Page 32 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“There was,” Aurelia said breezily. “Sabine.”

My throat knotted, and I swallowed. Even if Sabine had finally opened up to me, it was a reminder that I’d stolen her throne.

“Do you want to get changed?” Aurelia asked.

I frowned, glancing down at my outfit. “Is there something wrong with this?”

“It’s a riding costume.”

“Riding horses?” She nodded, and I flushed. “Why even have that in the closet? Not a lot of horses in Venice.”

“No, but there is a wild herd on a nearby island. Ginerva liked to go riding.”

“So these are her clothes.” Something about that made my skin crawl.

“Not exactly. Most of the court is enchanted to provide for the Queens,” Aurelia explained. “When you took the throne, your quarters made sure you would have everything you needed.”

“So, it made my clothes?” I asked her. “With what? Magic?”

She shrugged. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Considering that I thought magic was pretty much comatose until yesterday, I guess so.”

“Le Regine dismissed their court years ago when Ginerva died to preserve what remained here. The court itself was spelled long before the curse, drawing what it needs from the Rio Oscuro.”

I relaxed a little. These weren’t Ginerva’s clothes. I hadn’t just literally stepped into her shoes. “How do I tell the magic I want a pair of jeans? I can’t wear anything in there without looking like I belong in a historical drama.”

Aurelia’s mouth twitched like she wanted to smile, but she didn’t. “Can I help you find something more suitable?”

I nodded, stepping to the side to give her access to the wardrobe. When she opened its doors, I gasped.

“That’s not what was in there before.” I moved to her side and stared. No more Jane Austen gowns. No hoop skirts and bodices. The veritable museum of fashion history had been replaced. I rifled through the hangers, sighing when I didn’t find a single T-shirt among the dresses there.

“You said you couldn’t wear any of it. The magic heard and responded,” she said, her fingers dancing over the hangers as she looked through my options.

“Well, it missed the part about wanting a pair of jeans,” I said flatly.

“It’s spelled for what you need, not what you want.” She lifted a dress from the rack.

“What does that mean?”

Aurelia turned to me, her eyes narrowing. “A pair of jeans won’t help you at court. They will be watching every move you make.”

“Even what I wear?”

“Especially what you wear.” When Aurelia held up the gown, it seemed to catch the light of the room and swallow it like a blackhole, save for starbursts and sunbeams embroidered with silver thread. As fathomless and mysterious as the celestial throne itself. “You are powerful. Dress like it.”

I took a deep breath. “This is going to take some getting used to.”

“I’ll be here for whatever you need.” The promise sounded more like the words of a friend than a bodyguard.

“I’ll change.” I took the dress into the bathroom, hanging it on a hook near the door. After I peeled off the inappropriate riding clothes, I took it from its hanger and carefully stepped into the gown.

It was light, considering the lovely drape of the velvet, and it glided over me like a second skin. Its sheer sleeves circled my wrists, covering my arms with such delicate softness that it felt like being kissed by air. Even the bodice, which clung to my curves, didn’t feel restrictive. I pulled the zipper up easily and took a tentative step. The full skirt floated around me.

“This is the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn,” I announced as I stepped out of the bathroom. “I feel like I’m wearing pajamas.”

“You needed to be comfortable.” Aurelia smiled. “The magic knew that.”

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