Page 6 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
“You are. You’re giving me that false ‘I’m a well-behaved and compliant vampire’ voice and smile that you do for Lord Blakeley.” She turns, still holding the handle but with her arm folded behind her back as she leans against the door. “To answer your earlier question, no, my eyes have never alighted for Elaine… obviously. It’s been two years, and we still can’t even manage to link our natures properly, can we? No bond in sight.”
She sighs, glancing up toward the sunlight ricocheting off the ceiling from the window. “But I have felt the pull once… that natural desire you mentioned. Father took me to my last Global Vampire Summit when I was sixteen. This was before Lord Heartless forbade any more trips like that, and also before Father buckled to his every ridiculous demand and became Pointless.
“Anyway, there was an Ethiopian vampire there with her mother, a purebred from Addis. Our gazes met from across the lobby and it felt like… like fire was racing up my spine. It was a passing moment, but I’ve never forgotten it.”
A gentle pause like a heartbeat or two passes between us, and I can visualize the scene she’s painted. It gives me second-hand butterflies in my stomach. “That’s special,” I tell her, softening and relaxing my shoulders. “You’re lucky to know that feeling. I never will.”
Sasha turns, pulls the door open, then winks back at me. “You don’t know that, Oliver. It’s over for me, but I have hope for you.”
ChapterThree
Alexander Kendrick is arrogant. We have nothing in common, and where everything that I do and say is utterly wrong in the eyes of my fathers and the vampires around me, Alexander’s very existence is perfection to society at large.
We’ve been engaged since we were seven, which was when he decided that I would eventually be his mate after we came of age. I had nothing to do with this decision and my opinion was not considered. Lord Blakeley eagerly accepted his family’s proposal on my behalf… Before I even understood what a proposal was.
When the wealthy and beautiful purebred prince from the most prominent royal house in Eden asks for your son’s hand in marriage, there is no hesitating. Especially if your son is from a family that’s broadly deemed as unworthy of such a coveted honor. A child born of a vampire clan that’s regarded as second tier, at best.
“There’s a quote from Alexander circulating in the news recently,” Lord Blakeley announces proudly. “He’s ‘extremely excited’ about the upcoming ceremony. Were you aware?”
Lord Blakeley sits beside me in the drawing room, impeccably dressed and glancing down from the corners of his steely eyes. Somehow, I wasn’t blessed with his or the viscount’s long legs and general vertical prowess. Everyone in my immediate family is tall, and I’m shorter than both Thomas and Sasha. Truly, I’m the runt of the litter.
It’s as if fate was having a laugh while designing my life, but with this, and in my humble opinion, she took it a step too far.
How would I know about any quotes circulating in the news when all of my electronic devices have been confiscated? I’m sure Alexander never experiences this type of rudimentary punishment. He always says and does the right things, doesn’t he? Because he’s the model vampire prince.
Things like “problem solving” are bad in our culture. Being curious, questioning or challenging norms. Suggesting tangible change in the social structure makes you a miscreant.
“I hadn’t heard,” I respond flatly. “That’s nice.”
“Would you please exhibit a little more… zeal, when Prince Alexander and Lord Kendrick arrive? Today is the first occasion where the two of you are permitted to be alone together as adults. This meeting is very important, Oliver, as it sets the tone for our arrangement within the grander realm of Central Eden. Can I rest assured that you will be accommodating of his highness? And that you’ll keep your controversial opinions to yourself?”
“Yes, Lord Blakeley.”
He nods, shifting his gaze toward the large stone fireplace, where the hearth is empty. “This will be the first time in our clan’s history that we will have a place within the Royal Order. Finally, we will exert true, influential power within Eden’s aristocracy.” His voice sings with a familiar pride, interlaced with hope and ambition.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes as I blow it out. Here we go.
“Blakeley House will reign in the south, and through this bonding, we will be directly connected with the most powerful family in Eden. What’s more, Alexander specifically choseyou. Let’s not tarnish a situation that is heavily tipped in our favor.”
Knowing the appropriate response to this speech, I nod. “I understand.” When I swallow, it goes down hard. This pressure is unbearable.
Silence falls between us and I breathe slowly, trying to stay calm so that I don’t exacerbate the perpetual knot of angst in my chest. Weirdly, I sense Lord Blakeley looking at me. When I glance up, I meet his eyes. “Y-yes? Is something the matter?” He probably doesn’t like the suit my maidservant has chosen for me, or there’s a hair out of place on my head.
“Stop sputtering…” He surprises me when he smiles. “I have always felt that Winston’s handsome features have inexplicably settled the most gracefully within your face. You are striking, my son. Perhaps this is why Alexander chose you? I did not hesitate in accepting his family’s offer, but you should know that he was not the only one to seek your hand.”
Well, this definitely corroborates Sasha’s prediction of my being “arm candy” for the rest of my life. I guess this is a compliment? I’m not used to him saying anything remotely kind to me, so I rub the back of my neck and nod.
He smirks. “Don’t tell your brother or sister that I said this to you.”
A loud knock at the double doors makes me jump in my seat. My hands tremble as I grip my thighs. Perceiving my stress, Lord Blakeley rolls his eyes.
“Come,” he commands, then stands perfectly straight. Stiffly, I follow his lead as the doors spring open.
Hudson is there, announcing the arrival of Alexander and his father, Lord Kendrick. The two vampires enter the room, distinctly different but somehow similar.
Lord Ansväd Kendrick hails from the northern mountains, where the vampires are built like Vikings of the past—pale, domineering and almost always blonde. He isn’t especially tall, but he is wide and square with a commanding presence in his tailored suit.
Standing a whole head above his father, Alexander is dressed smartly, as always. Modern, and his façade is more richly colored by comparison. Where Ansväd’s neat ponytail is an icy, almost platinum blonde, Alexander’s hair is short, stylish and the color of buttery sunlight.
