Page 166 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

The hand around my neck moved down, drawing my mask off. We would not hide behind them. Not as we laid ourselves bare to one another, each thrust, each surge a vow that we belonged to each other not for life but for eternity.

Because I wanted all of him. The hidden parts. The dark parts. The damaged bits still healing from the past. I wanted my love, my mate, my king.

And so I took him.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

THEA

One climax led into another, pleasure rising and cresting in relentless waves fueled by the magic clinging to our skin. The need was insatiable, as overwhelming as the days following our mating bond. I rode him until I was near collapse. Finally, he hauled me into his arms. I whimpered with need, clutching Julian until my body calmed.

I nuzzled into his neck. “I’m starting to understand what was going on in the ballroom.”

He barked a laugh, kissing my sweat-slick forehead. “The masks...”

I nodded, tilting my face up to his. “I like this Rite.”

“I’d say we passed it,” he agreed. He grinned, and the world stopped spinning. There was only him—only us—and this never ending hunger.

“And circled back and passed it a couple more times.” I pulled gently from his arms, stretching mine over my head with a yawn.

“You’re tired.” It wasn’t a question. He scooped me up. “I’m taking you to bed.”

“About damn time.”

“To sleep,” he added.

“Protective vampires,” I grumbled under my breath, but his mouth twitched. “Should we put back on our masks? Just in case…”

Most of the party had seen my entrance earlier and knew that I was the phoenix. But I didn’t want to risk drawing extra attention by being the only ones not wearing masks. Julian must have agreed because he placed me on my feet and went to retrieve them.

I smoothed my skirt into place, admiring the way his body moved in his leather armor.

“Ready?” he asked, handing me my mask. I nodded and we raised them to our faces as one. The effect was instant.

Flames erupted along my skin, the heat at my core urging me toward the darkness rippling from Julian. Only it could quench my need. His jaw tensed, a fang tugging at his full lower lip, and I knew he felt it, too.

“Now, I really have to take you to bed,” he said darkly.

I had a better idea. Or a more immediately gratifying one, at least.

“Or—” A scream cut me off. Followed by more. Sheer terror shattered through the wards that isolated us from the ballroom. Vampires and familiars fled inside, and Julian shoved me behind him.

I gripped his arms, uttering a single angry protest that was swallowed by the panic surrounding us.

Sebastian rushed toward us, his fake mask askew, his hands fastening the button of his pants, and yelled one word: “Run.”

The only other exit from the throne room led into the Queens’ private chambers and whatever wards protected them from intrusion, held. Creatures piled up at the door, tearing at each other, trying to break it down.

“I can unbind the wards—” My words died on my lips as a figure flew through the oak doors and slammed to the stone floor before us. The vampires closest to us froze from terror or fear of the monster’s attention as the air filled with the scent of festering flesh, of rot and decay. Blood stained the feathered wings that wrapped around the massive beast. It was three times Julian’s size with those wings tucked around it. I didn’t want to see them splay open, didn’t want it to lift its gruesome head.

“Thea,” he whispered. “Get through that door.”

The demon unfurled those massive wings. Black eyes peered at us, two slits flared where its nose should be, and beneath that, not a mouth but a wide round hole layered with circles of jagged, razor-sharp teeth. It lifted its head and bellowed in an unearthly howl, calling its brethren in hell. Four spindly arms hung at its side. One shot out, slicing through the air with an audible whip that ruffled my hair, and snagged the vampire next to me. Blood rushed to my head, drowning out the captive vampire’s screams as the demon lifted him in one smooth motion—and bit off his head. The decapitated body hit the floor with a sickening thud.

I doubled over, covering my mouth as I gagged.

Thea...

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