Per Sempre Medici, page 1
Per Sempre Medici
Book Six in the Medici Warrior Series
by Emily Bex
Foundations Publishing Company
Central Mississippi
www.foundationsbooks.net
Per Sempre Medici
Book Six in the Medici Warrior Series
By: Emily Bex
Cover by Dawne Dominique
Edited by Laura Ranger
Copyright 2019© Emily Bex
Published in the United States of America
Worldwide Electronic & Digital Rights
Worldwide English Language Print Rights
Print permissions from Alfred Music for lyrics from "Into the Mystic"
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any form, including digital and electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the Publisher, except for brief quotes for use in reviews.
The Medici Warrior book series is dedicated to my loyal fans who fell in love with all the Medici Warriors, and who waited patiently for each book to be published.
To the dreamers, those who escape into a world of fantasy, and all the hopeless romantics, remember the Medici’s live in your heart for all time.
Acknowledgements
To my collaborator, my muse, and my sounding board for all things vampire, Johanna Morisette. Thank you for introducing me to your strange world of vampires, and the inspiration for the main protagonist, Shade. Thank you for listening to me babble, while you transcribed my words on the other end of the phone when I was locked in writer’s block. Thank you for reading, and re-reading every version until you were probably able to recite the book from memory. Without your prodding, the Medici Warriors would never have come to life, and Kate Reese would still be leading a boring life in a condo in Alexandria, VA.
Thanks to Alfred Music for extending the license to use a lyric from “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison. Kate and Shade will be eternally grateful.
Table of Reference
Italian to English Translation
French to English Translation
Medici Family Tree
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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10
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56
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73
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81
82
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98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
About the Author
More from Emily Bex
Italian to English Translation
Addio Good-bye
Alzati guerrieri Stand-up warriors
Amica Friend
Amore Love
Bambino(s) Baby/babies
Bastardo Bastard
Bel Beautiful
Beleeza Beauty
Bellissimo Very beautiful
Bravado Brave
Buonasera Good evening
Cazzo Generic curse word
typically interpreted as fuck
Ciao Hi/Hello
Dipendenzo Addiction
Dolce Sweet
Dormire guerrieri Sleeping warrior
Familia Family
Figlia/Figlio Daughter/Son
Fino ad allora Until then
Fratello Brother
Grazie Thanks
Guerrieri Warriors
Impavido Fearless
Lei e il mio vero amore She is my true love
Madre Mother
Meile Honey
Mi/Mio/Mia My
Coraggioso Courageous
Moltobella Very beautiful
Nostra Figlia Our Daughter
Padre Father
Per Favore Please
Per Sempre Forever
Rosso Red
Scusi Excuse me
Si Yes
Signorina Young Lady
Sorella Sister
Stupido Stupid
Ti Amo I Love You
French to English Translation
Ma belle immortelle My beautiful immortal
Ma belle ami My beautiful friend
Bon soir Good evening
Bon jour Goon morning
Sante’ Health
Oui Yes
Mon ami My friend
Mon cherie My dear
Maman Mother
Papa Father
Ma jolie fille My beautiful daughter
Je’t aime I love you
Non No
Mon petite My little one
Grand-mere Grandmother
Grand-pere Grandfather
Mon ange My angel
Menage a trois’ Threesome
Pardon Excuse me
Merci Thank you
Mademoiselle Miss
Per Sempre Medici
1
Kate examined her face in the mirror, and the changes were barely perceptible. She’d just realized it was Halloween in the mortal world. She was almost a hundred and fifty, and one-hundred-and-twenty-three years ago, on this night; she’d given herself up to him. She’d gone to that silly costume party Alec and Rissa had thrown every year and had finally given in to him. Her fingertips explored the skin around her eyes, and her skin seemed as taut and smooth as it did when she was twenty-eight, and he’d turned her. It seemed impossible to her that this much time had passed. The image in the mirror stared back, and she got lost in her own thoughts.
Her parents had died when she was in her fifties. She’d not been able to attend their funerals but visited their graves long after the other visitors had left. It was her only regret in choosing to become immortal. She’d maintained the lie of living abroad and finding excuses for why she could never visit them, and she knew it broke their hearts. Cory's mother had died in her late sixties. She had a heart attack in her sleep, and they’d all attended her service, and laid her to rest in a family cemetery in California. Cory had been devastated but also grateful they had mended their relationship. He knew his mother's last years were happy ones. Madison was gone now too. She had lived to be eighty, and still spent time at her potter’s wheel, although her hands had not been as nimble as they had once been. Cory looked half her age when she died, and he loved her no less. Kate doubted he even noticed the physical changes in her. Kate noticed though and watched silently as the years took their toll on Madison’s mortal body. It made her aware of the passing of time in a way nothing else in their life did.
After Madison’s passing, she and Shade had told Cory he could move back into Bel Rosso, but he decided to stay in the home he and Madison had built together. He was a hundred and thirty-six now, and as a half-breed, he had aged more slowly. He looked like a very old man, though. His hair was grey and his walk a lot slower. It felt odd when he called Shade dad, and Cory looked like he should be the great-grandfather. None of them had any good data on how long half-breeds lived, so they had no way of knowing how much longer he’d be in their lives. But, for now, Cory still made his way to the camp every day, with assistance from Hyde, and sewed the leathers for the warriors. He remained a constant reminder to her, and to Shade, of the baby they’d lost, and what could have been.
She dropped her robe, and her nude body was refle
Marcello had been promoted to manage the warriors of the Council that had been established here in the States. The new Council had been established for almost a century. Shade had dedicated a large plot of land in northern Virginia, just outside of D.C. that had previously been a large horse farm, to the development of the Council. They’d built a large fortification that looked like a Victorian mansion to house the new Council. The mansion wasn’t visible from the highway, and the private drive was gated, keeping mortals out. Kate felt better, somehow, knowing that Marcello was there with Natalia. Natalia had always had a strong affection for Marcello, and Kate often wondered if they would have mated had Natalia not been born to Council. They rarely got to see their youngest daughter, as Council rarely left the protection of the fortified mansion, but she would occasionally come home to visit.
Sophia and Alfie remained in Florence; their children grown now as well. Their first born was a daughter, Bianca, who remained at home with them as she wasn’t yet mated. Bianca inherited Kate’s and Sophia's stubbornness and red hair but had eyes of green. Sophia and Alfie had introduced her to every eligible male in Europe, but Bianca turned up her nose. She said she’d know him when she saw him, so they had finally let the matter lie. Their second child was a boy, named Giuliano, but everyone called him Jules. Jules had not been born a warrior, and like Natalia, had pursued a more academic path, obtaining a degree in law. He now lived in the States, often staying at Bel Rosso, assisting with the management of the many Medici business interests. It was a welcome change, to have the two grandsons here with them, even though they were both in their late thirties and well past childhood. They helped to fill some of the empty rooms inside Bel Rosso.
She stepped out of the shower, drying off with the towel, and drying her long, red hair. As she walked to the bedroom, the bathroom lights automatically turned off behind her, and the bedroom lights came on. Kate spoke softly, "Weather, please." The soft voice from the computer responded and gave her a full weather report for the next twelve hours, and then asked if she’d like an extended forecast. "No, thank you."
She looked at the bed where Shade remained in his death slumber, his dark curls stark against the white pillowcase. He was as strikingly handsome as the first night she’d seen him, and she smiled. The house looked much the same, and they liked it that way, but it had been modernized to accommodate the latest technology. She stepped into the walk-in closet as the light came on and walked to a computer flat screen mounted on the wall. The closet software held an inventory of everything in it, and she was able to search by category and select her outfit. As she tapped the screen with her fingertips, she heard a soft whir as the suspended rotating clothing rack slid into motion, bringing the chosen outfit to her. She removed the chosen sweater and jeans and grabbed a pair of boots before leaving the closet.
The temperature would drop tonight, as the weather was calling for a light frost. She stood at her vanity table and spritzed on her signature scent of roses. She’d changed it once a few years ago, but Shade had protested, and asked her not to change. She’d have thought, after all this time, he would welcome some variety, but he was soothed by the fragrance. She removed her lingerie from the drawer and slipped it on, before pulling on her jeans, and slipping the sweater over her head. She smiled to herself. In spite of the technology, Shade preferred to leave his clothes in the large armoire, and after all this time, he still couldn’t find what he was looking for, or remember which drawer held his favorite shirts.
She’d intentionally woken before him, as she and Shannon had a call scheduled with their business partners in Italy to discuss the olive harvest currently underway. Their businesses were flourishing, but she never forgot the price they’d paid. They had an obligation now, to Marco's memory, to make sure the Medici enterprises were all successful. As the world had moved forward, their lives driven more and more by the technology that surrounded them, the mortals seemed even more drawn to their organic bath and beauty products, which allowed them an escape to luxury, and reminded them of a simpler time.
She sat on the side of the bed, and lightly ran her fingers through his hair, watching him as he slept. He’d secured his legacy with his children, and his grandchildren, and all the children that would follow. Their fortune was vast, and their coven covered two continents. Since the conflict with the Mafioso, they had not faced any significant challenges to their dynasty. Her gift of animalism, which Sophia and Bianca had also inherited, and Lorenzo's gift of fire-throwing, had so far held the other covens at bay. Shade never let his guard down, though. He was well aware that the very fact he held so much power, made his family a threat in itself. She drew the back of her fingers across the stubble on his cheek and touched her fingertips to his lips. How many times had she kissed those lips? She leaned over him, her hair brushing his cheek, and lightly touched her lips to his, and knew if the count was a million, it would never be enough. She whispered softly, "I love you, my savage warrior." She felt him stir slightly as she stood and left the room, the lights going out, plunging the sealed room back into darkness.
As she walked toward the stairs, she passed Theresa on her way to the laundry room. The house, once bustling with small children, was much quieter now. Kate made her way down the stairs and could hear Shannon's laughter coming from her and Luca's suite. She paused a moment before going into the office and headed instead to the back of the house. Opening the door onto the patio, Aegis jumped to her feet and immediately came to her. Kate dropped to her knees, and gave the wolf a hug, ruffling her fur and scratching behind her ears. The survival of the animals that had surrounded her after her turning, as well as their offspring, was a shock to them all. The Council monitored it closely, recording it for future generations. Of course, Sophia had her own brigade of animals that surrounded her in Florence, as did Bianca. None of them had any idea how long the animals would survive, but like the vampires they served, they remained strong and healthy over the years.
"Hey, girl," she whispered to the wolf, as Night Stalker emerged from the shadows, his eyes reflecting the light. She stood upright, and took a deep breath of the crisp, early autumn air in the hour before sunset. The leaves were starting to turn, and the sky reflected the same gold and orange colors of the foliage as the sun dipped behind the mountain range. She loved this land, and these people, and thought to herself that a thousand years here would never be enough.
***
Kate’s scent lingered inside their bedroom, as Shade opened his eyes and breathed in the rose fragrance. He closed his eyes again, smiling to himself. She’d never lost her ability to arouse him, even when she wasn’t in the room. He’d felt her when she left their bed, and could hear her showering and dressing, even in his death slumber. He tuned his senses, and could feel that she was outside, and happy. He laid quietly in their bed, as her feelings of contentment and happiness washed over him. Rolling over, he buried his face in her pillow, and wondered how he’d ever found her, or how he could have lived without her. He loved the home she’d made for them here. They had flourished; both as a family and a coven, and he never took for granted her contribution to both.
Groaning, he got up and made his way to the armoire. He rummaged through the drawers until he found what he needed, making a messy pile on the floor of the clothes he discarded. He knew she’d roll her eyes when she came back to their room and saw it, but she’d shake her head and say nothing. They’d been together so long, he knew the words she’d speak before they were out of her mouth, and yet he never tired of her.
