Page 42 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
Grinning, I drop my hand. I also love that he’s called me this twice. “I came in here because I wanted to dance with you. You’ve been dancing with other vampires all night. I was hoping you would ask me.”
“Why haven’t you asked me? If that’s what you want?”
I don’t say it aloud, but I was scared to ask him. Afraid of what Alexander would think or say, or maybe worried about Lord Blakeley’s reaction. I lift my head and meet Aries’s midnight-blue eyes. “Would you please dance with me?”
“In here? Or out there?” he asks, smiling playfully. “There’s no music here, your grace.”
“Out there, please? I would like to dance with you properly.”
He leans, barely touching his nose to mine, and I instinctively close my eyes and part my lips. I inhale his scent but he only whispers.
“It would be my honor.” He tilts and kisses me. Graciously connecting me once more to the energy source before we leave the room.
ChapterFourteen
Aries and I walk arm in arm from the study, through the hall and back into the lavish ballroom soaked in creamy marble, shimmering gold and flecks of chandelier light.
Vampires turn and stare as we walk, watching our every move. My body trembles from fear—from the attention and potential rebuke from Lord Blakeley.
Outwardly, I haven’t done anything wrong. By all accounts, I’ve simply asked one of our esteemed guests to dance with me.
But I’ve been surreptitiously trained tonottake initiative. No one has told me directly that I shouldn’t, but every time I have, I’ve been rebuked or punished in some way. So, in my head, I’m anxiously anticipating being admonished because I’ve dared to think for myself.
“Are you well, your grace?”
I glance up at Aries and his beautiful eyes are full of concern. Silent compassion. A flush of heat brightens my face and neck, but I push past it and guide him onto the dance floor.
“I’m okay.” I am not. But I take a deep breath and decidedly ignore all of the eyes burrowing into us. I don’t need to look around because I can feel them. “Will you dance with me?”
“Of course.” Aries offers a polite bow. I’m waiting for him to lift his hands to lead, but he doesn’t. So, we just stand there. Awkwardly.
“Um… aren’t you leading?” I ask, confused.
“Well,” he considers, raising an eyebrow, “you asked me to dance, so I assumed you would lead? Are you capable?”
Surprised, I chuckle. Of course I know how to lead, but no one ever expects me to. No one ever lets me. Not even Sasha. Whether it’s because I’m shorter than they are or they think I’m a lapdog, I’m not sure.
Straightening my spine, I lift my arms to lead us. I don’t feel particularly confident and Aries is so tall… Honestly, this is a little ridiculous, but I smile. As he takes my hands, he’s grinning too. The moment we’re connected, I guide him in the step, smoothly spiraling us into the current of the dance floor.
Aries follows my lead perfectly and I watch carefully as I guide him, making sure we don’t crash into anyone or step on any toes. The musical piece emanating from the quartet is lively and energetic—more like a trot than a proper waltz.
But Aries and I rise to the occasion, moving with the melody as if we’re birds soaring over a complex cityscape. My anxiety and fear dissolve and are replaced by the sheer excitement of having this handsome vampire in my arms.
Feeling audacious, I guide him into a turn, and the result is hilarious. He ducks down, folding himself under my arm like he’s bending to avoid a head-on collision with a low-hanging tree branch. The motion makes us both laugh out loud but we carry on, somehow even more elated. Swept away by our momentum and this fantastic dance.
The quartet slows the melody, fading out the hectic rhythm. When it finishes, my chest is heaving but every part of me is wildly satisfied. Like I’ve run a race and won.
Applause breaks out—loud and cheerful. I look up and realize that nearly everyone in the room is watching us. I blink, utterly taken aback.
Aries wears a broad smile as he bows deeply. “That was absolutely thrilling, your grace. You are an exquisite lead!”
“Ah—thank you, I…” It’s unnerving, having this much attention. In the back of my mind, I feel certain that I’ll be scolded for this later.
“Bravo.” The sound of Alexander’s voice causes my anxiety to return. He’s approaching us with a smug expression. “I didn’t know you could dance that way.” He looks to Aries, shrugging one shoulder. “I’m jealous.”
“Your highness.” Aries offers a neat bow, breezing past his remark. “Are you enjoying yourself tonight?”
“Well, I would be enjoying myself more if Oliver danced withmelike that. If he seemed even half as excited to be in my presence as he is in yours. You’ll have to tell me your secrets.”
