Page 88 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
All day long, I’m lifeless. As if my soul, or at least some vital part of me, has simply vanished. Maybe I’m overreacting, but it hurts. Having him snatched away without warning. Without a proper goodbye. I’ve been dreading the reality of us parting for so long, and now it’s just… done. A clean cut from a guillotine.
“I’m nervous as shit about this, Ollie.” Alexander paces in front of me as I sit slumped on the couch of the waiting room outside Lord Blakeley’s office. His hands are in his trouser pockets as he shakes his blonde head. “I don’t have a good feeling about it at all.”
“It’s now or never.” What have I got to lose at this point?
The door to his office swings open, showering us in a stream of ghostly yellow light. “His lordship is ready to see you both.” Hudson appears in the open frame, gesturing for us to enter.
“Thanks, Hudson.” I stand, and as I step forward, Alexander is at my side.
“Hey,” he says. His voice is low. “Give me your hand, please?” I don’t argue and simply slip my palm into his. We walk into the office together.
The office is as old-fashioned as Alexander’s house is new and modern. There are battle weapons and antlers mounted on the stone walls. The color palette is noticeably limited to the deepest shades of forest green and brown. Lord Blakeley sits in his large velvet tufted armchair. A vibrant fire crackles beside him, throwing ominously dancing shadows across every surface. He is the perfect cliché of an old, outdated and power-hungry vampire.
“The two of you wished to speak with me privately?” His leg is crossed and his hands are folded calmly atop his thigh as he watches us, unaffected.
I open my mouth, but Alexander steps forward with his hand gripping mine. He bows his head in reverence. “Lord Blakeley, I know that Oliver and I have been betrothed for many years now.”
“Indeed, you have. The two of you seem to be getting along very well, lately.”
Alexander hesitates and looks at me. “Yes, we are, however…” He turns back to Lord Blakeley and takes a deep breath. “I love Oliver very much. And truly, I want what’s best for him. I think… we need more time. Specifically,Ineed more time.”
I’m shocked and confused. My mouth is agape as I shake my head. “No—”
“My esteemed young prince, what in God’s name are you talking about?” Lord Blakeley asks, his dark brows furrowed.
“I’ve hurt Oliver, multiple times, because I’m… well, the truth is, I need to grow—to become a better mate and partner. So, I’d like to call this arrangement off until I can do right by him. As it stands, this isn’t a good idea for either of us. But I’m still committed to the business deals and arrangements between our clans. I’m happy to fulfill those contracts, since this is primarily my fault.”
Both Lord Blakeley and I stare at Alexander with a distinct pause, utterly taken aback by his declaration. I understand what Alexander is doing, but this isn’t what I want. He doesn’t need to cover for me. I take a step past Alexander. “Lord Blakeley, I want—”
“Prince Alexander,” Lord Blakeley says coolly, as if I hadn’t spoken at all. “Will you please give me some time alone with my son? I’d like to speak with him privately.”
My chest constricts as Alexander looks at me with panicked eyes. Ignoring the stress, I nod. “I’m okay. Just go.” His gaze says that he doesn’t believe me, so I squeeze his hand. “I’m fine.”
Exhaling an audible breath, he turns and bows to Lord Blakeley once more. “Your grace.” He lets go of my hand, leaves the room and closes the door behind him.
A strange, icy stillness hangs in the air. The tension is high, like a wolf and a rabbit staring at each other across a winter tundra. Waiting to see who makes the first move.
Casually, he looks away as if he’s bored. “This is your doing,” he says, breaking the silence. “You’ve manipulated him into this.”
“I-I haven’t. That’s not—”
“You are, without question, a constant disappointment to me, Oliver.” He shifts his head and stares with cold gray eyes. “No matter what I do to provide for you—feed, educate and clothe you, selflessly hand you immeasurable opportunities—you are ungrateful. You are useless and offensively selfish. Why are you insistent on ruining this opportunity? This historic moment for our family.”
I blink, feeling as if I’ve been physically assaulted instead of just verbally. My throat is dry and I can’t seem to swallow as the emotional guilt washes over me. I feel myself shrinking down, because the weight of his words are heavy on my heart. They make me second-guess myself, and a tiny, well-conditioned voice inside says,He’s right. You are useless. Why can’t you ever do anything right? You’re so selfish.
I have an urge to apologize. It’s my natural inclination to do so, but I pause. I inhale a deep breath and recall Aries’s words to my mind. He tells me to stop apologizing. That my feelings and thoughts—my wants, hopes and desires—aren’t wrong. I shouldn’t be remorseful of these things.
I’m afraid of this vampire. My “father.”
But I stand straighter and speak slowly. “Yes, you’ve provided for me, but… only to groom me for this relationship with Alexander. Foryourself-interest and goals. Nothing you’ve ever done has been for my benefit. Please don’t pretend as if taking care of me has been some kind of parental and loving self-sacrifice. I think we both know better than that.”
The silence is palpable, but I don’t break his gaze. To my surprise, Lord Blakeley smirks.
“This has been my greatest challenge with you, Oliver. You’re too clever. You are the sharpest tool in my arsenal, but simultaneously, the most difficult to wield and control.”
“I’m not a tool for you to use,” I say, finding my confidence as he stands. The shift in his position makes me start, but I press on. “I’m not a puppet. There are things in life that are much more important than money, power and royal titles.”
“Such as?” He sits at the edge of his desk with his arms folded, waiting.
