Page 145 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

How unfortunate. I’ll have the car pulled around.

Meet you down there in five?

I’ll be the one in the tux.

Her answering purr made me reconsider our plans for the evening.

Go, old man.

An eternity later, I checked my Rolex and swept the lobby for a third time. London was Fae territory, which meant Thea was likely safer her than at her own court, but the Fae could be unpredictable—like Bain’s unexpected check-in a few days ago. But there was no sign of the Fae prince or his ilk.

“Mr. Rousseaux, your car is waiting.” The valet approached me, key fob in hand and froze. I followed the line of his attention...to Thea.

The world stopped spinning.

Words failed me, my heart stuttering as I beheld her. Her gown was a shimmering skin of liquid gold, beaded with thousands of delicate crystals that sparkled in the light. It whispered over her skin, catching at her curves, and pooled at her feet. I swallowed as I followed the dip of its neckline to the curve of her breasts before forcing my gaze up. Her hair was swept up in a knot of fire to reveal her slender neck and the diamond collar I’d given her. She paused to tug her silk gloves to her elbows, completely unaware that every soul in the lobby was watching her. Looking up, her eyes met mine, her smile nearly undid me. Everything faded away. Only her. Only the whisper of her heart in my own chest, each beat an answer, a promise.

I crossed to her, never breaking eye contact, and whipped my jacket off.

She grinned as she stepped into its cocoon. “Sorry, I was so stressed that I was running late I forgot my coat.”

My tongue was thick, words difficult. “Never apologize. It’s my honor to serve you.”

Her teeth caught her lip, eyes glinting, and for the second time tonight I considered throwing her over my shoulder and hauling her back to bed. But before I could, she slipped her arm through mine. “You clean up well.”

“You’re a Goddess.” I led her to where the flabbergasted valet waited, keys still in hand. She snorted, but I gripped her hand in my own. “It’s true, Thea. You’re stunning.”

As if to back me up, the valet stammered his well wishes, cheeks turning pink when Thea smiled at him.

“He couldn’t even speak,” I murmured to her as we stepped into the night.

“Maybe he was looking at you,” she said as I opened her car door.

My laughter clouded in the winter air as I circled to the driver’s side.

“Is the court far?” she asked as I worked my way through the congested streets of Westminster.

“Yes and no.”

“Oh good, a cryptic answer,” she teased. “Do vampires ever respond directly?”

“I see your attitude matches your hair this evening. That will make things interesting.”

She fell silent and I found myself stealing glances at her. She chewed on her lower lip. “Should I be more...docile? Around the Fae, I mean.”

“I assumed,” I sat dryly and took her hand. “But the answer is no...always no. I never want you to be anything but what you are.” Her hand squeezed mine. “To answer your other question. The entrance to the court is nearby, but the court itself lies in the Otherworld.”

“Otherworld? Like my court?”

I smiled to hear her call it her court. I would support whatever decision she made regarding the crown, but no matter her choice she would always be a Queen. “It’s hard to explain. The Otherworld is bound to their magic. Fae magic is different, and they guard its secrets from other creatures.”

“So, it would be impolite to ask?” Her eyes drifted to the window. “Is there anything I need to do? Bow? Kiss signet rings?”

I barked a laugh. “You are a Queen, even the Fae will recognize that. They may bow to you. There is only one thing I would caution. Do not accept any invitation, any offer, any gift.”

She turned to me, her eyebrows raised. “Why?”

“The Fae love to bargain, to bind others by favors and gifts in exchange for their souls,” I warned her. “We are invited guests, so accepting food and drink is safe and expected but refuse anything else.”

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