The Medici Queen

by Emily Bex

  Marco stood, draping his arm around Shade's shoulder. "Come on, brother. I'll point out a few I think you'll like. Good timing. All the new recruits came in the fall, time to assign some of the warriors who have been here a while, anyway. Barracks were getting crowded."

  Marco led him out onto the well-lit training field where young warriors and new recruits were paired off, while older warriors trained them, challenging their skills and technique. They stood together on the field, listening to the familiar sound of the swords clanking, metal against metal.

  Marco looked at his old friend. "That's the only music I want to hear. I will leave the sound of crying babies and lullabies to you, old man. Now pick out who you’d like to protect your assets...and your ass."

  95

  Marco headed to Castello. He’d made the final selection on the five warriors that were to return with Shade to the States, and he wanted to take him the list, see if there were any changes before he informed the warriors of the decision. He’d spoken to all of the candidates who’d been considered for the job. He’d informed them of what their duties would be and where they’d be located, if they were selected.

  He walked through the long corridors of the castle. He rarely came inside, and it always made him feel uncomfortable, when he did. He could have sent Shade a message to come see him in the barracks, but secretly, Marco was hoping to run into Theresa. He’d seen her from a distance a few times since they’d arrived, and he’d made sure his presence was known.

  She looked different, and he wanted to hear from her own lips if she’d found someone in the States. He’d let her go. It had been his choice to break the bond that kept them together. He didn’t regret his choice. It was one he’d made for her. He wanted her to have a better life, and it was damn obvious she did. He needed to know she was well that she’d found her place in this life and was happy. He took to the upper floor where there was more activity, and tried to look casual and unobtrusive, as if he regularly strolled these halls on business.

  ***

  Theresa packed away her black uniforms with the white aprons. She’d worn that uniform most of her adult life, as much a part of her as leathers were to the warriors. The uniform had identified her station. But now, as nanny to the children of her master, she’d dress in street clothes. She’d made several trips into Florence to buy a new wardrobe. She knew, in the beginning, the baby wouldn’t be taken out much. The baby’s need to feed, and not having restraint, would require he not be seen in the mortal world. Within a month, their feeding was more under control, and Lorenzo could be taken out for short periods of time, right after being fed.

  She’d chosen a casual wardrobe of jeans and slacks, comfortable sweaters, a few dresses, and sensible shoes. She’d released her hair from the tight bun and allowed it to hang freely down her back. She had splurged and gotten some blonde highlights in her soft brown hair. My lady had recommended several make-up brands Theresa had been experimenting with, nothing too over the top, just a little blush and lipstick to add some color. Besides, once Lorenzo was born, she had a feeling neither she nor my lady would have a lot of time for primping. She ran the brush through her hair one final time, then picked up a bottle of expensive perfume. She examined the bottle closely, another suggestion from my lady. Kate said the fragrance suited her, so Theresa spritzed on the perfume. She gathered up the uniforms to take to Emma and headed out the door of her room, and straight into Marco. "Marco! I didn't expect to see you here. In the house, I mean." Theresa blushed.

  "Terri." He gripped her arm to steady her. "I didn’t mean to startle you. Just here to find Shade to inform him of some information on the warriors he needed."

  He looked her up and down, she was so beautiful. Her hair was down and softer now, with blonde highlights that caught the light. She was wearing makeup. Cazzo, she smells like a feeder ready to be ravaged. What the fuck has happened to her in the States?

  Theresa was keenly aware of how close he stood to her, and how ruggedly handsome he was. "Shade is with my lady. I can get him if you want.”

  His eyes never left her face. There was an ache inside him, he’d missed her, and he hated admitting that to himself. "No, not necessary, if he is with the queen, I will catch up with him later.”

  “You’re looking well, Marco. How’ve you been? I thought you might contact me after the coronation, to just, you know, stay in touch."

  “I apologize for not contacting you. I wasn’t sure how you would respond. And I heard nothing from you. You look different. It seems to suit you, living in the States."

  His hand trailed up and down her arm. He didn’t think being this close to her would make him ache for the taste of her.

  Theresa was aware of the light caress. “I thought you wanted a clean break. And when I didn't hear from you, I just assumed you'd moved on. I have a good life there, and I’ve been happy. But I’d be lying if I said I didn't miss you."

  Marco lifted the strands of her hair, feeling their silkiness through his fingers. He stepped in closer, almost caging her in as her back went against the wall. "I miss you too. Is there...someone? Some other male who makes you happy?”

  Marco stood so close she could feel his breath on her face, and the memories of their intimate times together flooded over her. "There’s no one, Marco. I doubt you can say the same, though."

  He leaned into her neck, his mouth watered with want for her. He felt like he was losing his mind! They’d not been together for so long. He missed the way she could calm him, satisfy everything inside him like no other. Kissing her neck gently, he whispered in her ear. "No one like you, Terri, no one can take care of me like you did. Come to me tonight. Please, come be with me. I miss you, I need you."

  Theresa turned her head away from him. "For tonight, Marco? Is that all you can offer me?"

  Stepping back from her, taking her face in his hands, he wasn’t sure what the hell he wanted. He just knew right now, he wanted her. "What is it you want, Terri? You are there and I am here. Nothing has changed. I can feel you, still. You want this as much as I do."

  "I don't deny the attraction. We can both feel it. Why is your heart so hardened? Many vampires of our station are separated by duty. You could choose to commit to me. I’ll be here often once the baby is born. Our master will want his coven to see this baby grow into a man. And there will be other babies that follow. Do you honestly think master would deny you? If you asked to visit me in the States, do you think he’d say no? I feed, but I have not chosen another male since leaving you."

  Marco leaned his forehead against hers. He wanted her to be happy, and move on without him, but deep inside, he needed her more than he ever thought. Kissing her deeply, she didn’t resist. He felt her heartbeat rise, her body warm, sweet in his embrace.

  "I am still a warrior and that will never change. It is what I was born to do. Shade would deny me if he felt it necessary. He is like my brother, but he is business first. He would never let me leave here on a permanent basis like you have. Do you want this bonding between us? A commitment is what you seek?"

  He stepped back and leaned against the wall. "You have not sought another since leaving here? Do I hold you back? Is it me you crave?"

  She let the wall support her weight, as she looked back at him. "There are others I could go to Marco, but it’s you I chose. You hold me back in that you still hold my heart. And yes, a commitment is what I want. I know what it means. I know we’ll live on two separate continents and it will limit when we can be together. I can commit to you. Can you do the same?"

  He looked at her. She wanted something from him he’d never given to anyone, not even her, but she’d held him longer than any other woman. Maybe Shade was right, maybe it was time he gave up his whoring ways and became more settled. She tempted him. She’d commit to him.

  "I will not be able to feed often enough from you, Terri, you know that. Nor will you. I will have to use feeders. You can handle that? Trust me enough for that?"

  "As long
as you don’t hunt, or give your heart to the feeder. I understand the demands of our bodies and what you must do. I don't want you to deny yourself, become weak because you’re waiting for me. But can you limit yourself to feeders? And go only when your hunger demands it? Or must you continue in the tradition of the warriors, conquering every female because you can."

  Marco sighed. "I didn’t want to let you go. But I broke that bond because I wanted you to move on, move up in your station in life. Realize your full potential. Staying here would have held you back, and you would never have risen so high. Look at you now, nanny to the children of Medici. That would not have happened if I had asked you to stay here with me. I did it for you Terri, not me.

  “Being a warrior is all I know. But I am finding out you can have the best of both worlds, or so Shade tells me. I am not a romantic, I don’t know how to court you, but I know you love me. You always have."

  Pushing himself from the wall, he captured her tight in his arms, holding her. "I have denied myself for you. But I thought you would move on and find someone that could give you what I could not. Not a warrior bound to a master and stuck here for all eternity. I love you, Terri. You have had my heart for a long time. I do not want it back."

  "I never let it go, Marco." Theresa dropped the uniforms to the floor as he pulled her to him, letting him take her in his embrace. She slid her arms around him, inhaling the masculine scent of him. She’d only been with female feeders in the States. And while there were almost as many males at Bel Rosso now as there were at Castello, none would ever hold her heart like Marco.

  Pulling her hair back from her neck, he nipped softly at the pulsing vein, not caring who saw them. It wasn’t acceptable for the staff to behave this way inside the hallways at Castello, but right now, Marco could care less about the rules. He kissed her neck, then her lips, leaving her breathless and panting. "Then don’t start now. Come to me tonight. Be with me, as it should be."

  Kissing her hard and passionately, she melted into him. Breaking away, he took a step back and locked eyes with her. "You want a commitment, Terri. Here it is. You are mine."

  Turning, he walked back the way he entered, a cocky grin on his face and his heart beating out of his chest.

  96

  Kate stood at the window in their bedroom at Castillo. She leaned her head against the cool glass and watched, as her warm breath created a frost on the window pane. She lifted her hand and drew a heart in the mist, sighing heavily. Looking out over the formal gardens, lit by the moonlight, she could see the lights of the warrior camp in the distance. It had been almost two weeks now, and she was growing weary of her beautifully appointed prison cell. She and Theresa had laughed at how overprotective Shade had been. He didn’t allow her to lift anything heavier than a sock and hadn’t wanted her to walk outside in case she’d fall. He insisted someone be with her on the stairs. She gently caressed her belly and whispered, "Anytime, Lorenzo."

  She heard Theresa enter, followed by Emma. Theresa had been schooling Emma on her routine, since Emma would be coming back to the States and assuming Theresa's old duties. Kate turned from the window, smiling to greet them, when she was struck by a sharp pain, a spasm that started at her back and moved around to her belly. Kate took a sharp intake of breath, as she placed both hands on her belly, bending at the waist.

  Kate looked up, making eye contact with Theresa as a sliver of fear ran through her. She’d waited for this moment, and now that it was here, she was hoping she had the strength to face what was ahead. There would be no drugs used, no epidurals. This baby must fight to be born. It was their tradition.

  Theresa and Emma were at her side immediately. Theresa asked her to describe the pain, and Kate told her it was like a vice, squeezing her. Theresa nodded and told her to let Shade know. Kate straightened up, taking a deep breath as the pain subsided, and sent him a message. ”Lover, it’s time.”

  ***

  Pacing the field, he watched the warriors and their careful sword play. He and Marco had spent a lot of nights out here observing the warriors work. He’d suggested a few changes in technique for several of the new recruits, but otherwise was pleased with how this group was progressing.

  Marco approached him and threw him a sword and grinned. "You ready to get your ass whipped, old man?" Marco raised his sword high in the air.

  "Bring it, brother!"

  They both went at it, the sound of the metal clanging was deafening, as the two most feared warriors in the world played at mock battle. Shade missed his mark and flipped over Marco's head to avoid the deadly point of his weapon, when her voice rang in his head. It was time.

  He stood spellbound. The moment had come. He dropped his sword to the ground and stared at Marco.

  Marco looked at him and laughed. “You are surrendering already, old man?”

  Shade’s face was emotionless, his heart slowed, and he stood tall. "It’s time."

  Marco nodded. "Per sempre Medici."

  There was a loud roar from the warriors, but it was a sound Shade never heard. He’d already teleported inside Castello and landed inside the bed chamber. He found her cradling her stomach, Theresa and Emma beside her as they walked with her to a chair. "Kate!"

  He crouched down before her, laying his hands on her stomach. "Emma, get Gi, have him summon Council and Dr. Bonutti. Have them escorted to the chamber the second they arrive. Theresa, go to the chamber, get prepared. I’ll take her down. Go!"

  As they scurried from the room, he tipped her chin up to him and smiled into her eyes. "I love you, it will be fine. I will be with you. Do you want to change into a fresh gown, anything you need before we go to the chamber?"

  Kate heard him take control, delivering instructions to Theresa and Emma, who’d left to set things in motion. She was in the grips of another contraction, feeling the muscles contract around her middle. Should they be coming this fast already? She heard Shade ask if she wanted a fresh gown. It took a moment for her to process the question, as she looked down at the soft white gown that flowed to the floor, her bare feet peeking out beneath the hem.

  She shook her head. "No, I think I'm fine. Theresa had just helped with my bath and put this gown on me."

  Kate remembered the last ordeal in the chamber, and hoped this one wouldn’t be as taxing, but her only references for women giving birth were the mortal images of starkly lit hospitals, and doctors behind masks, and she knew her experience would be nothing like that. They’d have their own protocol, secreted away, below ground in the chamber that lie beneath Castello. She gripped his hand as another wave of pain, circling her belly from back to front, washed over her.

  He massaged her belly as the pain gripped her, he felt the intensity of it rip through him. “Breathe, mi amore, deep breaths, it helps the muscles release. Lorenzo is just making his way to us, si? I can teleport us down to the chamber."

  Kate felt him lift her effortlessly, and she laid her head against his chest. In an instant, he had her below ground in the stone corridor, dimly lit by torch light as he carried her to the door of the chamber. Kate lifted her head from his chest to see Dr. Bonutti standing there already, and two members of Council. She couldn’t remember their names, but they stood silently in their hooded robes, one in green and one in white. Gi was holding the Medici ledger that Shade had taken into the chamber when he’d turned her, and handed it to the doctor. He nodded to Shade.

  "Theresa is already inside, master, and everything is ready. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave as we all wait for our new prince."

  "Si, grazie, Gi."

  Shade nodded to Ivor and Malachi as well as the doctor, and the three followed him inside the chamber. Shade had never witnessed a birth inside these walls. As far as he knew, he was the last person born here, and now he’d witness their son’s birth.

  The members of Council walked to the table that had been set up for them, Ivor placed his huge ledger down, opening it precisely to the bookmark he’d inserted earlier. Dr. Bonut
ti laid the Medici ledger beside it, the quill and ink already on the table.

  Kate scanned the room as he carried her inside the chamber. Theresa had lit many candles, creating a soft glow throughout the craggy rock walls of the chamber. She’d draped the altar that sat atop the dais and placed many pillows there for Kate's comfort. Shade gently lowered her onto the altar, as Theresa encouraged her to shift her hips to the edge. There were no stirrups for her feet, so Kate laid back against the hard stone, not made much softer by the pile of pillows, as she bent her knees, her feet flat against the altar stone. She felt Theresa cover her with a clean white sheet, as she lifted her gown up around her waist. Kate looked at the ceiling, as things were set in motion around her. She must place herself in Theresa's hands to guide her through. Another spasm rocked her body and Kate lifted herself to her elbows, crying out softly, as the contraction took her breath away.

  Shade felt helpless and knew his only duty was to keep her calm, and to help his son emerge with as little effort as possible. "Relax, mi amore, I am right here."

  He closed his eyes tightly as her pain filled his own body, her soft cry echoing against the walls of the chamber. He felt at a loss as to how to comfort her, when he saw his mother and father standing to the side. Portia looked at Kate with worry. Shade caught her eye, and gave her a pleading look, to help him guide his mate through the pain that wracked her body. Shade knew they were visible only to Kate and him and Kate had yet to notice their presence. Portia moved toward him, letting her hand glide softly along his cheek.

  "My figlio, make her comfortable, give her strength to bear the Prince of Medici. Do what your heart tells you to do, be a part of her, together as one, bring forth this bambino."