The Medici Queen

by Emily Bex

  As Cory sat quietly, he listened to their arguments and could feel the Council practically snarling at him. Their body language was closed off and negative, he’d seen it many times before. They’d never accept him for who and what he was. Cory listened to his father defend his rights, his legacy, and his existence, and Cory knew even if no one else here accepted him, Shade and Kate always would, and that was all that mattered. Cory sat up straight and stared straight ahead, refusing to concede to their negative ideas of what he could be. He was Medici and he felt that power sitting in this room. Shade squeezed Cory’s shoulders when his anger flared and he came to Cory’s defense at every harsh word.

  When Kate spoke, Cory almost broke, fighting to keep his emotions in check. He had found where he belonged, and he would fight and speak his own defense if given the chance. This was his place and time to become something no half-breed ever got the chance to be, to become something more. Prove they could give back to the vampire world, and suddenly, he knew his actions would affect the coming generations of all half-breeds, and he was ready to take that on.

  As the Medici made his final argument, the Council sat in silence. Malachi looked to Florian, in his robe of blue. Florian was responsible for the enforcement of their bylaws, and any changes to protocol would require his final approval. Malachi raised his hands in a shrug as he looked at Florian, as if to say he was at a loss for how to proceed from here.

  Florian had been scrolling through the books of ancient texts as he listened to the Medici's plea, searching for any history of a break in this protocol in the past, but he found nothing. The Council met independently on a regular basis to discuss these matters and review these ancient rules imposed in a modern time, as they knew there would be circumstances where they must adjust. The key was in knowing when to give in to the demands of the modern world, and when to hold fast to the old traditions. Florian locked his gaze on the half-breed, addressing him for the first time.

  "Stand and face the Council, half-breed."

  Cory gulped hard, looked at Shade and when Shade nodded, he stood. He tried to concentrate, appear strong, when something inside him went into overdrive, a rush of his father’s blood in his veins. He couldn’t explain it, he just knew that whatever was about to happen, it wouldn’t change how much his dad or Kate loved him. Standing tall and locking eyes with Florian, he refused to be intimidated.

  Florian looked at the frail youth standing before him. He guessed him to be at the age of puberty for a vampire, around eighteen or nineteen. "You have heard the testimony of both your father and the female who, should we decide it so, will be recorded in our records as your mother. Tell me, half-breed, how you see yourself contributing to the Medici coven. You have heard the limitations on your life. How do you commit to be a productive member of this most powerful coven, and not just a drain on its resources? If this Council records you as the son of Medici, there will be much expected of you, half-breed or not."

  Cory never dropped his gaze from Florian. "My name is Cory, Cory Medici, not half-breed. I already provide to the Medici coven. I’m the master leather artisan. I design and make every piece of leather the Medici warriors wear. I’ve been doing this for a while. Master Shade took me off the streets, not knowing who I was. I already love the brothers and sisters in the coven, we’re a family. What I give to them is because I want them to be the best at what they do, which is to protect everything that is Medici. That’s my contribution. Shade is my father. Kate isn’t my biological mother, but she’s given me more love than I could ever expect in my life. Both of them have. I’m not born to be a warrior, I’m not born to lead. But I’m born with a right to contribute, love and be loved, respected, and honored. I know you don’t understand. I never expect you to. But someone has stood up for me, and taken me into a family where I’ve been taught there’s much I can accomplish. The vampire community just kicked me aside. They never gave me a chance to show anything of what I could become. Shade saw something in me, he gave me a life with an opportunity to flourish, and it changed my entire world. He opened a door for me, giving me a chance, long before he knew I was his son. I come from the streets, where we are less than dirt, abused, beaten, and treated like sex slaves by the immortals, having to do whatever is necessary to survive.

  “I stand here as one of those, but a rare one, because I was given a chance to get out. I know many who have killed themselves because of how you think of them. I’m Medici. I will always be Medici. And my actions will show that. I didn’t ask to be born, but your community disowned me. Call me whatever you wish, but I call myself Cory Medici, son of the Medici."

  Cory remained standing, his gaze never leaving Florian. If Shade and Kate had to fight for him, he would fight right along with them. These vampires were important, but suddenly, he didn’t care, he was just a son who was loved.

  As Cory sat back down, the Council remained silent. Florian took the lead and asked for a recess. "The Council must discuss this matter before us. We ask that you leave the chamber and wait outside in the vestibule. The guards will escort you and we will call you back in when we have reached our decision."

  Shade nodded and stood, leading bel and Cory to the huge wooden doors, the guards escorting them to a comfortable sitting area secluded down the long hallway from the Council Chamber. Shade paced back and forth, running his hand through his hair.

  "I apologize to you both, I did not know how this would go or what they would say or do, but I knew it would not be pleasant." He flopped in a cushioned chair, his hands covering his face.

  Kate felt his frustration and ran her hand up his back. "Regardless of their decision, Shade, he’s your son, he’s our son. We don't need the permission of a bunch of decrepit vampires in rainbow robes to dictate our lives. They called him half-breed like he’s not a real person. Their decision, one way or another, changes nothing in my mind. He’s Cory Medici!"

  Shade took her in his arms. "They need to fucking understand I will not tolerate this behavior any longer. Cory knows he is my son, he knows how I feel, he knows how you feel, but what I want is change."

  Standing, he embraced Cory to his chest. "I am sorry for all you have had to bear, and that I put you in this position. It is a lot to ask, but you have to be the role model for all of the half-breeds who have suffered and will continue to do so. Even if they consent to this, it will still be a hellish stigma to them. And it will take years for the change to bring about any results. I am the strongest vampire in Europe. I need to lead the changes for our kind, even the half-breeds. I lost one son to this fucked up stigma, but I won’t lose another."

  In Shade’s embrace, his words made Cory proud to be a half-breed. It was the first time in his life he’d ever felt that. "I’m proud to be the role model. They sit there and have no idea what life is like for us. I just hope I said the right words. I’m so angry at them! They judge me because of my birth. They don’t even know me. I’m so tired of that mindset. I should have shown them my scars, shown them how I was beaten, abused to just live and feed."

  Shade's gripped Cory even tighter in his embrace, his small frame felt delicate and fragile under Shade’s strong arms. Burying his face in Cory’s neck, they both felt the emotions rolling over them, bonding them together. "I love you, son, I will always love you, protect you and nothing is taking you from me."

  The guards approached and one of them cleared his throat, interrupting the emotional display between the Medici and his son. "The Council is ready for you to return." The guards led the three of them back into the chambers and had them take a seat.

  Malachi stood. "The Council has discussed your unique situation and we have decided, pending verification of his bloodline that we will record the half-breed, heretofore known as Cory Medici, into the records. The attendant will bring the chalice, please."

  A robed attendant appeared with the gold chalice and handed it to Malachi who stepped from the dais to the table where Shade, Kate and Cory were seated. "We ask the Medici to scor
e his wrist and drain his blood into the chalice."

  Shade nodded to Malachi, reaching over, he took Cory's wrist in his hand and sank his fangs into the vein. Shade held his son’s wrist over the chalice, watching the thick red blood drip into the cup. Once the chalice was a quarter full, Shade lifted Cory's wrist to his mouth and licked his wounds, watching them heal. He handed the chalice to Malachi, his eyes issuing a challenge.

  “Drink it, Malachi.”

  Malachi nodded. "It is my intent, Medici."

  He took the chalice from Shade's hands and tipped it to his lips, tasting the blood of the half-breed. It was diluted, but he clearly tasted the distinct flavor of the royal Medici blood. He closed his eyes as he waited to see if any gifts would be displayed. Other than day-walker, which he fully expected, there was nothing new. He set the chalice down on the table and looked the Medici in the eye.

  "I declare before this Council the royal blood of the Medici runs through his veins. Let it be recorded that this half-breed is the son of the Medici and Queen Katherine, and he shall be known as Cory Medici."

  Ivor stood and opened the large leather-bound journal, dipping the quill pen into the ink and recording the entry into the Medici ancestry. He stamped the entry with his official seal and then proclaimed, "So be it."

  Malachi turned back to Shade, "Is there any further business before Council?"

  Shade felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "I am grateful for this meeting and for the outcome. I am pleased with the progress of the Council and thank you for your wise decision and compliance with my request. I have no further business with Council at this time."

  Malachi nodded. "That is reassuring to hear, Medici. You have brought us more drama in the last year than we have seen in the last thousand. May our next encounter be less stressful? We bid you good evening. The guards will see you out."

  Shade stood and nodded to each member of Council. He took bel’s hand and placed the other around Cory's shoulder as they followed the guards outside and into the waiting car.

  "Home, Dante. Take us the hell home!" Shade laid his head back on the seat, his eyes closed. "Some nights, mi amore, being a master is very tiring on my soul."

  Kate laid her head on his shoulder, as her hand stroked his chest. "Lover, you make me proud. I see why your warriors will follow you into battle, why they pledge their loyalty to you. You give them loyalty in return. I couldn’t love you more."

  She looked at Cory who was seated on the other side of Shade. "I know I’ll never replace your biological mother. I’d never presume to do that. But I meant what I said in there. You’re my son now too."

  Cory watched as she comforted Shade, and once again, he wondered how it would have been different if his real mom would have been in her place. "I know you had to say that to them in there to plead my case. I appreciate it, I’m grateful." Cory looked out the window of the large Bentley and watched the skyline of Florence pass him by, his heart content that he was now legally the son of the Medici.

  Kate spoke to him, "No, Cory, I didn’t have to say it. I said it because I meant it. You’re Shade's blood. I was mortal, turned by him. He made me as much as he made you. We’re both joined by his blood. We’re blood family. When we get back to Bel Rosso, you’ll move out of the barracks and into the main house. I have contractors working on your room. I’m converting the attic space into your space. There are bedrooms on the same floor as mine and Shade's bedroom, but they are reserved for the babies to come, who will need close attention. I thought long and hard about where to place your room. I thought if I convert the attic space then you’ll have more privacy."

  Shade looked over at Cory, felt his confusion, hesitation. When Cory didn’t acknowledge bel, he decided he needed to speak. "Cory, answer Kate. Speak your mind. Do not hide your feelings from her, nor me. We are familia, we need to share to grow, si?"

  Cory looked straight ahead, not directly at Shade or Kate. "Thank you. I’m not used to the love and attention. I’m fine. I mean no disrespect. It will just take me a while to get used to all this. I was just getting adjusted to being accepted in the camps and now all of this has happened. It’s a lot for me to absorb."

  Kate smiled at him. "That I can understand. I’ve had my own share of feeling over-whelmed. So, it will be important for you to let us know what's going on in your head. I want you in our life, but I understand you’re not a child and you need your own personal space. Just let us in, Cory. Shade and I have had our issues adapting to each other, merging our two worlds. So let us know when we crowd you or move too fast."

  Shade pulled Cory to his chest, ruffling his hair with his hands. "It’s okay to feel like you have been through hell and back because you have. We love you, and you can come to us for anything, good or bad. That’s all we can ask. We love you without judgment. I am here for you, so is Kate."

  Dante pulled into Castello and before Shade could even move, Cory had opened the door and headed inside, walking fast and alone. Sighing, he knew his son needed some time to process this change. Shade let Dante help bel from the car and they walked hand in hand back inside.

  "My life seems to be complicated as hell lately, but I would change nothing. Not one moment of it. Tell me it will get easier, mi amore."

  Kate smiled up at him, as she took his hand and placed it on the swell of their growing baby. "Easier? I don't think so, lover. But always worth it."

  62

  Alec arrived home later than usual. Santos met him at the door, taking his suit jacket and handing him a glass of Midnight. He made his way to his office to drop off his briefcase when he saw the wedding invitation placed front and center on his desk. He picked up the invitation, enclosed in its own box, and examined the diamond broach. Alec dropped down into the office chair. Did this woman attach a diamond brooch to every invitation?

  He shook his head, and finished off the remainder of the Midnight, calling Santos for a refill. He took out his cell phone and gave his business manager a call, asking for a quick summary on what she’d spent for the wedding so far. When he heard him say $30 Million and counting, Alec took another big gulp of Midnight. It wasn’t that they didn’t have it; it just seemed an unnecessary extravagance. He should have been prepared for this, he knew how jealous Rissa had been of Kate's Coronation and she was determined to top it. He heard Rissa as she entered the front door with Hyde. Alec walked out to the foyer to greet them.

  Hyde was helping her off with her coat as Rissa smiled and reminded him tomorrow they needed to start out earlier than usual, she had much to do. Hyde told her he’d be here early and nodded to Alec before taking his leave.

  "Did you have a good day, darling?"

  Rissa moved slowly in Alec’s direction. "I had a very long but productive day, and you, Alec?"

  "Not bad. Could always be worse. I was looking at the invitations."

  Rissa tried to assess his mood. "Oh good, I’m so glad you found time to give them a glance. I think they turned out well, don’t you? Have to impress, right? I have appointments tomorrow with the florist, and I need to pick up my hair clip from the jewelers. I should just have that delivered. It would save me a trip."

  Walking to the living room, Rissa went to the bar, picked up the Midnight and poured herself a large glass full. "Do you want one, my wicked vampire?"

  Alec followed behind her. "Yes, please. A large one, and tell me, was that invitation reserved for special guests? Or is everyone on the guest list getting the diamond brooch?"

  Quickly downing her drink before pouring herself another, she poured one for Alec. She handed him the drink, as she took a seat across from him on the sofa, pulling off her heels.

  "New shoes, killing me, I broke a heel today, I stumbled and it broke, so I had to stop and buy another pair. I abhor breaking in new heels when I’m on my feet all day."

  Looking at Alec, she raised her eyebrows. "Did you ask me something? Oh yes, the invitations. Of course, everyone gets the same invitation. I’m h
aving the special guests hand delivered, the others will be posted. Is there a problem?" Sitting back, she closed her eyes, downing the tumbler of Midnight.

  Alec shook his head, it’s not as if any of it could be undone at this point, and he’d known, going in, it would be a lavish affair.

  "No problem, my darling. Just try not to bankrupt us before I can make it to the Presidency. Could you bring me the cigarette box, please?"

  "You never gave me a budget, Alec, you said to do it my way. I assumed you’d have no problem. You do want to impress everyone, the goal being to draw attention. Most of the guests are mortal, so we have the cost of food, and you said not to skimp."

  Standing to get the cigarette box, her head swirled and she almost fell over before regaining her balance. She stood still for a moment, massaging her temples, her heart rate dropping.

  Come on Midnight, do your magic. She needed to feed but she knew he’d been busy lately and she could manage a few more days without. Carrying the cigarette box back, she handed it to him and settled back down on the couch. "Any news on the political front I should be aware of?"

  Alec saw her stagger slightly as she made her way to the cigarette box and the comment about stumbling and breaking her heel took on new meaning.

  "It’s not a reprimand, my darling. I asked you to make it memorable, and I'm sure it will be. There will be those who’ll be impressed, and those who’ll scoff at the amount of money spent, but you know what they say, there’s no such thing as bad press, and I'm sure your wedding will be front page news."