Bella Vita (21 page)

“It's beautiful. It all is.
You did an awesome job!” I cried at her.

“No waterworks. I'm not
fully done. I need to take in the sides just a smidgen and I'll
need you to come back for one more fitting with your heels, unless
you brought them with you?” She cocked her pierced brow at
me.

“Um, no. I didn't know. If
I had, I would have.” I felt useless.

“No worries. Most people
don't realize how quickly I work. You know what I'll measure you
with the dress on and then you can call me up with the height of
the shoe once you've decided on it and I can tailor it based on
that.” Amelia was already sticking pins in the side of the
dress.

“Okay.” I
mumbled.

The rest of the fitting went along in a
similar manner. I was finished before Dom. But when he came out my
dress was already hidden and he looked happy. I smiled at him.

“So it went well?” I
inquired.

“It was fine. You were
right.” He kissed my cheek.

“Of course I was.” I
laughed.

We left Amelia's in good spirits, both
certain that our wedding would be wonderful if everyone involved
was as efficient as she was.

My mood was easily turned down when I
thought about how I would have to teach at least a little in my
healing class. I had no clue what Daniel would want me to do, but I
knew Lily had been fascinated by my abilities. I sighed.

“My Little Emma Bird, no
frowns. Tomorrow will be fine.” He always knew what was
wrong.

“Yeah, so you say.” I
kicked at the rocks by my shoes.

“No, so I know.” His smile
was secretive.

“What do you mean, you
know? You're not the seer I am.” I pouted.

“But you're not the only
seer, my love.” He laughed.

“Yeah, well, I don't care
what another seer said. It won't be perfect unless I believe it'll
be. And right now, I just don't feel like that is going to
happen.”I crossed my arms across my chest.

“Can you say 'pity party,'
Emma?” Dom bumped me.

“Ugh.” I stuck my tongue
out at him.

“Since we're out anyways,
let's go get something to eat.” He took my hand and started to drag
me off in the direction of the tourists.

“Um, does it have to be
with all of those people?” I suddenly felt very
people-a-phobic.

“Yes. Come on, stiff upper
lip and all that jazz.” He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me
into the crowd.

I was awash in feelings and sensations that
didn't belong to me. I had no shield up, and to throw one up would
need concentration- something that I was using not to throw up from
everything around me. My hands became slick with sweat and my heart
was racing. Dominic looked over at me with concern. I knew I was
blanching, but I couldn't stop the overwhelming sensations.

Emma?
His words were like a distant whisper.

Dom, help.
I prayed to whoever was listening to help my
words get to him.

What is it?
His eyes darkened with worry.

Too much...
I felt the world getting further away from
me.

Emma?! Stay with me. I'm
going to get you out of here.
I couldn't
focus on his face anymore, everything became fuzzy and darkness
started to swallow the world.

I heard another vampire enter the
conversation, asking what was wrong with the princess. I didn't
stay awake long enough to find out what was going on.

I blinked back to the
world, and found that I was staring up at a very Italian fresco on
the ceiling. I rubbed my face with my hands and felt how cold my
body was. Fear trickled through me.
Why am
I so cold?
I tried to sit up but my body
wasn't having it just yet. My movement must have been seen because
as soon as I was able to focus again someone was standing by my
side.

Emma?
The voice was so familiar.

I blinked.

My little Emma bird, come
back to me.
Dom's voice was gentle and
encouraging.

I tried to talk but failed.

Dom?
I sent my words to him.

Yes,
mia bella
, I'm here.
Relief colored his words.

Where are we and what's
wrong with me?
I couldn't keep the
emotions out of my words.

We are in a church that a
neighboring vampire owns and runs, and I think your body shut down
to stop the bombardment of everything around you. I am so
sorry.
He hung his head.

Sorry? Why are you
sorry?
I didn't understand.

If I hadn't dragged you
into that crowd you would have had time to prepare yourself for
it.
He kissed my cheek.

So why can't I talk or
really move yet?
I wasn't really worried
for some reason.

I think your body is doing
something similar to a system reboot. I'm sorry that I don't know
exactly what's going on. Do you want me to call your grandpa or
parents or Betty?
It was obvious he was
trying to create answers for me.

That won't be necessary. I
think your explanation is as close to the correct thing as
possible. We don't have words for what happened to me or how my
body is handling it. I can tell you I'm fine and I'm
healing.
I knew this was true because my
entire being was telling me everything would be okay, and I just
needed to wait.

I was so worried I would
lose you. I didn't know what to do.
He
kissed my hands- where his lips touched my skin, I felt warm
tingles.

Which reminds me, did I get
called 'princess'?
I wanted to make sure I
hadn't dreamed that.

Sì
,
mia bella
. You've heard it before. Amongst our people we're royalty.
And when the time comes, we're expected to bring them out of this
dark time. Remember the prophecy.
His
words were solemn.

I let out a long breath.

Yes, I remember, but it
doesn't happen so often, ya know? How have they come to create
royalty where there was none before?
I
didn't understand our customs.

There have always
been
royal
families. And many vampires have been royal amongst the
humans. But within our own kind, we follow the words of the seers.
When Bettina made this one, our world came to look at our families
as royalty. There is no king or queen, yet, but once we're ready,
that will be our position. There is a castle built for us
already.
He chuckled at the last
part.

Wait. What? They built a
freaking castle for babies?!
My mind
whirled at this latest news.

I guess you could say that.
But we aren't to live there until you have been trained in our
ways. Thus the importance of vampire school.
I wiggled my fingers in his hand.

See, I'm getting more
control already.
I slowly began to test
out the various movements of my body. Eventually, I had control
over everything again.

I got out of the small bed I had been placed
in. I stretched a little to release the tension I was feeling from
being still for so long. I took a deep breath and was good to
go.

Ah, she is awake. Merry
Meet,
P
rincipessa
.
A small man that looked shockingly like a friar from a Robin
Hood movie.

Merry Meet, sir. Thank you
for your kindness.
I bowed slightly
towards the man.

No need to thank me. You
are the reason many of us still breathe today. You shall lead us
out of the darkness.
His smile was
intoxicating, but the words scared me.

I can only hope to do my
part.
I thought that was a safe
response.

Thank you again, Angelo. I
don't think she would've recovered so quickly if it wasn't for your
hospitality.
Dominic hugged the roundish
bald man with warm welcoming eyes.

As I said before there is
no need for thank yous. Is there anything else that I can do for
you or Milady?
Angelo gestured at his
home- as though he was willing to give anything in his possession
to us.

Thank you, but that won't
be necessary. I think it's time for us to go home now. Thank you
again.
I hugged the man that smelled of
incense.

The honor was mine,
Principessa
.
Angelo was such a nice man, he led us to a back
door that allowed us to leave the area without being in direct
contact with such large crowds.

Thank you again.
I bowed to him once more and we left to trace our
way back to Dom's bike.

The trip home felt considerably longer than
our trip going out. My body was tired again. It was strange to
experience so many different things that could affect me so much in
such a short amount of time. When we finally got home, Dom sent me
straight to bed. He brought up some soup and a cup of blood cocoa.
Once I had finished everything he tucked me in and kissed me
goodnight and left the room. I was slightly disappointed that he
didn't stay with me, but it only lasted momentarily because soon I
was fast asleep.

My alarm didn't have to wake me in the
morning, the dream of Issy did all the work. My room was dark and
cold. I felt lonely, as though I was sinking into a great big pit.
I got out of bed and opened my window. The light rushed into the
room, chasing away the shadows from the room and my mind.

Today's the day.
My mind raced at the thought of teaching people
that knew so much more than me about being a vampire.
What could I really teach them?
I was afraid.

I pulled on my bathrobe and
grabbed the papers Dom and I had gone over about some of the
classes I could teach. I needed a good plan and to sound confident.
No need to let them sense my fear. I read over and over the papers
until I was certain that I could handle both of my classes. The
tension in my belly started to lessen. I took a deep breath. I
needed to pull out my outfit for the day. It was hard to tone down
my usual attire. I decided on black Dickies, and a black long
sleeve. I pulled my vest over the top. It was strange to see me
without all my usual bells and whistles. It was as if I had stepped
into someone else's body- which reminded me of when Mike and I
dressed as preps for Halloween last year.
Last year. I can't believe it has only been a year. It seems
like a lifetime.
I pushed my thoughts back
to the present. I needed to stay focused or this day would eat me
alive.

I was dressed and packed up by the time
Dominic even got up. I had his coffee brewed and on the table,
alongside a tasty looking Danish. The paper was sitting on the
table, and sorted the way he normally did it. I sat with my cup of
tea, trying to calm my nerves.

“
Be still, Emma. Your
tension rolls off you in waves. If you let them know you're so
nervous they will eat you alive.” He laughed.

“
I'm glad you find this
funny.” My temper was close to the surface again, a bad way to
start the day.

“
Aw, my sweet. Thank you
for starting my day like this.” He sipped his coffee and started to
read the paper.

“
No worries.” I mumbled
trying to find my inner peace.

Dominic went to get ready and I loaded up my
Jeep. Today was going to be a long day and I wanted to drive to it
in my favorite beast. Once I was ready, Dom appeared with his
satchel and got in. The drive to the school was quiet and pleasant.
The wind created a nice breeze. There was a light cloud covering.
As soon as we hit the outer gate, the day became overcast. I was
suddenly worried that I might have a downpour in my poor car. I
sighed. I really didn't want to think that this was a message from
above.

“
Don't worry so much,
Emma.” Dom took my hand and rubbed the palm. “Everything will be
fine.”

“
Thanks.” I parked the car
and gave the keys to the guy waiting to move my beautiful car out
of my reach. I grabbed my stuff and mentally spelled myself to stay
calm.

“
Very effective,
mia bella
.” He kissed my
hand. “I've got to head up to the office, I'll let them know that
you're returning to classes today.”

“
Okay. I'm going to head
over to the greenhouse first and see if Lily wants me to teach
today.” I waved to him as he walked into the dragon's
den.

The wind kicked up as I walked around the
castle towards the fields where the greenhouse was. I was still
nervous but my body didn't feel like it was a giant red flashing
light. The fields were still barren from the cold, but I wanted to
think that they would be filled with beautiful flowers once the
spring came.

The door was open and I could see that Lily
wasn't teaching a class yet. I walked in.