24. Please, choose me.

**Octavius**

Meeting Lily has never been part of my plans. Most days, I stay indoors unless I absolutely have to leave the mansion. It's pretty hard to avoid some vampires since we all live under the dome, and I know very few who actually leave the city. Kieran is out; I know that for a fact. I take one look at Ocean and smile. She's seething with jealousy, and I'm all here for that. So much for the strong-minded human who couldn't fall in love with a vampire even if her life depended on it. I'm heading straight down to Hell, and I'm taking her with me.

I look ahead as we walk down the busy streets. It doesn't matter who looks at me or tries to speak. Ocean, however, doesn't seem nearly as comfortable as I do. Her eyes dart to every other person who gives us looks. Of course, it's not like we could expect a different reaction. Humans aren't our friends, and anyone wearing a collar is considered a traitor. Sometimes I wonder how so many people can be so stupid- no collared human has a choice to make. Technically, we could grant it, but something tells me the majority would rather choose death than life as a pet.

"Where are we going?" Ocean questions me. Her voice sounds like a whisper, and I hate that she thinks she has to be as quiet as possible. Just because she's wearing the collar around her neck doesn't mean I'm taking away her voice. The collar should be a symbol of power and high status, not something horrible.

I chuckle and squeeze her hand. Things like that often reassure humans that nothing dangerous is coming their way. Besides, as her owner, I must protect her, and only a fool would oppose me. "I want to show you a special place. Darling, don't mind the peasants around us; hold your head high and use your voice. You haven't done anything wrong, and you shouldn't feel like a criminal. If anything, you have the right to walk down that street and feel like Royalty. I have no idea what Vladimir and other idiots have told you, but you are higher than others. Take your place, don't push it away." Perhaps my words will inspire Ocean. She is not a good-for-nothing who belongs on the streets. Among other humans and some vampires, Ocean is Royalty, and it's about time for her to embrace her status.

"But I don't feel like Royalty. Besides, I haven't seen a noble with a collar around their neck." She argues.

Yes, her words are true in a way, but she hasn't lived among actual Kings or Queens to know the dirty secrets hidden behind the walls of castles. I think about her words and can't help but wonder how much Ocean knows. It's been proven that some people are reincarnated and can remember their past lives. Is she one of them? I swear, the more time I spend with this woman, the more interesting she seems. "Well, have you seen any, though? Let's start there."

Ocean nods eagerly. The sudden energy that overcomes her makes me chuckle. She's so adorable when she shows passion for something. It's one of the reasons I'm so obsessed with her. She is alive. She acts like no vampire has ever acted before, and I've missed the living. I've long forgotten what it feels like to take a deep breath and actually feel it. I've forgotten the feeling of my heart pounding against my ribcage. Even though I might look like a human, I am nothing more than a leftover shell with no soul. And that's precisely why we are so different. Ocean is everything I no longer am. Everything I once cherished and loved.

She keeps looking up at me, and I remember that we were in the middle of a conversation before my mind wandered away. I give her my full attention as she licks her lips and speaks up. "Yes, in history books. Most of them are lost or were burned down along the libraries, but a few still exist. Like, I'm not trying to blame anyone because I know the vampires had to get rid of the evidence of human history. I've been thinking about everything you told me about vampire history, so I understand. But that's not the point. I've seen photos of Royalties." She explains. The way her voice changes from serious to passionate amazes me. Ocean shows her emotions in such a wide spectrum; I hope she never changes that.

Although her response is good, I have a few things to add. I could be an asshole and snap at her about how wrong she is, but that's not my intention. Instead, I remind her of a little detail from my life. "You could be wrong. Have you forgotten that I've lived a long life, darling?"

Ocean takes a minute and immediately pouts. "Oh."

I want to laugh and pinch her cheek because she looks so adorable, but I restrain myself from acting like an idiot. Besides, she might find my behaviour embarrassing and be mad at me for God knows how long. "That's right. You see, the photos you've seen are mostly photographed paintings. I spent a lot of time among the Royalty, and most of them wore a lot of jewellery, especially around their necks. By most of them I mean women, upper-class women. At the time, they claimed that the jewellery represented their status in society, while they were unaware of the true purpose of the diamonds and gems. The high-class men and Kings nearly drowned their women in various pieces of jewellery, but especially necklaces. On their side, it was an attempt to show off their wealth and show everyone how many women they had. So technically, not much has changed. Also, throughout history, people have put necklaces on each other to show off their power, wealth, and social standing." As Ocean takes in my words, it looks like a light bulb is appearing over her head. This makes me think that no vampire has taken the time or ever bothered to teach her anything new. How hard could that be?

"I apologise for my ignorance," Ocean sighs. "No one has bothered to explain anything to me about the history or the significance of certain things. I was just hoping Vladimir would stay away from me and dance when he told me to. I know I seem ungrateful sometimes, but I'm really not. You and Kieran have done nothing but show me so many new perspectives in life and take care of me all the time. Thank you for treating me like a human being, not a slave." She smiles, the kind of cheeky smile that gives the illusion that I might have a beating heart. Something tells me she'll be the death of me.

"You're not ignorant just because you lack some knowledge of certain aspects of the subject. You haven't lived a thousand or more years; there is no way you can know unless someone talks to you. Now let's forget about the depressing subject and hurry up a bit; we are close. I'm so excited to show you the place," I keep giving Ocean a sideways glance to catch her emotions. The raw ones she shows when no one is looking at her.

We stay silent for the rest of the walk. She doesn't have any questions, and I'm not in the mood to answer any more of them. Today was supposed to be our day. Today was supposed to bring nothing but positive emotions, excitement, and another reason Ocean wanted to stay near me. One day, the Elite might force her to choose an owner, and I want to make sure she would choose me. Time doesn't stand still, and soon enough, the entire Elite will return for the taste. That is the day I dread and fear. Actually, that's one of the reasons I didn't want to collar humans for all these years. I've seen how crazy some ceremonies get and if anything, I know how unpredictable the Elite vampires are. When it comes to ceremonies behind closed doors, they know no bounds.

As we approach the edge of the city, I jump behind Ocean and place my hands over her eyes. "Don't be afraid, darling; I just want to make sure you are not trying to peek. This is a very special place, and has been for a while now. And please don't think that everything Lily said was true. She lied. Alright, partially. She knows about the cliffs, but I never took her here. I've mentioned the place a few times, but I never felt the need to have her in my life long enough to share the place with her. But I know I want you to stay, so I hope this place is as special to you as it is to me." I whisper in her ear as she slowly walks towards the cliffs.

I pause in my stride, and she does the same. Part of me still worries if I'm doing the right thing because the cliffs were where I used to hang out with my Sire before he was killed. It's like a sacred place for memories and times when I need to be alone. I'm sure I want Ocean to become an actual, very important part of my life. I sigh and take my hands from her eyes. Ocean takes a moment to blink and get used to the sight. She gasps and steps closer to me- her back collides with my chest. "I can't believe you did this for me." She whispers, and I swear I can hear her voice breaking. I don't try to force her to turn to me. She might have tears running down her cheeks, and Ocean isn't one to take being seen as weak lightly.

We stand there in silence as she leans against me and wraps my arms around her. I'm more than happy to hold her like this, especially when she wants me to. The reason Ocean is so taken aback might be the sunset. I can't stand in direct sunlight, but there's a small transparent spot in the dome, and from where we are standing, I can stare at the sun unharmed. I would love to show her the world, but I know she would miss so much if she decided to follow me. As a human, she could walk under the sun and see so many beautiful places, views and things, but with me, her choices are limited to the nights or the domes.

After a while of silence, Ocean speaks up again. "Octavius?"

"Yes, darling?" I smile as she snuggles closer to me. Her fingers intertwine with mine, and for a moment, I feel like I'm whole again. I have felt lost all this time like I have missed something important, and it only took one person to show me that I'm not a completely lost case.

She clears her throat and whispers. "Did you mean it when you said you weren't sure you wanted to keep Lily in your life?" For some reason, Ocean sounds like she's not sure she can trust my words. I've done nothing but try to gain her trust. Hopefully, she won't try to push me away even if I make a mistake in the future. But so far, I've never lied or tried to hide anything from her. It's hard enough to understand a human when I'm no longer one myself. I've been a vampire for far too long, and we do things differently. At this point, I'm learning all over again.

"Yes, I did. And why is that? Are you jealous?" I tease her.

Something tells me Ocean is blushing. Maybe it's her racing heart or the sudden increase in her body heat. "Maybe, just a little bit. I know I don't have any rights and-"

Before she can try to justify herself or argue, I interrupt her. I hide my face in her neck and whisper. "Shh, enjoy the view and don't worry about it. You're the first person I have taken here since my Sire died. This used to be our place, but he was my creator, my father, and it's different." It's one thing to bring him up in my thoughts, but telling Ocean about him makes me feel weak. For centuries, I had only one person I truly loved and respected, and losing him was one of the hardest things I have had to go through.

"Are you sure you want me to stay?" Was that supposed to be a question?

"One hundred percent."

It seems Ocean agrees with my answer, but as usual, she has more questions. This woman is too curious for her own good. "But there is something else you want to tell me, right?"

"Sometimes, I wonder how easy it is for you to read me," I chuckle. She's silent, and I know she wants me to explain everything without her constantly quizzing me. I sigh. "At some point, the Elite group might require you to choose one of your current owners. Even though Kieran and I share a house, it's pretty much impossible for both of us to have one collared human. Kieran has already told you that we share everything, and the same goes for women. We have shared many, but none of them was collared or even human. Technically, we are ignoring the law now. An owner can have one or more humans, but a human can't have two or more owners. I'm not sure if we will figure out how to deal with the chaos, but for now, we just live in the moment. I am selfish, I know that, but one of the main reasons I brought you here today is to ask you to think about the possibilities. I wish you would choose me when the day comes, but that is your decision alone. We have no right to choose for you or try to manipulate your decision. Think about this day if the Elite group comes and asks for your decision." I gulp. "Please, choose me.