Page 22 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
“Am I what?”
“Inspired by your fiancé.”
I scoff. “Not at all.”
Leaning back on his palms, Aries lifts his head to the sky. I look up, too. Emergent stars are dotted and gently twinkling above us.
“That’s too bad,” Aries says, his voice low and cautious. “It seems like they’re grossly undervaluing a hidden talent.”
Him saying this… I don’t know how to explain it, but it comforts me. It’s like, ah, someone finally agrees that I’m not totally inadequate. That maybe I’m not just meant to be arm candy, or to ensure that Prince Alexander Ethan Kendrick is comfortable and pleased for the sake of our family, economy and reputation.
My fate is inevitable. Despite the sadness in this understanding, I smile, allowing myself to look at him once more. “Thank you for saying that.”
“You’re welcome—although, I don’t think I’ve said anything that wasn’t obvious?”
“Well, you’d be surprised.”
“Hm, I suppose.” Aries sits straight, rolling his shoulders. “Thank you for not beheading me for saying it.”
I draw back, frowning. “What? Who does that? We don’t do that… not anymore.”
Pushing up to his feet, he laughs. “There are all sorts of curious rumors about the Eden aristocracy. I definitely didn’t come here to lose any limbs, so I think that I should be careful.”
“You don’t need to,” I assure him. “Nobody here does corporal punishment anymore—just banishments or fines. And anyway, I don’t have the authority to ban or fine anyone. And I wouldn’t do that to you. I… I would never repeat what we talk about. I promise.” I’m leaning on the blanket and looking up at him because I want him to believe me. Finally talking to someone this way—freely and openly, honestly—I wouldn’t jeopardize it for anything.
He smiles, then looks off and into the fields. He’s a shadowy figure with the sun gone. A strong presence with soft outlines. The subtle warmth of his energy pulses with the scent of oak and jasmine. Although I can’t see him perfectly with my physical eyes, I can feel every inch of him through the undeniable spark flowing between us.
After a moment of pause, he speaks. “You are not what I was expecting.”
I swallow hard, absorbed. “In a good way?”
“Perhaps. I think we should go back to the estate? I wouldn’t want to cause a stir because the youngest master of Blakeley House has gone missing, only to be found in the woods with the hired help.”
My shoulders drop because it’s like a cold wet towel has been dropped over me again. Sighing, I stand up to collect the blanket. Aries grabs his sketchpad and pencil case.
I speak quietly. “I wish you wouldn’t say that.”
“It is the truth. It’s good to be reminded of the facts.”
“Not facts,” I reason, folding the blanket. “It’s perspective. Your perspective.”
He bends and picks up the long edge, handing it to me. “I regret to inform you thatmyperspective is the popular one. The one likely held by the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of this castle.”
“Right.” With the blanket in my arms, I move back into the woods and toward the chest.
“What’s your perspective, then?” Aries asks, coming up behind me as I stuff the blanket inside. Once I’ve closed the lid and locked it, I turn to face him.
“That I’m just me—sitting outside on a perfect evening, in my favorite place, and with a vampire that… that I find truly fascinating. Not like anyone I’ve ever met before. Talking candidly, which I never have the opportunity to do.” I exhale, then walk past him toward the main path.
“But I understand your perspective,” I go on. “It’s the right one. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry—you apologize inexcess. Do you realize this?”
I keep moving because I feel like an idiot yet again. “Well, it’s my default because I find that I’m always the one who’s wrong. About what I think, the way I feel, what I say. Everyone is constantly reminding me, so it’s just easier to apologize—”
His fingers lace and close around my wrist, stopping me in the middle of the path as he steps ahead to cut me off. The physical contact fiercely stirs my nature, catching me off guard with a flash of heat shooting up my arm, to my chest and up toward my brain. I gasp from the shock of it as I look into his eyes.
He snatches his hand back, pulling away as if my skin is on fire. Our eyes lock in an odd moment of enigmatic silence. He takes a breath and shakes his head, breaking the tense stillness. “Pleasestop apologizing, your grace. I—I’m not chastising you. We’re simply talking and exchanging ideas. I’m enjoying this, and your opinions are… very interesting, given your circumstance and upbringing.”
