Chapter 23
"I hope today is fun," Sookie said with a sigh. "Milan is so beautiful. I'd like all my memories of this place to be happy ones."
Eric's belly laugh caught her by surprise. It was so rare he gave himself over to such overt signs of true amusement.
"For the pleasures of shopping and spending, you couldn't be in better hands, my love," he said, upon recovering from his reverie. "Do you recall when I invited you to try and spend all my money if it amused you?"
"That was just crazy, besides, I still have no idea how much that is." Her tone was playful, but her expression displayed a slight irritation.
Eric laughed again. "Do not be put out, Sookie, neither do I. Bobby probably has a ledger book somewhere with an exact itemized accounting. Since you terrify him as no other, I feel certain he would show it to you if you asked to see it.
The point is Paloma de Medici could have probably done it. At the time, I told you there were women in Europe who had bankrupted the treasuries of countries. She is such a woman. Due to her, the Court of Italy is unable to meet its agreed financial obligations. The King will deny her nothing, and she demands much."
"I thought you didn't know her?" She snapped, unmistakable jealousy creeping into her voice.
A night of ceaseless pleasures, he thought from behind a growing grin. "I said I was unacquainted with her," he said aloud. "I am not the only vampire preceded into a room by their reputation. She has long been the mistress of King Petrus."
"Does Cerino know?" Sookie asked, realizing almost before the words left her lips just how silly the question was.
"I treasure your naïveté. I will miss it when it leaves you," he said with a rueful smile. "Petrus is bound to the Queen of Romania. Theirs is a marriage of State, but must be formally observed as a marriage in fact, as well. Petrus keeps Paloma and no doubt his Queen takes her pleasure elsewhere too.
The marriage between Paloma and Cerino was arranged by Petrus and is for the sake of appearance only."
"The King arranged for his mistress to marry another man?" Sookie's face scrunched up as she fixed her stare on Eric. It didn't take a psychic to see she was trying to work out how much truth there was in her husband's words, and how much was being said for shock value. "What a cozy relationship they must all have. Why marry her off at all? Why not just keep her on the side like normal people?"
"But we are not normal people, are we, my love?
In order to hold Italy, Petrus cannot break his bond with the Queen. Theirs is a delicately balanced arrangement. She gives him her claim to the land and he gives her a powerful crown, which she agrees to wear in an adjacent province. Thus leaving him free to pursue his true romantic inclination."
"Paloma."
"Precisely. Of course, a vampire who is free to often will. Unable to bind her to himself, he arranged for her to marry his long trusted friend, Cerino. Cerino is much less likely to betray the King than Paloma. While he lives, Cerino will remain at the King's side, along with anyone bound to him."
"That's just creepy," Sookie sneered.
"It works for them."
"And he lets her run wild with the State's money?"
"Petrus is the State, Sookie. For all practical purposes, he is Italy, just as I am Louisiana, Nevada and Arkansas. What belongs to Italy belongs to him. There is no distinction between them. And all things his are accessible to her, to do with as amuses her."
"And it amuses her to drive the country into bankruptcy?"
"I doubt the repercussions of her actions ever occur to her. She is utterly unacquainted with restraint."
"What kind of fool allows someone to do that?" Sookie asked, unable to even comprehend such a level of idiocy. Eric might have made that silly challenge for her to try and spend all his money, but he would never do anything so stupid as to seriously allow her to actually do it.
"Make no mistake, Sookie, Petrus is not a fool. He has but one weakness, and it is not a weakness of mind. He and I are quite similar in that respect. His forbearance with regard to Paloma's lack of moderation is unseemly, perhaps, but of little consequence in the grand scheme of things."
"How can you say that?" Sookie demanded. "You know you don't believe it. You would never let anyone run wild and spend every dime in sight like that."
"Dimes are of little matter. They are easily replaced and can actually become rather a nuisance when you have too many. At present we have more than we are able to spend. If you enjoy your expedition with Paloma, perhaps you should invite her to visit."
Sookie rolled her eyes and forced an exasperated sigh. "Don't be ridiculous. If you have too much money, spend it yourself. I'm pretty sure I probably already spend more than you do as it is. I hardly ever see you spending anything."
Now it was Eric who scoffed. "Appearances are often deceiving. Again, I invite you to spend an evening with Bobby. He would be only too happy to innumerate the long and tedious lists detailing the expenses required to maintain an army of Britlingens, even if it is merely an army in training."
She was staring up at him, with her mouth open, as if to speak, yet no words would come. What could she say? Her pride would hardly allow her to confess what was running through her mind on a loop at present. How is it possible to have so much going on around me, yet be aware of so little of it? Am I really so ignorant? Or even worse, am I so selfish?
Fortunately, she didn't have to wallow in self-doubt for long. She was rescued from her own admonishments by the familiar sound of Heller's light rapping at their door.
"Come in, Heller," Sookie called to him, grateful for the distraction.
Heller entered, closing the door as he nodded in their direction. "Mistress, Lady di Medici has arrived. She is waiting in the lobby. Shall I deliver a message?"
"No, thank you, Heller. I'm going down." She turned to Eric, extended her arms to her sides and took a slow turn around. "How do I look?" Since Paloma was taking her to fashion houses to be measured and shop for clothes, she'd opted to dress simply. Plain jeans and an aqua colored silk blouse, cinched at the waist by a wide canvas belt featuring a large leather buckle.
"Ravishing," was Eric's immediate response, before giving her a devilish grin and adding, "But don't be surprised if you are seen and treated as a tragic creature, in desperate need of the tasteful patronage of your companion for the evening. Remember, it is not her intent to be rude. She believes she is being helpful and generous. Indulge her, if you can. What she lacks in intellect, she compensates for with power. Being in favor with Paloma di Medici goes far in assuring a pleasant stay in Italy."
"And what if we were staying in Romania?" Sookie chuckled.
Eric laughed and held the door for her to pass. "Where the Queen resides, Lady di Medici is looked upon in a much less complimentary light. Thus currying her favor would likely be seen as ill-advised, from their perspective."
"Good thing we're going home after this," she giggled as she swept through the door.
XXXXXXX
Paloma was standing, as if she'd been positioned there, precisely at the center of one of the huge arched windows facing the street. Her head was tilted slightly upward. She must be staring at the stars, Sookie thought.
For the second time in as many nights, Sookie found herself completely captivated by Paloma, and tonight she wasn't even dancing to make people look at her. She was simply standing there, with her back to the room, as if no one existed but her. Sookie had read about women like Paloma in books; women who if you really looked at them objectively, were not actually beautiful at all, but something about them seemed to make you believe otherwise.
Standing there, so perfectly still, she might have been a statue, had a few disobedient hairs and the rows of fluttering lace ruffles of her skirt not gently swished with the movement of those who passed behind her.
Halfway between the elevator and Paloma, Eric stopped. He lifted Sookie's hand, touching it lightly to his lips. "Keep Oliver and Mina with you, Dearest, and message me when you are returning to the hotel. My business with Petrus should not take too long."
"Take as long as you need," she replied absently. She was too distracted by Paloma to notice Eric's attention being drawn elsewhere.
They parted, Sookie joining Paloma at the window and exchanging pleasantries before leaving, Eric casually making his way to the concierge desk.
The male vampire speaking to Aldo saw him approaching. He tucked something into his shirt and scurried for the door. Aldo was still in the process of adjusting his smile when Eric reached the desk.
"Are there messages this evening, Aldo?"
"Your Majesty, what an honor to speak with you again. I see both you and your beautiful Queen have chosen to again taste the delights of Milan after dark. How may I be of service to you?" The right words fell easily from the tongue of the seasoned concierge. Coupled with the fixed expression of eager servitude, he might have deceived one less practiced in detecting lies and liars.
Slight though it was, the solicitous edge to Aldo's tone did not escape Eric's attention. The information was filed away for possible future reference.
"Messages, sir? Do you have messages for any in my party?" Eric cast an overt glance toward the side exit taken by the male vampire. "Or perhaps there have been visitors making inquiries?"
Despite his already perfect posture, Eric felt certain he perceived a stiffening of Aldo's spine, as if he were bracing himself against an expected gust of wind.
"Lady di Medici has called for the Queen," Aldo replied with a toothy smile and a gesture in the direction of the ladies, who were now arm in arm and walking toward the main doors. "And it seems they have already met. What a magnificent pair they make. Milan will be splendidly adorned tonight." Looking back at Eric, his smile still firmly in place and his wits fully gathered, he added, "My apologies Your Majesty, but no, as yet, I have no messages for you or your party this evening. Of course, I will notify you at once if any arrive. Will you be joining the ladies or remaining with us?"
The impertinence of the question gave Eric momentary pause, but he answered, simply to register the reaction. "I am going out."
His vague words offered no real information and the response to them offered nothing in return.
"Very good, sir. I will make myself available to your staff in your absence." With a hand on his chest, Aldo nodded deeply enough it could almost be called a shallow bow.
Without another word, Eric left before the concierge was fully upright again.
XXXXXXX
Listening to the ceaseless droning of the two accountants, punctuated by occasional smiles and grunts of satisfaction from Petrus and Cerino, would have undone a lesser vampire. From behind the disinterested façade of his expression, Eric resolved to never take Bobby's blissfully brief financial reports for granted again.
Of course, this was different. A wealth transfer of this magnitude required a degree of somber formality, regardless of his desire to be anywhere but here. His ears carefully registered every word and inflection. His head gave the requisite nods at intervals appropriate to propagating the illusion of attention to detail. As his mind wandered, searching for any available diversion, his wish was unwittingly granted by the King.
"Excellent!" Petrus proclaimed. The single word was accompanied by a more than jovial laugh, which doubtless indicated his pleasure with the tallies of his new wealth.
The King glanced around the room, as if suddenly aware he might be giving something away with his display of enthusiasm; he brought his emotions into check at once. "Cerino, has our American friend received his message?"
Eric willed his body to remain passive. If he was being provoked, he did not want to provide Petrus with satisfaction so easily.
"No, Majesty," Cerino responded. He answered Petrus, but his stare focused on Eric. "It was my intention to deliver it when the accounting was completed, but as you suggest, it may be he would prefer to receive it now.
"Eric, a communication from The Pythoness arrived here during daylight hours. It appears it was intended for you."
Eric slowly raised his eyes and looked from Petrus to Cerino as if he'd been lost in thought and was trying to determine who was speaking. Cerino reached into an inside pocket of his jacket and produced a neatly folded parchment. He crossed the room extending the document before him.
"Thank you," Eric said with a slight nod as he accepted what was offered. The seal was broken. There was a reason the old seer kept to this old method of communicating. It was near impossible for unintended recipients to get to the message with any degree of secrecy. Eric also noted Cerino had chosen to say the message "arrived here" some time during the day, as opposed to saying it was delivered here. The parchment had been delivered to the hotel, of course. This explained the nervous behavior of the concierge earlier.
"Not bad news, I hope," Eric said, raising a brow as his eyes moved from the broken seal Cerino's face.
As expected, Cerino was not embarrassed by the accusation of Eric's words. He registered no physical reaction. "I do not believe so," he replied. "Simple well wishes, it seems."
"Ah."
Eric unfolded the outer sheet to reveal a note card, which held several perfectly straight hand-written lines -
-It is good to hear you are keeping my council and taking your leave in Milan. Seeing to the amusement of your many ladies is a responsibility, which would prove too vast for most.
It is always comforting for me to learn my advice has not fallen upon fallow ground. It is a rare pleasure to encounter a man who tends all his interests with equal diligence.-
Smiling at the note in his hand, Eric was certain the message of its contents was safe from any eyes that might have viewed it before him. The ancients did not get to be so through acts of stupidity. The only one who suspects anything more than well wishes is Cerino, and even he is not certain. Good.
"My Queen will be happy to see the courtesy The Pythoness has extended us," Eric said with a tilt of his head as he refolded the note and tucked it into his own jacket pocket. "It fits well with the human customs she is loathe to relinquish."
"I have never known The Pythoness to observe human customs or courtesies," Cerino said, a hint of suspicion leaking into his tone. "And I note the message is addressed to you, not your lovely Queen."
"A mere assumption on my part," Eric replied, his face a mask of acceptance. "No doubt your proximity affords you a more intimate knowledge of the actions and motivations of the ancients.
Do you have any further messages or matters requiring my personal attention, or is our business for this evening concluded to everyone's satisfaction? I find myself desirous of the company of my wife."
The King's voice boomed from across the room in his first real effort at conversation with Eric. "It is a safe wager Paloma has dragged your Queen into the clutches of that vile creature, Gustav. He has managed to convince Paloma he is the only man in Milan who can properly dress her. She has become obsessed with forcing his attentions on every lady at court. I am tempted to have him killed just so I don't have to hear his name any more."
Eric laughed politely and stood to receive Petrus, who was now walking over to join Eric and Cerino. "Sookie is charmed by everything in Milan. If this Gustav is as skilled as the lovely Lady di Medici believes, our visit may have to be extended. Perhaps I should meet this man for myself, to evaluate any risk to my own Lady's heart."
"Any flutterings of her heart would go unrequited, my friend," Petrus said with a hearty laugh. "None of the ladies possess the allurements required to attract Signore Gustav."
"I am relieved to hear it," Eric said with a smile.
Despite wanting to leave, it would be a while yet before he could make a graceful departure. Petrus sat and gestured for Cerino and Eric to join him.
It had been a long time since Petrus was able to relax and simply chat with old friends. With his financial burdens mitigated by his newly acquired wealth, he was now more able to focus on his other troubles, most particularly the recent string of vampire deaths and disappearances in Ukraine. A courier was expected to arrive the following day with new details and a proposed schedule for a summit meeting to discuss any actions to be taken.
Eric listened and responded appropriately as he waited for the opportunity to exit without rousing any ill will. Nearly two hours passed before the conversation turned to lighter fare and he was finally able to take his leave while displaying acceptable courtesy.
XXXXXXX
"Ignore the pinch at the waist," Paloma said as she walked a slow circle around the raised platform Sookie occupied. "When your dress is delivered it will be perfectly fitted for you. Signore Gustav measured you personally and he is never wrong." Paloma smiled up at Sookie as if she'd just imparted a closely held secret reserved for only the most worthy of confidants. "This is an excellent color choice for you. So much so, I am surprised and somewhat annoyed he made this one in my size at all. Our complexions and dispositions are so different; this color combination would not do for me. I require much more vivid hues."
Sookie glanced into the large floor to ceiling mirror to her left. She didn't need to look at the dress again, she was well aware of its near perfection. She'd perceived a slight movement. Eric was here, though he'd not yet chosen to make his presence known.
"You do not appear pleased," Paloma said, clearly disappointed with Sookie's lack of interest in the dress.
"I'm very pleased," Sookie replied with a smile, giving up her search for Eric. He would announce himself or not, as he chose. She faced the mirror and again assessed herself. No, these colors would not be good for Paloma, but they were perfect for her; the bodice was watered silk in very pale shades of yellow, pink and lavender splashes, all running into one another. The neckline plunged from the high choker type neck, to the tightly cinched waist, but the opening was narrow, thus it teased and did not threaten to overexpose the wearer. The full flowing skirt was identical except for the addition of shades of light sea greens to the color mix. She was more than pleased with what she saw.
"It is a rare creature who is able to be complimented by any color." Eric's voice preceded him from behind a dark scarlet drape. He walked with easy confidence to the edge of the platform, his attention never seeming to leave Sookie. "The rest of us are left to merely stare in wonder."
His eyes now fell heavily on Paloma. "Is it not so, Lady di Medici?"
"Do not confuse wonder with scrutiny," Paloma snapped. "I am offering my fashion guidance and assistance. The uninitiated often find Milan a bit overwhelming. It is not difficult to confuse the chic houses with those that exist only as fads." Her defiance and absolute lack of fear was on full display in every angle of her stance and each nuance of her tone. Someone of such little consequence as a visiting King would not cow her. She was the mistress of Italy. This was her domain.
Eric smiled and nodded to Paloma before returning his attention to Sookie. "You are a vision. Has Signore Gustav said when he will have the alterations completed?"
"His team is working on mine now. I think this one is intended for Paloma." Sookie tilted her head and offered a friendly smile to her fashion guide, hoping to lessen the tension filling the air since Eric's arrival. "He said it would be ready for me before we leave."
"Excellent," Eric approved. "Petrus will be hosting a gathering tomorrow evening. This will be a good choice for making introductions. There are many who are anxious to meet you."
"Petrus did not mention a gathering to me," Paloma interjected before Sookie could speak. "If there was a function where ladies were to be included, he would have told me."
"It is not a social gathering, Lady di Medici. My understanding is the only ladies present will be Queens." Again Eric nodded in Paloma's general direction. He was taking more pleasure in watching her anger rise than he would have willingly admitted.
Her lips parted as if to speak, but Paloma made no sound. After several seconds of her glare boring into the temple of Eric's skull, she managed a single word. "Queens?"
In the following silence Sookie glanced between the verbal combatants half expecting one to physically attack the other, but no. The palpable danger was not from these two. There was someone else in the room.
As if it had arrived on its own, without benefit of anything so noisy and cumbersome as a body, a new female voice entered. Though it was not particularly loud, it seemed to fill the space, coming from nowhere and everywhere, all at once. "Did you suppose your fantasies had become so real you awoke this evening with a crown fitted to your head? My crown perchance?" You could actually hear the smile accompanying the short laugh as the voice continued. "Do not confuse yourself with your ancestors, Paloma. You are not a Medici Queen."
Where the thought of the Queen of Romania and Italy had silenced Paloma, the sound of her was another story. Paloma threw a fierce glare at Eric acknowledging the declaration of war before addressing the still disembodied voice. "I have no need to compare headwear or ancient family titles. I awoke this evening at the side of a King."
"As have many before you," said the voice, as its owner stepped from behind the same drape which had previously concealed Eric. "I hate to be the bearer of ill tidings, but bedding a King is hardly a distinguishing accomplishment. Untold numbers of courtiers and house servants alike have been doing it since before the dawn of recorded time.
Go away now and find some other way to keep yourself occupied. I have business here."
In her human life, Duchess was the highest rank she achieved, but there was no mistaking her regal air. She'd been born a beauty, into a powerful family nearing the height of its influence and her manner displayed the casual confidence of one whose demands had rarely if ever been questioned; and certainly never by the likes of a mere mistress.
Paloma was many things, but an idiot was not one of them. Though sorely tempted to call her guards, she knew the Queen would not have come from Romania alone. Besides, the famed Norseman was in the room and he was clearly sided against her. If the wild tales about him were even half true, her small contingent of guards would not be able to protect her if he decided to do her harm.
As if on cue to reinforce her realization she was outranked and outmaneuvered, Sigore Gustav made his return, entering from his private door behind the largest mirror. The arrangement normally allowed him to make very dramatic entrances. On this occasion, he was providing the least of the drama taking place.
"Ladies, I am pleased to be able to," Signore Gustav was stopped mid-sentence, first by the unexpected sight of Eric, who not only towered over him, but was looking at him with the same sort of curiosity one might have if a troupe of leprechauns abruptly began dancing across the room; then by seeing the Queen of Romania and Italy standing in his largest dressing room.
"Your Majesty," Gustav said in his most fawning tone as he approached the Queen; his movement accomplishing the dual goal of nearing her and putting space between himself and Eric. "I am embarrassed to admit I did not realize the additional retinue outside was yours. I am at your service to provide any accommodation you desire."
"I require no accommodation apart from privacy," the Queen answered, the firmness of her tone softened by her pretty smile.
"As you wish, of course," Gustav sputtered; bowing so deep he almost toppled over.
He was taking his first retreating step toward the mirror when the Queen turned to Paloma. "Perhaps you should join him? You could discuss your displeasure with his color choices on this design."
Gustav's fears of offending or personal danger were instantly displaced by insult. His spine stiffened at the effrontery to his taste. "Lady Paloma! This design was conceived with none but you in mind. I assure you, it is my devoted study of your complexion and features which brought me to precisely this confection of pigments, cut to fall into place just as you see them on the garment."
Paloma did not speak again. She stormed past Gustav and through the door behind the mirror. Gustav stammered an apology and followed after her.
"Wow," Sookie said into the quiet void left by the departures. "That was weird." She looked down at the pretty woman with a long blonde braid down her back, a full mouth almost too large for her face and sparkling gray-green eyes. She smiled and said, "Hi. I'm Sookie. I guess you already know my husband."
Eric smiled his approval of the spontaneity of her remarks and took her hand.
"She is as I have heard," the Queen said, smiling back at Sookie. "Sincere and unafraid."
"Sookie, may I present Lucrezia, Queen of Romania and Italy," Eric said with a formality of manner he reserved for those whose respect he valued.
"I'm very happy to meet you, Your Majesty," Sookie said, stepping forward but remembering Eric's instruction not to bow.
"The pleasure is mine, I assure you," Lucrezia replied. "I may not be afforded another opportunity to meet the woman who managed to melt the heart of the Norseman. I could not risk missing this one."
Sookie felt a flush in her cheeks, but she knew no one else would perceive it. It was only a phantom of what would be, if her blood were still able to rush to her face. She felt an odd twinge of longing. In becoming a vampire to satisfy the desires of her heart, she'd given up so much more than the sun. But she had no time to pine for the past now. What was done was done and she had what she wanted. "I hope his heart didn't melt completely. I wouldn't want him to become unrecognizable."
"I can see advantages in a degree of anonymity," Eric said, raising Sookie's hand to his lips to impart a light kiss.
"But not so many as you can see in fear of a reputation I suspect," Lucrezia replied with a sly smile.
"Perhaps not," Eric agreed, his words taking on a more somber edge. "We have both benefitted from the convenience of forgoing the need to continually prove ourselves."
"So you're here for a meeting with the King tomorrow?" Sookie asked.
Lucrezia turned back to Sookie. "I will meet with the King tomorrow, of course, but an emissary would have done for such a task. As I said before, my primary motivation was seeing you. You must be aware of your accomplishment. You are something of a unicorn in the gossip of our kind. I had to see for myself that you were not indeed a mythical creature, but a woman who succeeded where so many before her had failed, myself included."
"I must have just caught him at a weak moment," Sookie said with a laugh she hoped sounded genuine. She was becoming irritated by being greeted by women who seemed so amazed Eric had willingly bound himself to her.
"I doubt that very much," Lucrezia said. "Perhaps another time we will be together more. I feel I would enjoy your company and getting to know you better. Alas for now, our meeting must be brief."
Her eyes returned to Eric. "You and all your party are in danger here. I don't know what it is, but I have received word you are in possession of something Petrus wants and he means to take it from you, by force if need be."
He made no overt display of anger, but Sookie felt the shift in his demeanor.
"I have given Petrus the entirety of Appius' estate, which is a more than generous and bountiful tribute. What can he expect in addition?"
"I would tell you if I knew," Lucrezia answered sincerely. "I would recommend you leave as soon as possible. Unless of course the rumors of your army of Britlingens are true and you have them with you."
"I do not travel with an army, real or rumored."
"Is it true you are in league with The Pythoness to guard this prize you are keeping?" Lucrezia had no time to be coy and her curiosity was getting the best of her.
"I am unaware of any prize The Pythoness left in my keeping." Eric answered without missing a beat, though it was not lost on either woman present that his answer did not actually address the exact question asked. "With the exception of new fashions and souvenirs common to any number of other tourists, I expect to leave Europe as I arrived."
"In that case I will simply repeat my advice for you to leave without delay. It was good to see you again Eric, and it was lovely to meet your bride. It is my sincere hope we will meet again.
It is late. I must get to my apartment at the palace in time to announce my presence before dawn."
She offered them a final smile before turning to leave. Her grace of movement was ethereal. Sookie caught herself actually looking down to make certain Lucrezia's feet indeed made contact with the floor as she walked away.
"She moves like a ghost or something. Like she isn't really moving at all," Sookie said when she and Eric were left alone in the room.
Eric laughed and squeezed her hand. "She is a picture of grace and beauty, matched only by her lethal heart. She is the last of her line and it was never wise to cross a Borgia.
Come. We should return to the hotel before Paloma and her resentments have time to cause any trouble for us here."