Page 123 of Vampires of Eden

“I’m alright…”

“You seem nervous.”

I chuckle. “There’s a lot running through my head, presently.”

“Anything you’d like to share?”

“No… I’m just working through some things. I’m good.”

Daniel shifts to lie back and I jump slightly from his movement. Smooth, Alexander. Nice. Danny pauses, noticing. “I’m not going to do anything to you, Alexander.”

“I don’t think you are. It’s me, I promise.” I scoot down and lie on my back beside him, attempting to make myself comfortable.

Usually, his scent is light. Barely there except for the occasional whiff when he’s close to my face. Or folded within the warmth of his mouth and the slip of his tongue when he kisses me.

Now, it surrounds me like a veil. Still soft, but more tangible and sensual, like gauze or silk playfully caressing my skin andnature. Pulling and teasing. I close my eyes and concentrate, wanting to indulge but not too much. Within reason, so that my eyes and aura don’t go berserk.

“Thank you, for telling me about the proposal and Lord Cherrington.” Daniel turns onto his side against the adjacent pillow, facing me as he speaks. “I imagine that you’re not supposed to disclose that kind of sensitive information… especially to a random first-gen.”

“You’re not random,” I say, opening my eyes and shifting my head slightly. “Your opinion and perspective are important to me. You know that.”

“Mm.” He exhales softly and the air puffs and warms the side of my face. I close my eyes again and stifle the electric sensation snaking up my spine. “Raphael told me that when you were younger, you thought I was cool and wouldn’t stop talking about my performance. That you were mesmerized.”

I snort. “Raphael should learn to shut his goddamn mouth, shouldn’t he?” Wow. He’s so dead when I get home. Why would he tell Danny about that?

“When you first came to the cottage to drop Oliver off, I knew who you were. I lied when I said that I didn’t.”

Turning my head against the pillow, the confession surprises me. “Really? Why?”

He shrugs a shoulder. “Hubris. Bitterness. I didn’t want to give you the satisfaction of knowing that I remembered you, even though you instantly remembered me. Prince Alexander Ethan Kendrick comes to our modest cottage—gorgeous, stylish and without a care in the world—I decided I should put you in your place.”

“Well, you did. Multiple times, if I recall.” I chuckle weakly. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I’m sorry.”

The weight of his unexpected words sits between us in the moonlit darkness. I inhale and my heart feels as if it’s in my throat. In my silence, he goes on, almost whispering.

“You’ve liked me all this time, haven’t you? But I kept hurting you in small, callous ways. I was kicking you when you were already down and then I yelled at you in the vineyard today… it’s no wonder you’re afraid of me. We joke, but deep down, you really believe that I’m capable of hurting you, because I already have. So I apologize, Alexander. You place me on a pedestal, but truly, I am a mess. A work in progress.”

The emotion swells in my chest, stifling and threatening to overtake me. I shake my head to keep it at bay. “You already apologized—and I was rude to you, too.”

“In self-defense,” he says. “Because I always attack you first.” He reaches, finding my hand beneath the duvet and sliding our palms together. I spread my fingers and he threads his digits warmly between mine.

“I won’t do that again, though,” he goes on. “I’m mesmerized by you, too, Alexander. I’m sorry that it took some time to catch up with you. But I’m here now, alright? Please don’t be afraid of me anymore.”

Something inside my chest unclenches and melts. I can hardly breathe from the overwhelming sensation. I turn my head away from him because the second I close my eyes, a rogue tear streams down from the corner. God, I haven’t cried in weeks.

This time is different, though. It isn’t rooted in the hollowed and broken sadness I felt when Oliver left. These tears come from something full and contented radiating in my nature.

Still holding my hand, Daniel shifts at my side. It startles me and when I look, he’s lifted above my face and with his braid swept over his shoulder.

“Do you forgive me?” he asks. As he stares, his eyes are so pale in the darkness that they look completely white, like a rainy, drizzling morning heavy with fog.

“Of course,” I say, quickly using my free hand to wipe my face. “Yes, Danny. We’re okay.”

“I think we can be better than okay.” He leans down andtouches a soft kiss to my lips. Just once before he settles onto his side. “Good night.”

“Good night,” I parrot, unable to catch my breath. He squeezes my hand tighter and I return the gesture.