Emma smiled at her. “My lady, I have never seen you so beautiful."
Kate laughed. "Yeah, well, it's a step up from jeans, isn't it?"
Emma gave her a quick once over and added a few spritzes of Kate's perfume, when Kate waved her hand. "That's enough, Emma."
Shade turned from the mirror and couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
He took her hand and spun her around slowly, as he suppressed a low growl, deep in his throat. He admired her exposed back, and the curve of her gorgeous ass. "Your master will be keeping a close eye on you tonight, for every vampire will be jealous of this gorgeous creature. Cazzo, you are beautiful, mi amore."
Kissing her on each cheek, he looked into those eyes. His love for her overwhelmed him.
"So, do you wish for your king to have his hair down or tied back? Not that a damn soul will notice me with you on my arm."
She smiled back at him and loved the mischievous glint in his eyes. "I like your hair down. I know it’s probably not as formal looking when you’re wearing a suit, but it reminds me of my warrior underneath all that finery." She ran her hand through his long hair, as it hung in loose waves around his face. "Is there time for a kiss? Or are you going to drag me out of here to stand in some boring ball all evening, and make me wait for a taste of you?"
"You tempt me, mi amore, you tempt my beast. What I would not give to remove you from the dress, and have you naked beneath me, as I make love to you all night long. But a kiss will have to do, unfortunately."
Emma had been clearing away things in the bedroom as things were heating up between her master and my lady, when she decided this would be a good time to slip out.
He nuzzled gently into her neck, his heart racing, as he felt her heart beating in her vein, her scent alone turned his cock to steel. He kissed her forehead, before he placed a soft kiss on each eyelid. His lips moved to hers, ravishing her with a deep kiss that would drop any female to her knees. Breaking the long kiss, he stared into her eyes. "I love you, Kate."
Kate succumbed to his kiss, melting into him, but before she could respond, Lorenzo came flying into the room, with Theresa on his heels.
"Daddy, look at me! I got a suit just like you."
Shade sighed and lowered his head. He was always glad to see his son, but there were times when he wondered if he’d ever lay with his mate again. He stooped down and lifted the boy up in his arms. "I do believe we will make your mommy proud tonight, two handsome, well-dressed warriors, si? Does not your mommy look beautiful?"
Lorenzo looked at his mother. "Mommy, you look sparkly!"
Kate laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment, Lorenzo."
Gita, the new feeder chosen for Sophia, appeared with the baby, wrapped in soft white blankets. Sophia was awake and wide-eyed, taking in her surroundings. Kate took the baby and looked around the room. "Where's Cory? We need everyone here before we go to the ballroom."
***
Cory and Madison made their way down the long hallway to the master suite. Cory was tugging at his tie. "I hate suits, they make me feel uncomfortable. But you look awesome, Maddie. Don’t be nervous, it’s just a big party.”
Madison had felt like she’d been living in a fantasy world ever since they’d arrived. She and Cory had a private maid and butler, and she never left their bedroom without one of them, for fear of getting lost in this castle. They had toured all over Florence and had been given access to private galleries that stored art pieces rarely seen by the public, not to mention, the art that had been kept from mortal view inside Castello. They had dined on the richest food, and drank expensive wine, and now she was wearing a one-of-a-kind Versace gown that was made just for her.
"How can I not be nervous, Cory? I have no idea what to expect. Everything’s been so over the top, so far!"
Holding Cory's hand, they stepped into the master bedroom to find Shade holding onto Lorenzo's hand, both of them in matching suits, and Lorenzo looking like a miniature version of Shade. It made Madison smile in spite of herself. Kate looked radiant in her black gown as she held Sophia in her arms. "Wow. You guys would look great on a Christmas card."
Shade chuckled. "You look quite beautiful, yourself, Madison. I am honored to have you join us this evening. Now, let’s get moving. We have about 400 guests awaiting our arrival and I am sure they are emptying barrels of Midnight by now."
As they approached the ballroom, they could hear the sound of laughter and conversation over the live band. The ballroom doors were closed, awaiting their entrance. Shade stopped outside the doors where they were joined by Luca, Shannon, Marco, and Hyde. Luca and Shannon were dressed formally, but the warriors were in their dress leathers, and armed. His warriors would be lining the walls of the ballroom. Although all the invited guests were allies and friends, he’d take no chances.
"Okay, we will be properly announced before we enter. Luca and Hyde, please escort Shannon and Madison inside, and take a seat at the family table. Go, now. I want the women seated before we enter."
The warriors entered, escorting the two mortal females, ahead of the royal family.
"Cory, I want you to stand next to Kate. Lorenzo, you hold my hand, and stand between me and Mommy, si?"
Everyone lined up, with Marco at their back. "Are you ready, my queen?"
Kate smiled back at him as he took charge, orchestrating the events for the evening. "I'm ready. And your princess is ready to meet her following."
Shade nodded and heard the music stop. Antonio swung open the doors and the crowd grew silent, as Antonio announced their arrival. Shade led them inside the massive ballroom, as the crowd applauded loudly.
Shade scanned the room, seeing old, familiar faces, and a few new ones. He led his family to their table and Cory made his way to sit beside Madison. Hyde took up his position a few feet behind them. Luca was already seated next to Shannon, as Shade pulled out the seat for Kate, and Marco stood near.
The table was set with the finest of settings, each glass already filled with Midnight. Shade lifted his glass to the crowd.
"Your Queen and I are honored that you join us this night. It is with the greatest pride I present the first Princess born within the walls of Castello in more than a thousand years, giving us further assurance of the continuation of the Medici royal blood line. I have my queen, the love of my life, to thank for these gifts. Please raise your glasses to Princess Sophia Medici!"
Shade took bel's hand and lifted her from her seat as she held Sophia for all to see. The guests, all resplendent in their formal attire, stood and toasted the new princess.
Kate pushed the soft white blankets back from Sophia's face, as the baby looked wide-eyed at the crowd, as if she knew all this hoopla was just for her. Kate shook her head as she looked at her daughter. "You are quite something, aren't you? Don't get too used to it. Your life at Bel Rosso will not be so grand as this."
Sophia cooed and gurgled, lifting her small hands free of the confines of the blanket, as if she wanted to embrace the experience. Kate could feel her small feet kicking.
Kate laughed. "You know this is all about you, don't you?" She passed the baby to her father, where he could formally present her to the crowd.
Shade smiled down at his restless daughter. "Si, you are definitely my princess. Come; let us show you off, shall we?" He held her high in the air, so all could see her beautiful face and red hair. Their guests lifted their glasses in unison.