Page 103 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

We were going to cross the line, and there would be no coming back from it. But in that moment, I didn’t care. All I cared about was the promise of how her lips would feel against mine, of how much I wanted to press her against the wall and remind myself of her sweet cherry taste mixed with something infinitely sweeter.

“Don’t you need to read your old books?” she asked breathlessly, her fingers studying my triceps.

“They’ve been around for thousands of years. They can wait.” I couldn’t decide between pinning her to the nearest wall or laying her across one of the disused tables surrounding us and studying her.

Before I could decide, the door to the library banged open. We startled apart, quickly putting distance between ourselves. A moment later, Zina, dressed like she was on her way to court, swept in, her gown rustling behind her. “There you are,” she snapped at Lia. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“You found me,” Lia said tightly.

“Yes, I have.” Zina’s eyes narrowed like a hawk about to swoop in on its prey. “Where is Thea?”

Lia’s shoulders squared slightly but she kept her composure. “In her quarters, I presume.”

“You really are useless,” Zina said, and I found myself moving at her, snarling softly. She looked at me as if I was an insect. “Call off your dog.”

“Lysander isn’t—” Lia started, her cheeks burning.

“I don’t have time for this,” Zina interrupted. “Thea is gone.”

“She probably went out with Julian,” Lia said calmly.

But Zina shook her head, her dark skin glinting in the room’s dim lamplight. “All of her things are gone.”

“What?” I stepped forward. “That doesn’t make sense. I’ll find Julian.”

“Her mate is gone, too.”

“That’s impossible,” I stammered. My brother hadn’t just left. He wouldn’t. Not after what the Mordicum had told us. Not after everything that had happened. He wouldn’t abandon his family any more than Thea would abandon her own duty.

But Zina’s grim smile widened as if hearing my thoughts. “You’re far too trusting,” she spat at me. “My sources say they left Venice an hour ago.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

JULIAN

Cuba in January was a welcome break. Anywhere outside of Venice and its heavy responsibilities was welcome, even if I knew we were on borrowed time. We wandered under the unbroken blue sky, hand-in-hand, enjoying the warm kiss of the sun. It was a far cry from Venice’s rain and snow, and maybe the clear sky would clear our muddled brains. It was also the height of tourist season, and despite borrowing Jacqueline’s private jet for the flight over, we had to brave the crowds to reach the dock where my yacht was kept. I maintained a careful eye on Thea as we wove our way through the crowd, trying to be patient when she stopped to look at a souvenir cart or to admire the elegant Cuban architecture.

She picked up a straw hat and dropped it on her head. “What do you think? Will I need it for the beach?”

“I think I made myself clear about that, my love,” I purred, moving behind her to whisper in her ear. “I don’t want you wearing anything on the beach.”

“I didn’t think you meant a hat. What if I get a sunburn? Not all of us have instant healing abilities,” she said dryly.

I flinched at the reminder that my mate was not a vampire and likely would never be one, thanks to the magic that bound our lives together. She was mortal, which meant she was burnable...and breakable. Thea twisted in my arms, searching my face for a clue as to my silence.

“What did I say?” she whispered, biting into her lower lip.

Even the surge of desire I felt seeing that wasn’t enough to combat the sadness I felt. I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“You’re upset.”

“I’ll get over it.” I kissed her forehead. “Let’s buy you the hat.”

More than anything, I wanted our impromptu vacation to be a break from, well, everything. Especially thinking about things like our mortality or the court or family drama.

Thea slipped her hand back into mine after we paid. “Do you really think we’ll get away with this?”

“It’s not like we ran away permanently. Everyone can chill for a few days. Let Jacqueline handle them.”

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