Page 100 of Vampires of Eden

“Yeah,” I scoff, failing to hide my residual bitterness. “Aries. Greek God and well-traveled fashion icon. Who can compete with that?”

Casually, Daniel picks at the small holes in the quilt atop the bed. “It’s unusual for an Eden purebred to fall in lovewith a first-gen vamp. To go through such lengths for someone who’s ranked beneath them.”

I shrug. “I’m not surprised. Ollie was never like that—all snooty and talking down to his servants. He got along really well with everyone. His servants even helped him escape from the dungeon.”

“What do you think about that?” Daniel asks, still playing with the holes in the quilt. “About a purebred being with a vampire that’s ranked beneath them.” His irises lift and meet mine. Waiting.

My nature flips in my stomach as we watch each other. This question feels dangerous given how I feel about him. If I’m not careful, I could reveal myself and make him extremely uncomfortable.

I look down at the shirt in my lap and swallow. “In the big picture, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it—despite what our culture says. For me personally…”

Hesitating, I bite the inside of my cheek. “I hate the word ‘beneath,’ because I don’t see ranked vampires that way. Yes, we’re fundamentally different in our blood composition, but that doesn’t necessarily make me better. And what does ‘better’ even mean? Raph is second-gen but he’s muchbetterthan me when it comes to navigating social rules and being organized. And you—you’re smarter, more mature and more talented at playing the piano than I’ll ever be. What does blood potency have to do with any of that?”

I lift my gaze and Daniel’s stare is expressionless. Insecure, I go on. “But I guess… considering I live in a society that sees me as being ‘at the top’ of the hierarchy, maybe it’s easier for me to have this kind of mentality? Because I’m freer to do so… or whatever.”

“You aren’t free, though,” Daniel observes coolly. “You can’t choose to mate with whom you please. You’re not allowed to have a garden, barely allowed to have a cat. And you have to constantly keep your whereabouts a secret to avoid conflict with your parents. I used to think that you wealthy, royal Edenpurebreds had enviable lives. Meeting you has taught me that the reality is much more oppressive.”

Grinning, I straighten in my seat. “Yes, we’re terrible all the way around—with the way we treat ourselves and other vampires. You’re right to despise us.”

“I don’t despise you.”

“I know.” Taking hold of the t-shirt by its shoulders, I lift it up in jest. “You gave me this amazing shirt. I have tangible evidence now.”

“And I held your hand when you were sick,” he says, unwavering. “Do you remember that?”

I lower the shirt into my lap as my throat goes dry. My voice comes out quiet as my cheeks warm. “I remember.” As clearly as everything else, but I don’t let myself think about it.

His long and talented fingers softly curved around mine on top of the duvet. Even in my dazed state, I was in awe that he would extend such a gentle kindness to me.

Later and when I was coherent, part of me wondered if I’d imagined it. Like a wonderful hallucination. I knew better, though, because the sensation was too bright and electrified. Too powerful to be questioned.

“Your rings are gone.”

“My rings?” I say, thinking about the terrible, blue-black circles I had under my eyes when I was unwell.

Daniel leans forward, closing the short distance between us. He takes hold of my right hand against my thigh. The moment he touches me, my body tenses from head to toe and the heated swirl of my nature dances up my spine and goes straight to my fucking eyeballs. He holds my fingers as if he’s about to lead me into a dance.

“Your rings,” he says, rubbing his thumb across the ring finger of my right hand. “The gold bands are gone. You always wear two of them?”

My eyes burn like fireballs in my head and my chest is tight.I promised myself that I’d exhibit more self-control, but I am failing miserably. What’s worse, I don’t know what to do.

Running away or covering them with my free hand feels childish, so I glance off to the side. Barely able to breathe from the pressure of my aura. It feels like glittery cotton is stuffed in my chest and throat.

“I-I took them off. They’re at home.”

“Why?”

“Because they were…” I swallow, taking a breath. It doesn’t help. “It’s stupid. They were meant for me and Oliver. When we mated, I was going to give him one. I don’t know why I kept wearing them. It was a silly sentiment and… Jesus, I’m so, so sorry about this.”

“I’m used to it by now,” Daniel says. I’m not looking at him, but I can hear the smile in his calm, sensible tone. “And the thought behind your gesture is not silly. It’s romantic, I think.”

“Well, it was pointless in the end. And you shouldn’t have to get used to my eyes doing this all the time—it’s gross and I should be able to control myself.”

“Not silly, nor gross. Will you look at me?”

I close my eyes. God, I’m the worst. “It’ll wear off soon.”

“But will you, please?”