Page 66 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
“You’re philosophical today,” I tell her.
At first, she doesn’t respond, like the wheels in her mind are busy and spinning. After a moment, her expression softens. “That’s why Aries is so appealing to you—he’s a liberated vampire living his life exactly the way he wants and traveling the world. An artist perfecting his craft. He’s the embodiment of your wildest dreams, isn’t he?”
Her words are like sharp stabs to my chest. My throat is tight, so I flip and turn my back to her. “That isn’t the only reason why I like him.”
“But that’s it, isn’t it? Maybe… and, not that I want to encourage your inability to accept reality—”
“Thanks for that.”
“Maybe, if you were a free vampire, you wouldn’t feel so desperate for Aries? You might find someone else even better suited for you.”
“And if horses could fly, they might summer in the Maldives. You can play the ‘if this then that’ conjecture game with anything!Ah—” I yelp when Sasha slaps her open palm against my hip.
“Sassy. You’re so restricted now, so you’re probably just in need ofsomething. Anything, you know? That’s all I’m saying.”
Lying still, I quietly consider her point. Is Aries just “anything” to me? Something exciting and shiny to play with? A vampire that checks all the boxes of my fantasy wish list?
Aries has come into my life at a distinct crossroads. I don’t think this is a fluke, or even a passionate fling. In every interaction, he’s conveyed something important, or unearthed some truth. I’m beginning to understand things about myself that, without his presence, I may never have known.
Sasha is partially right. Aries is the embodiment of my wildest dreams. But he also grounds me in a new reality. He opens my eyes to possibilities I had never once considered.
Turning my head toward her, I speak clearly. “You’re right. His circumstance is appealing, but my feelings for Aries are rooted in something much deeper. Do you remember telling me about that purebred from Ethiopia? The one who made you feel like fire was rushing up your spine?”
Sasha smirks, folding her arms. “Of course I do.”
“Aries makes me feel like that, except times a thousand. My nature, my heart and my mind, he sets everything on fire. All of it.”
We watch each other for a tense moment, letting the words soak in. Soon, she stands from the bed. “That’s beautiful, but… you do realize he’s leaving in a couple weeks?”
Groaning, I flop back down onto the bed. “Sash, please—”
“And you’re engaged to the most influential prince within our entire aristocracy. Speaking of, we need to head down. Heartless is still recovering from the ‘scoff heard round the world.’ Let’s not add to the pile by being late for the Ashbury tour.”
I sit up and start scooting off the bed. I should probably try to comb my hair and straighten my clothes since I’ve been flopping around like a depressed fish. I can’t think about Aries leaving right now. I refuse.
“Oh,” Sasha utters, standing near the door. “Camille said something funny to me, but don’t be embarrassed.”
“I’m already embarrassed.” Walking toward the bathroom, I roll my shoulders. “It’s my natural state.”
“Right. Well, if you and Aries are going to keep, um… ‘being rooted in something deeper,’ you should do it in his room.”
“Why?” Inside the bathroom, I pull out a brush, eyeing the wild flop of cinnamon-brown hair in the mirror’s reflection. The sporadic, odd strands of blonde likely bleached by the late-summer sun.
Sasha peeks her head inside the doorframe. “She said that when she comes to wake you in the morning, she can tell when you two have been doing things in here, because, quote, ‘the air is all sticky and sweet, like vampire sex.’ She said you’d be better off doing it in his room, since the scent won’t be quite as suspicious considering he’s a free agent.”
I drop my arm, staring at her through the mirror with horror and disbelief.
She grins. “Honestly, I envy you. Sounds like you’re having an excellent time. Just… try to remember that this romance is transient? I’ll wait for you in the hall.”
The Ashbury tour was a mix of boring, neutral and uncomfortable, like any other official village visit. Townspeople fawned over us, giving our family praise and congratulations on my and Alexander’s upcoming union. Alexander asked for permission to hold my hand while we walked the village gardens, which was new.
He’s never asked for my consent to touch me in the past. Usually, he just grabs my hand like it’s his birthright. I don’t know what to think about this sudden shift in his behavior, but… I welcome the change.
By the time I return to the east wing of the estate, it’s evening and the hallways are patterned with shadowy candlelight flickering from the sconces. The moon is high and luminous, causing silver light to pour through the corridor’s arched windows.
When I approach Aries’s room, I’m grateful that his door is shut because shame rushes over me as I recall the spectacle at breakfast this morning. Lord Blakeley shouting at me, then Alexander demanding that I follow him out of the room like I’m his naughty pet that accidentally peed on the carpet.
And, of course, Aries feeding from Benjamin.
