Page 76 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
The morning sun pours in through the windows and skylights, warming my flesh as I lie flat against the rumpled mess of sheets. Lifting my arms, I stretch, extending my limbs from the tips of my fingers, through my shoulders, spine and hips, and all the way down to my toes.
I finally let my aura breathe.
And Itastedhim.
It was only the tiniest drop—a crumb or mere morsel where blood is concerned. But the memory of it is stark. Peppery and bright. I’ll never forget his flavor. Not for as long as I live.
Shifting, I throw my legs over the side of the mattress. In my blissful and naked state, I open my bedside drawer where I keep the polaroid pictures that I took of Aries and me.
There are three photos sitting in the drawer, but… didn’t I take four? I pick them up to examine them more closely. There’s one of us both smiling at the camera, side by side—nice, but a little sterile. Another with Aries kissing my neck and me biting my lip, and the third is us kissing head on. My favorite. All the angles are perfect. Good for me.
There was definitely another one, though. The second shot that I took is missing. Maybe I dropped it between the bed and the nightstand?
Time is ticking, so I set the polaroid photos back inside the nightstand drawer. I’ll look for the missing one later. I’m grateful for these pictures. Because now, the image of Aries won’t be strictly concealed within my mind. I’ll have physical references of him to divulge in. Images of the two of us together.
First, I open up all the windows to let the cool morning air inside. I do this after Aries spends the night in here, because I will never forget Sasha’s remark about vampire sex smelling, quote, “sticky and sweet.” Gross. But not gross if you’re the vampire doing it, I guess? Not at all.
When I’m in the shower, I’m still riding the epic high of my night with Aries. I don’t want to think about how I have to spend the next five days in Central Eden. At least Aries has equipped me with lots of memories and scenes to replay in my mind during the trip.
Dropping my arms, the hot water sprays my face and body. I close my eyes and a heavy weight settles inside my chest.
What am I going to do about this wedding? I can’t go through with it anymore, can I?
After everything that Aries has shown me about myself, how can I keep playing this hollow game of purebred puppetry and arranged bondings? What if there’s something more that I can offer to the world besides being Alexander’s pet? Shouldn’t I fight to find out?
But how do I escape? Where would I go?
Outside the shower, I’m cleansed of Aries’s scent and essence, but a distinct sadness has blanketed my heart. Dried off, I’m slipping into my robe when something hits me.
Rather, someone.
Alexander’s essence and presence are suddenly too strong. Confused, I step forward and yank the bathroom door open.
Alexander is sitting on the edge of my disheveled bed in a robe and his pajamas. He isn’t looking at me, though, because he’s examining something in his hands. Slowly, I realize my nightstand drawer is open beside him. Before I can mentally connect the dots, he lifts his head.
“You’re actually fucking him, aren’t you? This designer?”
Dead silence.
My brain has gone into shock because there’s too much to process at once. Why is he in here this early in the morning? And more importantly, why is he sitting on my bed when I didn’t invite him inside? Why has he gone throughmy things?
“Are you fucking him?” Alexander flips the polaroid around—and it’s the one of me and Aries kissing straight on. “Answer me.”
“What are you doing in my room? Who told you to come in here—”
“Don’t evade the question, Oliver. Is that what matters right now?”
“Yes,” I say loudly. Agitated. Furious. “Because you don’t respect boundaries! How dare you come in here and go through my things?”
“How dare you fuck this first-gen designer when you’re supposed to be bonding with me? How dare youkisshim when you barely even let me hold your hand?” Alexander’s voice had been shrill, but then, he chuckles in a bitter, ugly sound. “I can’t believe this horse shit. I thought you were just having your little wishful fantasies about this guy, but you’re actually fucking him—and he’s into you, too.”
“Is that so hard to believe?” I ask, feeling my throat close from the hurt of his statement. From the stress of this moment. “That someone would want me? That another vampire might value me?”
Alexander stands abruptly, making me start and step back as he throws the picture down onto the bed. “No,that’s not hard to believe, you prick—because I want you!Ivalue you.”
I shake my head. “You do not.”
“How don’t I?” He lifts his palms, dumbfounded. “I’ve told you over and over again that I want you—that I’m sincere about you, and that I’ve been waiting for this fucking ceremony since we were twelve! I’ve been waiting for you, Oliver.”
