"Si, then you may keep him."
Shade motioned Marco forward. "Take the pony and Lorenzo to the stables, let him ride over there a bit, stay with him."
Shade let Antonio know he wished drinks to be served in the garden. "Lorenzo, Marco will take you to the stables, you may ride him there, but only at a slow pace until I can ride with you, si?"
Shade waited until the boy was far enough away he couldn’t hear their conversation, then turned his attention to Donatella. "You knew he would never be able to resist that pony, Dona. But I will not accept this as a gift, I will insist on paying you for the pony. Antonio is bringing us drinks to the garden, let us all go and sit, decide the price. No argument."
Donatella slipped her arm into his as she walked beside him. "Oh Shade, you know I don't need your money. And it is the least I can do. Our territories border each other, our covens have worked together for centuries in the vineyards. Surely, you can accept this small token from an old friend."
Donatella looked up at the cold stare from his mate. "Tell him, Kate. It is a gift and a down payment on our future. Lorenzo will rule here one day, and we want to continue the good relationship that exists between our two covens."
Antonio arrived with the drinks and they all took a seat on the portico. Kate stared back at her as she accepted her drink. "I’ll follow my mate's lead. Don’t try to come between us, Donatella."
Dona’s laugh was shrill as she tossed her head back. Taking a seat on the other side of Shade, she accepted the glass of Midnight. "As if I could. He has clearly chosen his mate, although, I must say, I never expected a mortal. His father was so adamant he marry royal blood, but then, Shade had a way of defying his father in all things."
Shade took a sip from his glass before responding, "You will take the money, Dona, we insist. Our son will learn such rewards are earned, not handed to him.”
He leaned back in the chair and crossed his ankle over his knee, taking another sip of Midnight. "You, of all people, should know it is important for us to instill those values in him. His life will be privileged as it is. He should not expect everything to be handed to him on a platter. And yes, my padre wanted our covens united. We shared borders, and an alliance would have made both covens stronger. Both of our fathers were powerful kings, and I understood my padre’s reasoning for wanting us to mate. But, my heart was not there, Dona, never was. My parents’ mating was arranged, as were the matings of all of my ancestors before them, but my padre had a great love for my madre. I wanted the same, and my madre understood. My heart was waiting for Kate. She may have been mortal, but no longer. Without her, I am nothing. Together, we have assured the legacy of the Medici. Someday, after he finishes his training as a warrior, and travels the world to learn the mortal ways, Lorenzo will rule here.”
Donatella stretched out her long, lean body, breathing deep the sweet night air. "Ah yes, his worldly travels, so important to a young vampire's growth and maturity, are they not, Medici? It is so important to sow those wild oats when we are young. Let us hope young Lorenzo does not completely follow in his father's footsteps. I fear your beautiful Kate will find her lovely red locks will have turned grey if that is the case. I wonder, Medici, what your own padre would have thought of our exploits? Do you remember Venice, and your old friend Casanova?"
She laughed with abandon as she downed the glass and poured herself another. "I thought, for sure, I had won you over then, but it was not to be. There was never enough for the young, virile Medici, was there? Always searching for the next conquest."
Kate was watching the sparring match between them and wasn’t happy with the direction of this conversation.
Shade nodded, acknowledging the memories. "Ah, my friend Casanova, he was wicked with the ladies. But he could not best the Medici."
Shade reached over and clinked glasses with Dona. "But this is no news to my bel rosso, she knows of my past, Dona, and she also knows those days are well over. I have left all of them behind me. All of them, even you."
Turning to Kate, he slid his hand slowly down her cheek. "You see, Dona, when I found my intended mate, this warrior laid down his heart and soul for the beauty before me. She is loved like no other."
He lifted Kate’s hand to his lips, locking eyes with her. "You should think about mating, yourself, Dona. You need progeny to assure the future of your coven. You will always be at risk without a master. The Medici have long provided protection, but it is not the same.”
Donatella ignored his suggestion as she watched the display of affection. Shade may laugh off his past, but his mate wasn’t laughing. She may know of his exploits, but she wasn’t pleased. She took another sip from her glass. "I must say, Medici, you have found a very understanding and forgiving mate. I'm not sure all would be so forgiving. You would don the mask at Venetian Carnival, and even with your handsome face disguised, you would take the women, two and three at a time, both mortal and immortal. Your appetite knew no bounds. And the women were so pleasured. They would always come back for more.”
Kate was steaming mad at this woman, who was clearly seeking to cause trouble. She was about to speak up when Lorenzo came running back toward them, breathless. "Mommy, this is the best pony ever!"
Kate caught him in her arms and told him he must thank Miss Donatella for thinking of him. Lorenzo ran and climbed into Donatella's lap, where she welcomed him with a big hug.
“You are so welcome, Lorenzo. And feel free to visit my castle in Umbria anytime. The Alizzi and the Medici go way back. We are two great families that have ruled in Italy for centuries."
Lorenzo planted a wet kiss on her cheek and the woman hugged him close, her lips close to the child's ear as she whispered, "You look so much like your father, it breaks my heart."
Lorenzo pulled back from her and touched her cheek. "Don't be sad, Miss Dona. I'll visit you."
Kate scooped up the boy from Donatella's clutches. "Let's get you inside, shall we? It's getting past your bedtime."
The boy waved goodbye to Donatella, flashing her a bright smile. “I love my pony. Thank you forever!"
Donatella turned to Shade as his mate carried the young boy away. "It could have been us, Medici. In fact, it should have been us. We should rule here together, with our children."
Shade stood to go inside, turning his back on Donatella. "It was never going to be us, Dona. It’s time you go back home. I will have the funds for the pony sent to you tomorrow."
He heard her stand and start to approach, and he spun on her, his face calm but his tone deadly. "Before you go, there is something you need to know. My madre was right about you all along. She saw the darkness inside you, and to be honest, so did I. My padre was too consumed in securing an alliance to look too deeply. I know I once carried that darkness inside me as well, but no longer. Kate is my light. I won’t bother to explain, you will never understand what it feels like to love deeply, and have that love returned unconditionally. I live and breathe for her."
Walking to her, he stood nose to nose, and could feel her breath on his face. "My madre went to battle for me, over you. The only time in her life she ever went against my padre, and she never backed down. You may have come between them, but only for a time because they died together, loved together, conquered together. You will never come between me and my mate. There was nothing of substance between us, and never will be, so go home, take your memories with you."