91

Lorenzo sat on the floor outside the closed door of his parents’ bedroom. His pony had arrived, and he’d waited all day for his father to wake. The sun would set any minute now, and as soon as he heard any sound from the other side of the door, he’d knock. He laid his head against the door, his ear pressed tightly against the wood, straining to hear anything.

Theresa stood in the hallway, holding Sophia and shook her head. “Lorenzo, that won't make your father wake up any earlier."

Lorenzo whispered, "I know, but I need to be ready."

Shade moaned softly as he slowly woke from the depths of his death slumber and heard the soft whir of the electronic blinds. He felt her body, soft and warm, curled up next to him and he slid his hand through her tangled silken tresses of crimson. He fisted the softness gently in his hand and smiled. It felt good to have her sleeping with her head on his chest again, having her blood energize him and his cock. The thought alone made him hard and instantly, he felt bel’s hand around his steel. "Good evening to you too, mi amore."

Kate giggled as she snuggled into his neck, running her tongue along the pulsing vein. He responded to her advances when they heard a tapping at the door.

Kate dropped her head down on his chest. "Really? I got up with Sophia twice today because she wouldn't stop crying for Theresa or Gita, and now, Lorenzo’s already at the door. I'm wondering if we'll ever be alone again."

Shade growled in agitation at the interruption, but quickly switched gears to concern for his children. "Is she all right?"

"She’s fine. She’s just a child who’ll demand what she wants, and right now, she wants me over her nanny or feeder. She’s been hard to wean. I need to learn to just let her cry, but it’s difficult."

They heard another round of tapping at the door and a small voice calling. "Hello? Can you hear me?"

Shade looked at Kate and winked, and in a louder than usual voice responded, "Mi amore, did you hear something?"

Kate rolled off of him and pulled the pillow over her head. Her voice muffled by the pillow. “I didn't hear anything. I'm going back to sleep."

"Back to sleep, you say? Oh, si. Good idea.”

Lorenzo tapped on the door again. "Hello! It's your son, Lorenzo. I can hear talking. Can I come in now?"

Shade sighed as he gave Kate one last cuddle. It felt like the nights spent waking up with her in his arms, followed by hours of love making, were a thing of the past, at least until the children were grown. “What is the problem, Lorenzo?"

Lorenzo heard his father speak out to him. "Daddy, you said Zeus would be here today, but I had to wait till you were up before I went to the stables. I waited all day!"

Shade chuckled to himself at the image of his son sitting outside the bedroom door, waiting for some sign his parents were awake. "Come in, little warrior.”

Lorenzo opened the door and threw himself onto the bed shared by his parents, landing in a heap on top of them. His mother squealed as Shade began to tickle the boy, and watched as he collapsed in laughter.

Theresa appeared at the door, holding Sophia wrapped in a blanket. "Excuse me, master, but as long as you’re awake, this one is getting restless again too."

"Ah, my Princess, give her to me, Theresa, she just misses her padre, that is all, si?" Taking Sophia into his arms, he smiled down at that beautiful, sweet face. "You miss me, don’t you?"

Sophia let out a loud coo.

"They think you are fussy. My princess is not fussy, she is cooing like a sweet dove." Putting her on his shoulder, she nuzzled into his neck and gripped a handful of his curls, yanking hard. "Ouch, okay, okay, I know you are hungry."

Kate lifted the baby from him as she kicked her small feet, her tiny hands fisted and waving in the air, her face scrunched up, ready to cry. Kate shushed her and laid her on her shoulder, where the baby immediately rooted for her neck and started to suckle. Sophia relaxed instantly, as she clung to her mother. Kate stroked her back. "Sophia, you’re breaking all the rules already. What am I going to do with you?"

Shade watched as Sophia instantly stopped flailing once she nestled in and fed from bel. "Mi amore, Sophia should not be taking from you so often, this is not normal, I think, perhaps, we need to call Doc Bonutti. Have him come check her out. I’m concerned. Do you think she needs my blood?"

“I think it’s just her preference. But yes, she does need to feed from you as well. She feeds often, from both Theresa and Gita, but she prefers to feed from me and she’s very willful, even at this age."

Sliding from their bed, Shade picked Lorenzo up in his arms. "Once we’re back from the stables, she should be hungry again, and I will feed her before my death slumber, perhaps it will help. Did you want to come with us to see Zeus?"

Kate stroked the silky, soft red curls on top of her daughter's head as she continued to feed. “You go ahead, Shade. I have my hands full with this one."

Lorenzo jumped from his father’s arms, running to the door, impatiently hopping from one foot to the other.

"Lorenzo, I need to get dressed, and you need your boots. I’ll meet you in your room, go."

As Lorenzo took off, Shade began to get dressed, pulling on his jeans and lacing up his boots. As he pulled the shirt over his head, Lorenzo barreled back in the room. Shade ruffled his son’s hair and gave bel a kiss. "Your warriors will be in the stables if you need us."

Kate leaned over the side of the bed, kissing Lorenzo, who grew taller every day. "Have fun, you two."

"Let’s go, little warrior, we have a pony to attend to."

Shade took the boy’s hand and led him outside and across the field to the stables. Lorenzo kept running ahead, pulling his father by the hand. “Faster, Daddy!”

Shade laughed and teleported across the wide expanse of Bel Rosso, holding tight to Lorenzo’s hand. Touching down in the stables, Lorenzo landed with a thud and quickly picked himself up, running for the stall that housed Zeus. The pony had been fed and brushed and given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. His stall was only a few spots down from Impavido's, who didn’t look the least bit impressed with this miniature impostor. Lorenzo quickly clambered over the gate and dropped down inside the stall, startling the pony, who backed away a little wild eyed. "Zeus! It's just me, Lorenzo."

"Easy, little warrior, Zeus is in new surroundings, he is a little scared still, and he is not used to you or your scent yet. Why don’t you get him a carrot, make friends with him, let him eat from your hand, you know what to do."

Lorenzo went for the carrots as Angelo approached, leaning over the stall beside Shade.

"Any problems getting him settled?"

Angelo shook his head. "No problems, master, the pony has a good temperament. But I was told to give this to the Prince."

He handed Shade a sealed envelope with Lorenzo's name on it. He could pick up Dona’s faint scent on the paper, and wondered what in the hell that was about. Tucking it in the back pocket of his jeans, he’d give it to Lorenzo later. "So, little warrior, what do you make of this Zeus, so far?"

Lorenzo climbed up on the gate and extended his hand, palm up, with the carrot, while the pony sniffed, then accepted the offering. “I think Zeus is the best pony ever. He’ll run as fast as Impavido. Maybe faster!"

"He has to grow up a bit, I think.” Climbing inside the stall, Shade took a closer look at Zeus, checking his legs and his hoofs. “He made the boat journey well. Perhaps, we should take him for a ride around the pasture. What do you think? The sooner the two of you get used to one another, the better. I will lead him out for you. You will train together to learn to ride and jump. Angelo can help you with that in the daylight. You must come to understand his movements, his temper, how he reacts in every situation. He will grow to trust you, in time."

Lorenzo copied his father's actions, checking the pony's legs and hooves, even though he had no idea what he was looking for. “Okay, Daddy. But he already likes me, I can tell. Can we put his saddle on now?"

"Go with Angelo, he will put the saddle on for you, and teach you how it is done. I expect you to help take care of this pony. They require much work and grooming. The pony needs to learn you are his master. Go, now, I am going to check on Pavi while you do that."

Lorenzo followed Angelo out of the stall as he led the pony over to be saddled and bridled. The boy carefully observed Angelo, and followed his instructions, tightening the straps that secured the saddle. He wanted to make a good impression, and he was a fast learner.

Shade opened the gate to Impavido's stall, as the horse bobbed his head up and down, his long mane shaking. Shade stroked the horse’s massive neck, calming him with his voice. "Settle down, Pavi, you are still my boy. But you better get used to the pony because you will be riding alongside that one before you know it."

He heard Lorenzo squeal with laughter and looked up to see him astride his pony, ready to do some riding. "Come on, Daddy. Zeus is ready. Let's ride now!"

"You are one impatient warrior tonight." Shade strolled over to Zeus and grabbed hold of his bridle, leading him outside. "You have ridden Pavi with me enough you should know how to hold the reins and control them. Give him a verbal command, as well as the directional command from the reins. He will eventually respond to both. And remember, when he responds to your command, he needs to be rewarded. Pat his neck firmly and tell him he has done a good job. Once he gets used to that, he will do anything you ask, Lorenzo. He will want to please you."

Shade led him further out into the pasture, watching closely how Lorenzo sat in the saddle. "Don’t hold the reins so tightly, Lorenzo. Let them loose in your hands until you want him to do something. Now, I want you to make Zeus turn right, so remember to pull back gently on the right rein."

Lorenzo paid close attention to his father's instruction, and he loosened the reins and tugged lightly on the right. Zeus responded immediately, turning to the right. "He did it, Daddy!"

"Good job, now how do we reward Zeus?”

Lorenzo patted the pony's neck and told him, “Good job, Zeus. Now what do you want me to do, Daddy?"

Shade continued to walk faster and faster, leading Zeus by the bridle. "I am going to let go of him, Lorenzo. I want Zeus to make a complete circle to the left, then stop, si?”

Lorenzo nodded, and led the pony in a circle before bringing him to a complete stop. Lorenzo beamed at his father as he patted the pony again.

"Did you see that, Daddy? He listened to me. He’ll be like Pavi."

"You are an awesome team already." Hugging his son, he adjusted his riding helmet, tightening the strap under his chin. "Never go riding without your helmet. If you do, you will have your riding privileges taken away, si? Now, I want you to ride the fence line by yourself, remember to use your thighs and the reins. Zeus will follow the fence. Keep your pace slow at first and then you can speed him up into a gallop after you do a few slow laps."

Lorenzo led Zeus toward the fence line, having complete control of the pony. Zeus made one loop around the pasture before Lorenzo dug in his heels and snapped the reins for Zeus to pick up speed. The pony seemed eager to let off some steam after being cooped up so long, and easily shifted into a gallop. Lorenzo squealed with excitement.

Shade and Angelo stood together at the entrance of the stables, watching as Lorenzo mastered his riding skills. After a few hours, Shade had decided it was enough for one night and signaled Lorenzo to come to him.

"It is time we go inside now, Lorenzo, it is close to your bedtime and we don’t want to tire out Zeus his first night at Bel Rosso. I am proud of you. Now, I want you to dismount and walk him into his stall. Get him watered."

Lorenzo felt like he could ride all night, but he followed his father's instruction and dismounted, leading the pony back to the stables. "Thank you, Daddy. This is my best present ever!"

Angelo followed him as they led the pony back into the stall and Angelo removed the saddle. "Go ahead, little warrior. I'll brush him down tonight and get him watered. But next time, I'll teach you how to do that on your own."

Lorenzo nodded and watched as Angelo took control. Rejoining his father, his took his hand and pulled himself up so he was riding piggy-back. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you more, little warrior. Now, a few rules. Every day, you need to find time to come out here, clean that stall, brush down Zeus, ride and work with Angelo. You need to figure out a schedule, because you have to practice your fire-throwing skills with Skelk, as well as practice with your sword. You have your studies with Enzo, and now this. Zeus is your responsibility. He belongs to you. He relies on you to keep him happy."

As they got to the patio on the back of the house, Shade slid the boy from his back and sat down with him on the chaise lounge. He pulled Lorenzo into his lap and pulled the letter from his pocket. "Lorenzo, this letter came with Zeus. So, before we go inside, I think you should read it aloud to me, si?"

Lorenzo took the sealed envelope from his father's hand. "I'm a good reader, Daddy. Enzo says I’m at a twelfth-grade level." Opening the envelope, Lorenzo read the hand written script.

Dear Lorenzo,

I sincerely hope you will enjoy many years with your new pony. I understand you have named him Zeus. What a proud and noble name for a pony that will be ridden by such a strong, young warrior. You are such a treasure, Lorenzo, and will be so important to your coven. You must work hard and study hard, as you will carry so much responsibility on your young shoulders.

Please do not have any fear of leaving your family and moving to Castello when the time comes. I know you will miss your family, but know I will be here for you, and you can call on me anytime. The Medici and the Alizzi share a long alliance, going back many centuries, and together, we must continue to be aligned against the forces of evil that would seek to break up our territory. Please write to me often and let me know of your progress.

 

Yours for eternity,

Donatella'

 

"Wow, that's a nice letter, isn't it, Daddy?"

Shade listened to Lorenzo read the letter flawlessly; pronouncing each word without trouble, but his heart was stricken. Dona was sly, and she was already working her magic on his son.

"Donatella has a very small coven, Lorenzo, not many warriors. It was a great coven centuries ago, but she never mated, and I fear she has spent much of the wealth her padre left for her. The vampires in her coven have drifted off throughout the years, seeking better for themselves. She relies on the Medici and its warriors to protect her. It is true our two families have had an alliance. Because she never mated, she is more vulnerable to attacks. So, yes, she is someone who I imagine will always be around. Do you wish to write to her, because you do not have to?"

Lorenzo listened to his father's explanation of Donatella's situation, and his heart broke knowing she didn’t have a family. "But I like her, Daddy. And she needs us, right? I’ll protect her."

“I’m glad you like her, but you will have your own coven to protect, and many that will rely on you, so it is a big job. What do you say we get back inside, you need a bath before bed.”

Lorenzo folded the letter carefully and tucked it in his shirt. He’d write back to Donatella tomorrow. “Okay, I'm ready."

"Come on, little warrior, let’s see what Mommy is up to. By the way, have you heard from Alfie yet?"

"Yep. He wrote to me too. I will have a lot of letters to write, huh?"

"Just one more duty you better get used to performing on a regular basis, Prince Lorenzo."

As they entered the house, the boy ran ahead to the stairs. Halfway up, he stopped and turned to his father. "What is it, Lorenzo?"

"Don't worry, Daddy. I study every day and pay attention to Enzo just like you told me to, and I practice with Skelk and Marcello. And now, I have Zeus. I like being a warrior. I'll be ready when you send me to Castello, and Marco will be proud of me too. I promise."

Shade stood looking up at this small boy standing on the stairs, and remembered doing the same, begging for some small compliment or words of encouragement from his own padre, and rarely getting it. He vowed to never be like his father. "You already make me proud, Lorenzo.”

He watched as his son scurried up the stairs, and he knew in his heart Lorenzo would be okay. He’d grow up to be a great warrior, Shade’s equal in all things, and lead the next generation of Medici.