Page 136 of Vampires of Eden

Being confronted with this truth and in this particular setting makes me tense. It isn’t necessarily that my spending time with Leoni and Daniel is a secret. More so, I don’t want to have to explain and defend myself to anyone—particularly to my mother.

This evening is the perfect example and justification as to why I needed a change of pace and atmosphere.

“Goldie?” Nadya prompts, blinking and awaiting my response.

I take a breath. “I’ve been helping them out—what difference does that make? I’m not hurting anyone.”

She holds my hand a little tighter. “True, it’s certainly unusual for a purebred prince to ‘help out’ at a socially ostracized vampire’s vineyard, but it’s not a crime. They’re also saying that you walk the village markets with Daniel sometimes and that the two of you look rather… cozy.”

My hand falters in hers but she doesn’t let go. I swallow hard. “Is looking cozy a crime?”

“It isn’t,” she says patiently. “However, considering the wayyou’ve just gone off on Bas for talking down to a first-gen vampire, and also brought up ‘intermingling’ and ‘coupling’ with them, I wonder if the two of you are more than justlookingcozy.”

She doesn’t pose this as a question, but a distinct silence hangs in the colorful and ambient space around us, as if I should provide an answer.

Should I?

We don’t have a formal bonding arrangement, but our relationship isn’t some tawdry, flippant thing centered in sex, either. Within our aristocracy, these are the only two options for me as a purebred prince. There’s no template for anything else. Particularly with a first-gen vampire.

I don’t want to keep our situation a secret, but for now, what’s happening between us is our business. We’ll go at our own pace.

“Why are you asking me about this?” I say, meeting her gaze. “To feed the rumor mill?”

She shakes her head. “No, Goldie. You know better than that. I would never do that to you?—”

“Does Sebastian know about this? And Ashwin? These ‘rumors.’”

Again, Nadya shakes her head. “If they do, we haven’t discussed it. Alexander, we all know that the break-up with Oliver last year was difficult for you. You can talk to us about what’s going on. You don’t have to hide things. We’re your friends.”

I scoff. “Not Ashwin.”

“Well… Ashwin is feral, but she’s notallbad. She’s just jealous. Of everyone and everything. Especially you.”

Instinctively, my gaze flickers up and over Nadya’s head because I sense Sebastian stalking toward us. Soon, I spot him in the crowd with Ashwin trailing behind.

“Don’t tell Bas or Ashwin any of this, please?” I ask. “When I’m ready to talk about it, I will.”

She squeezes my hand in reassurance. “Alright. I’ll be here. We all will.”

Internally, I roll my eyes. Not Ashwin. “Congratulations on joining the Governing Board. This is major, Nadya. Excellent.”

“Agreed. I mean, someone has to help you with finally putting that arrogant old bitch in his place. Icannot standhim.”

I don’t have to ask if she’s referring to Lord Cherrington. She is.

“Why are the two of you hiding over here?” Sebastian says. “Is this a secret special pre-Governing Board meeting? No outsiders allowed?”

Nadya sighs, drops my hand and smoothly snatches another champagne glass from the tray of a servant passing by. She takes the entire glass down in a single swig. I feel her pain, but if I have another glass of champagne, I’ll be silly. I’d much rather stay sober, focused and then get the hell out of here.

So, I do. I excuse myself, then conduct a circuit around the room to make sure my face is seen by nearly everyone in attendance. Between the forced conversations and dances, it takes another two hours.

As soon as I’m finished, I find Raphael and we head the fuck home.

CHAPTER 32

Daniel

I’m confused.