Vampires of Eden (Alexander #2)

35. Daniel

CHAPTER 35

Danie l

I ’m back in Alexander’s bed, out of my pants and eating cherries as a coping mechanism to distract myself from the anxiety sitting in my chest.

I’m edgy as hell. I hate being nervous like this.

For two years, I’ve done everything within my power to pad my environment and make it comfortable. Yes, I love Alexander and I want to be with him, but… this is not easy. I knew it wouldn’t be.

“Do you need to feed?”

Maneuvering around a cherry pit in my mouth, I lift my gaze.

Alexander sits beside me with his legs folded, still in his bathrobe. Buffy is curled up and sleeping in a patch of sunlight on the floor near the glass balcony doors. Alexander runs his fingers through the top of his hair to sweep it back. “I’ve fed from you twice, so I was wondering if you needed to feed? Raphael said that the blood boutique might have first-gen blood for you—or whatever you want. If you need something…” He trails off, flicking his beautiful golden-brown eyes down and toward the tray set beside us.

I don’t want random first-gen blood.

I want him.

Every inclination within my body and nature screams for me to feed from him. Further, he needs it from me. We’re finally on the same page, but I can sense the insecurity in Alexander’s actions. His need to please me because he doesn’t know my mind.

He’s given me access to his heart and nature, but mine are shrouded in mystery because of my weakened state. My eyes haven’t alighted for him. I haven’t pulled from him and intimately infused my thoughts into his psyche in the way that would reassure him of my love.

I know that I should. I want to, but…

Does he want me to? And am I truly ready to let go and commit myself to another purebred? The pull between us grows stronger with each passing day. How can I keep denying it? Why should I?

“I don’t need that,” I say kindly. “Thank you for the offer. I had a bag yesterday afternoon before I came here, so I’m alright.”

Alexander nods. “Sure, I just wanted to make sure… I’ve said the word ‘sure’ too many times but you get what I’m saying.”

I huff, reaching for another cherry.

“May I ask, where do you get bags from?”

“From Roland and Kathryn. I’m their first blood customer. Before that, a servant from the álvarez estate would visit the cottage and feed me, but that was hard because she couldn’t come very often. This current situation is much better. More reliable.”

“That’s good,” he says in earnest. “I’m glad you have some stability. That’s important with feeding—as we both know, painfully well.”

An awkward rest sits between us as I roll a cherry between my fingertips. He hasn’t offered himself, but I want to broach the subject of feeding from him. We should absolutely talk about it if we’re going to walk this path.

“I know you haven’t offered,” I begin, taking a shallow breath, “but the thought of feeding from you?—”

Alexander abruptly raises his palms as if he’s surrendering. “I-I didn’t say anything about me! I was worried about you. I already know how you feel about purebred blood, so it’s alright. The disdain you feel would pour into me if you fed, so it’s probably better for both of us if you didn’t anyway.”

I stare, blinking and with my brow furrowed. “May I finish what I was going to say?”

He nods. “Yes… sorry.”

When I exhale this time, it’s weighted. “I was going to say that the thought of feeding from you excites me. I don’t hold any disdain toward you, Alexander. None whatsoever.”

He chuckles. “You say that, but if there’s anything unpleasant in your head when you feed from me, I’ll feel it. I think my heightened sensitivity for alcohol is the same as perceiving another vampire’s intentions pouring into me. One time, Oliver…” Alexander rolls his shoulders and glances away. “I’m sorry. I should really stop bringing him up.”

“It’s okay,” I encourage. “Tell me.”

He meets my eyes. “He fed from my neck once because I asked him to and… he tried to make it nice. To hide his real feelings, but I could still feel his displeasure when he fed. Like eating a piece of pie and something feels off, you know? Too bitter. Or maybe one ingredient was rotten.”

Damn. Why does it feel like I’m constantly cleaning up after some mess that Oliver has made? “Understood. But… would you be comfortable with me feeding from you? Would you be willing to offer yourself to me?”

Purebreds are taught that their blood is sacred. That they should only ever offer themselves to those they deem worthy. At the very least, I want to know where I stand, given his elite upbringing.

“Danny, I would give you anything that you asked for. Anything . But if you’re not ready, that’s fine. I would never rush or force my will on you. For all the reasons—yours and mine.”

I slip the cherry I’ve been playing with into my mouth and exhale a sigh. I didn’t say I wasn’t ready. I said that I was excited, because I want to feed from him and show him what’s in my head and heart. That there’s no disdain. Nothing bitter nor rotten.

I would simply fill him with the glow and wonder that words can’t express. A love that can only be given with time, detail and attention. Passion, consistency and truth.

The temptation to tell him that I’m not Oliver again is overwhelming. It doesn’t help when I do that, so I keep my mouth shut.

“I don’t know what it is,” Alexander says, captivated, “but something about the way you eat these cherries… the strawberries too, when we were on the couch.”

Feeling devilish, I grin. “You like watching me put things into my mouth?”

“That sounds dirty, but maybe?”

“Dirty is not a problem for me. I’m comfortable with dirty.”

“I like your long piano fingers, too,” he says, breezing past my declaration. “You’re just so… sensual. The way you move. Poetic.”

Reaching, I grab the last cherry from the bowl beside us. He can’t talk to me like this without consequences.

I take a small bite to break the skin and expose the tender flesh, then lift it to his mouth. Alexander draws back a little in surprise, then allows me to caress the wetness of the ripe fruit against his lips. Tracing the shape of them. Instead of urging the cherry into his mouth, I press my pointer finger to his now dampened bottom lip.

“Open,” I say.

He does, parting his lips and letting me slip my finger inside. He closes around my finger, sucking and exhaling a satisfied sigh. His eyes drift shut. I glance down and notice his arousal underneath the posh fabric of his robe.

“My long fingers aren’t limited to playing the piano,” I tell him quietly. “They’re talented in many ways.” With my finger pushing deeper into his mouth, stroking his tongue as he sucks, I toss the uneaten cherry back into the bowl, then use my free hand to claw at the material of his robe. Needing to touch and see him again. “I’d love to show you all the things they’re capable of, if you allowed me, my prince?”

I uncover the hardness and warmth of him and wrap my fingers around his cock tightly, like a vise. Alexander’s eyes blink open, golden and alighted as he breathes. I pull my finger from his mouth, lift to my knees and lick his lips. I tilt and suck his bottom lip and am hit with the exotic taste of his citrus, radiant essence laced with cherries and heat.

I raise my head from the messy kiss, then grip him tightly again, smiling because when I run my thumb over it, the tip of his cock is already damp. “What did you call me earlier?” I ask.

Alexander’s breath puffs as he stares up at me. “Raven?” he whispers, hoarse and perplexed. He blinks, considering and he’s so beautiful like this. Sensual sunshine in my hands.

“I liked that,” I tell him, “but there was something else. What else did you call me?”

I watch his throat bob. His eyes become clear with understanding.

“My king.”

The pressurized energy between us ignites as I bend and take his mouth in a voracious and deep kiss. The desire—no—the desperation to be closer to him in some carnal and primitive way overtakes me as I drive my fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck, cradling his scalp.

I guide him back onto the bed and Alexander yields, melting beneath my touch and kiss and lifting his knees as I crawl and rest my weight between his thighs. The robe spills open around his hips, leaving him naked and beautifully exposed to me from his navel and all the way down.

Alexander’s chest rises and falls with the heavy beat of his heart as he writhes beneath my frame. His enticing aura is completely flared outward and saturating both the room and my senses. My hand drifts down, snaking between his legs because I want to touch him and know him by heart. Every inch, curve, line, fold and detail .

All of him.

All mine.

“Rabbit,” I breathe, feeling his lower half tense and tremble when my fingertips caress the heavy flesh below his cock and down toward his opening. “I want to fuck you. I want to touch and taste you and make you come again—I want all of you.” I press my finger between his cheeks, teasing the rim of his ass. “Can I have everything, my sweet prince?” I whisper. “Will you give me consent?”

I kiss into the curve of his neck as I delicately trace the hot skin between his cheeks. Alexander’s body shudders beneath me, truly reminding me of a rabbit caught in a trap. I lick up his neck, then graze my teeth along his jawline.

Alexander’s eyes flash open as he lifts his chin, desperate for a breath. The action elongates his neck like a wicked temptation. I bend to lick him there once more, cradling his ass in my palm and drawing his body into my mutual hardness.

“Say yes ,” I breathe against his flesh as my fangs sharpen and pulse. I want him now. I want him to know and feel this ache and affection inside of me. That it’s pure and not tainted. I’m not mean or evil and I’m certainly not Oliver.

A knock at the door makes us both start and I lift my head.

“Wait—” Alexander says, but it comes out raspy and breathless.

“Can I come in?” Raphael’s voice is muffled through the door.

“ No ,” Alexander and I say, simultaneously and loudly.

“Fine—but I need to know if Daniel is staying or not? Lord Ansv?d will be arriving shortly.”

I look down at Alexander and his hands are plastered to his face. No words from this one. I lift my chin toward the door as my fangs slowly retracts. “Yes, I’m staying.”

“Great! Just set the tray outside when you’re finished and I’ll take it back downstairs—Oh! And the almond and olive oil, too. Chef is asking about it. Lord Ansv?d should be here within the next thirty minutes.”

When I sense him moving away from the door, I exhale a sigh. Raphael’s timing is always shit. “The vineyard cottage is better. Privacy.”

“Mm.”

“Why is everyone in your estate being so nonchalant about this? About me?” I wasn’t expecting this. The vampire that let me into the estate when I arrived yesterday was very polite. I even met a sous chef while I was waiting in the sitting room and he was nice and smiley as well. I sense no malice from these vampires.

What’s going on? What am I missing here?

Alexander drops his hands in a huff. His face is flushed and rosy and his hair is in a state of chaos. “It’s a long story.”

I lean and kiss his lips. “Tell me?”

He exhales. “I will, soon. I promise. We need to get dressed and I desperately need the next thirty minutes to calm the fuck down.”

The sweater I threw on in my haste to come here is gray and cable knit. Dark jeans. Not shabby, but not particularly impressive, either. Definitely not something I’d wear if I had known in advance that I’d be meeting the figurative and current King of Eden.

I mentioned this to Alexander and he immediately offered up his closet full of chic and luxurious clothing. But I’ll be damned if I meet his father while also wearing his clothes. It’s bad enough that I might be carrying Alexander’s scent because he’s fed from me twice and I’ve been rolling around in his bed.

God, this has danger written all over it.

We’re standing in the reception area by the front door. A kind of high-ceilinged foyer with a modern light fixture and elegantly painted walls. Beside me, Alexander is also casual in a sweater, but his is patterned and layered over a crisp button-down shirt. Each shoulder dons a handsome swatch of what looks like tawny suede. His buttery mane is neatly swept back and freshly washed.

He looks princely and expensive again. As if he wasn’t a trembling mess just twenty minutes ago because I was desperately (successfully?) trying to fuck him.

It has not escaped my attention that he never answered my questions. He did not give me consent. He didn’t say no, either, but his lack of an answer is apparent. We simply got off the bed and started getting ready. There wasn’t time for anything else.

“I’m not trying to be cheeky,” I say, reaching up and lightly touching his shoulder, “but does the vegan vampire know that suede is made from animal hide?”

Alexander reaches up, takes hold of my fingers and kisses my knuckles. “It’s faux.”

We’re alone. Raphael was with us but stepped outside the door where a few other servants are waiting. Alexander holds my hand and entwines his fingers with mine at our sides.

“Ah, so he’s thorough about this ‘being kind to animals’ thing,” I snark. “My sweet prince is dedicated to the cause.”

Alexander turns his head, regarding me with his striking eyes. “Yes, when I care about something or someone, Daniel, I’m exceptionally dedicated.” His stare is unflinching as a gentle stillness falls over us. A capsuled moment in time, as if we’re both set in resin.

I swallow hard from his sudden intensity, but then I’m snapped out of the moment when the front door flies open. Instinctively, I snatch my hand from within his and slip both behind my back, then straighten my shoulders. Here goes. Alexander looks me over, but doesn’t say anything before turning his attention toward the door.

Lord Ansv?d Kendrick is a brick-wall of a vampire. Square-shouldered, broad and solid. What he lacks in vertical height he makes up for in presence and atmosphere. Something about the air around him is calm. Easy. The length of his trench coat floats around his calves as he strides toward us and his attire is casual but distinguished. These Kendrick men really like to layer their outfits.

“I was informed that we had a special guest?” Ansv?d says by way of greeting. His voice is strong but warm as he smiles. I can see the handsome elements he’s passed onto his son. His straight nose and sculpted jaw. The deep set of his eyes. Ansv?d’s hair is ice blonde, though. Long and smoothly pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck.

“Yes, Father. Welcome home.” Alexander steps forward and Ansv?d lifts his hands, cradles Alexander’s head and places an affectionate kiss on his son’s forehead. The gesture is so natural and unawkward that it must be routine. I don’t know why but I’m touched by this.

“Do you remember Daniel Lim?” Alexander turns, gesturing toward me.

Ansv?d nods, openly pleased. “How could any of us in this household ever deign to forget Daniel Lim? Would you allow it?”

I’m confused by my full name being repeated like I’m someone famous or noteworthy, but Alexander chuckles. His cheeks redden as he grins and rubs the back of his neck.

Not knowing what else to do, I offer what I assume is an appropriate bow for a figurehead king. “Your highness, it’s a pleasure to see you again—please forgive me for the rude intrusion.”

A tall, elegant-looking purebred woman steps up behind Ansv?d and urges him to remove his coat. He shrugs out of it and glances over his shoulder before turning back to me. “ Gravvis, Evie . You are welcome here, Daniel. May I call you Daniel?”

“Yes, of course, your grace.”

“Wonderful. Daniel, this is Evie, my primary maidservant—Evie, this is Daniel Lim.”

The tall woman nods politely toward me and I return the gesture. With his coat off, Ansv?d takes a moment, assessing me, then Alexander. “It’s remarkable that the two of you have crossed paths once more, and at this precise junction in life. It also seems as if you are getting along… quite well. ”

The subtle emphasis he’s placed on the word ‘quite’ makes me tense. Oh God, am I carrying Alexander’s scent?

Fuck.

My nature is weak and difficult to sense, so I was hoping there wouldn’t be any chance he’d successfully mark?—

“We are.”

My eyes flicker wildly to Alexander from the cool sound of his voice. He slips his hands into his pockets, utterly relaxed. “We had a rough start, and Daniel pretended like he didn’t remember me at all. But I think he’s warming up to me. Little by little.”

I scowl, but then quickly fix my face as both Kendrick men regard me, scrutinizing. Warming up to him? What am I—a second stray cat that he’s snuck into the house?

“ Aust vie ?onkra pest, nan? ” Ansv?d glances over at Alexander from the corners of his eyes, unexpectedly speaking in the traditional northern Eden tongue. I can’t understand it, but I recognize the guttural sounds when I hear them, which is very rare.

Alexander huffs in amusement and shrugs. “ Saud. ”

Um, excuse me?

“Well I, for one, am pleased to have you here,” Ansv?d says, flipping back to his polished Central Eden dialect and stepping toward the long hallway behind us. “Shall we eat, gentlemen? Daniel, I’d love to hear about how you’ve been keeping yourself busy these past several years. If you’ll indulge me, of course.”

I will not. Especially not about Josefina and being kept as a blood-obsessed pet in her bedroom for six years. “Yes, your grace.”

Ansv?d walks forward. Alexander and I follow. Alexander keeps his hands in his pockets but glances down at mine as we move. Like a child that’s considering reaching for and snatching a cookie.

Nervous and wary as hell, I fold my hands tightly behind my back.