Page 193 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“Careful. I’m the head of the family again,” she reminded us, “since it seems you are both now Rousseauxs.”

Is it too late to take your name? I kept my face straight as sent the question to Thea’s mind.

She bit back a grin. “If the Council wants to speak with me, we should do it now. It’s my wedding night. I have other plans.”

My mother sighed, but a slight smile played on her lips. “At least you married a radical.”

* * *

Two hours later, the arguments showed no sign of ceasing. Thea had told them what had happened and the decision she’d made, casually leaving out Aurelia’s involvement and revising the facts to shoulder any perceived blame. We’d gathered in the throne room and my mate had insisted that anyone who wanted to be present could attend. She sat on her now powerless throne with me by her side, trying to hide her yawns as everyone continued to bicker.

“It was a not a decision for you to make,” Marcus said when she finished speaking. “Without the power of Le Regine—”

“You were all cursed. I had to make a decision,” she cut him off.

Good girl.

“It may have been possible to break the curse without such drastic action. As it is, magic is now defenseless.”

“Defenseless?” she repeated. “You were defenseless—all of you—and it was my call to make. It was my crown to give up.”

“But in doing so—”

“No. It was my decision to make.” Thea rose to her feet. “And I have made it. Magic should flow freely. Magic is for everyone. It’s not something to be controlled. This is how it should be, how it was before Le Regine. The curse needed to be broken. Magic shouldn’t be controlled or hoarded. All creatures should have access to magic.”

“Idealistic fool,” Marcus snapped. “There are creatures that must be controlled. If you were truly meant to be a Queen, you would understand that.”

Thea’s face hardened into steely resolve. “I didn’t ask to be made Queen. I never wanted this responsibility. But magic chose me. It was suffocating. It was dying. The Council needs to adapt to this new reality, to work with other creatures to ensure it’s used responsibly, and to represent what all vampires want. This isn’t an ending. It’s an opportunity. We can be better. The world is changing, and we must change along with it. Or we are all doomed.”

The room fell silent, but my mother inclined her head ever so slightly. A show of respect for Thea’s bravery.

“We will discuss this and find a new way forward,” she announced. “Will you be staying in Venice?”

Thea looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

Up to you.

“We’re going on a honeymoon,” Thea decided, “and after that, we’ll let you know.”

She didn’t wait for a response before she grabbed my hand and aimed us out of the throne room. We both knew that the Council would try to keep us here. As soon as we were in the corridor, I asked, “Where are we going on this honeymoon?”

“Anywhere but here,” she said dryly.

“Okay, but hear me out. Why don’t we start now? It’s still our wedding night.”

“What did you have in mind?” she purred.

I swept her into my arms, carrying her toward our quarters. “Let me show you.”

* * *

Moonlight seeped through the windows, lighting her skin with a soft glow. I traced a finger down her bare abdomen, marveling at the slight swell that was finally showing. Thea’s hand combed through my hair, and she smiled lazily at me. “That was an excellent start to the honeymoon.”

“I concur,” I said, continuing my exploration of her flesh.

“Do you think I did the right thing?” she asked softly.

I pressed a kiss to her stomach and sat up. “You didn’t have a choice.”

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