Page 179 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“That sounds slightly more scandalous than it should,” I admitted.

His sister remained silent next to him. She was younger; her face still carrying the soft lines of youth. But she looked like her mother and her grandmother, her eyes the same piercing shade of blue and her ink-black hair hanging in a glossy sheet past her shoulders.

I smiled at her, and she responded with a tentative grin. Hadrian took charge, leading small talk into stories of his time at the academy they’d attended during their separation from Camila, who remained silent while he spoke. Tears glistened in her eyes as he recounted a ridiculous story that involved being trapped in a tower by a werewolf.

As if sensing her mate’s emotions, Jacqueline appeared. She kissed my cheek before wrapping an arm around Camila’s waist.

“Where have you been?” Camila eyed her. “We still haven’t danced.”

“Seeing to the champagne toast. Everything needs to be perfect.”

“It already is,” I told her and meant it. “Although, I suppose I’ll be skipping the toast.”

“At least when I was pregnant you could still drink,” Camila said wistfully.

“You drank while you were pregnant with us?” Hadrian sounded shocked.

“It was the turn of the century—the last turn of the century,” she reminded him, but he remained horrified.

A dozen servers made their way through the crowd with flutes of champagne, undoubtedly the good stuff and thankfully without blood. One paused to offer us glasses. I’d just waved it away with a sigh when Lysander appeared.

“Have you seen Aurelia?” he asked me.

“She’s probably hiding with my mom.” I shrugged and a wave of nausea hit me. I pressed a hand to my forehead. “What time is it?”

He glanced at his Rolex. “Just past five-thirty.”

“And it’s still early, so don’t think you’re going to sneak away, too,” Jacqueline said, sipping her champagne.

“It’s not that...” I trailed away as a second one hit, covering my mouth until it passed. “I need to use the facilities.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh. Let me take you.”

I started to refuse until my stomach cramped so badly I doubled over.

Jacqueline steadied me, leading me away from the party.

“What about the toast?” Camila called after us.

“Don’t wait,” I croaked.

“Tell Jules where I took her.” She rubbed soothing circles on my back. “Are you okay?”

“It happens every evening,” I confessed. “I’d hoped for a reprieve, but...” I swallowed hard to keep from vomiting on her very expensive shoes. “It won’t last long.”

“Good, because that cake is going to be divine.” She grinned.

I dashed the last few steps into the restroom, Jacqueline joining me.

Sweat clung to my skin and I slumped against the tile to cool myself. Jacqueline shut the door as I slid to the ground in a crumpled mass of silk and tulle. Was it too much to ask for a break on my wedding day?

A wave of nausea roiled through me, adding chills that made my skin clammier. I tucked my knees into my chest and focused on breathing, but nothing calmed my lurching, twisting stomach.

“You look miserable.” She held my hair back. “Is there anything I can do?”

I tried to take a few deep breaths, but the haze of nausea was turning into a full-blown storm. Not only was I not getting a pass, I felt worse than ever. I scrounged up a smile that I hoped alleviated her concern. “Will you hate me if I say I need to lie down?”

“You’re the bride. Everything can wait for you.” She helped me to my feet.

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