Vampires of Eden (Alexander #2)

46. Daniel

CHAPTER 46

Daniel

I ’m trying something.

Whether it works or not, I don’t know.

Me, Leoni and Alexander returned to the vineyard a week ago—four days after he gave his proposal to the Governing Board in Central.

About that. I wish he could have hit that old haughty vampire a few more times. I’ve searched myself, wondering if I should feel some shame or remorse for the joy I experienced while watching my bonded partner physically assault another vampire. If I’m lacking in some critical, moral substance for feeling satisfied about the whole thing.

The answer is, I don’t care.

I think the jerk got what he deserved. End of story.

After the meeting, the board members spoke to both of us about having a “small celebration” to formally recognize our bonding. Alexander was dubious, I could tell, but he didn’t make a fuss. We told them yes.

Ansv?d also asked if I had made my decision about playing the Elmhurst Thorn piece for his Board of Trustees at the Royal Opera House. I hadn’t made up my mind. So much has happened that I’ve barely glanced at the music or thought about it .

Nevertheless, I told him that I would interview for the position. I’m ready to try. Alexander’s eyes just about popped out of his head when I accepted the offer. I had to hold in a laugh.

Sensing my handsome and sweet mate making his way upstairs, I quickly scan myself in the bathroom mirror to make sure I’ve done this correctly. I brush my fingers at my tapered sides, needlessly smoothing them down. The only length left of my hair is in the top, flipped upward, a little wild but still contained because of the stylish precision of the cut. Alexander took me to his barber while we were in Central. I was worried he might fuck me over just because I’m first-gen and bonded with the Golden Prince of Eden. He was actually super nice and did a great job. I feel naked, but I do like the cut.

Moving swiftly, I sit on the edge of my bed and cross my leg, trying to appear casual but likely failing miserably.

The cottage isn’t completely fixed yet. The living room is under construction but on the mend. Alexander has been staying here, helping me and Leoni clean things up and also working with us in the vineyard. Leoni wants to give him and me partial ownership, but because of the laws restricting ranked vamps from having their own businesses, my share is unofficial—for now. Hopefully, we can change that in the future.

“Danny?” Alexander calls as he climbs the stairs.

“Yeah.”

“Leoni just got a call from Mayor Hart. She invited us into the village for—” Alexander steps into the room, then physically stops, blinking. He clears his throat. “For dinner.” Moving slowly, he steps toward me. His eyebrow lifts in genuine confusion. “What are you doing?”

I sit straighter and raise my chin, trying to be confident about this. “Well, the party is tomorrow night.”

“Yes…”

“And I thought I’d do something special.”

“Okay…”

The silence is awkward. I shift my gaze to the side—feeling the slick discs of the contacts move against my eyes. “I’ve been feeding from you for almost two weeks and my eyes still haven’t returned to their normal coloring. I was thinking that this might help?” I flicker my gaze back up to him. Waiting.

I ordered purple contacts from a website. It’s definitely not the same color nor effect as my real eyes, but at least it masks the ghostly pale lilac that they are now. My long hair is gone. Can I have normal-ish eyes?

Alexander takes a knee in front of me. He sets his hands on either side of my hips. “Why do you think you need this?”

“Like I said, the party is tomorrow, and I don’t want to look like some sickly thing that you’ve bonded with—I thought these might help!” A wave of rogue emotions sweep over me and I look away from him. Embarrassed that I’m still being insecure about my looks. Frustrated that my outward visage hasn’t returned to the way it was before Josefina.

Yes, I have more color in my skin and I feel physically stronger. My injuries healed from the fire within twenty-four hours. A turnaround that fast has never happened before.

But I’m… still not right. Not yet.

Alexander looks into my face. “Do you want my honest opinion?”

Knowing what’s coming, I sigh. “Yes.”

“I think your eyes are beautiful, Danny. Your natural eyes.”

“But they’re not the same as before—do you remember what they looked like when you first met me?”

He nods. “I do, of course. They were striking then, but I love them like this too. They’re ethereal to me—the color of twilight clouds. When you wear these contacts, you muffle the white light that shines behind them from your vampiric nature. These contacts make your irises look flat, like… a human.”

“Dear God. Not a human.”

Alexander chuckles and takes both of my hands in his, resting them in my lap. “That Daniel from before and with those eyes was a much different vampire, wasn’t he?”

I smirk, understanding his point. “Yeah, he was.”

“You’re different now, in many ways, because you’ve been through a lot. I think that’s part of your beauty. Your resilience and strength. I don’t think you need these contacts, but if wearing them makes you feel more comfortable, I’ll support you.”

My heart warms and melts. This purebred vampire man. I lean, tilt and kiss his mouth. He parts his lips slightly when I make contact, giving the kiss a soft and luscious feel. We play a bit, teasing and affectionate before I raise my head and sigh.

“You’re the sweetest, you know?”

“I try.”

“I love you.”

“I know.

“You should let me eat your ass tonight.”

“Danny.”

“What?”

He laughs. “ That took a turn.”

“You don’t need to be shy about this. I would really, really like to?—”

“Hola, did we make a decision about going into the village for dinner?” Leoni rounds the corner and steps into my room. “Vanessa is waiting?—”

We both look at her and she stops the same way that Alexander did. She frowns. “What the hell is wrong with your eyes? What did you do, cari?o? You look mortal. It’s weird!”

Alexander tries to hold in a laugh but fails. He looks up at me apologetically.

“I was testing them out,” I say defensively. “Give me a break.”

“They’re no bueno,” she says, stepping forward to meet us by the bed. “Your natural eyes are so pretty, Danny. Like purple clouds!”

“I told him the same thing,” Alexander says, grinning.

“Get rid of them and let’s go into the village. I’ve decided that we’re going to hold a casual meeting at the bed and breakfast so the two of you can get to know Vanessa and everyone spearheading the union.”

I want to feel incensed, but the sensation doesn’t get very far because I’m too busy being impressed with Leoni. Turns out, she’s been helping to unionize the ranked vampires across Eden’s villages, along with Mayor Vanessa Hart of Hollywick. The two of them tapped into their budding network of ranked vampires and quickly confirmed who was responsible for the fire.

Leoni contacted Ansv?d with the evidence. If he and the board had refused to take the accounts of the ranked vampires seriously, they were prepared to stage a walk out. All the ranked vamps across the villages—and even some in Central—were primed and ready to leave their positions until justice was served and Lord Cherrington was held responsible for his actions.

But they didn’t need to do it. Ansv?d and the board believed them without question and talked to the witnesses.

“Is Mayor Hart going to give us some inclination as to what’s happening at this party tomorrow?” Alexander asks, pushing himself up to stand. “Nobody will tell us anything—not even stupid Raph.”

“Because we want to surprise you and Danny—and don’t call Raphael stupid. Just relax and let us take care of everything.”

Alexander and I thought for certain that the party would be held at some purebred’s snobby, fancy estate in Central. Likely his own, in that glass fishbowl ballroom with the grand piano. That doesn’t seem to be the case. All we’ve been told is that a car is coming to pick us up tomorrow evening, and to be ready in formal dress.

Alexander is nervous about this. I’m not, though. Leoni is in on whatever is happening, and so is Ansv?d. I trust them both.

I might even go so far as to say that I’m looking forward to it?

“Rafah is here!” Leoni’s voice calls out from downstairs .

“Rafah?” I say, confused.

Standing behind me, Alexander adjusts his satin-white tie in the mirror over my shoulder. “They’re weird. Leoni and me grew up together and she was always jealous of Raphael as my manservant. She used to say that she wanted to steal him from me. And when Raphael would get mad, he’d threaten to leave me for Leoni.”

I scoff, amused as I fluff the top of my hair. “I have never heard her talk about Raphael like that.”

“They’re not into each other. They just vibe, I think? I don’t know. Raphael once volunteered to me that he was biromantic asexual. I didn’t ask any follow-up questions.”

I’ll have to ask her about this later. Leoni is also disinclined to sexual relationships, which is why she turned down all of her bonding arrangements and we ended up banished here. But she doesn’t distinctly label herself.

I turn away from the mirror to face Alexander. “Do I look like a proper vampire? Like Dracula?”

Alexander looks me over approvingly. “You do—but contemporary. Dracula as the owner of a private and affluent art gallery. Very hot.”

Grinning, satisfied, I check myself in the mirror one last time.

The tailoring of my suit is razor sharp. Black on black with a satin tuxedo stripe down the pants legs. I also asked the tailor for a cloak because I’ve always wanted one, but never had a reason to own or wear it. The material is also black and floats heavily down to my ankles. The inside of the cape is a rich, midnight blue. It is perfection.

Alexander’s tuxedo is traditional black and white, but he looks fucking delicious and luxurious. He didn’t want to be dramatic with me and get a matching cape, but the inside of his jacket is discreetly the same lush and dark blue as the inside of my cloak. I love it.

“Are we ready?” Alexander steps into my side, speaking low and leaning as he wraps an arm around my waist. He litters kisses on my neck and beneath my ear.

“Yes,” I say, sighing and raising my chin. I inhale to fill myself with his heady scent. Basking in his warmth and citrus glow that’s part of me now.

“Wait, no,” I say pulling myself together because I had almost forgotten something.

“No?” Alexander asks, confused as I step out of his grasp and toward my nightstand drawer. My cloak floats behind me as I move, creating its own drama and flair. I open the drawer and take hold of the small, black-velvet box inside that I’ve been hiding for the past few days.

After taking a deep breath, I turn toward Alexander. “I got something for you. For us.”

He closes the distance, meeting me where I stand. “What is it?”

I glance down at the box in my hands because I’m nervous about this. I’m not sure how he’ll take this gesture given the history of it, but… I wanted to try. “You used to wear those gold bands on your right hand, remember?”

His body tenses in surprise. “Yeah,” he says cautiously. “Of course.”

I swallow and it feels thick in my throat. “Well, when I asked you about it, you said it was a ridiculous sentiment but…. I think it’s romantic. And I think you feel the same way, but you were embarrassed at the time. So I… I got these.”

Gently, I flip the top of the box open, presenting it to him as if I have a clam and there’s a pearl inside. Except there’s no pearl. There are two onyx-stone rings. One is a smooth, lush green, the color of a mossy pond at the height of summer. The other is black like the darkest, moonless night. Both of them glint in the fading golden sunlight of my room.

“We may be different on paper, Alexander. Aesthetically and to the natural eye. But on the inside—at our cores and in the ways that matter—we’re cut from the same stone. The same layered structure and composition.”

My heart is in my throat as he stands, staring at me in silence.

If we weren’t bonded, I’d be worried because I might assume he was upset about this. But since we share an intimate connection, I know he isn’t upset. He’s overwhelmed.

Alexander steps into me, lifts his hands to hold my face and kisses me so softly that my body might liquify into a messy puddle. The warmth and sincere tenderness of his lips touching mine could send me oozing right through the floorboards.

He pulls away and his eyes are alighted and beautiful, which triggers mine as well. “Thank you,” he whispers. “I love it. They’re perfect. Which one is mine? Should I choose?”

I smile. “I had the green one fitted for you specifically. The black one is mine, of course. Hello?” I gesture with a nod down toward my outfit.

He chuckles. “How did you know my ring size?”

“I took it when you were asleep and after you fed from me last week. You sleep really hard after you feed.”

“It’s the best sleep of my life.” He looks down at the two rings and takes a breath. “May I try it on?”

“Let me.” I remove his ring from its velvety compartment. He takes the box from me with his right hand as he offers his left. I slip the ring onto his finger. Perfect fit. When it’s secured, he re-opens the box and offers the same courtesy to me.

He lifts his left hand, examining the ring in the light flooding the room. “What are they made of?”

“Onyx.”

“I didn’t know onyx came in green.”

“The world is full of surprises, my sweet prince.”

“Oi! Did you two hear me? Raphael is here!” Leoni’s voice is shrill from downstairs. It makes us both jump as we exchange a grin. Alexander’s gaze turns dreamy as he takes hold of my ringed hand, securing my palm within his own.

“Anything else, my love? ”

Helplessly, I smile even harder. “Nope, not from me.”

“Alright, let’s do it.”

The sun disappears behind the mountain range as Raphael drives us to our secret destination. The sky is a moody indigo and the stars seem to sparkle much brighter than usual. Alexander holds my hand the entire way and I sense his nervousness. I grip his palm back in assurance. “We’re okay,” I whisper, not wanting to catch Raphael’s attention from the front seat. “Everything will be good.” I can feel it.

We end up in Hollywick just as dusk melts into night. The car slowly traverses the narrow village roads and the surrounding cottages glow warmly with their signature stained-glass windows—a beautiful kaleidoscope of color and light pitched against the darkness.

Raphael parks the car just outside of an arched entrance made of stone. The structure is covered in crawling leaves and vines, and a mysterious, ethereal white light emanates from within the space beyond. I can’t see the source of the light because the road curves just before the walkway. It’s as if we’ve stopped beside a portal to another world.

“You’ll have to walk from here, gentlemen,” Raphael announces.

Something in Alexander’s nature brightens and warms. Where there had been anxiety just moments ago, now, there’s delight. He looks out the window past me with his golden-brown eyes wide. “Are we—Is the party being held in the grove?” he asks. Suddenly, he reminds me of a child filled with wonder.

“Not the grove,” Raphael says. “The conservatory.”

Alexander marvels. His eyes flicker between me and Raphael and his lips are slightly parted. “R-really?”

“You dummy,” Raphael teases. “We know what you like. Have a little faith in us! Not everyone feels like your mom or that creep Cherrington, you know. In fact, I’d say they’re the minority. Get out and start walking, everyone’s waiting!”

Alexander flinches, then reaches for the handle. “Wait a second,” he says to me, letting go of my hand as he slips out of the car. He closes his door, then walks around to the opposite side to open mine. He offers his hand and I like this very much. I slip my palm into his and he helps to pull me from my seat. When I’m out of the vehicle, I fluff out my cape and he assists, making sure the hem is clear of the door before we close it.

“I have to go park the car. I’ll see you both inside.” Raphael waves as he drives off, leaving us alone in front of the whimsical archway.

“This is the same conservatory that we walked to before, yes?” I ask, once it’s quiet. “The one with the fountain.”

“It is,” he confirms. “When we were here at the market, we came in through one of the side entrances. This is the front.”

Crickets, owls and frogs fill the air with their nighttime song as we walk toward the arch. The village is otherwise silent. No one else is around and the atmosphere hums with something mysterious. We turn the corner into the archway and I stop because my heart skips a beat.

The path is lined on either side with hornbeam trees. When we were here before, they were all naked because it was late winter. Now, they’re lush, glorious and studded with white faery lights. The tiny bulbs practically float amongst the leaves like magic—like brilliant sparkles littered within a sea of midnight green.

“You described this to me, didn’t you?” I ask, awestruck.

“I did,” he says, his voice breaking. Worried, I turn to him and his irises are glassy and wet in the otherworldly light glowing from the trees. He puts his hand over his mouth and shakes his head. The onyx band shimmers on his finger, reflecting the enchanting lights like stars in a solar system.

I shift in front of him as a tear slides down his cheek. “Rabbit?”

“I-I just need a second,” he says, muffled. “Just one second.” He keeps hold of my hand, but steps away from me as if to hide his overwhelmed emotional state.

I step into his body to embrace him firmly around his shoulders. Alexander snakes his arms around my waist beneath my cloak, pulling me closer.

We stand together, entwined beneath the glittery hornbeam trees on this enchanted evening. In a moment that, a few short months ago, neither of us thought was possible. Him with his broken heart, insecurities and impending forced arrangement. Me with my bitterness, detachment and denial.

Somehow, despite everything, we’ve made it here. Trusting each other. Assured of our love.

With his face buried in my neck, I can feel the wet heat of his silent tears. I keep my voice low as I stroke his upper back. “Shall we carry on?”

He lifts, sniffing. “Yeah, sorry—shit, I’m being such a baby.”

“You are not,” I say, wiping the tear stains from his cheeks with my thumbs. “I love that you’re not afraid to feel. It’s beautiful and I’m always learning a lot from you. Come on.” I offer my bent elbow and he slips his arm through.

We walk down the pathway and eventually encounter the open and circular space with the mossy fountain. It glows with spotlights that morph from blue to purple, then red to orange. Yellow to green. It reminds me of the stained-glass mosaics featured on the cottage windows within the village. The fountain is on and spouting water high against the dark sky, and here, too, we’re surrounded by tiny lights tucked within the trees.

“We had an important conversation by this fountain,” I say as we casually stroll past, absorbed in this dreamlike ambiance. “Do you remember?”

He laughs. “I believe I asked you what love is? We had a lot of important conversations that day—like full-on impromptu psychoanalysis.”

“We did,” I agree. “That was the day when you got underneath my skin and touched something deep inside of me. You unlocked a feeling I didn’t think I was capable of having anymore.”

“Meanwhile, I was shocked that you invited me inside to watch TV—and then I felt like an asshole for eating all of your crisps.”

Playfully, I bump his shoulder as we move onto the tree-lined path that leads to the conservatory.

We round a corner and the conservatory looms before us like a glowing glass house hidden within the forest. The structure is tall and surrounded by twisty trees covered in giant blush-colored magnolias. Vines trail up the sides like fanciful snakes made of shadow.

Alexander slows as we approach. I think he’s taking in the sheer splendor of the scenery—this house of glass adorned with flowers and juxtaposed against a midnight-blue sky.

But when I sense his anxiety rise like a returning fog, I know it’s something else.

“What is it?”

“My mother is inside,” he says, then takes a deep breath. “And some other vampires that I don’t recognize.”

Alexander had thought that his mother wouldn’t come tonight as a kind of protest against our relationship. Apparently, he was wrong.

Ranked vampires aren’t nearly as good as honing in on other vampires’ energies as purebreds are. And I’m especially shit because of my weakened state. But I try now, narrowing my eyes and senses to see if I can pick up?—

“Ah!” I turn to him, smiling as my pulse races. “My mothers are here!”