Page 58 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
I don’t show it, but I’m surprised to hear about this—that there’s a housing development project in the works for the Avalon community.
Evanshire’s housing is bad, but Avalon’s is probably even worse since that district falls under my family’s realm. We don’t even have enough money to properly maintain the castle, let alone village housing (except when money suddenly appears for renovations to impress other purebreds).
Considering all the controversy my photos caused, a project of this nature is unexpected. Why would Alexander choose to financially back this endeavor? It couldn’t have anything to do with me…
Could it?
Lord Darrick nods, as if he means to end the conversation, but then perks up once more. “Are the two of you excited? It feels as if all of Eden is looking forward to this union! A new generation is taking charge.”
I’m not good at faking it, but Alexander is. He reaches down and gently clasps my free hand at my side. He turns his head away from Lord Darrick to look directly at me.
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel,” he says, focused as if we’re the only ones standing here. “I’ve been waiting fifteen years to be mated with Oliver. I love him.”
My eyes widen and I quickly glance away. A flash fire radiates up my neck and cheeks. For the love of God—what is he playing at? It’s too far and he doesn’t need to outright lie. Love? Nobody expects that within these rigid political arrangements.
“Ah,” Lord Darrick marvels, clapping his hands in approval. “What a wonderful union this is—how happy the two of you will be. The Eden aristocracy as a whole will benefit from it greatly.”
“Yes.” Still staring and burning a hole into my side profile, Alexander squeezes my hand. “I have hope.”
“My sister, Sasha, knows about us… Camille too, I suspect.”
Much later, after the garden party has ended, I’ve been set free for the night. Aries gawks at me as I stand with my back pressed against my bedroom door. This is my weak attempt to prevent him from storming out.
He doesn’t respond, just sighs, plunging his fingers into his dark brown waves. Again, I notice that his skin isn’t the right richness of bronze. He’s somewhat grayed. A touch paler.
Biting my bottom lip, I go on. “But they won’t tell anyone. Honestly, it’s better this way. They’re like allies.”
“Or co-conspirators in a crime.”
“There’s no crime being committed here,” I defend. “Not realistically.”
“And morally?” he asks. “Ethically?”
“Aries…” Pushing off the door, I walk over to meet him. I love saying his name and the way it floats effortlessly from my vocal cords. Past my teeth and through my lips with little to no hinderance. I can say his name on a breath, and only my tongue caresses the tail end like a whisper.
Setting my palms against his waist, I meet his gaze. “Do you regret last night?”
“I don’t regret anything. But the situation is problematic.”
“I know.”
“And you’re fearless. I’m finding that I am not nearly as brave as you, Oliver.”
“It’s not ideal that they know, but we—If Lord Blakeley or anyone found out, I would take full responsibility. I’d tell them that I manipulated you and used my aura. That you had no say. I’d take the fall for this.”
Relief sweeps through me when he leans and brushes his nose against mine. “And who would believe that you’d be capable of such heinous misconduct?” he whispers. “As sweet and selfless as you are.”
I caress my nose into him, reveling in the gesture and his warmth. “I would make it sound convincing—channel my inner villain.”
Aries chuckles. “I doubt that you have one. You shouldn’t offer to do that. It’s like I have too much self-preservation, but you need more.”
“We can meet in the middle and balance each other?”
He tilts his head, regarding me seriously. “Do you think we’d balance each other? That we’re truly well matched?”
My heart skips and pulses harder. In a discreet way, he’s asking if we’d be capable of forming a bond. If our vampiric natures are compatible enough to lovingly fuse and entwine themselves forever.
Two vampires with one uniquely joined essence.
