Page 148 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

I didn’t look away from Bain, but I slipped my hand under the table and placed it on her knee. He already knows. Keeping it from him won’t do us any favors.

“The rumors are true,” Thea murmured. “It’s been a shock to most of us.”

Those silver eyes narrowed. “There are other rumors that a siren has risen to power, that she was the one who broke the curse.” He looked to me. “I confess that seeing your Queen, I’m beginning to believe it. Is it true? Is she...?”

“I’m right here,” Thea said in a clear voice. “You can ask me.”

I bit back a smile.

Too much?

I love when you’re imperious.

“I apologize if my question offended you.” He dipped his head, looking anything but sorry. But Bain had ruled the Infernal Court for long enough to know how to play the courtier, even from the throne.

She shrugged, her pale skin catching in the dim light. “It didn’t. I am a siren.”

Bain’s haughty mask slipped and he blinked. “And the Vampire Council has allowed this?”

“I don’t answer to the Council.” She stared back at him.

He snorted and picked up his wine glass. “They must love you.”

“And your magic?” Thea pointed to the room around us. “It wasn’t affected by the curse?”

Careful.

“The Fae have never hoarded our magic—never sought to control it.”

A laugh escaped me, and Thea glared at me. “I’m sorry,” I said quickly, “but you don’t share it either.”

“It is our magic,” he said coldly. “Another creature could never wield it, even one as powerful as your mate.”

“And it’s different,” Thea hurried forward with a sharp glance in my direction. “That’s why it wasn’t affected.”

“We believe magic is a gift that chooses its recipient.” His eyes flicked to me. “Perhaps your kind’s greed enabled the curse to hold all these years.”

“You think vampires were behind the curse?” Thea blurted out.

He nodded slowly. “I do, and if I were you, siren Queen, I would be very careful which vampires you trust.”

I tensed, but Thea picked up another chocolate cake. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

THEA

The moment we stepped from our gondola onto the court’s dock, a voice boomed through the space. “Where is she?”

“I think that’s our welcoming committee,” Julian said.

My eyes slid to him and found his smile grim. I’d expected there to be fallout with my sister-queens—braced myself for it—but now, as their power trembled around us, I wondered if returning to Venice was a mistake.

But it wasn’t Mariana or Zina who appeared first in the stone courtyard. It was Aurelia. She wore her usual leather pants and corset, but she’d foregone the cloak and sword. Instead, twin daggers were strapped to her thighs. Flat rage radiated from her, her scowl etching deeper when I smiled a hello.

I think she’s pissed.

Lysander tried to warn you. My mate sounded amused and I elbowed him.

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