Page 147 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Behind him, everyone bowed. Another attendant scurried forward and knelt before her.

“A gift,” Bain explained and Thea stiffened until he added, “to celebrate your ascension.” I regarded Bain for a moment and he sighed. “Freely given. A gift of good faith.”

Thea didn’t move. Neither did I.

“It has been a long time since my court welcomed a Queen.” He gestured to the box. “It is a sign of respect without expectation.”

Finally, I nodded.

Thea accepted the box and opened it. Her face betrayed nothing as she took in the pendant. It was crafted of gold and silver with a large black stone as fathomless as the space between our world and theirs. It seemed to swallow the light, as endless as the night.

“It was crafted here,” Bain said as she studied it. “You will not find its equal in your world.”

“I’m sure.” She closed the lid softly and passed it to me. I tucked it in my jacket, surprised by the lightness of the box.

“Thank you for hosting us.” Thea smiled at him, and perhaps it was the effect of the Fae magic surrounding us, but she shifted before our eyes. Her skin glowed like polished moonstone, her hair flickered under the chandelier’s light, and raw power radiated off her. A few of the Fae attendants gasped at the subtle transformation, but Bain smirked.

“We have prepared some entertainment for you,” he said as he swept an arm toward the corridor, “and we are so interested to hear news of your court.”

I took Thea’s hand, and we followed him into the bowels of the Infernal Court.

Are you really okay? I kept my gaze forward, allowing no sign of my concern to show. I wouldn’t undermine Thea in front of them.

I am. Her words danced in my head. I might need to ask for some of that to help with morning sickness.

Thea... Did I really need to remind her a bargain was a bad idea?

Just kidding!

I didn’t laugh. I doubted I would until we left the Otherworld. Tonight was a means to an end, but even so, I couldn’t help wondering: why were the Fae so eager to meet my Queen?

A feast had been prepared for us, platters of ripe fruit and soft cheeses, trays of roasted meats, followed by decadent desserts. Miniature chocolate cakes shaped like hearts, drizzled with gold and garnished with silver. I smiled when she reached for a second one.

“Your Queen has an appetite,” Bain remarked at my side.

“I do,” Thea crooned and reached for a third.

He blinked once, his nostrils flaring, before a smile lit upon his face. “I believe I understand.”

I casually angled my body between the prince and my mate.

“You’re a lucky male,” Bain said, smirking at my protective stance. He leaned closer so that only I might hear over the strange music being played. “Your Queen is a rare beauty and her power... astonishing. Congratulations on your joining... and your heir.”

I held his eyes, allowing my dark magic to shadow them. “Thank you.”

“No need to posture, Julian.” He picked up a cake and popped it into his mouth, chewing it slowly and swallowing. “We have no quarrel with you, nor any interest in starting a fight with Le Regine, but we are curious.”

“We?” I glanced around the room. “You and your servants?”

No one else in Bain’s family had joined us. No one else had been invited to eat or enjoy the entertainment. It was... odd.

“We did not wish to overwhelm her.” He tipped his head to Thea. “My family can be challenging.”

She laughed, reaching for her water. “Have you met his family?”

Bain’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “True, but there are other reasons I’ve kept you to myself.” He traced a finger around the rim of his goblet. “We’ve heard rumors that the curse that caged your magic has lifted.”

Should we tell him? Thea asked.

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