Juliet
When Louis told me, I was going alone… I nearly broke down. The veil hid a lot of things… Especially that I was holding on by a thread, knowing no one could help me. Knowing I was all alone.
I didn't even want to go into the old house to show Louis everything. I just turned away from him and got in the car Marcus left. Louis and my dad talked for a bit. I knew I was being unfair towards him... He wasn't doing anything wrong. They probably wouldn't even allow him on the estate… If Marcus could not protect me. What did Louis think he could do?
***
"Will you be okay? I can stay with you a few nights." My dad tried to soothe me…
I was considering it but only took his hand and held it. "No… I best get this over with. I don't know what I was thinking. How I made the assumption that Louis would join us. No one here would accept it." My dad squeezed my hand. "How do I get over assuming the best in every situation? Or even making wrong assumptions. Trusting that they aren't lying to me…."
He sighed. "Only by experience, Julie."
It was quiet for a bit. "We haven't talked in a while, Dad. Is there nothing you would like to say to me… And not that you're proud of me, please. Because right now, I feel like an utter failure. Forcing us off the compound and now sending you guys back."
"Juliet, I was sentenced to stay here for nine hundred years. Whether you were born in that time or not. It didn't make a difference. In the eyes of En-gannim… I'm a criminal. That's not on you."
"I feel like all I do is bring drama into your lives. We were so peaceful until we met Marcus."
My dad chuckled. "Puberty is a bitch." I laughed lightly.
We were already at the main gate of Qadir's estate. They opened without question, setting me a little at ease. Maybe my dad would be able to come and visit. Sneak in my mom. I remember when Marcus and I stopped in front of the main house. My dad made a left and kept driving down a lane. We followed the little road until it bent. Coming out to a small parking area in front of big red wooden doors. "How do you know where…?" I remember my dad was there that morning. He was in Marcus's study. I would be going into the house where everything happened. Sadness wanted to grip my heart, but thinking about Caleb… Not seeing him ever again made me numb. So, he was a good buffer for me. Not to lose it completely.
"I'm sorry, Julie." I nodded, examining the front of the gates to Marcus's house. Two guards opened for us and led us through. My dad walked first, with one guard in front of him and one behind me.
The style of his house wasn't at all what I had expected. Outside the gate, it was one world, and in there another. It was beautifully designed. Everything surrounded a pool and yard and a massive patio. I was stunned. That wasn't at all what I thought Marcus would like. An under-roof walkway surrounded every building and connected the whole house. I frowned when I saw how many rooms there were along one wall. And when the guard showed me into the last one that was a little bigger than the rest, I knew it was for more wives. All the doors were closed, though, and I wondered if Marcus wasn't hiding a wife after all.
We walked through the door, but the one guard didn't leave, watching us. My dad had a look around. The room was spacious. Open plan. The first thing you saw was the koi pond that ran through the middle of the room. A cute courtyard was behind glass doors to the right. From the mountain behind the house, water flowed down the rocks, feeding the pond. A little bridge connected one side of the room with the other. There were cupboards and space for tee service and a desk.
On the other side of the room, a massive king-size bed was stacked on a small wooden palate close to the ground. It looked almost identical to Louis's one in our glass cubicle in France. Nothing was behind my room but the mountain that spanned up into the sky. Steep, rocky, and unclimbable. I turned to my dad and shrugged.
"You want me to go?" I wanted to check my watch. Then, I reached for my phone in my backside pocket. Which I didn't have anymore.
"It's around six."
I bobbed my head. "No… you go ahead. Go and assure Louis that I'm good. That I will see him soon."
"I hate leaving you like this, Julie."
"I know… It's going to be tough on all of us."
He picked me up until my feet were dangling. Something he hadn't done in years. The guards stared at us. The strange affection was a foreign concept for them. Quickly, he put me down and left before he could change his mind. It wasn't two seconds before the one guard made his presence known at the door. "My name is Damian." The gun hung off his shoulders. He perched himself against the doorframe with wondering eyes. "I will be here the whole time. So you better get used to it. I don't want any trouble from you. I have my orders…." What was I supposed to say? Don't speak until you're told to. He didn't ask questions. Lifting himself up, he stood contemplating whether he needed to say more. Damian didn't.
When he was out of sight, I grabbed the door handle, sliding it closed, wanting to lock it… But there was no lock and no keyhole… Nothing. My hand gripped the handle tightly. At least I had my ability… Not like last time.
The first thing was first. I was going to have to start recording Damian's routine. When and how many times they checked in on me and if I would ever be left alone. I didn't really know what to do with myself, so I walked around my room. The loneliness gradually seeped in. I lived in a house full of people. Not anymore… No tech. No books. No pencil and paper. I could go cook. I snorted. What would I make?
I took off the veil. The room seemed a little bigger and brighter. The roof was high and gave the idea of space and depth. The lapping water was soothing. The fish seemed to be thriving. Fat and big. I crossed the bridge to the side of the room that didn't have just a bed. I was trying to find the bathroom. The first door opened to a closet with a few things in it. Clothes, underwear, and more veils. The second door in the middle of the wall was a sliding door, also no lock. I pushed it open. I gasped at the walls lined with books, as high and as far as I could see. A bed in the middle of the room faced towards… My bed. I frowned, my gaze wandering from Marcus's room back to mine. My head tilted. I was a little taken aback, wondering how many women he's had in that setup.
I checked the last door on my right. It was glass and big. It opened into a bathroom carved out into the mountain. Completely outside, plants everywhere. There was a massive glass tub in the middle of the room with a high water spout above it. I reached for the lights and walked in. It was almost magical. I stood close to the tub, my gaze drifted from the glass door I had just come out of and then to Marcus's room. It had the same door. Both rooms looked out onto the bathroom space. Especially the glass bath. I giggled and shook my head. Marcus, Marcus… Marcus…
I dropped my clothes and let the water run for a bit. It never rained in the desert. It was always freaking hot. Even if it was evening, the summer was coming. Sitting in the stream felt like I was under a waterfall, out in nature somewhere. I could imagine Marcus getting lost in there, wanting to drown out the voices in his head. Drifting in the water when the tub was full.
I stood up to wet my hair and wash it. Getting a loofah to scrub my body. The sweat under that veil would only get worse. Marcus had thought about everything. I even had toiletries. But I wished I had brought my phone. No one patted me down at the gates. I might have gotten away with hiding it… I would have been able to speak to Charlene.
"Clank."
My head jerked towards the dark glass where the sound came from. I climbed out immediately, grabbed my towel, and wrapped it around me. Marcus's room was dark. With the light on in the bathroom, I couldn't see in there. I sighed, "great." Slowly, I walked towards the sliding door.
If I were to put out the bathroom lights… technically… I would be able to see what was going on in his room. It was like a horror movie, thinking I would see Jason in his mask on the other side. My hand reached for the switch, pressing it. The moon's light fell into Marcus's room... There was no one.
I breathed out the breath I was holding. "Stupid Juliet."
I opened the sliding door, walking over the threshold. I noticed that his room door was open a smidge. I could have sworn that I heard something. "S-," I said softly, slowly walking to the room door. I opened it wide enough so I could peek my head out. Damian was there. Our eyes met when he turned around.
"Don't come out like that again." He warned. "You will get a beating."
Slowly, I closed the door, shaking the willies off me. I went to my room and to bed.
***
After the previous night, I had a fitful sleep. I kept watching the door the whole night when my eyes would open. Scared, Damian was going to be standing next to my bed. Coupled with Caleb leaving. All I heard was a baby crying. Not being able to go and pick him up… Left me in a kind of fitful limbo mode.
I woke up more tired than rested. No matter how much I had prepared myself for Caleb's leaving. It wasn't enough. How was it my fault that I was a vampire and had a baby with Chris? Why did I have to pay for being in love with Marcus? Depression was setting in… Would I have slept with Chris? If I knew all there was to know about our worlds. The fact that species didn't mix. The sun was coming up. Startled, I sat up… The door between Marcus's room and mine was open. I could swear I had closed it… The mental torture of fear… It was not something I was used to. I closed it last night… I wasn't going insane. Not having locks, though… Might make me go bonkers. At least when there was a barrier between you and an enemy, there was a warning of intrusion.
Getting dressed, I put on comfortable clothes and my veil. My head popped out of the room. Damian was outside on his chair. Just like he promised. Softly, I slid open the room door. "It's about freaking time. We're hungry." Being snarky was probably not the best idea. Defeated, I walked to the kitchen. Hungry myself, I tried staying focused like Chris had said. Keep my mind on my prize and quiet.
Damian's face was one of those you wanted to plant your fist in. A constant smirk played on his mouth. Resting douchebag face. My nose wrinkled under my veil. At least he couldn't see my expressions. I closed the kitchen door and started with breakfast. Of course, after I had to clean up… My mind was trying to figure out how to escape to see Louis. Marcus didn't know about my ability when he built the place. Theoretically, there would probably be a weakness somewhere. Right?
I checked my room. I checked my little courtyard. It was such a small space. There was no way. The mountain kept me inside at my end. My room was utterly cut off from the other "wives" rooms. Just thinking about concubines made me shudder. The catfights and the drama. I liked being queen, but not that much. The next possibility was the bathroom. Carved halfway out of the mountain… It was impossible. The place was a fortress.
I sighed. "Ugh!"
I was determined to go see Louis. My next option was to check every inch of the yard. I put on my veil and left the room. The freaking walls were so tall that climbing them was out of the question. No drains. No openings. My only salvation was the backdoor out of the kitchen. Where deliveries were made. Damian was on my tail the whole time… Unless I was in my room. So, I had only one option…I would have to pretend to be in my room. Leave Marcus's door open a little. Disappear and just walk out.
Not so bored anymore.
***
It took me so long to get to our old house that I would use it as exercise if I would do that every day. I walked to the back to peer into my room. There he was on my bed. I opened the window softly and climbed in. "It took you long enough…." I jumped on him. He wrapped me in his arms.
"Am I a very sad case that I can't live without you anymore?" I asked.
"Pathetic… How was your first night."
"Fine, and yours?"
"Lonely." He pouted his lips, asking for a kiss. "You didn't have your ability last time you were here." I shook my head and flashed my eyebrows at him. He smiled. "These walls are really thin, baby… And your parent's room is right next door."
"I never heard them. Maybe we should use the car in the garage."
"No! That's where you and…." I put my hand over his mouth. He laughed softly, wrestling with me. He got on top. I would force him over, straddling him.
"What else are we going to do in this place?"
"Marcus said I can come to the house for a few days. While Qadir is in custody."
"Why didn't you come last night?"
"I don't want to coddle you." I punched him in the gut. He grunted and groaned, turning on his side. I got into the covers with him, spooning him from behind and running my hands all over him. "And then, of course. There is starving you. So I can have you like this… It's always nice."
"Nice?" I dug my nails into his side. He squirmed. Louis is very ticklish. He soon got the upper hand, pinning me beneath him.
"Nice… and you still suck at grappling." I laughed lightly, pressing my lips together. "I'm glad to see you smiling. You okay?"
I shook my head from side to side. "I need comfort." He showed me his biggest smile that reached his ears and made the side of his eyes crinkle.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?" My dad yelled into the room and opened the door all in one action. Louis and I both swore loudly, throwing him with a pillow. "Your mom and I will take a drive to the market…" Louis's hands tightened around my waist under the sheet, dragging me closer to his body.
"Let's say an hour?"
I scooted down until I was covered. Embarrassed beyond measure. Louis laughed. "Really Juliet. I'm two hundred years old. I think your dad knows what his daughter is doing with such an old guy… With only one thing on his mind."
I punched him in the stomach. He groaned.
My dad laughed, walking away. A moment later, the front door closed.
Louis slowly pulled the covers off us. Our eyes met, but all the fun and games were over.
"This will only be our second time together," Louis whispered. I nodded and dragged his lips onto mine.
***
He wasn't on top of me long, rolling us over. I stared down at him. "And now?"
"You came into my room… Asking for it… You're going to have to be on top today."
I stuck out my tongue at him. "This is manipulation. You have the ability to make this great."
He stayed quiet for a bit. "You have something to tell me?" I didn't want to talk. So, I stayed on top for punishment.
It worked to take my mind off everything as I rocked on top of Louis. But it wasn't going to make me cum. I was only getting more frustrated. Louis's release didn't take me long. He pushed me off him, giving me something I could go to the bathroom with. Sitting on the toilet for a while, I went back to the room. I dropped down on the bed, falling asleep. A few minutes later, Louis pulled me back on top of him. "Are you going to talk to me?"
I groaned. "Louis…" Thinking about having to utter all the words building up inside me was too much. Avoiding meant I stayed on top again,
having to go at it longer. It had me so close, but I couldn't get a release like that, not without help. I never could. He knew it… When Louis was done the second time, he dragged me down against him, holding me close. "Baby…" He whispered. "Please talk to me…."
My legs were burning. My eyes were burning. No words wanted to cross my lips. I fell asleep with him stroking my hair.
After the third time, he knew I wouldn't talk. He let me be. I was so tired. The lack of sleep the previous night had drained me. Emotionally I wanted to curl up in a ball and suck my thumb. I couldn't keep my eyes open. Louis spooned me into his arms. Held me so close to his body. I was thankful because all I needed was to be near him, where everything made sense. Safety and to feel him inside me. It wasn't about getting off. He knew that, too. I loved being with him… I fell asleep thinking about nothing but him.
***
The few hours we got were the best, and I felt better opening my eyes. The sun was hot outside. Louis complained when I stretched next to him. Arms high above my head, twisting my naked body. His one eye opened, scanning me.
"No! Not again… please."
Guiltily, he quickly closed his eyes, smiling. "You angry that you had to do all the work today."
"Yeah, I wanted comfort, not a gym session… My legs are jelly."
"I should have told you I'm a lazy lover."
In disgust… I stared at him, narrowing my eyes. A few seconds later, we both burst out laughing. A knock at the door made Louis pull me against him. Covering us both with the sheet.
"You got to come and see this, Louis... You to Julie… Quickly." Eyes wide, we jumped up in mutual understanding. We got dressed, throwing each other with clothes. Before I wanted to open the door, Louis's hand spun me around. He lifted me up, our eyes meeting. "I have no words, baby. You rock my world… that was… insane… You please me beyond anything… I love you! My head slumped onto his shoulder… thinking that I could do this every day.
"Yes, please." He begged. His voice was low, kissing my neck. "I'll make up next time. You know why I did it right." My lips found his… I nodded. I needed to be in control. He didn't mind. Even though in the beginning Louis's touch did not set me on fire… I knew it would be lasting. I would never get enough of it. Because he was good for me. And I chose him.