Page 36 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

The crown she wore might have once belonged to another, but it looked made for her. Her hair was pulled up to hold it, and even at a distance, it looked like a fire blazing beneath that crown. The morning light was bright, but it cut into her in jagged, savage lines, not delicate or elegant but brutal and demanding like the dark gown she wore.

She did not belong to this world. She was here to command it.

All around me, vampires and familiars seemed to realize the same thing. A few voices rose above the rest.

“What is that thing?”

“This is a mistake.”

“She’s not a vampire!”

I flinched as the protests grew louder, searching the room for signs of Julian. He had to be nearby. He wouldn’t let his mate face this crowd alone. But he was nowhere to be seen. Glancing at my brothers, I saw them doing the same. But then the crowd began to move like a swarm, and I lost sight of them, lost sight of my father.

My battlefield training kicked in. This was why we had stayed. In hindsight, we should have armed ourselves. But weapons weren’t technically allowed inside court unless carried by official guards. The good news was that even hand-to-hand, we could take out most of the room.

At least, we could have before magic reawakened. The odds were a little sketchier at the moment.

That only left...

I looked at the throne. Not at my brother’s mate, who stood poised to take her seat. But at the woman shadowing her. Aurelia’s hand moved, shifting her cloak out of the way as she placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Before things could get out of control, more guards appeared. They looked almost bored at the upheaval before them as they circled the dais. And then, from the private corridor, Mariana strode to her place. Her sea-green gown brushed the floor like the tide along the shore. She moved to her throne wordlessly, her arrival causing the crowd to silence for a moment.

Zina appeared next. Daylight glinted off her rich, black skin. Her silver hair hung in a loose braid over her shoulder. She frowned when she saw Thea but didn’t speak. There was a moment of hesitation before she stepped up to take her own throne.

“It is so lovely to see our court full again,” Mariana called, her words musical but cunning. “To see you have come to pledge allegiance to your new Queen.”

In the front of the room, someone spat on the ground. “I’m not pledging anything to that.”

Mariana’s soft smile faded, her eyes churning like a stormy sea. She lifted her hand, and I found myself pushing through the crowd. Things were about to get bloody. Maybe Aurelia could handle herself, but I wasn’t going to let her fight alone.

I was steps away when the doors to the throne room flew open. The entire crowd stopped, turning toward the open doors in a ripple of curiosity.

Dread filled me as I looked at the dark figure looming there.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JULIAN

My entrance had the intended effect. Silence rippled through the crowd, gossip and protests dying on hundreds of lips. I didn’t bother to look at any of them. I’d walked into this throne room before but never quite like this. Even with it full of vampires and familiars, my footsteps echoed on the stone as I strode toward the only person that mattered: My Queen.

Whatever magic existed in Thea’s quarters had gifted me my ensemble. It was cut in the old-style, half-way between finery and a uniform. The jacket was cut like a tunic with a banded collar that rose high on my neck. It fastened at an angle across my chest. It was made of a heavy black silk and devoid of all ornamentation save for the moons and serpents embroidered on its cuffs. I hadn’t seen a male wear the style in centuries. It had fallen out of fashion even though our customs hadn’t changed all that much. The uniform of a consort.

Thea’s eyes met mine across the crowded room. I missed the chain that once tethered me to her, but through our new bond, I felt her heart beating in my chest, felt her pulse quicken as we gazed at one another.

You look dashing, her amused voice sounded in my head, and I fought a smile.

We need to present a united front, I reminded her through our bond. I had to look the part.

I think you upstaged me. I could almost hear her laugh although her face remained detached.

Perhaps I should find a mirror. You look delicious, Your Majesty.

I felt her quiver of annoyance and something dangerously enticing. From a distance, I caught her mouth twitch slightly.

I continued to watch her as I passed a group of murmuring vampires. They fell silent except for one.

“Traitor,” he muttered like he was spitting on the floor.

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