Kate laughed as she stood from the rocker. “Thank you, Theresa. I don't know what I'd do without you. I’d love to get out of this castle and get some fresh air."
Theresa nodded her approval as Emma handed her a wrap for her shoulders. "It may be chilly in the night air, my lady, take a wrap please."
Kate accepted the lightweight cashmere wrap and draped it around her shoulders as she left the suite. Making her way down the marble stairs, she could hear Lorenzo's voice as it echoed through the halls. As she reached the grand foyer, she followed the sound down the Hall of Ancestors to the music room where Lorenzo was demonstrating his sword skills to Shade and Marco.
Kate sighed with exasperation as she’d spoken to Lorenzo many times about practicing with weapons in the house. “Lorenzo!"
The boy stopped the sword play and looked at her with innocent eyes. Kate nodded her head in the direction of the French doors that led outside. "Outside, please."
Lorenzo looked crestfallen but answered, "Yes, Mommy."
Kate joined Shade as he slipped his arm around her waist and they followed Lorenzo and Marco outside. "Lover, you know I don't want him to play with that weapon in the house. He has a lot of space here, but not so much at Bel Rosso. And you’re letting him use the real sword?"
Marco gave Shade a sideways glance. “Busted, old man. That collar you’re wearing looks pretty tight.”
Shade glared back at him as he led bel outside into the fresh crisp air. “Fuck off, you old leather ass goat.” He returned his full attention to his mate and his son. "Si, I am, mi amore. He needs to get used to the weight of it, how it feels in his hand. He is warrior. On another note, how is Sophia? Is everything fine with our princess? I’m surprised to see you leave her."
Kate smiled in spite of herself. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she answered him. "Sophia is fine and in the capable hands of Theresa and Gita. And you, sir, are the master of redirection. I didn’t miss how you shifted that conversation away from Lorenzo so deftly.”
He walked with her through the gardens as Kate kept a close eye on their son sparring with Marco. "I never have envisioned Marco as being so good with children. He seems so crusty and grumpy sometimes. But Lorenzo clearly loves him."
Shade chuckled. "Lorenzo can be intimidated by Marco. But, let’s face it. Marco can take some getting used to, si? Lorenzo has had a taste of the camp, met some of the young warriors, and saw what Marco has accomplished with them firsthand. The exposure was good for him. And Marco gave him the sword. Marco is not supposed to be his friend but his teacher. They will have a bond, for sure, and Lorenzo will grow to love him, but Marco will always try to keep the upper hand, as it should be. Lorenzo must grow into his role. He will rule here, and he already grasps the enormity of that responsibility. I hope I can guide him properly, teach him all he needs to learn to survive as king and warrior. On a separate note, he can’t make a decision on what pony he wants. We visited every breeder in Tuscany. ”
Kate squeezed his arm. "Lorenzo will rise to greatness. I see glimpses of his future. He’ll be a powerful king, and the coven is loyal to him, as they are to you. But I’m surprised he can't find a pony to his liking. Lorenzo loves every animal he’s ever seen. I would have thought he’d have picked the first one you showed him. He’d bring every creature from the woods home to live with us if he could. Did he say why he didn't like the ponies you’ve shown him?"
"No, mi amore, he didn’t. Perhaps, you should ask him, if you can lure him away from his sword." He grabbed her softly around her waist, stealing a warm kiss under the full moon in Florence. "You are good at getting to the heart of a warrior."
Kate laid against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. She was about to turn to address her son when Antonio interrupted them.
"Excuse me master, my lady, but Mistress Alizzi is here with a gift."
Kate looked up at Antonio. "Who?"
Antonio bowed his head to her. "Donatella Alizzi, the Mistress of Umbria. I believe you met her at Sophia's ball?"
Kate immediately stiffened in Shade's arms and spoke to him through gritted teeth, "What’s she doing here? Did you invite her?"
"Bel, I would not invite her here without telling you.”
As Marco and Lorenzo walked up beside them, Shade gave direction to the majordomo. "See her inside, Antonio. Exactly what kind of gift, can you be more specific?”
“Uh, it is not a gift I think you want inside Castello, master. She has brought a pony. Shall I escort her here around back?"
Shade didn’t answer immediately. His mind was reeling. Leave it to Dona to bring such an extravagant gift without asking his permission. It hadn’t taken the rumor mill long to spread the word he’d been searching for a pony. Lorenzo was already jumping up and down and squealing in excitement.
“Si, Antonio. Bring her here."
As Antonio left to escort Donatella to the gardens behind the castle, Kate turned to Shade. "Are you going to accept this gift from her? I'm not sure I want our son to be beholding to this woman. Can we talk about this please?"
Before he could answer, Donatella rounded the corner of the castle, leading a Frisian pony that looked like a miniature replica of Impavido. Lorenzo took off like a bullet, running and squealing in the direction of Donatella. "That's it! That's the pony I want. Look, Daddy. He looks just like Pavi."
Kate felt her heart sink. She wouldn’t deny her son this gift, even if it meant the unwelcome intrusion of this woman in their lives.
Shade shared a look with Marco, who knew well the ancient history Shade shared with Donatella. He, too, would prefer not to have Dona too close. "I do believe, mi amore, that your son has left little time for talk. Come."
Grabbing her hand, he led her to Dona and the pony. Shade knew damn well Dona was aware of what she’d done. It was a well calculated move on her part. "Dona, we meet again. This is a very generous gift, but one we cannot accept."
Lorenzo wailed. "No, Daddy. I want this one. Please, he’s just like Pavi. This is my pony!"
Donatella ruffled the boy's hair as she easily lifted him up and placed him on the back of the solid black pony, his coat brushed so clean he glistened even in the moonlight.
"Come on, Shade. You would not deny your child this gift, would you? Please don’t let our history come between us. I know how you are attached to Impavido, and your son should have the same experience, si? A horse and the rider, they choose each other, do they not? And it looks like your son has chosen this pony."
Kate was gripping Shade’s arm tightly. Her eyes never left Donatella's face. This one was a master manipulator and she’d keep a watchful eye on her.
Shade looked into his son’s pleading eyes. Lorenzo sat atop the pony, his small face buried in the long wavy mane of the Frisian. "Si, a master and his horse bond in a special way. They must feel something special between them. This is a beautiful pony." Shade slipped his fingers beneath Lorenzo’s chin, and gently lifted his face, starring deep into his son’s blue eyes. "Lorenzo, are you sure this is the one you want?"
Lorenzo looked back at his father and nodded his head. “Daddy, I love him already. He's mine. I can tell!"