Page 60 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Julian pressed closer to my side. I knew he could hear my thoughts. I was practically screaming, and if he had thoughts of his own, mine were drowning his out. But his presence soothed me.

“I know what you’re thinking,” she continued. “You want to know why I kept this from you.”

I swallowed, a lump sticking in my throat. “For starters.”

“That is a long story, and Venice is always listening,” she said.

“Unfortunately, your mother is right, my love,” Julian spoke gently, his fingers twining with mine. “We should find somewhere more private.”

I squeezed his hand. I was not going to break, even though I might have cracked a bit. “We can return to Court.”

“So, it is true, then? You have taken the celestial throne.”

I almost didn’t answer. Why should she get answer after answer when she’d kept so many secrets from me? “Yes. It was the only way.”

“What do you mean?” Her face softened with worry.

I’m not telling her.

Julian nodded, knowing exactly what I meant.

She hadn’t earned the truth. Not after everything she’d done. I wouldn’t tell her about our death and resurrection. I wouldn’t soothe her horror or tell her it would all work out. “You’ve been following all the gossip.” I shrugged. “You probably already know.”

“Thea, I—”

“No,” I cut her off. “I’ve given you enough answers. You disappeared,” I was practically shouting now, but I didn’t care. “You just vanished without a word.”

“You chose him.” Disgust twisted her lovely face.

“I chose my heart, and I will never apologize for choosing love.” I gripped Julian’s hand more tightly. “And until you treat my mate with respect, we have nothing else to say to each other.”

Thea...

I ignored his silent plea.

“You have no idea what his kind is capable of—”

“I know about Willem,” I stopped her.

She fell silent, her face plummeting. Evening shadows played across her skin and caught her eyes, illuminating the battle being waged inside her mind. “There is more to fear from vampires than your father.”

I’d known it was the truth, but hearing her confirm that such a monster was my father rocked me. It felt as if the ground was being ripped out from under my feet. I was falling, unable to deny the truth.

“Then, I’m a succubus,” I said numbly.

“No.” She seized my hand. In the background, I heard Julian growl, but she didn’t let me go. “No, you aren’t. Not yet. But there isn’t much time.”

“Take your hands off her,” he demanded in a tone that brooked no argument.

She released me. “You have to come with me. Just you.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I stepped to Julian’s side. “Not without answers and not without Julian.”

“You have to,” she pleaded. It was snowing harder now, coming down in thick, wet flakes that lingered on my cheeks before melting like tears. “You need to know the truth. I protected you for years. You owe me this.”

“Owe you?” I repeated. “I didn’t ask you to glamour me. I didn’t ask you to hide me. Do you think I wanted my mother to be sick? I’ve spent most of my adult life thinking you were dying.”

“I’m not, and I won’t apologize for hiding you. I did what I thought was best.”

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