The Medici Queen

by Emily Bex

  Shade motioned for him to come forward. "I want you to meet your new brother. Are you excited? You sure as hell don’t look excited."

  Cory nodded his head. "Yeah, I’m excited. But you just got back last night, and I was busy at the camp. I didn’t want to intrude."

  Shade looked back at his son. “Intrude? Cory, you are my son, and I have missed you." Shade opened his arms to him.

  Cory shrugged and went to Shade, reluctantly giving him a hug. Shade felt something was different and knew this had to do with Lorenzo. He struggled with how to make Cory understand Lorenzo’s birth changed nothing between them.

  Kate watched the awkward exchange between father and son. Cory was still finding his way in the family, and Kate knew the new baby complicated things for him. She gently pulled Lorenzo away from her neck and wiped his mouth clean. He looked at her with wide blue eyes, as if to question her.

  Kate laughed. "Lorenzo, you can't feed all the time!" Suddenly, the idea of wet-feeders was making a lot of sense. Kate realized this growing baby would demand much, and the help from Theresa and Nita would be necessary for her to return to any type of normal life and be able to allow Shade to feed from her again. "Cory, come sit down. You need to hold your new brother."

  Cory looked at Kate with the new baby. "I don’t think that’s a good idea, he’s really little and umm, well..." Shuffling his feet, he looked down and held his hands to his sides. "I don’t know anything about babies! I’ve never been around them. I might hurt him."

  Shade laughed. "Well hell, son, do you think I know what I am doing? He kept us up all day because he hates that cradle. You can learn with the rest of us. Once you get used to it, it will be easy."

  Cory shrugged. "Yeah, I heard him a few times.”

  Kate smiled at him. "Cory, we're all just finding our way here. This is new for me too. But Lorenzo is strong. You can't hurt him. Come sit down, I’ll place him in your lap."

  Cory looked doubtful. Sitting down with a flop, he cringed. "You sure this is such a great idea?"

  Before he could speak another word, Kate placed the baby in his arms. Looking down, the baby cocked his head to the side, staring at Cory. His eyes were wide open, and he seemed almost curious. In spite of himself, Cory grinned at him. Lorenzo grabbed a long strand of Cory’s hair.

  Kate laughed. "Oh, I forgot to warn you. He bites. Be careful he doesn't grab—" Before the finished words were out of her mouth, Cory had reached down to take Lorenzo's small hand and Lorenzo immediately put Cory's finger in his mouth, biting down.

  "Ouch! Whoa little buddy, I’m a friendly here!"

  Shade put his arm around Cory. "Yeah, you will learn real fast with that one!"

  Cory stared at his finger and laughed. "I sure wasn’t expecting that. But hey, he’s a Medici—takes what he wants and asks questions later!"

  Shade threw back his head laughing. "That’s what I am talking about!"

  Cory laughed and leaned his face down to Lorenzo. "Little buddy, I’m your brother, you aren’t supposed to bite me. “

  Lorenzo made a cooing sound then grabbed a fistful of Cory's long hair and yanked.

  "I think he’s trying to tell me he’s the prince, and in control here. When he gets older, I think he’s going to beat the shi...I mean the crap out of me."

  Cory turned to Kate. "Are you feeling okay?"

  "I feel fine, Cory. I think Lorenzo will look up to you as his older brother. He’ll need some guidance. And there will be no fighting. Lorenzo may be a prince, but I’m still the queen. Theresa has moved into the house now and she’ll begin to help feed Lorenzo and help care for him. I don't think she’ll put up with much foolishness, either. Oh, he’ll be spoiled. No doubt. But the prince won’t always get his way. He’s already learning that lesson when he was made to sleep in the cradle. He also has a wet-feeder who has moved into the staff quarters. Her name is Nita, and she’ll take on his feeding in a few more weeks. Also, we brought a new housekeeper back with us from Florence, Emma. Do you remember Emma? You’ll see her in the house now. One little baby sure did change things, didn't he?"

  Cory nodded. "Yeah, I sort of remember Emma. She talks a lot, always looks nervous. Well, at least I don’t feel like the only one making the changes happen around here. And I was joking about the fighting. I want to be his big brother. I never had any brothers or sisters."

  Shade crouched down by the side of the chair.

  "Cory, nothing has changed. My love for you is the same, if not more. I do not want you to feel this makes you any less in my eyes. I love you both. We learn together. Everyone here is our familia, and it will only grow. I will need you to be a good teacher and example to Lorenzo. He will look up to you. You will always be his older brother. Accept that we both love you."

  Cory stared at the baby as his father talked. He knew it had been stupid of him to not come to the house last night, but he wasn’t sure how he’d feel.

  "I was worried about how you’d react once he was here, but I can see it doesn’t change things. I’m sorry I didn’t come in last night.”

  Shade kissed the top of Cory's head as he stood up. He ruffled his hand through Cory’s hair before walking to bel and kissing her.

  "In two hours, we need to head over to camp. I am having everyone assembled to meet Lorenzo. Luca is coming as well."

  Looking over at Cory, he added, "Two hours son, your ass needs to be at camp. You stand with us as we introduce our newest son to the warriors."

  103

  Cory had already walked over to the camp with Luca. Shade led Kate, with Lorenzo bundled on her shoulder down the footpath in the moonlight. The air was brisk, and the wind swept down off the mountains. Shade walked taller, with pride beating in his chest. This was his home and now he had his heir, his Lorenzo. He couldn’t wait for the day they’d walk together to the camp, and all the days ahead that would be filled with laughter, joy, and love.

  As he opened the door into the meeting hall in the barracks, the room had been set up in preparation for this gathering. The warriors had already gathered, and a hush fell across the room as Shade entered. He guided Kate to the chairs that had been set in the front of the room for the family, as Cory made his way through the warriors to join them. Helping her to get settled with Lorenzo in her arms, Shade beckoned Cory to take his seat beside him, making sure everyone was present.

  Shade turned to look at the warriors seated in the rows before him, all of them silent and waiting. He walked to the podium, pacing back and forth, looking out at his warriors.

  "Your queen has given me a son, a warrior, our prince. He is born from love, a baby that holds the Medici name and already carries a great deal upon his small shoulders. The hardest job I will ever tackle lies before me, raising a warrior who can lead and make Medici proud. Prince Lorenzo Medici has come into our world, and your job is to protect him, as you do all of us, as you do each other.

  “Luca has been named his protector, as well as for your queen. Theresa has been moved from her station as your Queen's Lady-in-Waiting to your Prince's nanny. We now have a new Lady-in-Waiting, Emma, from Florence. Your Prince's wet-feeder now resides in the staff quarters. So, there have been a lot of changes at Bel Rosso.”

  He kept walking back and forth, ticking off the things in his head he needed to go over with them.

  "You will address him as Prince Lorenzo. I expect a good example set for him from all of you. He will need your guidance. This is a new beginning for the Medici reign. We have given the coven the next generation to ensure our protection and longevity. A year ago, I could never have foreseen this."

  He turned to Kate and smiled. "Would you please come up beside me, so we can present our prince to his warriors?"

  Kate stepped forward as she unwrapped the blanket that had covered Lorenzo and left it in her chair. Lorenzo perked up, looking around as the blanket that had shielded his view was removed, his blue eyes quizzical as he took in all that was around him.

  Kate chuckled. "You
know this is all about you, don't you?" As she stood next to Shade, she handed him the baby to be presented to the warriors who would protect him with their lives.

  Shade watched his son take in everything around him, his eyes wide open. He nodded at Cory to join them. He cradled Lorenzo into the nook of his elbow, his little body in a sitting position facing the warriors. "I present to you Prince Lorenzo of Medici."

  The warriors stood and lowered their heads in respect. Shade took in the moment and looked down at Lorenzo, whose eyes were wide as he stared out at the warriors he’d rule one day.

  Shade called out, "Per semper!"

  All heads were lifted as the warriors shouted in unison, “Medici!”

  Shade smiled at them as he held his son. He was on top of the world right now. "Come, let us walk among our warriors so they may meet him, si?"

  Kate hooked her arm around his. "Yes. Let the warriors meet him. He looks quite eager. He’s not a shy baby, that’s for sure."

  Cory stood on the other side of his father, a family united.

  "No son of a Medici is shy, only brave and honorable, mi amore. And now with your blood in the mix, I think our son is going to conquer the world!"

  As they stepped into the crowd, many of the warriors came forward to meet Lorenzo, offering their words of congratulations. The evening turned into night and the warriors needed to get to their duties. Cory stayed behind and Shade teleported Kate and Lorenzo back to the house. He kissed his mate and his baby goodnight as he stood in the hallway at the foot of the stairs, watching Kate carry Lorenzo upstairs for the night.

  He returned back to the camp, his night just beginning. The wedding was close at hand, and he needed to catch up on all the planning that had taken place in his absence.

  104

  Rissa stood looking in the mirror one last time. She was alone in the Folger Court, a large room inside the National Cathedral that had been set aside for her to dress. It was almost 8:00 p.m., and time for her to walk down the aisle. She’d not seen Alec the entire day. Alto had loaded everything she needed into the car and had driven her to the cathedral earlier that afternoon. She slid her hand over the Harry Winston diamond necklace, a gift she’d found in her packed things from Alec. She heard the soft knock on the door and knew it was Hyde. He’d been standing outside the door since she’d arrived.

  ***

  Dressed in a tuxedo, his weapons secured and well hidden, Hyde had stood guard outside her door all evening. The small device in his ear gave him instant access to Shade, Raven, and Marcello. He looked like any other security that was out in force for this event.

  It didn’t help the wedding was scheduled near the holidays. D.C. was teeming with tourists. But so far, they’d had no problems.

  He stood patiently at her dressing room door inside the massive cathedral. He’d watched as various personnel came and went. All the staff had been pre-cleared and given color-coded security badges, identifying the areas they were allowed to access. Anyone approaching the Folger Court had been prescreened before being allowed to enter. It was a short list of people that included her dress designer and stylist, her hairdresser, and a florist. She was well hidden from the hustle and bustle of the arriving wedding guests and dignitaries.

  She’d been a bundle of energy and nerves preparing for today. He heard Marcello’s voice on the speaker inside his ear, telling him all was secured, and it was time, code word for the event, "DIVA".

  He tapped on the door lightly and heard Rissa bid him to enter. She’d been inside the room alone for almost an hour as the flow of people in and out had finally stopped. He’d take her downstairs and outside, so she could enter through the northwest door.

  Hearing him enter, she had her back to him. Rissa picked up her bouquet and turned to face him. Hyde nodded with approval. She looked angelic, but he knew Rissa all too well, and she was no angel.

  Her hair was down, lying in soft blonde curls down her back, her hair pulled back from her face and held by a diamond hair clip. He’d seen her many times in evening gowns, but this was different—she was breathtaking. She looked ethereal and airbrushed, classic and elegant.

  "You look beautiful."

  She smiled softly. "Thank you, Hyde. That means a great deal to me. If I can wow a warrior, Alec will definitely approve!"

  Hyde chuckled, but he sensed her nervousness. He knew Rissa. Once she was in the spotlight, her inner actress would take over and this would be an Academy Award winning performance. Taking her hand, he offered her a few words of comfort. "Rissa, take a deep breath. You look regal. You’ve worked hard for this night, and everything is ready. Security is tight and everyone is in their place, all waiting your arrival. So, I suggest we get to the starting gates."

  Speaking into the small microphone placed on his lapel beneath the boutonnière, his voice was strong. "DIVA on the prowl. Moving to point location."

  Rissa gathered the train of her gown and draped it over her arm. They walked through the cathedral as the beautiful music from the choir and organ echoed off the old walls. She spotted a number of Shade’s warriors along their walk, her safety the utmost objective of the day. She slowed her breathing and relaxed. She could feel Alec and knew he was calm and waiting for her, his game face on.

  This was the fairytale she’d dreamt about as a little girl, but so much more. Hyde walked her through a side door that led outdoors, and took her to the main entrance, covered by the massive sculpture of Frederick Hart. Rissa looked up quickly at the sculpture, The Creation of Day, as it depicted the emergence of bodies from the primordial soup. She heard Hyde speak into his microphone again.

  "DIVA in position. Green light.”

  Rissa smiled to herself as she looked down the long aisle into the nave of the cathedral to see her bridesmaids already in place. She was amused by the code name the warriors had selected for her. The nave was over one hundred feet tall, and the aisle was over four hundred feet long. Alec stood tall and handsome, waiting for her. The polished wooden pews were filled with everyone who was anyone. She dropped her train and Hyde quickly adjusted the gown so the lace trailed elegantly behind her.

  She would take this walk alone, to her Alec. No one would escort her. Her parents and family long dead to her. She looked to Hyde and he nodded, as Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” began to play.

  "Just one step at a time, Rissa. I’ll be near. Alec will take it from here. Smile, you look stunning."

  Leaning in, he kissed her cheek so light and fast it shocked her. She wasn’t expecting his display of affection, but it made her smile. Hyde disappeared behind her as the congregation stood to their feet, turning to face her entrance on cue of the music. She held her head high, walking with pride to Alec. He was her master, her lover, her friend, and he’d chosen her. This was their day, and she’d never been happier in her whole life.

  105

  After the ceremony, Shade and Kate stood with the rest of the congregation as Rissa and Alec exited, arm in arm, down the aisle, the paparazzi waiting at the entrance to the cathedral. Kate could see Shade speaking quietly into the small microphone hidden in the boutonniere on the lapel of his tux, issuing instructions to his warriors. Kate had never seen his warriors all dressed in tuxes, and Raven and Marcello both had their hair in stylish man-buns for the occasion.

  Alec and Rissa were whisked away to the waiting limo by the warriors as they pushed their way through the crowd. Alto drove their limo, and Hyde took Raven, Marcello, and a few of the other warriors in a second limo. Kate knew there were others scattered through the crowd, and a number of them would remain on the rooftops, and invisible to the mortals.

  “Lover, I’m glad you talked me into leaving Lorenzo at home. This crowd is much too large. He’s much safer at home with Theresa, Luca, and Auntie Shannon."

  Shade kept his hand on the small of her back as he guided her through the crowd, exiting the building where Dante was waiting to take them to the Old Post Office Pavilion for the reception.

 
; Once in the car, Dante maneuvered through the traffic and Shade directed him through a few side streets to get them off the main route and away from the traffic. Once they arrived at the Old Post Office Pavilion, they waited in line as each car pulled up to the entrance, where valets were waiting to open the car doors and help the guests get out of the cars.

  Shade remained in constant contact with his warriors. He heard that Alec and Rissa had already arrived and were doing press and photography in a pre-arranged room, as they waited for all the guests to arrive.

  As they left the limo, Shade led bel inside, looking for their table. He remained alert at all times. The cathedral had been packed, and he was sure no one would skip this reception, as it was sure to be a party for the record books. This event would go on all damn night.

  Once at their table, Shade pulled out the chair for Kate and took the seat beside her. They weren’t positioned near the front of the reception hall, but much further back, at Shade’s request. He could observe more from the rear and exit quickly if there were any problems.

  Immediately, a waiter appeared with appetizers and Shade ordered two bottles of Midnight.

  "What a show this is. This must have cost Alec more millions than he cared to spend. How are you feeling, mi amore?"

  Kate pulled a cell phone from her evening bag. "I'm fine. But I'm going to call home really quick just to check on Lorenzo."

  Kate hit dial and Luca answered almost immediately. "Now why am I not surprised to hear from you?"

  Kate laughed. “I miss him already. Is he okay? Are you doing okay?"

  Luca chuckled. “Trust me, Kate, between Theresa and Shannon, Lorenzo is being spoiled rotten. Don't worry about anything. Have a good time."

  Kate ended the call and Shade just looked at her and smiled, shaking his head. "No one has put that boy down yet, have they?" He laughed. "You need to relax. I know it is not easy, but he is in good hands. Now have some Midnight and chill a bit."