Page 28 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
“There are definitely vampires worse off than me. I’m just being selfish, immature and spoiled—”
“That isn’t the point. You shouldn’t measure and compare the legitimacy of your pain against someone else’s. Abuse is abuse. You aren’t allowed to live of your own accord or interact with vampires of your choosing. You apologize for everything because you’ve been taught that your thoughts and feelings aren’t valid, but that’s wrong…” He pauses, suddenly meeting my gaze. “You are valid.”
Clenching my palms in my lap, I take a breath, because this exchange has turned surprisingly intimate. Aries and I keep tumbling into these candid, insulated alcoves of conversation and I’ve never experienced this with another vampire. I’ve tried with Sasha, but she always stops me. I hit the line, and she tells me to get over myself and grow up.
But he’s telling me that my feelings are legitimate. That I’m valid. I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me before.
A loud ding makes me jump and I almost fall off the stool. Aries casually glances down at my pocket. “The young lord is dinging.”
“Um, yeah.”
“Are you part vampire and part bell?”
“Not that I know of?” I chuckle, shifting and pulling the new device out of my pocket. I’d already forgotten about it. When I look at the screen, there’s a new message from Alexander telling me not to ignore him.
“I thought you didn’t have a phone?” Aries says.
“I didn’t. Camille handed this to me just before I walked in here.” I lift my hip and shove it back into my pocket.
“You don’t seem too thrilled about it.”
“I only have it because Alexander told Lord Blakeley that he wanted to message me while they’re all on the hunt. It’s just… another way for them to control my actions even though they’re not here.”
“Hm…” Aries adjusts his spine, then rolls his shoulders. I absently notice a tiny dark mole just underneath his ear. “Well, if you’re comfortable with it,” he goes on, “I could message you directly when I need you to come down here for a fitting. Of course, I can keep going through Camille. But since you have a contact method now—”
“Yes, you absolutely could!” My back straightens and I’ve basically perked up like a meerkat. Aries grins at me, so I hunch down a bit. “I mean, I think that would work fine, if you’re comfortable.”
He lifts his open palm toward me. “May I?”
Confused, I look down at his hand, then instinctively place my palm in his. It’s so warm and the same fiery sensation tingles up the length of my arm. He bites his bottom lip and wraps his long fingers around mine. Squeezing. “Your phone, Oliver. May I have your phone?”
“OhGod.” I slip my hand from his, shaking my head and pulling the mobile from my pocket. What the hell is wrong with me? Such a disaster. I hand him the phone. “I’m so sorry.”
“We’ve talked about that,” he says, taking it from me and swiftly moving to the contacts app to add his info.
“Right, sor—hmm.” I run my fingers into the top of my hair. I’m done for today. The brain shop is officially closed.
I hear muffled buzzing and Aries slides his own phone from his pocket as he hands mine back. “I’ve got you,” he says, staring at the screen. I sigh, simply watching him because I’m a failure with words at the moment. “I’ll pick out the fabrics for your suit. I’ll make you look fantastic. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.”
He chuckles. “Because you do not care.”
“No. Because I trust you.”
Aries lifts his head. Suddenly, I don’t feel quite as wrong in my own skin. Or stupid, or embarrassed or any of the other emotions I always carry around. His words and presence are like a magic spell that’s been cast over my mind and heart, making me a little lighter.
He’s practically a stranger. I’ve only known him for a few days, but… I feel comfortable with him. Accepted and maybe even understood in ways that I never have.
Something in Aries’s gaze shifts. Darkens. “Why do you trust me?”
“Because I… just do.”
“You should be more careful with your words, young lord.” Aries stands tall from his stool. His scrutiny is penetrating. “I might misinterpret your intentions.”
Nervously, I look down at the phone gripped in my lap. “I-I don’t have any intentions, I promise.” Maybe in a parallel universe, I’d have the necessary confidence to intentionally pursue a debonair and sophisticated vampire like Aries. In this life? Absolutely not.
I glance up and am instantly caught in the silent pull of his midnight eyes. My breath catches in my throat as we stare at each other, frozen in this unexpected moment.
