Marcus
I had brought the alien bird's drones with me, hoping that their tech would be a little more advanced than the Earth's and actually work on Zoreah. I put on the wristband of the turkey aliens. Activated it by waving my hand over it. It worked and was the first good thing that had happened in months.
Even though Ahasuerus was very interested in medical advancements. Science. He didn't really care about conquering more planets, fighting, or weapons. It suited me. We came together in that one thought, conflict was never the answer. But he also didn't waste his army; he hired them out or used them for his purposes. If there was something he needed.
I sent out my tiny, silver scouts in different directions, and they quickly picked up on a living entity in the vicinity. For weeks and weeks, it felt like I was being watched. I tried to avoid it rather than figure out what it was. I needed to be more proactive. Started recording and scanning it on my wrist. Whatever was out there was still not making a move… I followed the signal that night. It was the only time it was quiet and didn't move for several hours. The drones led me into a mountain range and into a cave. I deactivated them and placed the ball in my pocket.
Fully manifested, I dared to enter the darkness. The beasts on Zoreah ranged from the size of elephants to freaking three-story buildings, but there were no weird sounds, only the rhythmic breathing of something small. My size… People size. Intrigued, I thought it might be a rouge Rithath who had decided that he would survive on his own. Maybe Chris had run away… On the other hand, the planet's natural conditions were obviously extreme all over. If Chris had to stay in one place for five years because the rest froze over, no one would live alone in those sandstorms or at any of the soft spots I had figured out.
I walked further into the cave. Whoever it was was fast asleep and didn't even realize I was there. I moved closer and slowly haunched down. I put my hand on his shoulder and shook slightly. The person was startled but not scared and sat up.
"Samuel?"
"Marcus? It was you?"
I hugged the guy. Threw my arms around his neck. I was so glad to see him. He laughed. "How long have you been here?" Samuel asked.
"I don't think as long as you. You are two weeks shy of Chris."
He nodded. "I didn't feel like dying… Tell me Michael made it."
"Juliet brutally murdered Qadir and got him back. It was all providence, but it seems like the universe is on her side."
He frowned… "The compound?"
I had to smile. "Louis is in charge."
Samuel gave a bout of laughter. "You took over and went home, didn't you? And Juliet… Did she come out unscathed?"
I felt guilty all over again. "No… Jabin and Ahasuerus had some ideas of their own, but when I went home, he let it go… She had another baby. A Ritphath girl." My smile fell when I had to say it out loud. I so desperately wanted a family, and no one appreciated the fact that I was sacrificing as much as they had to.
I met his eyes briefly, "Seems like you're running away from that little girl."
I nodded… I didn't want to lie. "So what, you were just going to die out here? That's not very clever."
"What do you mean… James is my main man. It has been a five-year vacation… And you know, time does stand still here."
My eyes widened, and I bobbed my head. "If it wasn't me, it would have been someone else. James sent me here, not for educational purposes." I had to chuckle.
"I'm glad it's you."
"Now we wait for my grandfather."
The two of us had a lot of catching up to do. Samuel was old and getting into his last years. He should be with his family. My father had caused a lot of trouble… The world didn't even blame Juliet.
***
The following day, the weather was good. I had moved into the cave, and I had decided to go out hunting for us.
"So, how did you survive out here? I haven't had food for days."
"There are creatures… But you have to know where to look…. Are you that hungry? How long have you been here?"
"Coming up on five months… Water?"
He shook his head. "Zoreah has no water. There really are only three cities. And those are the only locations of water. And even then, they trade for it." He crouched down as we walked, and I followed suit. We saw something, and I hoped it would be one of those sand thingies.
"How did you survive?" It was a stupid question. "James sent you water."
"The question should be, how did you?"
"Oh, you know me… conditioned to survive. Food, rationing, tech from En-gannim. Succulents all the way out there." I pointed it out in one direction.
We stalked the prey and killed it quickly between the two of us. It wasn't half bad. Tiny, little ugly things with scales for skins. We had to wring its neck. Peel off the scales and dig into the slimy skin. Samuel did it with ease. I watched him and followed his actions… There was very little to do but sit and wait after leaving messages at both sites.
***
"So why are you here, Marcus?"
"Chris and Caleb…"
"No! You know why they didn't go home. Why they couldn't go home. You know you need to send an invitation and wait… Coming to some random site on a planet you don't know seems a little desperate."
"Juliet slept with Soren."
"Who is Soren?"
"Exactly my point." I stretched out my hand to him.
"You and Juliet are the same… She is jealous… It seems you are very jealous… And you're in a harem sharing your wife with… four other men. I think you pulled the short straw."
Hearing it out loud made me want to stay and never go back.
"I'm tired, Samuel, of everything. I don't want to rule… I never have… I've worked my ass off for so long that I want… to enjoy myself. Especially now that Qadir is dead."
"What else happened… It can't be only… Soren."
"Juliet challenged Ahasuerus to the throne in a…."
"Fight? What was she thinking?" Samuel stood up and walked about.
"Exactly! Where were you this year? If you were there, none of it would have happened."
He spun on me, "Why were you not there?" I sat up after lying down in the sand. Everybody's been asking me… Telling me. Another person who could not understand the patience of keeping both sides happy. But then again, neither of us is happy at all.
"I don't think I've ever really loved her," I finally said aloud.
Samuel snorted and scoffed. "You are such a fool… But I won't tell you what you need to find out for yourself… What I will tell you is what Juliet didn't say. With the branding process, all three of you can fight… but it seems there is a reason she didn't tell you."
"Ahasuerus did mention… that I would have to do it. But I didn't think he meant that."
Samuel regarded me for a long time, waiting. My eyes fixed on his… taking in his words. It had disconcerted me. I proved myself, but it wasn't enough. She needed more.
"Juliet and Ahasuerus talked about it in front of me, and I didn't know… She would never ask me to come back. Or fight for her. She said it wasn't my problem… and I had to prepare myself." There was a long silence. "She was going to turn. I wanted to give them the space to get the treatment."
"Juliet isn't infected, Marcus… Michael held Rodrigo prisoner for weeks. To get him to make a formula for Juliet to be able… to carry the Riphath child. In the process, she became what you saw… when she killed your father… I can only imagine. She was never going to die… or turn into a zombie… Or be stuck like that forever in a glass cube. Louis dosed himself every time with the same stuff. Lied to you guys. Yes, the payment was the skin… but I'm sure Juliet is already working on solving it… And, of course, the sickness and the going crazy part. But I think she handled it pretty well, considering. She was fighting werewolf toxin."
I tossed the creature I was sucking on against the wall. It splattered everywhere… "Well, that does change… everything." I fell back onto my tarp. Rodrigo had told us that she wasn't dying… But her turning into that thing we would have to control was always a fear. I even saw it on video. It scared me… Inevitable that she would have to be held captive in that mouthpiece forever. Rodrigo did know what would happen... He lied.
"And Louis…?"
"To throw your grandfather off kilter. Not focused on them, waiting for them to die, playing for time because he loves her. Knew she would not be able to handle the loss of a child."
I had to take a minute. Louis was right; I kept making excuses.
"No one knows," Samuel whispered.
We heard footfalls on the rocky gravel outside. "In here." We heard yelling and another set of footsteps coming into the cave.
"Go hunt some of those things I showed you. Catch them… don't kill them." I heard my grandfather say to the men with him before he walked around the bend. His eyes ran from me to Samuel. He shook his head. Samuel stood up and walked over. It was strange to see any affection from my grandfather, but he opened his arms, and they hugged it out. What a weird scene. "Ahasuerus, it's good to see you."
"You too… So, you've been hiding here… Unfortunately for you, Louis gave away James."
"You can hardly kill the boy because he helped me."
"Not kill him… I'll send him to Earth." They both chuckled. "What are you eating? I'm starving. Been running around after this idiot for days."
***
Ahasuerus
A Few Months Ago
I sent out my invitation to Ira Manaen and to Brylee Fehn. We needed to meet before Juliet and I came face to face in the ring... Ira was already in Shumaan. Brylee would not travel, so we had to meet on Palmyra, in the city of Caude. The appointment was set. It had to happen that weekend. There was a rare occasion when the three cities aligned, and we had the same night together. Ella had gone back to her family for the last years of her life… That was the custom and reward for a woman who served as well as her. Not that Ella had any family left, maybe a sister. It does not signify. Vampires became more vigorous as they aged, unlike the werewolves, which turned into useless sacks of meat. Juliet would have a hard time killing me. If it came to that… Either way, I would make sure Marcus was free. So I could move to Zoreah for my trade agreement time.
***
I walked out of the teleporter alone... I made the trip in the dead of night, so Marcus didn't know. Or anyone that could tell him. The nights were beautiful on Palmyra. The three constant moons and all the stars. I heard Ira walking out fully manifested. The sound of that enormity was loud thuds on the platform… I was, as well. The queen of the planet walked out, and as always, she was wholly veiled. You could never see her face, and she was always in human form. The only thing you could see was her ankles. She didn't even have guards with her. No one bowed or greeted each other or said anything. We sat down.
"Juliet found out about the brandings. Challenged me for the throne."
Ira growled. Brylee was quiet as always.
"Qadir is dead. She killed him."
Ira was not pleased and slammed the table with a fist. It was loud, and I supported his outrage. "Will we let her take over all the planets? Change all our cultures and customs until they suit her wild ways." Ira's voice was more of a growl when he was manifested. "What else?"
"Louis du Pont is running the compound on Earth, and Juliet gave birth to… another Riphath girl." Ira's claws dug into his paw. The blood dripped onto the table. "Her name is Samantha Agatha Furrow… or Sammy…."
"How? How can she carry a Riphath? How could Chris have another child? Have you found out how she carried Caleb in the first place?"
I shook my head. "According to me, it must have been that concoction Rodrigo gave her. She is still dying, changing. I saw her face, her skin… But it has made her strong. And she can be controlled like that… It is the only reason she was able to kill my child."
"I don't care about the chit. I have come… to hate her as much as you do. Chris is completely obsessed with her… Can we kidnap the child?" Ira suggested.
"We could try… But she never leaves her side. There is no watcher tech on the compound, and I cannot divert Marcus and Louis anymore. You must know how it feels to have to make way for the next generation."
"Chris must never know of the child. He would want to go back. He would stay. And the people would be angry if I didn't allow it. Leave one of our own out there. A child."
"You understand what happens if she is branded again by anyone else? The third spot is for whoever will dare…." Our eyes darted up to Brylee's. For the first time in hundreds of years, she had spoken… Brylee took her dress and tore at the seem. She took Ira's hand in hers and bound his paw. He winced and flexed his fingers, pressing the cloth in his fist.
"Thank you." He growled.
Brylee shrugged. "Just to remind you, she has the human living with them. If he does it… We might as well give her the keys…." She drew in a nervous breath… "It should be another vamp, Ahasuerus." That time, my fist came down onto the table... Soren came to mind. She made a low sound to my disapproval of giving away only my planet.
She spoke again, her head turning to Ira… "Let it be, Chris…? Let's be done with this… We could have some control."
Ira pushed his big chair out from under him… "That will never happen… I will make sure he never sees her again…" Ira sneered. "You will make sure no one brands her…." Ira pointed at me with an outstretched paw and black nail.
"When is the challenge?" Brylee asked.
"30 April next year. Before you leave for Yaroon…You will have to come." I said to Ira. "Watch from the shadows. If I don't make it… It's up to you to stop her and make her bend."
"I want to come," Brylee said. Ira and I stared at her, stunned.
She stood up. Her gaze had to travel up to Ira's. "Come and pick me up, Ira. I will wear a compound veil... So look out for me on the platform around six."
He nodded, and she disappeared into the shadows. "Good Luck, Ahasuerus," Brylee said before her presence was gone. Her smell and the sound of her steady heartbeat.
"She is twenty-one next year… All we have to do is keep them separated for another two years. I don't think they will even put it together to let Michael brand her…." Ira suggested.
"I think we should let it play out…." Ira nodded and left as well.
***
Present Time
Marcus
I had been on Zoreah for five months. Samuel for five years, and we were on our way to Earth. I had asked Ahasuerus. Said that I wanted to stay for a while. He and Samuel were in his office for a whole day. After that, he released me.
I realized that my one decision made a difference. I wanted to start making more. I was going to have a honeymoon… Even if I had to kidnap her. The house in front of me was my house. My house… where my wife lived. The gates were half-open. There was laughter. There was fighting and cheering. One child was crying, and another was laughing and playing. Growling, Sammy had still not changed back.
My house was full of people. People that I hardly knew anymore. I opened to a scene out of a video game. Juliet and Louis had plates on their faces around their mouths. There but not there. Their eyes were glossy. It was unnerving to see her like that… But I was happy that she wasn't in danger anymore… Hearing what Louis had done was a turning point for me. I knew there was more I didn't know about. I glanced at Samuel, taking in the scene next to me. Nothing seemed to ever bother the man, and he always had a smile on his face friendly features like his brother. Jessy was with us. A few men behind him carried crates of tiny creatures. My grandfather said we needed to breed them for Sammy.
Michael stood directing them. Kubra next to Michael, helping to teach. Michael seemed well. He was on his way to his former self. A little more meat on his body. She had brought him back. They had brought him back. He was staying. It was the three of them. Juliet really would give her life for anyone who stayed. And not even physically but spiritually. We walked through. It was, after all, my house. The crowd quieted down when they saw us.
Liam, shocked but happy, ran up to his brother. They embraced. "It's about time," Liam said when he shook my hand. Cindy hugged me. Threw her arms around my neck.
My eyes kept darting to Louis and Juliet, who stood frozen until Michael spoke. He glanced over his shoulder at me. Not even a proper recognition. He was still angry. Not taking my crap. He knew why he was there. He was sure about protecting her. He couldn't care if I took all my life deciding. All he knew was how much Juliet meant.
"Juliet… attack Marcus. Use mid to close-range attacks. Offensive. No time for… defense. Punish him." I didn't have time to think. She ran skidded. Rested on her hands. Her one foot kicked my shin so hard that I felt it would break, snap in half. I stumbled backward. Her speed was faster than mine. She jumped on my neck, grabbing onto me and flinging me over in one motion. I was on my back before I knew what was going on. I jumped up, ready. I jabbed up at her; the countered move was swift, stepping forward and slamming both her hands into my chest. So complex and with so much force that it cracked a rib.
"Stop, Juliet." Michael walked over. I was on my knees in pain. He pressed his thumb on the back of her neck. The plate retracted into a little black tube. The tubes I gave Carl. That I got in Jabin's room.
I had the wind knocked out of me. My hand on my stomach, my eyes closed. She had slammed my small rib, missing my liver with purpose, I hoped. I would have been in serious trouble if she had hit my organ. Even Ahasuerus would have felt it.
Juliet stood before me normal, peering down into my eyes… Me on my knees in front of her... I didn't mind being on my knees. She turned to Michael in a huff… I thought she would slap him. I could see she wanted to. Her chest fell and rose. His cheek turned. He saw it, too. He had a massive smile on his face, waiting for the impact. He cocked an eyebrow. That smolder.
She snorted, "You will pay for that. But I won't hurt you." His eyes changed as the smirk fell from his face… Their gazes locked like magnets. They had grown closer… She reached out and touched his cheek.
For the first time… I realized that their relationship was more than I had thought. It wasn't just family… She was really in love with him. Michael turned to me, handing me the tube. "She always said you were the safest to give this to. Even before Caleb was born. You were her choice. I felt the same back then… Now I think you will break her heart… But let's see. I'll be there to pick up the pieces if you know what I mean."
A wave of jealousy hit me. My absence had caused another addition. Maybe two… If she decided she wanted Soren after all. We never did complete our chat about him. Juliet rolled her eyes. "You really are such a human, Michael. A pissing contest. Can you please release Louis now?" Michael walked off.
Juliet came over to her uncle and fell into his arms. "You look good, Juliet."
"I'm really happy to see you, uncle."
"Have you guys slept together? You and Michael?" I asked loudly. Not really knowing if I would be able to handle it… I also didn't care if anyone knew my struggles. His gaze came back over his shoulder while his hand released Louis. Juliet frowned at me. No one answered. My hand gripped my rib. Juliet helped me up. "You're getting sloppy. You would have stopped that a mile away in the past. What's going on?"
"Ahasuerus doesn't want me to fight, so he's keeping me busy. I haven't been training. But I know why." All eyes were on me as Juliet sat me down on the lounge chair.
"Kubra, come check him, please."
"Sure thing, boss." My eyes shot up to his face. He gave me a smile. "Since…" His eyes cast down. "Since… yea well… that night. Juliet has been a little… You made her edgy. Taking over everything."
"Seems like if I want to talk to you, I should make an appointment," I said to her. I was trying to get her to look at me. Juliet's manners were cold. She didn't think it funny. To bring up the past so easily. What did I expect? She would be waiting with an open heart… She was too busy cleaning Louis's cuts anyway. They had gone at it pretty hard. When she was done with him. He turned on her and did the same.
"I went to Zoreah. Uninvited." Louis's hand stopped mid-air on its way to Juliet's brow. There was a small cut. I didn't like it. She was training that hard for next year. It was deadly quiet around me. "Was stuck there the last month here, so for five months. Why I haven't been back since… that night… At least I took a bag… Before you freak Juliet. I wasn't close to Chris. There was no one… accept that man over there."
Everyone's eyes drifted to Samuel. He nodded. "I was hiding. I'm sorry." Samuel said.
"What do you mean you were there for five months? Here for one?" Juliet's eyes met mine for the first time. I groaned... Louis had not told her… I shook my head. Swore under my breath. Everyone else knew… except Juliet. Kubra helped me up when I held out a hand. I left the patio and walked over to my room. I closed the door. No one had been in my room. The smell was stale and musty. In France, everyone was in Louis's room. In his bed. Chris slept with them. He let Charlene sleep there. Even Carl sometimes when they were drunk and passed out. His door was always open. His space was constantly invaded.
I didn't want to, but my body begged. I heard the swearing from Louis. Juliet opened the door and closed it behind her. I forced her forward until she was so close to me that I could feel her breath on my lips. I wouldn't force her to kiss me, of course. Not yet, anyway. So I let her go. She stood even closer. Her hands slowly slid around my waist and up my back.
"I thought it was just sex… But it wasn't." I started. "I feel the absence too much, Julie. I have to go to another place in my mind to cope. Not being with you changes me... That's how I was trained to manage. Fear of losing you makes me worse. I shut down… There has always been space between us… like you said. First on the compound… the branding, then after the club. After the embassy. After we came back. Always space. I hate space. I hate not being with you."
I took a breath, roaming my eyes over her face. "Ahasuerus told me, you don't choose me above Louis because I have never chosen you. Like you said on the mountain. You don't love what's not good for you… I haven't been good to you. You also don't wait for anyone who doesn't choose you. And the only time I've chosen was with Damian."
Her hands were all over me.
"But still, you waited. Even at fifteen, you said you didn't choose me because I never do anything. At that age, you had more common sense than me. You have always been nervous around me. Because you never knew if I would stand up for you… I will keep proving to you that I will… And Julie, I know I have to share you... but it's not enough to push me over that line. However much I try to hate you… I never will. I've accepted my fate. I'm not going to leave anymore... Or sleep with anyone else."
Juliet wasn't moving. Her eyes fixed on my lips. Where they had been that whole time. She didn't once meet my eyes. "Julie… Is that all you want from me?"
She nodded. I smiled and laughed lightly, biting my lip. It was a mistake. She wanted to kiss me, but I dodged her. She fell onto the bed behind me. I laughed at her again. She is so freaking cute. Her bushy eyebrows make her angry face worse.
"I'm confused when I'm not with you, Julie. I even out when I see you. My heart settles, and I'm contented. But I want to give you Caleb back. I know you don't have a prize. One you can fight for in the ring. Because you are completely free. And I envy you. But I can still give you all the things you want. And I might be preoccupied with those things. But it's all for you. It always has been. It always will be. And my prize will always be you."
I paused, hoping that I was sharing enough with her.
"Caleb is already five. The time on Chris's planet is five times faster than here. They have five years of winter and five years of summer. Their summer… this year is the only time I will be able to go to see them or get to them. April next year… I have less than a year."
Juliet lifted her torso onto her elbows, taking it in. "We… You mean," She asked? She didn't wait for an answer. "Do you know why he's not come back?"
"Ira. His father."
"Does he live only nine hundred years there?" I shook my head.
She was quick to do the math. Quickly taking all the variables into account. The political advantages.
"I have to tell you… Marcus, I'm so sick of all of it. It never ends."
I was taken aback that she felt the same way as me. Taken aback that what I had told her didn't even matter anymore. "Have you and Michael slept together, Julie?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm jealous. And I want to know if you used him to get over my… disappointing performance."
She shook her head, playing with her tongue over her teeth. Her eyes cast down.
"What and Why?"
"He has a problem with my skin. He is only going to start with symptoms soon. So I don't think you have to worry in that regard. Are you against Michael as well? Or is it only Soren?"
I had one chance to say the right thing. "I honestly didn't know."
"And now that you do?"
My eyes darted around the room, thinking. "I… want to know that… we meant something. Making it official and all… Consummation… Because you sleep with so many people. For you, it was probably just sex." I said, looking deep into her eyes to try and figure out what I meant to her.
She snorted… "You know… While we were busy…" She laughed. "I had that exact same feeling… Because I think we should do the math…." Oh crap, I've never had that discussion with her… "How many women have you had, Marcus? And the big question, how many did you have after meeting me?"
I didn't want to hurt her… "After? No one…"
"Are you going to stand there the whole time, or will you touch me at all?" She patted the bed next to her. I didn't move… "Will you come to lie down if I promise not to touch you?" I nodded. She moved to the furthest side of the bed.
Slowly, I lowered myself onto the bed, my face pulling from the pain. "He probably did that so that we couldn't." She quipped.
I snorted. "Like that would stop me."
She didn't give me a chance. I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to. Her legs straddled me. Her lips were on mine. I keep mine still and closed.
"There is a whole lot I can do to you without you opening your mouth. Mar…cus."
I groaned, closing my eyes. "If you keep saying my name like that… things will get a little rougher in the future."
"Mar…cus…" She kissed the corner of my mouth. "Mar…cus." She kissed my neck and sucked on my ear. "Mar…cus."
I wanted to say something. Her tongue was in my mouth so fast. She smiled… "You're getting sloppy… You need practice." I flipped her over, coming down on her hard. Kissing her relentlessly. It wasn't just sex. It was never about getting her in my bed. Or getting her out of my system. It wasn't about the anticipation… It had always been about her… My fears and insecurities.