Page 144 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“How do I do that?” I asked as the doorbell rang.

“Face it. Embrace it.” She stood, moving toward the corridor. “Give it its rightful space in your life.”

She disappeared into the hall, leaving me to sort through the thoughts swimming in my head. I was so lost to them I almost didn’t feel him enter.

Almost.

The vigilant darkness settled as he made his way to me, a devil-may-care grin pasted on his face, his hands shoved into his pockets. He looked every bit the part of the powerful vampire—except his eyes.

They scanned the room, his pupils a black disc ringed with a sliver of a blue sky. “Finished?” he asked in a rough voice.

I rose to my feet. “You felt it, didn’t you?”

A moment of hesitation before a quick jerk of confirmation. “Should I come back later?”

It sounded like the question physically pained him, like he was fighting the urge to sweep me away to safety and barely winning against it.

“I’m ready.” I crossed to him, popping onto my toes to offer him my lips.

Relief dilated his eyes until they were breathtaking, electrifying blue again.

“I’m sorry if I scared you.” I had no idea how much he’d felt, how much of his answering magic had come from the grain of it I carried inside my soul, and how much he’d managed to somehow send to me.

As long as you are okay. His eyes assessed me, his hands sweeping over my shoulders as he confirmed what he saw. I was in one piece.

“I am,” I whispered. I sucked in a deep breath and turned toward Diana, who was placing my cello in its case. “Thank you.”

“It was my pleasure.” She carried my case to me. “If you aren’t busy this evening, I could arrange for tickets to this evening’s performance—for both of you.”

My stomach sank as quickly as a stone dropped in water. Tonight.

“That is a generous offer,” Julian said smoothly. “Unfortunately, we are engaged elsewhere, but believe me, I think we’d both rather see you play.”

“The offer stands if you find yourself in London soon.” She smiled warmly at me. She took a step closer and offered her hand. Julian tensed next to me, but I took it, bracing myself for that sharp spark of magic. But hers met mine like a friend’s embrace.

“Magic is a gift,” she reminded me, squeezing my hand. “Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t,” I promised.

She saw us to the door, standing to wave us off as Julian helped me into the Range Rover, the new vehicle chosen to easily transport my cello. When he slid into the driver’s seat, he slipped off his gloves. Turning, he fiddled with my seatbelt.

“You’re sure that you’re fine?” He brushed a finger down my cheek. “If you aren’t up for tonight, we can cancel.”

“I’m looking forward to this evening.” Not quite a lie. Diana was right. The first step to respecting my magic was to embrace it, to embrace the magical world and all its great and terrible beauty.

Julian chuckled as he hit the ignition. “Five minutes with the Fae will change your mind.”

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

JULIAN

Two hours later, I knocked on the bedroom door.

“I’m almost ready,” Thea called.

I leaned against the frame and reached out with my mind, caressing the bond between us. Do you need any help? I’m very good at zipping. And unzipping.

That would be counterproductive. No zipping required....or unzipping. At least she sounded amused.

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