Page 149 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

He’s the one who wouldn’t let her come.

I’m sure he’ll pay for that later. Julian laced his fingers tightly through mine. But we don’t know if we can trust her.

I nodded, even though I’d seen the truth in Lysander’s eyes—the battle he’d waged with himself over that choice. Aurelia crossed to us, her cold eyes flicking between us. “At least you’re in one piece.”

Julian’s hand tightened on me, and I knew without hearing his thoughts that he was thinking of what had happened on the boat—how close we’d come to that not being true.

I sucked in a steadying breath. “Aurelia, please, hear me out.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I’m duty-bound to protect you.” Each word sliced from her like shards of ice.

I took a step away from Julian, releasing his hand. Julian might not trust her, but I believed what she said. Aurelia might serve the court, but if there was a threat here, it wasn’t her.

Are you sure about that?

I ignored my mate’s insight. We would get nowhere if we refused to trust anyone, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what Bain had said. Somehow I knew he was right. The real threat had to be a vampire... or vampires. And Aurelia was mortal. “It wasn’t my intention to scare you.”

“I’m not the one you should be worried about. Le Regine needs to speak with you. Now.”

“I am Le Regine, too,” I reminded her, determined to remain calm, even as I felt my magic twitching beneath my skin. “And I need a minute.”

Our eyes locked and held. This was my first test. Mariana and Zina had demanded the audience, not my bodyguard. I didn’t owe an explanation to the Queens. Not if they were equals. But I had left Aurelia without explanation. I had undermined her duty and betrayed her trust. She had every right to be pissed at me, even if I stood by my actions and was “above” her in station.

“Please tell the Queens I will meet them shortly,” I added.

Aurelia’s gaze flicked to Julian. “You’ve returned.”

“My place is at my mate’s side.” He betrayed no hint of emotion as he spoke. Even through our bond, I couldn’t get a read on him. He was as silent as death, and I wondered if being back here—being so close to the source of our magic—stoked his dark power.

Aurelia’s hands moved to her daggers, her eyes narrow slits. “Your place is where Le Regine commands it to be, il flagello.”

Julian snorted, looking unfazed. “My allegiance is to the one I love, not to some relic of my past.”

Her fingers curled over the dagger hilts, but she didn’t make a move toward him. “I’m sure you believe that, vampire. You may be powerful, but you are not invincible.”

“Enough.” I stepped forward. “Your warning is heeded. We will be more considerate of our actions—both of us.”

Aurelia’s gaze snapped to me. Her fingers loosened, but her eyes burned as she took in the meaning of my words. “I will deliver your message.” She left without another word, her steps echoing ominously in the courtyard.

Once Aurelia had stalked out of sight, Julian turned to me, his hands settling on my shoulders. He searched my face. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure.

“Are you sure you trust her?”

“I trust her sense of duty.” I snuggled against his strong chest. Once we met with the Queens, we likely wouldn’t have a moment’s peace. Not with The Third Rite looming and the wedding following that.

He slid his hands around me, drawing me closer as if he’d been thinking the same thing. “Just be careful. We don’t know what kind of game the Queens are playing.”

“I know.” I took a deep breath, closing my eyes to linger in the stolen moment. “Let’s get this over with.”

Magic thrummed around me as we made our way to the throne room. My awareness of it was sharper than before, and maybe with time, I could wield it like Diana thought. But the heightened perception also served to remind me that I was back at court, that I’d returned to my crown and my throne and that soon the Council would know that I was alive. If they didn’t already.

We found my sister-queens waiting on their thrones, and I stifled a surprised smile, half-wondering if they’d been waiting there for my return. Mariana smiled, but Zina’s eyes narrowed, her look of disdain a perfect complement to Aurelia’s fury.

At least there was one friendly face in the room.

“We’re pleased that you have returned to us.” Mariana stood, her pale blue gown swishing across the floor as she came to greet us. As we met, she leaned to kiss my cheeks and whispered, “Congratulations.”

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