by surprise.
“Master Lobo,” his head guard said, slightly bowing. “I apologize for the interruption, but I’ve received a new message from the terrorists, and I thought you would want to know.”
“What do they want now?” he asked.
“They have doubled the ransom and changed the location for the drop off.” Martali fisted his hands before him.
“Is Gabriel still here?” Valentine asked.
“Fortunately, I managed to stop Master Gabriel and the High Lord before they left, but I haven’t talked to them yet.”
“Call them.” Valentine pushed himself up as Martali ordered one of his men to look for the vampire.
“Why did they change their request?” Mirella asked, caressing her arms.
“To destabilize us.” Valentine walked a few steps in either direction back and forth to give his nervousness an outlet without resorting to punching walls which would have been his choice, had Mirella not been present. “They want us to feel helpless, and commanding us around, making us run in circles, waiting for them to tell us what to do next is the best way to assure they reach their goal.”
“But you are stronger than them.” Mirella jumped from the bed and walked closer to the mirror until her face was the only one framed inside the screen. “This leader of theirs is a coward who hides behind an army of puppets. He won’t prevail.” She paused, then nodded and added, “Balenus will be home before you return.”
Valentine was taken aback by the vehemence in her speech. “I knew you had a tigress hidden inside you, my ferocious kitten, but I’ve never thought I’d witness the moment when you had to reassure me.”
She smiled and furiously blushed when someone coughed behind her.
“I hate to intrude on your private moment, but you summoned me,” Gabriel said, appearing as Mirella stepped back and more of the room came into sight.
Dragon stood at the entrance.
“Withdraw from the vault another half million reales,” he told his friend without preambles.
“What for?” Gabriel asked.
“Martali will explain later.” Valentine looked at the door, and Gabriel nodded, leaving in stride.
Dragon moved aside to let the vampire through, then stepped forward to address Valentine. “What happened?” he asked.
“The kidnappers have doubled the ransom and want to meet elsewhere,” Valentine answered. “I don’t know the details.”
“Where?” Dragon turned to Martali.
“The Royal Aquatic Park.” Martali’s worried expression darkened into a hard scold. “The place is a nightmare to secure. And at this time of the year, with the longer days, lots of families visit the pools after work.”
“We’ll be extra careful not to endanger the civilians,” Dragon said.
Valentine nodded. “I trust you completely, Martali.”
Martali bowed again. “I’ll do my best not to disappoint you, Master Lobo.” He stepped to the side to talk to one of the guards, then faced the mirror once again. “With your permission, I’ll lock down the manor. All those changes could mean they might be trying something else entirely. Blessed Bride, I strongly suggest that you and your lady’s maid return to the safe quarters.”
Mirella looked up at Valentine. “Talk to you later.”
“I’m coming back, kitten,” he said, the decision just taken.
Dragon moved to the front of the room. “We can manage here. You don’t need to stop your research—”
Raising one hand, Valentine silenced Dragon. “My place is by my bride.” He then addressed Mirella, “See you soon, my love.” Finally, he turned to the guard. “Escort the Blessed Bride back to the safe quarters.”
Chapter Twelve
In higher spirits than she had been in days, Mirella followed the guard back to the safe quarters. Valentine was coming home, and that was all that mattered. She could spend a few more hours inside the windowless apartment because she would soon be in her husband’s arms.
Waiting for her in her bedroom’s nook was Mama Bee, as flamboyant as ever in a riot of colors and tassels hanging from her turban.
“I came to check on you, but I can see from the bounce in your step that you are well.” The midwife smiled, revealing a row of slightly mismatched teeth that made her face more beautiful for it.
“Valentine is on his way back.” Mirella sat on the comfortable bench by the bookshelf and gestured for the other woman to make herself comfortable as well.
Not that Mama Bee needed her consent to do anything. The midwife didn’t stand on ceremony around Mirella, for which Mirella liked her even more, but left Crea scandalized more than once for what she considered brazen behavior.
“Would you like some refreshments?” Crea asked from the door.
“Yes, please. I’m so hungry.” Mirella hadn’t finished saying the last word that her stomach rumbled. “Nothing sweet though. I’m afraid that my baby doesn’t like cake as much as I do.”
“Good thing I could get hold of some fresh sage and baked a savory pastiche,” Mama Bee said.
“You are a true lifesaver.” Mirella couldn’t help but stand and hug the midwife, who shook with laughter.
“It’s cooling on top of the stove,” Mama Bee said to Crea, who turned on her heels and went to the kitchen, from where she reemerged with the pie and a steaming pot of curcuma tea.
After they had finished the sage pastiche, Mirella asked Mama Bee to stay and chat.
“How did you meet Valentine?” she asked the midwife when there was a lull in the conversation and Crea went to the kitchen to brew some fresh herbal tea.
Sitting on the couch that seemed too small for her frame, Mama Bee managed to look regal as she perched on its edge with the same elegance shown by the courtesans. Her brow furrowed and she said, “It’s a long story, my child.”
“I like long stories.” Mirella raised her feet to the cushion, then folded her legs to the side, making herself more comfortable as she hugged a soft pillow to her chest.
“I was
a friend of the family.” Mama Bee adjusted a crease on her pink tunic. The floral pattern was distracting and it matched the turban she wore high on her crown. Her lips were also painted in a bright shade of pink, while her nails were purple. Today, instead of her rings, the tiniest clockwork sculptures played on her fingers.
“You knew Valentine’s father?”
Mama Bee slightly nodded. “I did.” Before she could add to her short sentence, Crea came back with the tea and served them.
“How did you know Marcellus?” Mirella asked, after sipping half of her cup.
“I was one of his courtesans,” Mama Bee answered.
The revelation left Mirella speechless for a moment. “You used to live here?” she said when her shock abated.
The midwife smiled, lowering her cup to the saucer she held on her lap. “I did. My bedroom was the one with the communication mirror.”
Mirella’s eyes widened, and unable to mask her surprise any longer, she asked, “Were you Marcellus’s favorite?”
Crea sat still, her tea forgotten.
“I was.” The midwife tilted her head, and the small bells attached to the turban jingled. “But only for a few months, and it was never physical between us. Marcellus needed a companion to keep his demons at bay. He was a reclusive man and a tortured soul, and I was glad to give him solace during the last days of his life.”
“From what little Valentine told me about Marcellus, I have the feeling he wasn’t a loving father.”
Mama Bee shrugged, and one of her long braids slid to the front of her dress. “Marcellus was a terrible father, and he knew it, but could never bring himself to love Valentine.”
“Why?” Mirella thought of her unborn baby, and her heart ached for Valentine.
“Because his beloved Sophia died giving birth to Valentine, and Marcellus never forgave his son for it.” Mama Bee’s eyes stared at a point faraway.
“How could he blame Valentine for his mother’s death? It’s horrible.” Mirella felt tears swelling in her eyes. “How could he reject his son?”
The Fifth Moon's Lovers (The Fifth Moon's Tales Book 3) Page 8
