Page 70 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver

His head doesn’t move, but his pale gray eyes shift at the sound of my voice. There’s no warmth in his expression. No familiarity or affection. “Hello, Oliver. Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Thank you…” I pause because he looks off as if the conversation is finished. I could walk away, but I gesture toward the seat beside him. “May I sit?”

“If you wish.”

Gingerly, I sit on the edge of the bench with my palms set against my knees. Thomas and I are literal opposites within our family’s genetic spectrum. He’s taller than me, and his skin and eyes are pale like Lord Blakeley’s. My complexion and natural, unlighted eyes favor the viscount and our southern Eden coastal roots—a warm, sun-kissed skin tone and bright oceanic-blue irises. “How are you?”

“Well, and you?”

I shrug. “I’m just okay. Where is Lord Ashford?”

“At home. My presence here is mandatory but his is not.”

I have no idea how Thomas feels about his mate, Lord Ashford. I’ve only met him a handful of times and he’s very quiet. Reserved. The two of them were pushed together through yet another political arrangement. They officially bonded within the first three months of being married, though. Three months is record-breaking according to Eden standards.

Maybe they actually like each other?

“Did Lord Blakeley require you to be here?” I ask. “I’m sorry if he did.”

Thomas flickers his gray irises in my direction. “Why should you apologize for his actions, Oliver? You have no say in this circumstance, either.”

“Yes, right…” I’m tempted to apologize again, but I hear Aries in my head, telling me that I apologize in excess.

“It’s funny that after all this time, you still adamantly call him Lord Blakeley,” Thomas says, watching me from the corner of his eyes. “I can’t ever recall you saying ‘Father’ to address him.”

“Because the word ‘Father’ should be demonstrative and endearing. It’s reserved for someone that a person holds dear and maybe even trusts. Why would I call him by that name?”

I’ll never call him Father. “Birth conduit” or “Overlord Blakeley” would be even more appropriate.

To my surprise, Thomas laughs. Not outright. Just a quick huff of breath through his nose as he shifts his gaze toward the green. “You were always the smartest, Oliver—out of the three of us. You are right to feel that way about him. Spot on.”

Thomas stands. I’m assuming the conversation is finished, but he turns his lanky frame to the side and looks at me.

“May I give you some unsolicited advice?”

“Yes,” I say, meeting his intense, unemotional gaze.

“Never trust a word that vampire says. Nothing. Do you hear me?”

I nod, unmoving. “I do.”

He turns and takes a step, but then pauses again to look over his shoulder. “Another thing. If you’re clever enough to get away, don’t get caught.Neverreturn to that castle.” Without another word, he stalks across the grass.

I stare after him with my mouth agape and my pulse beating in my temples. If the dread inside of me was like a misty rainfall before… after this conversation? It’s a thunderous hailstorm.

The heavy black veil of night beyond my window shifts into a moody blue. Still dark but warmer. Tinged by the subtle golden glow of the rising sun.

Everything is tranquil and soft. Birds chirp and fill the air with their cheerful song—like fingertips lightly grazing the high notes of a piano.

Aries’s breath huffs against the back of my neck. His heavy arm is draped over my hip and his chest is melded to my spine.

I haven’t slept. I didn’t want to.

Sleeping felt like a waste of valuable time. How could I risk being unconscious in the presence of this creature that I may or may not ever have again? When any hope of a future together is so precarious and uncertain.

So, I’ve lain here all through the night, simply absorbing his presence and shrouded in his scent. Savoring the calming heat of his skin against mine and the steady beat of his heart.

Aries and I have fallen into a routine over the past week. Following dinner every night, Alexander insists on escorting me back to my room. Thankfully, he hasn’t brought up “practicing” anymore. He hasn’t tried to touch or kiss me, either. Once he’s gone, I shower, put on my robe, then spend the night in Aries’s room. Sometimes, if I take too long, Aries ends up in mine.