“Do you know what's happening?” I didn't know if I was truly shocked or not.
“Yes. I know this. This is a warlock's doing, a bad warlock- like evil. You were right.” His face fell as he said it.
“This isn't the time or place for rights and wrongs. I can't shift in here. Do you know a way to counterbalance this?” Part of me prayed that there was an easy fix for this part at the very least.
“Yes, but it takes a lot of energy. We won't be able to shift or track inside. This is meant to keep us separated. It'll cause hallucinations to play on our weaknesses, or fears. The people doing this, there has to be more than one, but they don't all need to be inside. One that would believe that they're sacrificing themselves for the greater good.” His brows furrowed together.
“Where do you need to be, Mike? If we stop this bubble then whatever is happening to Dom, Leland and the rest will have a chance to level out.” I needed to believe that there was still hope.
“If we get right next to the shield I can drain its power, but I'll need a place to put it.” Mike's beautiful face was full of stress as the answer seemed to bounce around in front of me.
“Can't you just ground it?” I gulped for air.
“Not this kind of energy. It is meant to be released but not taken back in. If I were to force it into the dirt then there will be natural problems. But if it's transferred to living matter, it'll be used... the problem is that if I try to put it in more than one person the whole spell could come undone- knocking the people unconscious and setting us back to square one.” He looked away from me.
“Dammit, dammit, dammit! I'll do it, but I'm soooo kicking some crazy warlock's ass after this.” I growled.
“Em, you don't have to... the amount of power I have to drain from this to make a difference... it could kill you.” Mike's eyes were bright as he tried to get me to understand.
“Yes, yes. I get it. Now let's do it.” I sat on the ground as I had no idea how this would affect me.
“Ok. Acacia, you and our men are to guard both of us. I doubt either of us will be functional enough to stop any attack.” He looked at her, I felt jealous of how he allowed her to be such a powerful female- not something to be hidden and protected.
“Michael, is tú mo shonuachar, you better not die.” A tear clung to her bottom left lashes, she didn't bother to push it back as she told Mike that he was her soulmate.
“Ná bíodh imní ort, there's nothing to fret about, love. We have a long life ahead of us to try and sort everything out.” He smiled.
I felt a pang as I knew that this wouldn't be the scene I would have with Dominic if we were in this situation together.
“Em, you ready?” His words brought me back to the current task at hand.
“As I'll ever be.” My body relaxed.
“Good, relax as much as you can. I can only guess as to how much this is going to hurt us both.” He shrugged and sat down next to me and took my hand.
“Catch ya on the flip side.” I laughed at him and closed my eyes.
The spell warmed the air around us. I knew that the area must've been lit up like the Fourth of July, but I kept my eyes shut against the light. Breathe in, breathe out. I concentrated on my breathing. The air started to crackle with energy and I knew it was going to happen soon. Mike's hand tensed on mine momentarily and then the rush happened. I heard a scream, I didn't know where it came from- whether it was from Mike or me. Our pain mingled and danced across our bond. The energy being transferred into me was blinding hot and cold at the same time. My body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside. The scream came again just as a strong wave raked my body. This happened three more times before I was huddled in a ball weeping on the ground. I could smell burnt hair and charred flesh. I retched a few times and my mind was slipping in and out of consciousness.
Emma? Mike's voice touched my thoughts and my entire body flinched.
Em, it's okay. It's done. My thoughts held his words to me but it took me a while to understand.
Is it? I tensed with the thought that it wasn't over.
Yes. You can reach for Dom now. Mike held the concern that I should for my mate and my people.
Dominic... I tried my best to project the thoughts out into the world.
Mia bella? My Little Emma Bird, you're alright! Dom's joy was like a soothing balm on my wounds.
Where are you? What happened? I knew I needed to send help to him.
We are fine now. I can only assume that you're behind that. We captured one. Could you send Michael to us? He sent me a visual location.
Mike, Dom would like you to go to them. They captured the insider. I sent him the visual location.
Mia bella, what's wrong? Dom's cool voice sounded wrapped in tension.
We spelled the energy into me. I'm sure I'll be fine as soon as it leaves me... My eyes fluttered, I wasn't sure I could hold out much longer.
You spelled it into you! You could've died! His voice boomed in my mind.
Dominic, yell at me later. I think I need to rest now. I let the words slide away from me as did the link.
“Emma, I think we need to get you back to your home.” Acacia looked like she might try to lift me.
Acacia, this war isn't over. You must make sure that this battle has been won. I'm not going anywhere until I know my people are safe. I wasn't sure how well I could reach her in my current state.
“As you wish. I'll have the area run. We'll know if anyone is still here that holds a threat to either of our people.” I heard her heels click away from me.
I closed my eyes and felt the weight of the task I had agreed to weigh on me worse than anything before. I just couldn't hold on any longer. When the darkness came I welcomed it as a sweet relief.
When the bright day shone in my eyes and I felt the softness of my mattress below me, I knew that things had to be alright. It was mid-afternoon and I knew that I had to get out of bed. It was time for the vampires to have their queen.
“Ah, Mistress Emma. You're awake. We have about three hours to get you patched back together enough to have the ceremony and then conference.” Yasmin had clearly been sitting at my bedside.
“Yas-min.” My voice was harsh and it hurt to speak.
“Oh, first things first. This is for you. It is some of your, eh, special blood.” I watched as she held out a glass to me with a certain amount of distaste.
“Um, thank you.” I sipped on the glass and I instantly knew that it was werewolf blood- my body reacted with a hunger I didn't know I possessed- I guzzled it down. “Excuse me.”
“Yes, well, let's not worry about that right now. I need to know what I can do to help your healing process.” She gestured toward my highly bruised body- even my hair seemed to be in a state of brokenness.
“Not to worry. I can handle it all now. Please thank Michael and Acacia for the donation.” It clearly surprised her that I knew that it was a mix of both their blood.
“ I will, tout de suite.” She smiled at me.
“How is everyone? Derrick, my grandfather, Dom, Mike, the wolves?” I couldn't pretend that I didn't want to know.
“Derrick will recover quickly. The vampires with him are already healed. Your grandfather is on the mend faster than the doctors expected- perhaps they might listen to you about your werewolf blood. Master Dominic is worried about you, suffering from a killer headache, but otherwise fine. The wolves seemed to escape the evening without even a scratch. Michael is resting, but he is fine. We have given him some vampire blood. Perhaps when you've healed yourself more, you'll provide some of your own. I hear that the bond you two share was created in blood and that it somehow allows for your bloods to help each other.” Yasmin tried to keep the emotion and her opinions out of her words- I could still tell that she was not comfortable with werewolf blood or my mixed relationship with Mike.
“Once again, thank you.” I smiled at her.
“I've had your attire laid out, a bath drawn for you, and there are
several stylists that would like to help with your hair, nails, and makeup. They're waiting for you to have had your bath and then will come in and tend to you.” She smiled and stepped to the door.
“Thank you, Yasmin. Please let Dom know I'm up now.” I turned to the bathroom.
“As you wish, Mistress Emma.” She left the room.
The hot water helped release the tension I wasn't able to heal out of me. The wolf blood was racing through my system- I could tell it was dimmed because of the mixture between Acacia and Mike. But I knew that it would help me recover from last night. I sighed.
“What a lovely sound to hear after fearing that I had lost you, again.” Dom's voice seemed to lap at me as the water did.
“Dominic! Don't you knock?” I said in mock horror.
“Not for my wife. And not when I was afraid I had lost you again, Emma.” He knelt next to the tub.
“Well, you can obviously see I'm fine.” I splashed water at him- he was wearing a black tank top and loose pants.
“Do you mean to declare war, my love?” Mischief sparkled in his dark green eyes.
“Perhaps, I am.” I splashed him again, it felt good to joke with him.
“I promise I shall win.” His smile cocked to the side and he raised a brow.
“Oh, is that so?” I couldn't help but rise to the challenge and I pulled him into the tub, laughing.
“Emma!” He laughed as he shouted my name.
“Oh, what happened to Mr. I'll Beat You?” I snickered at him.
“This one.” He pulled me close to him and kissed me hard.
My arms wrapped around him. My fingers wandered into his beautiful blonde locks- knotting into it. I stopped my normal breath. I needed and wanted only to breathe him in. His tongue shot out and teased my bottom lip.
“Dom... you must control yourself because I know I can't.” My mouth curled into a wicked smile as I pulled him further into the tub and on top of me.
“Then I shall.” He pushed me against the back of the tub and kissed me until I thought my mind would melt out of my ears- and just as quickly he was out of the tub, walking away chuckling. “I'll send in your prep team to start setting up.”
I sat shocked in the water.
You bastard! I shouted after him once my mind kicked back in.
Told ya I'd win. Perhaps we can play some more later. His whispered words caressed me just as his hand had- I shivered.
“That is just plain evil.” I said to no one in particular.
It took my team of stylists about an hour and a half to have my hair, nails, face, and appearance up to what they called 'appropriate'- I'm still not sure what the fuss was for. I wore a royal blue satin dress. Small delicate crystals were sown on the bodice and trailed down the back. My hair was pulled back into an elegant bun, with several loose tousled tresses to frame my face. A pale clear sparkle lacquer covered each of my nails- even my toes in the beautiful blue heels. A diamond choker wrapped around my neck, with an intricate craved version of my family mark hanging from it in sapphire.
Mia principessa, are you ready? Dom's voice seemed to sparkle in my thoughts- much like the diamonds I wore.
Yes, I am. Are you to fetch me then? I wasn't sure how all this progressed.
No, you'll be escorted to me... usually it would have been by your father or grandfather, but we're setting new standards. I could feel him smile.
There was a gentle knock at my door.
“Enter.” I called out.
Mike stood in my doorway, wearing a black tux, with a royal blue handkerchief in the left breast pocket and royal blue tie. He matched my attire perfectly.
“I don't understand...” My mind raced as soon as I saw him.
“Some things you don't have to, Em. Merely enjoy the fact that someone else thought of it.” His smile was brilliant and happy.
“Fine.” I pouted but decided that I can handle whatever lays ahead of me.
“Milady.” He held out his arm for me.
“Why, thank you, kind sir.” I took his arm and let him lead me to the double doors that would mark the beginning of my walk to royalty- thinking about it, I realized that it was similar to getting married.
“Smile, Em.” He whispered to me as the doors were opened.
What the holy hell is going on? I sent the message to Mike and Dom.
Patience, all will be explained in time, mia bella. Dom responded.
There was a small gasp throughout the room as I was led into the room by a werewolf. Halfway down the long aisle, Dom stepped up, dressed the same as Michael, and bowed to him. I knew I went crazy because I knew that when Dom bowed to Mike it signified that we publicly recognized werewolves as our equals. I never thought that Dom would do such a wonderful thing. Mike returned the gesture and then handed me off to Dom after repeating the process with me and kissing my hand. I curtsied and transferred arms.
Oh my goodness! Dominic! I love you more than you even know right now. I sent him the message as we walked down the rest of the way.
We're a team, now and always, my little Emma bird. Together we stand united with our friends- the ones you made me realize are our friends. Today will start a new beginning for both our peoples. His words held the hope for a future I had imagined so often.
A voice boomed above us, “Sirs and ladies, I here present to you Queen Emma and King Dominic, our undoubted Queen and King, all of you who came on this day declare your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?”
The room erupted in acclimations and words of happiness, “Let them rule with our power and blessings.”
“Madam and Sir, are your Majesties willing to take the Oath?” The male voice continued.
“We are willing.” We replied in unison.
“Will you promise and swear to protect and govern the vampires of the world, with respect to each of their respective customs?” He asked.
“We solemnly swear this.” A cheer went up.
“Will you use your power to cause justice, law, mercy, and respect to be executed in all your judgments?” He continued.
“We will.” I knew a similar speech was used when the British swore in their royalty.
“And do you swear to consult with the heads of each governing area in all your decisions, taking in their words and concerns, while protecting the vampire people as it has been deemed the vampire way?” His words seemed to be extra crisp with the vampire way.
“We will and we will also respect the various other supernatural communities. Bringing the communities together.” Dominic fed me the lines and we spoke them together.
There was a slight shuffling of feet and a small rise in whispers.
“These are the things that we promise, we will perform and keep. This is our will.” We ended.
A sword, two crowns, two rings, and a crystal ball were brought forward on a crushed blue velvet cushion.
“King Dominic, this sword is presented to your Majesty in hopes that your Majesty will never use it in vain, rather that it be used to administer justice to the terror and wrongs of evildoers, and for the protection and encouragement to all those that do well.” The robed man brought the sword forth and laid it on Dom's open palms- I could see that there were elaborate cravings in the metal.
“Queen Emma, this crystal is presented to your Majesty in hopes that your Majesty will never use the power and knowledge that comes from our natural gifts in vain, rather that these gifts will be used to further the prosperity of the vampire people.” The man placed the clear orb in my left hand- I could instantly see images waiver within the ball.
“Your Majesties, receive these rings of justness and mercy. Be so merciful that you be not too remiss, so execute justice that you forget not mercy. Punish the wicked, protect and cherish the just,
and lead your people in the way wherein they should go.” He slipped a gold ring on each of our right hands- there was elaborate weaving of knots on the outsides of each ring, and inside the center was the combination of
the DeDominico and Hutchinson family crests.
Dominic and I both knelt before this man as he continued with the ceremony.
“These crowns of the faithful: blessed be these crowns, and so blessed your Majesties Emma and Dominic upon whose heads this day we place them for a sign of royal majesty, that they may be filled by abundant grace with all virtues: through the will of their people and the beliefs they will uphold.” We bowed our heads and clasped hands as he placed a golden crown on each of our heads- mine was a more refined version of Dom's but they were both shaped with greater spires in the front and then tapering off ones in the back, the tops held emblazoned sapphires and diamonds.
A great many shouts went up as we raised our heads and rose to our feet.
“Be strong and of good courage, your Majesties.” He concluded and bowed.
The entire room seemed to follow suit. In the back of the room, I saw my grandfather and family. Dom's family was standing next to them. Apparently in our customs, the people come before our families- or so it was indicated by the way the room had been laid out.
For the next two hours we sat and greeted the people that came before us. The sword and orb had been taken to where they would sit until they were needed. I didn't want to know why I was given a seer's ball or Dominic a weapon so fine that I was certain it could easily cut down everyone in the room. Instead, I focused on finishing up with the congratulations and blessings.
We had a brief window between the coronation and conference. Dom and I raced to change. We had agreed to appear in a warrior gear similar to the one I wore the other day. Mike and the wolves had been invited to sit with us. I suggested that they dress similar to us, they agreed. Everything seemed to be about giving the appearance of being a united front- something that whoever was against us strived so hard to ensure didn't happen.
When we entered the room, a hush fell. Dom, Mike, Acacia, and I stepped on the raised platform. The two other wolves took up a station on either side of the stage with our security. We allowed a moment for the shock to spread and run its course before I stepped forward.
Bella Vita Page 34
