Page 106 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Mistress? I raised an eyebrow.

Would you prefer I tell him you’re his new Queen? I can. Richard has served me for the last four hundred years.

I blanched and shook my head just a little. That was the last thing I wanted, and he knew it, even if Julian had been avoiding the topic of me refusing the coronation.

“I heard congratulations were in order.” Richard bowed his head slightly to me. “Welcome, Lady Thea. It is an honor to meet you.”

But his gaze lingered, and I wondered what he saw when he looked at me. Was he putting those supernatural vampire senses to use? Was I measuring up?

I forced a smile, feeling like every inch of me was being put under a microscope. “Thank you, Richard. It’s a pleasure to meet you, and it’s just Thea, please.”

He inclined his head, but I suspected that he’d continue to call me Lady for the rest of our trip.

“He will,” Julian murmured as we moved away. “I’ve been begging him to call me Julian for centuries. You’ll become accustomed to it.”

If only I would have that long to get used to it.

But with each introduction, my nerves frayed more. There were too many faces and too many names. Did they know what I was? Could they sense something was different about me? Did they even care? Julian had known some of them for centuries. I’m sure they had an opinion on his mate. Between the boat ride and that realization, I felt queasy.

“You okay?” he whispered, even though we were finally alone.

“That was a lot.” I tried to smile and failed. “I’m afraid I’ll forget someone’s name, or that they’re all wondering what you see in me.”

He barked a laugh and squeezed my hand. “If you forget someone’s name, ask them. They won’t be offended. As for the second, I guarantee they all see exactly what I do.”

My cheeks warmed, but I finally smiled. “Exactly? I’m not sure about that.”

“If they’re asking anything, it’s how a grumpy bastard like me landed an actual Queen.” He drew me to him and kissed me. “But seriously, you’re the boss. Don’t worry too much about what they think.”

“That’s supposed to be helpful?” I shook my head. “I’ll never get used to having servants.” I hadn’t been born into this world. I’d been born into the human world, and even if I’d begun to see my place was with him—and always had been—I doubted I’d ever quite fit in as easily as the vampires around me.

“It will get easier.” He sounded almost apologetic.

“Or we could just, you know, get our own place and not have servants. We don’t need them,” I suggested as Celia drove up in a golf cart.

Julian stopped and studied me for a moment. “It is not about whether we need them,” he said gently. “They need us. I employ them, care for them, house them, and protect them, whether they are vampires or humans. They are part of my family.” He cleared his throat and offered me a sheepish smile. “I mean, our family.”

I felt my toes curl as I took in that boyish grin that made him look more human than vampire for a minute. “I didn’t think of it that way.” I paused as a dark memory took hold of me. “When Willem captured me, he had servants...”

Servants was too generous a word for how he treated the vampires and humans beholden to him.

“Not all vampires value life.” Julian’s jaw tightened. “Many see anyone weaker than them as a slave.”

“I feel like some of your family falls into the category.”

“I wish you were wrong.” He guided me toward the golf cart and helped me step into it. “I suppose it doesn’t help to tell you that my mother is quite generous to those she employs and enthralls.”

I snorted but his face remained serious as he took the seat next to me.

“Perhaps, you are right about vampires, pet.” Darkness shadowed his face, his eyes, and I wished I hadn’t brought it up. “No,” he said, hearing my thought, “it’s too easy when you’ve lived as long as I have to grow blind to such things. You’ve given me something to think about.”

“But not for the next few days,” I ordered him.

“Of course.” He nodded to Celia, who had turned to watch us with interest. “We should go before it gets dark.”

Celia spent the drive updating Julian on issues and concerns regarding the island. I half-listened, more interested in taking in the beauty as we traveled along the island’s only road. The sun was a fiery swatch on the horizon, its fading light painting the palm trees and ferns in shades of vivid jewels. Waves crashed onto the shore and palm fronds rustled in a hypnotic soothing rhythm. Soon, I’d nearly forgotten about the stress of our arrival. The wind swept my hair into my eyes. But I didn’t care. The air carried the salty taste of the ocean to my lips, and I found myself dreaming of walking along the beach as the sun rose in the morning.

“Security has been tightened,” I heard Celia say, and I tore myself away from my fantasies and paid attention. “No one will be able to get onto the island.”

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