Page 49 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“I used to come here when I couldn’t sleep,” Julian told me. “Even when he was closed, Claudio would come down to the kitchen and make me something. Then he would sit with me until I...”

I felt a flash of loathing, hatred directed inward, and I realized it came from Julian—from his memories. That was how he had felt when he’d come here.

“...didn’t feel so lost,” he finally finished. “And he never complained about sitting up with me, even when I wouldn’t talk.”

“Shame is a terrible companion,” Claudio said wisely. “It’s better to sit with a friend in silence than listen to the lies guilt tells you in solitude.”

“You sound like you learned that through experience,” I said softly.

He nodded. “I’m afraid I did.” He forced a smile. “But now you have a beautiful fiancée to keep you company.”

“Indeed. But I have not returned to my old position,” Julian said, lowering his voice. “I’m sure there are rumors, though, about the court.”

“Only recently. The court had fallen away. No one heard much from Le Regine,” Claudio said, pouring more wine into my glass. “But now the gossip mill is turning. Most of the stories sound crazy.”

“I guess you haven’t been following it, then?”

“I followed it enough to learn your mother nearly took the throne.” He cleared his throat. “How is Sabine coping?”

“How do you think?” Julian asked with a wry smile.

“And the creature who took the throne. They say she isn’t a vampire,” Claudio whispered, leaning closer. “That’s going to cause trouble.”

“She isn’t a vampire,” Julian said carefully.

Claudio’s bushy eyebrows rose. “So you know more about this new Queen?”

“I would say we’re intimately acquainted.” Julian tipped his head toward me.

I nearly choked on the bite of pasta I’d just taken.

“You are...” Claudio fell silently, staring at me as he processed what Julian meant.

“Thea,” Julian confirmed.

Claudio blinked rapidly, shifting in his chair so much that its legs groaned under the weight. “Should I bow?”

“Please don’t,” I squeaked. Lifting my head to look over my shoulder, I breathed a sigh of relief that most of the patrons had returned to their meals. If he started bowing and scraping, that would all be over. “I just want a normal day.”

“I’m afraid you won’t find much normalcy behind the Venetian veils. The entire magical community is talking.”

“I bet they are.” I swallowed as I remembered my first day at court.

“Maybe this was a bad idea,” Julian said uneasily. “I wanted you to have the best food in the city, but if you feel uncomfortable...”

I considered what he was saying. Maybe I shouldn’t have ventured out of court so soon, but what was I supposed to do? Sit around and hope everything blew over? “No,” I said firmly. “I’m not hiding behind bodyguards and gates forever. Le Regine only reign for part of the year, right? And even when I need to be here, I won’t lock myself up. I’m in Venice. I want to see everything.”

“I can see why you fell in love with her, il flagello.” Claudio grinned widely at his old friend. “She is fearless.”

I snorted. “Hardly. I’m afraid of everything.”

“You’re right,” Julian agreed, taking my hand. “You are not fearless, but you are never afraid of facing your fears—and that is much smarter, my love.”

Claudio sighed. “I suppose there is no sense in flirting with you,” he said to me. “It’s clear your heart is taken.”

“It is.” My gaze didn’t leave Julian’s. The entire city could be burning, and he was all I would see.

“You must come here anytime,” Claudio said, placing a hand on Julian’s shoulder. “I have a small room in the back where you can have privacy.”

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