Page 19 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
Alexander’s family fortune is centered in arts and entertainment. Lord Kendrick is a classical music aficionado and owns several prominent theaters across the whole of Europe. The fact that his wealth and influence extend beyond Eden is telling, because most families, like mine, are restricted to this island bubble.
The Royal Eden Opera House—the largest and most famous theater in Central Eden—attracts artists and musicians from all over the world and serves as our most important window to the outside. I saw an Italian opera there once and fell in love with the language and culture, even though I’ve never been.
Alexander has, though. Multiple times. He’s allowed to go anywhere he wants.
My family’s revenue is not nearly as lucrative or glamorous. This castle and its land have been passed down through the generations, and we live off of the taxes and rent paid to us by lower-ranked families who farm and live here. Once upon a time, there were many families and the land yielded an abundance of resources.
Over the past several years, though, many first-, second- and third-ranked vampire families have fled our realm in search of better lives. As a result, we barely scrape by. There are parts of this castle that are uninhabitable because we do not have the money for the upkeep.
But my marriage and bonding with Alexander is supposed to change all of that. Not only will we have a seat on the Governing Board of the Royal Order, the Blakeley Clan will finally be elevated to royal status and given Alexander’s extraordinary dowry—a gratuitous lump sum of money.
Lucky me, I guess? Or so they say.
Immediately following breakfast, the viscount and me have plans to leave the estate for a social visit in the village of St. Cyan. It’s nothing special. He asked me if I wanted to get some air and visit his sister. I like her and she’s kind, so I agreed.
As I leave the breakfast room, though, Sasha grabs my arm and pulls me in close. She waits until everyone else passes us, then whispers, “What’s up with you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know…” She narrows her eyes as she holds my wrist. “You’resmiling.”
This makes me chuckle. “Is that so abnormal?”
“Hell yes, it is. I haven’t seen you smile in months. And Camille told me you fanned your aura out at the banquet last night. Are you getting on well with Alexander now?”
Good God. Sucking in a breath, I draw back. “I—That was just an accident. It wasn’t anything. Tell Camille to mind her business.”
“Youare her business. And how was it an ‘accident’? As far as I know, you haven’t ever—”
“Sasha, dear, please unhand your brother,” the viscount calls from over his shoulder. “We need to leave.”
“Yes, Father. Sorry.” Sasha offers a quick nod and does as she’s told. But she points at me in a dramatic gesture to suggest that we’re not finished with this topic. I shrug as I walk forward. I definitely need to be more careful.
After returning to the estate, I have the rest of the evening to myself. In fact, with the hunt officially started, I have quite a bit of free time over the week, which I am thrilled about. The weather today has been beautiful. With the sun hanging low in the partly cloudy sky, I decide to take a walk to my favorite place.
Navigating through the hedge maze and toward the rose garden, my mind wanders. Was the strength of my aura so profound? It’s not as if everyone in the room noticed… at least, I don’t think they did? Aries noticed because our eyes met. His attention was singularly focused on me, and mine on him. It’s Camille’s job to focus on me, so I’m not too surprised that she noticed. And as for Alexander, well… who knows what motivates him?
My body and nature responded to Aries’s presence, but I have no way of knowing how strongly it registers externally. I’ll have to keep a tight hold on it going forward. Letting it unfurl was incredible—if only for a brief moment. I’ve never felt anything so primeval and authentic before. Like a tiny stream from the depth of life energy inside of me came rushing out in joyous manifestation.
The center of the rose garden is just ahead. I can hear the large marble fountain spouting and splashing water. Another thing that must be costing us unnecessary money, but of course, Lord Blakeley wants to show off for our visitors.
I have sensed Aries’s presence more the farther along that I’ve walked. However, in my sincere effort to not be a vampire stalker, I’ve been largely ignoring it. When I round the corner and enter the wide-open space with the fountain, he’s there, sitting on a nearby bench.
Immediately, our eyes lock and the garden feels suspended in time. Hovering and insulated, just like the moment in the banquet hall last night. Now, though, I clamp down on my nature as I walk forward. He’s holding what looks like a large sketchpad and a pencil. There’s a fancy brown leather case full of colored pencils on the seat beside him.
I smile. “Hi.”
“Hello, your grace. What brings you out here?”
“I’m just out for a walk. And you?”
He sighs, setting his sketch pad flat against his thighs. “Seeking inspiration.”
Taking in his demeanor, I tilt my head. “No luck?”
“Well, the castle grounds are unquestionably beautiful, but a little…”
“Ostentatious?” I offer. “Unimaginative? Stiff?”
