Page 89 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
I scan my brain, quickly organizing all the things I want to say. All the things I could express to him in this moment. “Creativity, inspiration and self-discovery. True love and friendship. The freedom to simply exist and make my own choices! In twenty-two years, I haven’t had any room tobreathe—let alone live or learn about the world and understand myself.”
After taking a deep breath, I exhale, then say what needs to be said.
“I don’t want this arrangement with Alexander. I refuse it. If I’m so useless, selfish and ungrateful, then let me go. Be done with me. I want to leave this estate and this family. I want to live my own life.”
There it is. I’ve said the words and my chest heaves. My limbs shake as I wait for his response.
His face is expressionless. The crackle from the fire feels uncomfortably loud to my ears. The heat stifles my skin.
“No.”
I’m anticipating more, but that’s it. The word is simple and cuts through the air like a blade. He doesn’t change his posture. Doesn’t blink. It’s a curt and strange response given everything I’ve said, so I can’t help but repeat it. “No?”
“No. I will not release you from this arrangement with Alexander. I will not let you leave this family. Request denied.”
Taken aback, I shake my head. “You can’t make me do this—”
“Of course I can.” He smiles unkindly. Hollowed and without warmth. “I can, and I will. The Blakeley name will finally be chronicled in the historical record as a member of Eden’s governing board. Our family will become royalty with ties to the most prolific and powerful clan in our aristocracy. We’ll inherit Alexander’s dowry. And you, my selfish and arrogant little vampire, will give me all of this, whether you like it or not.”
I can’t believe this. How he can sit here, so unaffected, and say these things. Disbelief swells in my chest, shifting into rage. “We don’t need to live like this anymore! Aren’t you paying attention to the outside world? We’re in the modern age and Eden is peaceful. We haven’t been at war forcenturies. Alexander said he’d still help our realm with whatever we need. We don’t have to abide by these weird mating rituals anymore. Most aristocracies abandoned these practices decades ago and they help each other as a community. We could do that, too!”
There’s another long pause where he says nothing. Unblinking. Like a stone sculpture of a pigheaded and antiquated vampire.
He sighs. “Silly vampire, I do not care about the ‘outside world.’ I care about our title, position and the dowry. You will do as I say.”
We watch each other, and I realize that we don’t speak the same language. It’s as if we’re from two different cultures and we’re failing to properly communicate. I can’t find the bridge to meet him halfway, and he doesn’t even believe in bridges. He has no interest in them.
“I won’t.” I take another deep breath. My voice comes out firm. Unwavering. “I’m not mating with Alexander. That’s not what I want.”
He doesn’t move. “And you’re certain?”
“I am. I refuse.”
“Interesting. Are you willing to sacrifice the designer’s life for this decision?”
I draw back, frowning, because the statement feels like a slab of concrete being thrust into my abdomen. “What?”
Lord Blakeley adjusts and folds one knee over the other. “He’s still here,” he says casually, as if he’s telling me the weather forecast. “Aries. The one you’ve been whorishly consorting with behind my back for the past few weeks. Another flagrant show of your selfish, disgusting nature. He’s very weak, presently. His essence might be difficult for you to discern.”
A million thoughts zip through my mind, so fast that I can barely process any of them in combination with the stress, fear and humiliation. “Wh-where is he? Why is he weak—What have you done to him?”
Panic races through me. God, please no. I promised Aries that I would protect him, no matter what. Thiscannot be happening.
“If you want him to be safe, you will comply with my wishes.”
“Let me see himnow.”
“After the wedding and ritualistic ceremonies are complete, I will release him. When you have married Alexander, I’ll allow you to see your first-gen whore.”
The fire pops behind us, throwing warm shadows across the floor and walls. Ghostly shapes that dance and make my hands tremble as I clench them into fists at my sides.
I lift my chin. “You’re lying.”
Lord Blakeley narrows his eyes in a discreet movement. “Excuse me?”
“You’re a liar. Aries isn’t here. Even if he was passed out somewhere, I’d still be able to sense him. This is your last-ditch effort to manipulate me, but it isn’t working. I’m tired of being controlled by you. I’m done with this. All of it.”
Thomas warned me, and I’m grateful. I’m leaving this estate, right now. I’m walking out into the garden, through the woods and across the lavender fields, and I’m never looking back.
