Page 84 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
It’s pathetic of me. Valuing something so trivial. Something so transitory as a dance. But I do, because I don’t have much else. The only other circumstance where I have any sense of control is when I’m manipulating my aura with Aries.
Being able to withhold or relax and liberate my vampiric nature—exploring this deeper essence of myself in a trusting space—it’s magical.
By the end of the night, I’m exhausted. Usually, after a ball like this, I’m worn down from faking interest in dull conversations. Fake greetings and fake smiling. From strictly withholding my sincere thoughts and offering the most banal and expected responses.
Tonight, though, I think… maybe I’ve actually had fun? Even as Alexander holds my hand while we walk back to the main estate, I’m not displeased or recoiling from his touch. Everything feels kind of pleasant. Easy, for once.
“Did I ever tell you that Ashwin challenged me to a duel over you?” Alexander asks as we climb the stairs toward our separate rooms. “After I officially chose you as my mate, she squared off with me at a banquet. We wereten. I said, ‘Nobody duels anymore, get the fuck out of here.’ She was dead serious.”
I frown because this story is absurd. This is Alexander’s explanation as to why Ashwin kept asking me to dance and checking to see if I needed anything, like she was my own personal waitress. “I’ve only seen Ashwin three times in my entire life, including tonight. How bizarre.”
“She was into you. Still is, apparently.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
“That’s part of your charm, Ollie. That you have no idea how alluring you are.” We stand together in front of my door. Isolated in the cool hallway lit by soft white recess lights lining the ceiling. Alexander faces me, still holding my hand. “Thank you for tonight.”
I chuckle. “What are you thanking me for? I didn’t do anything.”
“You’ve been much more relaxed this week, and we had fun together. You feel lighter or something. It’s really nice.”
Maybe it’s because he knows the truth about how I feel, so I don’t need to hide or pretend with him anymore? Or maybe it’s because I’m contemplating my liberation as a possibility? A reality. Not some far-flung made-up fantasy in my head but something tangible. Achievable.
Alexander squeezes my palm. “May I feed? It’s Friday.”
“Ah, right.” Letting go of his hand, I lift my wrist to unfasten my cufflink. “Why didn’t you say something earlier? We should have done it this morning.”
“It’s not a big deal,” he says, staring. “I’m fine, but can I…”
I’m struggling with the clasp for some reason. “Can you what?”
“May I feed properly, please? From your neck, I mean.”
The air is suddenly thicker between us as I breathe. Alexander’s gaze is soft but unwavering. I swallow hard, dropping my hands. “When you fed from my neck at the first mating confirmation, I think… you bit me too hard. Can you not do that?”
“I won’t… I didn’t know, I—Maybe I was too excited? I’m sorry.”
“Yeah…” I reach up, scratching my head. I take a breath and start unfastening my bow tie and collar. He’s silent as I work. Watching. It makes me nervous. If he bites me softly this time, it should be fine, I guess. “Alright,” I say once my collar is undone.
His eyes shift and warm, glowing in vivid gold as he steps forward. I almost step back because I just… I don’t know. He’s suddenly so intense and it makes me anxious. He slips the fingers of one hand into my hair at the back of my head as he leans into my neck, then rests his free hand at my waist. He licks me, sighs, then bites into my flesh softly like I asked.
Initially, his thoughts are warm. Harmless and affectionate. But as he drinks, his intent shifts as it pours into my being.
He loves me, but more than that. There’s inscrutable desire. He wants me to behis,and without warning, a wild current of tangled, frustrated and fiery emotions dominates my senses.
“Alex—” I gasp because everything has intensified with a snap—like a surge of electricity before a blackout. His fist clenches in my hair and the hand on my waist wraps around to embrace my body tightly against him. He feeds even deeper, as if to consume me. Somehow, I feel him inside, mentally and emotionally reaching within my core. Grabbing at my nature and taking hold. My essence shifts from his manipulation and the sensation is sowrong.
This thing inside of me that I am only just learning how to navigate—he’s pulling at it. Trying to take and control it for his own pleasure.
“Alexander, stop!” The second he lifts his head, I push him as hard as I can. An unfamiliar rush of pressure and intensity emphasizes my movement. He flies backward, slamming hard into the opposite wall. Alexander tumbles and falls onto his knees, leaving an indentation of his frame in the corridor.
My eyes have alighted, but it’s completely different compared with what I feel with Aries. I’m not aroused or at ease. Not filled with wonder and joy.
I’m furious. Panic and stress pulse through my veins like a tumultuous storm. My body trembles as I fall back against the door and slide down. On the floor, I curl my arms around my bent knees, trying to regain control of myself. Ofmynature and body. Everything inside of me is in chaos from this external, foreign manipulation.
“Oliver—”
Alexander’s fingertips brush my arm and I jerk, pressing myself further into the door and smacking his hand away. “Don’t touch me!Whywould you do that? What the hell are you thinking?”
