by Emily Bex
“Maximus? The Virginia property is in his territory. Does this mean he’ll be at the coronation?” She felt all her hatred and jealousy of Kate slide away as it was replaced with fear.
“I'm not sure, my darling. I’m not privy to his guest list, but it’s customary for a coronation to invite any master who’d be considered an ally, and I’d assume since we’ve not seen a war for territory they perceive each other as allies. So, it’s possible. I’ll tell you it’s very bad form to refuse the invitation. It’s considered an insult to that master, so we’ll be going. And needless to say, it’s formal. So, I’ll wear black tie, and you need to find something appropriate from that warehouse you call a closet.”
Her mind went into overdrive and she had to come up with some excuse to get out of this invitation! She couldn’t face Max! He could easily kill her while there. Walking slowly to Alec, she knelt down in front of him and laid her head on his knee.
“Alec, I’m just getting back out there, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do. What if I make a mistake? Oh hell, do I have to bow to her? I’m not bowing. Not to her! Maybe I should stay here, I have Jacks now, and well, I’m so far behind on my work.”
Alec shook his head no. “She’s not your queen, so you aren’t required to bow. His warriors, all the vamps in his coven, they’re her subjects. All other masters and their mates are there as a sign of respect. But you’ll go, my darling. My relationship with Shade isn’t over. I still have a long-term issue of protection, and he’ll provide that, so snubbing him isn’t acceptable. You don't have to do anything. You will attend, you will watch. She’ll be crowned, and his warriors will pledge to her. The Council will have to confirm her immortal and royal status with her blood. It will be a lot of pageantry. I’d think this would be right up your alley, my darling. You’ll not need Jacks. I’ll be with you. And the place will be swarming with his warriors. Trust me. There will be no safer place for any vampire to be than at that coronation.”
She almost laughed out loud. That’s what you think, Alec. Her life could be in danger.
“Well, as long as you’re with me and don’t leave me alone.” Standing, she put her hands on her hips. “I suppose I’d best go. If she thinks for one minute this ridiculous coronation is going to outdo my wedding, she has another think coming! As for my warehouse of a closet, maybe you should get a hall pass and come peruse the goods and choose for me if this is that important. I don’t want to make one false step.” She headed for the door, mumbling as she went, “A damn queen, of all things, and my house! My Paris dream house. That bitch has some nerve trying to get one up on me!”
Alec watched her as she skulked out of the room, mumbling under her breath. That was one pissed off woman. He knew she’d be angry about the Paris house, but Kate becoming queen? Women! If he lived another thousand years, he doubted he’d ever understand them.
Alec went to the bar to pour another drink but found the decanter empty. “Santos! Out of Midnight in here!”
Stomping up the stairs, she tried to wrap her head around all this hell dumped on her tonight. She heard Alec yell at Santos to bring him some more Midnight. Leaning over the railing, she yelled her own command.
“Make that two!”
97
As one more night passed, Kate had finally beaten the worst of the bloodlust, and Shade knew she’d be able to control her hunger for the most part. He would remain with her constantly, while she learned control of her enhanced emotions and new sensory perceptions. He was more than ready to get out of this chamber and back to their life. They must first get through the ceremony for her coronation, to officially claim her as his mate and queen. She’d be presented to all of his coven, his warriors, the Council, and close allies as she assumed this new role, reigning with him over the coven. He watched her walk slowly around the chamber, running her hands along the rough stone walls, she was getting impatient too.
“Mi amore, come to me, I want to ask you something.”
She walked to him, took his hand. “Yes, lover?”
Shade smiled at her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly, gently.
“Mi amore, I think it is time we leave this chamber and head to our bedchamber above ground.” He took her face in his hands, looked into her eyes. “Are you prepared to leave here? I know you’re still afraid of what awaits you out there, and there are many things I still need to teach you, but it’s difficult within this chamber, si?”
She nodded her head. “I think I’m ready. It scares me a little, but as long as you’re with me. There was some ceremony around coming into the chamber, Theresa preparing me in the white gown. What happens when we leave?”
Taking her chin and tilting it up to his face, he looked deep into her eyes. “I will not leave your side, mi amore, not for a while. I will be right beside you.” He pulled her into his lap and cuddled her into his chest. “I wish to leave here, bel, with you in my arms. We walked in together, both dressed in white. You were still a mortal, still pure to the immortal world. We leave officially mated, in red, and I carry you out as my chosen mate, just as in the mortal world it is tradition to carry you across the threshold, is that not right?”
“Yes.”
“Si, so I shall carry my new immortal bride across the threshold of this chamber, in my arms. I will not teleport but carry you to our bedroom within Castello. Are you ready, mi amore? Do you have any questions before we leave this chamber?”
Kate felt anxious. “Will anyone be outside? Will anyone see us?”
He gently caressed her back and snuggled into her neck, feeling her trepidation of what lay beyond that stone door, and who’d be awaiting her. “No one will be directly outside, mi amore, but I do believe we may encounter Gi, Theresa perhaps, and I would believe that Luca is impatiently waiting for both of us to emerge. And if Luca is there, I believe Shannon will be there as well. I can summon the rest of the staff to either witness us, or be unseen, what is your choice?”
Her response was immediate, “No! Don't summon the staff, please don't. I know there were many who watched us as we went in. But my senses feel raw. I’m afraid I’ll feel overwhelmed. I can hear the water as it runs down the chamber wall. I can hear the drop as it hits the chamber floor. These are sounds I normally wouldn’t hear. I’m trying to imagine how all the hustle and bustle of the world will sound to me now. All the smells, the lights, it feels like too much.”
He clutched her tighter to his chest, “Shh, mi amore, it will be fine, and soon enough, you will learn, on your own, how to tune out all the sounds you don’t need to hear, how to zero in on those that are important. Also, how to unblock sounds when you feel danger. It will take time, but learning will be easy enough. No one will be about, I promise you.” Kissing the top of her head, he slid her off his lap. “Gi has left a red robe here someplace, have you seen it by chance?”
“In that carved out shelf by the door, there is something red folded there.”
“Ah, si!” Walking to the shelf, he picked up the folded robe. He shook it out like a huge sheet above his head and twirled it around him, pulling the hood up over his long curls, his blue eyes peering out at her. The robe fell to the floor in a perfect length. She was already wearing the red robe Padre had bestowed to her.
“Come, mi amore, it is time we leave, my queen.”
Queen. She no longer flinched at the word. She stood and went to him, eager to leave, and yet, nervous about what lie ahead, as he lifted her effortlessly in his arms, he telepathically asked Gi to make sure no one was present on their journey.
She settled into him, like it was home for her, and he loved having her there in the protection of his arms, her head so close to his heart. He pressed the stone engraved with the Medici crest and the stone chamber opened.
She heard the massive door swing open and felt the rush of fresh air into this sealed chamber. She could smell the dampness in the air as he began the long walk back through these stone corridors, weaving his way through the tu
nnels and stairs they originally took that lead them deep underground. It was still night, so he could walk the long expanse of the castle to reach their bedchamber. As soon as they emerged, she could feel the presence of others, but she saw no one. She turned her face to his chest, closed her eyes, blocked out the light from the chandeliers, and the reflection of the light on the gold that trimmed the ceilings. She could already feel the sensory overload, even though it was quiet in these halls. When they reached the grand foyer, he took the stairs, returning them to their bedroom, his parent’s old bedroom, where Portia welcomed Kate as her daughter, and told her to fight for him.
As they approached their bedchamber, the door was closed, but Gi waited outside the entrance. Leaning down, Shade whispered in Kate’s ear, “Bel, Gi is outside our bedchamber door. I need to put you down on your feet, si? He will wish to bow to you. It is his duty seeing you for the first time as his queen. Can you manage to open your eyes?”
Kate nodded against his chest, opening her eyes to his blue brilliance, those eyes looking even bluer now they were in the light of the chandeliers that lined every hallway. “Of course, lover.”
Smiling down at her, he kissed her nose. “Ti amo.” Sitting her down softly on her feet, he watched as Gi nodded to her and then bowed deeply, holding the bow, waiting for her acknowledgment of his presence and the honor and respect he was showing her. Gi kept his eyes lowered until he was spoken to. “Just speak to him, mi amore, acknowledge him and his respectful and honorable gesture.”
Kate responded humbly, “You honor me, Gi, with your service and your loyalty. I’ll work hard to be a worthy queen.”
As Gi raised his eyes to her, his smile was wide and broad, and he nodded to Kate and opened the door, telling Shade if there was anything they needed, please let him know. Gi informed him all had been arranged for the ceremony. Shade thanked him, and lifted bel into his arms once again, carrying her through the bedchamber doorway, kicking the door closed behind him. “Tough to handle the light and sound and everything you feel, si? Are you all right, bel?”
The sound of the door slamming closed sounded loud and jarring to her ears, and she flinched slightly at the noise. “I’m all right, Shade. I'm glad we’re alone.”
“Well, you have a few days to adjust before the ceremony. You’ll get used to this. We’ll be having the ceremony at midnight in two nights. I know you feel you aren’t prepared, but at this stage, you will never feel ready, simply because it is all new. It must feel like you are seeing the world for the first time. By the time we get back to Bel Rosso, you should have this under control. There is much hustle and bustle going on here now, especially with the ceremony coming. Perhaps we should lie down, rest our bodies and our senses, si?”
She walked around this room as he talked to her, looking at everything again with new eyes. The colors were more vibrant, and details in the fabrics not visible before stood out to her. She felt texture in the marble floor under her feet, where before it felt smooth. When he spoke to her, she felt the vibrations of his voice through her body. She closed her eyes and inhaled, and his scent was as strong as if he were standing next to her with her nose buried in his neck. She could feel his heartbeat, in rhythm with her own. He was calm, so she was calm. She wondered how far away from him she could be, and still pick up his scent, still feel his heartbeat? She turned to look at him and he took her breath away. The red hood still draped over his head, those eyes following her as she moved about the room.
“Lie down, rest our senses, yes.”
98
Bel was re-exploring the bedroom, picking things up and looking at them, her senses on overload, but Shade was pleased with how she was handling the transition. Suddenly, he felt coldness in the air, a shift in the energy and he knew another vampire had entered Castello, a vampire with power.
One of the housemaids came to Gi in a panic. “The Council!” She was repeating it, over and over, “The Council!”
Gi straightened his waistcoat. “What are you jabbering about?”
She blurted out there was a member of the Council at the front gate, wishing to enter. The Council had never come to Castello except for ceremonial occasions and never uninvited. It was not a good sign. Gi rushed to the entrance in the grand foyer and swung open the door to find the green-robed High Council Malachi. He bowed deeply.
“High Council Malachi, please, come in, how might I be of service to you this evening?”
Malachi stepped into the grand foyer, looked at its opulence, and shook his head. What was he thinking? “It is imperative I speak to the Medici... in private, please.”
Gi bowed his head. “Of course, High Council. Please, follow me to the parlor, and I will return with Master Shade.” Gi escorted him to the room and offered him a seat, but Malachi chose to stand. Gi rushed up the stairs and rapped hard at Master Shade's bedroom door.
Shade stood still and closed his eyes, concentrating. Cazzo! Bel responded to his change in energy, sensing something was wrong and was on top of him immediately.
“Shh, mi amore, it is fine. Relax. Enter!”
Gi opened the door, looking flustered. “Master, so sorry to interrupt, but the High Council Malachi is here. He asks to see you in private. I have taken him to the parlor and he waits for you there.”
Shade stared at Gi and wondered what the hell had happened. Council never made personal visits unless it was bad news. “See to his needs immediately, Gi, inform Malachi I will be there directly.”
As Gi nodded, Shade could tell this unexpected little visit had his entire household in an uproar. He looked down to see Kate’s eyes, round as saucers in her face. Taking her face into his hands, he kissed her softly.
“Listen to me, bel, I need to attend to this immediately. I have no idea why a member from Council is here, but I will find out shortly. You are perfectly safe inside this room, but do you wish me to call Luca?”
“I... yes… no. I'm fine, lover. You go. I’ll be fine, and Luca is just down the hall. Are we in danger?”
“We are in no immediate danger, but something is wrong. It’s not normal for Council to come uninvited, without notice. Malachi is Head Council. He oversees and records matings, births and deaths of any vampire under the realm of the European Council, so I am assuming he is here to see me about our mating. The official announcements have gone out for the ceremony. Perhaps he wants to inquire about details around the coronation.” Shade shrugged his shoulders. “I will return immediately when I am done, si?”
“Go, I'm sure it is nothing. I’ll be waiting here for your return.”
He gave her a quick kiss and without another word, teleported immediately outside the parlor. He took a deep breath and entered to find Malachi standing, observing the room, his deep emerald green robe to the floor. Each member of Council wore the color of the crystals that reflected their area of responsibility, and they were named as such. Malachi assumed his name from the deep emerald green malachite, the crystal that represented clearing the heart of past pains, so it was open to receive love.
Shade entered the parlor with pride and honor. He bowed to no one, not even Council. He was well respected within the Council, as was his padre. He showed them respect, as they were the ruling body of his species and had kept them from extinction.
“Malachi. Welcome to Castello Medici. Please be seated. I hope Gi has obliged you with anything you need. To what do I owe this honor?”
“Medici. It has been many years since I have stepped inside the walls of Castello. I think the last time was your birth, perhaps? And yes, your man-servant was most solicitous, but I prefer to stand. This is not a social visit. I come to express the grave concerns of the Council. We were notified when you made the journey to the States, and were well aware of your duties there in service to Master Alec, and we approved that move. We were notified of the transfer of property between you and Master Alec, and although we see some potential pitfalls with Master Maximus, we reluctantly approved that as well. We have been not
ified of the deed transfer to Luca of Medici, and that has been recorded. A very generous gesture, I might add.
“That is not the reason for my visit, however. We heard of your dalliance with a mortal, but then that is nothing new. The mortals have always been a curiosity for our kind. Then we heard you had chosen her for your mate. Surely, this was wrong, Medici. Surely, we had not heard correctly, but then it was confirmed to us. And now, the turning. I am here on behalf of all in the Council to express to you our deep disappointment. Not once did you approach us with this choice. You are not just High Master, you are royal blood. Our expectations of you are much greater, as I am sure your padre shared. We had all assumed you would make your choice for a mate from one of the other royal families, and if not royal, at least the immortal daughter of a master. But a mortal? How do you expect a mortal to uphold the Medici legacy? How can a mortal be expected to rule this coven, and earn the respect of those that follow you? When you breed with her, surely the blood of your off-spring will be diluted. What kind of legacy will you leave? Will your sons even have the power to rule? I expected more from you, Medici. You have lived over five-hundred years, long enough to think with your head and not with your heart.”
Shade listened to him go on and said nothing, but his beast reared up, ready to rip something apart. He knew the Council would not be happy with his choice, but how dare they come into his domain and tell him bel was nothing.
Growling, Shade glared at him once he was finished speaking. “You step into my domain, my rule, and tell me you are not accepting of my choice of mate? This family has given more funds and more blood than any other family within Europe!” Spreading his arms wide, sweeping the room, “Do you think my padre gave his life for you? He gave his life for me! He left this legacy, this coven to me. He rose to power, taking advantage of the times, and I have done much the same. I have achieved much more, as well you know, Malachi. Whom I choose to mate, is my decision. You may not like her nor think she is deemed worthy enough for me, but let me advise you,” leaning over the chair, his growl was strong, “my padre has accepted her bonding to me, he approves, as does my madre. I would suggest you walk lightly in my presence when you reference, with such disdain, the Queen of Medici. You will taste her blood, you will see she is no longer mortal but immortal and mine. And as I rise, you better be prepared to deal with two Medici because she will be at my side, as will my sons!”
