Page 30 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

“That might work on him, but I’m going to need more convincing,” I said.

Thea turned to me. “A mortal wound,” she explained. I raised an eyebrow, and she continued quickly. “Something that would definitely kill an immortal. We just see if it starts to heal, and if it doesn’t, one of you heals me.”

Julian spoke before I could. “No,” he said firmly. “It doesn’t work that way, Thea. Anything that could kill us will kill us—and besides that, I’m not watching you bleed half to death, not after...” His voice cracked, and he looked away with haunted eyes.

My throat constricted, and I found it difficult to speak. I forced myself to, though. “Maybe we can come up with a different plan. Ask for some help,” I suggested softly. “I think we could all use a little time to...heal.”

Julian looked to me, gratitude echoing in his eyes.

“You’re probably right.” Thea forced a smile, and I knew this was far from over.

But I’d bought us time to find another way—or talk her out of it, at least.

“Now.” I cleared my throat. “Am I supposed to bow or curtsy?”

Her cheeks reddened, but Julian laughed.

“I think you have to kneel and pledge your allegiance,” he crowed.

Thea buried her face in her hands. “Stop,” she said in a muffled voice. “This is bad enough.”

“Bad enough?” I repeated. “Thea, you are a Queen.”

“I know.” She peeked through her hands. “I just wish I knew what that meant.”

“Well, for starters.” I marched toward her. “It means you’re alive, and that is fucking good news.”

I threw my arms around her, relieved to feel she was real. Solid. Alive.

Thea made a strangled sound, and then she dissolved into tears. “Sorry,” she sobbed. “It’s been a crazy night.”

“I know.” I patted her back in soothing strokes. “Don’t worry. I’m well-acquainted with crazy nights.”

Julian moved to us but didn’t interrupt the hug. “Jacqueline has a point. We’re all alive. That’s all that matters.”

I let her go, releasing her to her mate’s arms. She burrowed into him, and after a moment, her tears stopped. I sat on the arm of the couch.

Thea gulped deep breaths until her body calmed. Finally managing a smile, she exhaled. “Okay, but what now?”

“We reopen the court, and you take your throne,” Julian said. “No one can touch you as a Queen, especially if I’m at your side. And when you’ve won them over, we go after Willem and end him.”

“You make that sound simple.” Thea chewed on her lip.

We all knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way,” I said. “You go take the throne, Thea. You show your face, and we’ll be right there with you. But you need to learn how to protect yourself.”

“Protect myself against a bunch of ancient vampires?”

I nodded. “They told me...about your magic and why the crown came to you. Vampires might be strong, but it’s been a long time since any of them faced true magic.”

“If only I knew what to do with it,” she muttered.

“We’ll figure everything out,” I promised, “but for now, Julian is right. You need to show them you aren’t afraid, so we can do what we need to do.”

“Which is?”

“Take Willem out, stop the Mordicum,” I said.

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