Page 200 of Vampires of Eden

Gently, Daniel urges me forward again and I get myself together as we descend the stairs. I’ve never really felt “royal” before. But I do now with Danny on my arm and his wonderfully contented essence touching and soothing me. With his amazing cape floating around his ankles like he’s the hero in a Victorian romance novel.

Or maybe the seductive villain? I think I like that better.

My father and mother are at the bottom of the stairs on one side, and I assume that the two attractive, dark-haired women standing opposite them are Danny’s mothers. I take a deep breath, trying not to be stressed and accepting the silent calm and reassurance that Danny is offering me. Truly, his energy sparkles with a joy that’s palpable and contagious. It’s beautiful and a far cry from the man I met two months ago.

We reach the bottom and the four vampires approach us. Daniel’s mothers quickly wrap him up in a tight embrace.

My father, mother and I wait awkwardly and much less affectionately for them to finish. Eventually, they release Daniel and he formally introduces me to his mothers, who offer me a polite bow. I bow to them as well, then use some of my Cantonese to greet them properly and this makes them smile.

It seems as if our parents have already established some sort of introduction between themselves. How that went, I can’t imagine,but no one is scowling at each other, at least? I turn, taking hold of Daniel’s hand as I address my parents.

“Danny, you’ve already met and spoken with my father, but this is my mother, Lady Victoria Kendrick.” I feel stony and cold as I look at her, waiting for her to be rude.

“Lady Kendrick,” Daniel bows reverently at my side. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well.” She nods curtly. “Welcome. I hope you both enjoy yourselves tonight.”

“Thank you,” Danny says, not unaware of her terse manner.

My father surprises me when he steps forward and wraps both of us up in a warm embrace. “Congratulations,” he whispers, then kisses my temple. He steps away from us and turns to the outer floor. Champagne glasses are being hastily distributed through the crowd, and soon, another servant from our house brings a tray to the six of us standing at the bottom of the grand staircase.

When everyone has a flute filled with glittering gold liquid in hand, Father raises his glass. “A toast, to Prince Alexander Ethan Kendrick and Lord Daniel Lim. To their inspirational love, courage, and their prudence as they guide Eden’s aristocracy into an exciting and prosperous new era.”

The small crowd lifts their glasses to us in cheers and again, I am dazed and slightly overwhelmed. Daniel nudges my side and I blink and take a sip of my own champagne.

After the toast is finished, the event shifts into a frenetic whirlwind of activity with vampires coming up to greet us.

Sebastian and his mate Piper are first, of course, and Sebastian is outwardly floored over Daniel. He’s back in one of his more dramatic ensembles, which he and Daniel bond over. Sebastian can’t stop gushing over Daniel’s floor-length cape and asks for his tailor’s information.

When I remind Sebastian that there’s a line forming behind him, he starts and looks over his shoulder. “Ah—sorry!” Piper nods and steps away, but Sebastian plunges his body into mineand wraps me in a tight embrace. The abrupt action catches me off guard, but I hug him in return.

He speaks low in my ear. “I’m really sorry about what I said at that party—Daniel seems amazing. Can wepleasetalk later?” He pulls away to look me in the eyes.

“Yes, we’ll talk,” I tell him.

Relieved, he takes Piper’s hand and they step away.

Nadya is next, cool and composed as always with her mate, Arjun, who is also one of the most chill vampires that I know. She kisses us both on the cheek, then takes Daniel’s hands.

“Welcome to the chaos,” she says playfully. “Congratulations again, and… thank you for helping to pull my dear friend out of the darkness.”

Embarrassed, I smirk. “I wasn’t that bad.”

“You were turning into a recluse. And an asshole.”

“Wow.”

Daniel laughs openly. “I like her!”

With Nadya and Arjun gone, Ashwin steps up alone, which is unsurprising because she and her mate rarely ever go anywhere together. Another forced arrangement that hasn’t done either of them any favors. As she looks Daniel and me up and down, I warn her in a low voice.

“Be nice.”

“Shut up,” she spits. “Don’t tell me what to do.” She nods to Daniel. “Congratulations on bonding with Golden Boy. I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into?”

“I’m pretty certain that I do,” Daniel says confidently, not missing a beat.

Ashwin smirks. “Good. I’ll see you both around, then.” She sets her shoulders back and stalks off. Something about her feels different. I could be wrong, but maybe it has to do with her family re-taking their place on the Governing Board? Discreetly, them losing their seat has been a source of shame for decades. Reclaiming that position must be satisfying for her.