Juliet
Depression. I had tried to skip it, fight it, but my body didn't agree with that treatment plan. For months, I had pushed everything I saw and what Soren had done out of my mind. Filled my time with sex and duties of En-gannim. It was the place. It was so quiet. No noises. No waves crashing onto the shore. The only thing you heard was the soft, soothing rustling of leaves. So, some days, I sat in Marcus's chair and let the feelings flow. There was no point in avoiding it anymore. I closed my eyes and lifted my chin to the sun. It's what I needed. Solitude. No distractions. No work. No family problems. And this time, Marcus was there. He had gone through it with me. He had come for me, saved me. We could've both died that day.
I couldn't run away from it forever or push it down like I did with Marcus's branding. I had to get to a place to accept it… But I couldn't. It didn't want to come. After a month there, I didn't even know what I had to come to terms with anymore. Maybe the last twelve years of my life had been too much, too fast, and had broken me in some way. Marcus would bring Naji for me to feed and take him away again. Some days were better than others. Those were good days. Marcus, me, and the family he wanted. This is what he wanted. Us together, and right then, I had to agree with him.
I read a lot. All the time. I had so many plates and books from Palmyra I had to get through. I had to figure out how to activate the stone, what Soren planned to do with it, and if Jacklin had any way to help Soren get to us. Because if they did, it would all be over.
After a month, I stood in front of Marcus as he read in one of the nooks. He peeked over the rim at me. "I think it's time."
"Are you sure? The training with the mask is going so well. I don't want you to push yourself."
"I know. But I've got the right guy for the job."
"It's not about trust at all, is it?"
I shook my head. "How can you say that after I chose you to dance for the first time…" Marcus gave me a wicked grin. "I'm going to say something, and we can talk about it…" Marcus put down his book and sat up. "I don't submit… I never will."
Marcus looked away from me, thinking. "I see. Therein lies our problem." He gestured between the two of us with an aimless finger. "Because I won't either."
"Marcus, if you did not push me over that chair, I would never have allowed you to do it. I always wondered if you talked to me and explained it to me. If I would've given myself to you. After what happened with Soren, I know now that I would never have. Not because I don't trust you but because you are a vampire and thinking of you taking another wife..." He bobbed his head, sighing heavily. "I'm not supposed to be like this. There are only a hundred women on a planet with billions of vampires that have gone against the grain. That is in the last thousand years. You want me to listen to you and do as I am told because it is in our nature, just like the werewolf women. It's supernatural, and I don't know why that gene skipped me."
"It is maybe the only reason our branding worked. I do not understand it at all. Nothing about it makes sense anymore."
"It does not matter for now. Just keep it in mind for your decisions about the future." I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping he would talk to me about his plans. We didn't have much time left before we needed to go back to Nahrima. He did not say anything, so I stayed on topic. "You will never hurt me. I know that. But my jealousy is something else entirely… This fear I have about being pushed down is something I can work on. I can become more…"
Marcus snorted. "Pliable." His eyes fell from mine, and that numbness took over again. What was he thinking about? Me and our lives together or Louis? For the life of me, I don't know why I let him do that to me. "What about Chris? You listen to him. You didn't even kill Selena?"
I shook my head. "I'm not stupid. Chris would never have forgiven me if I did it."
Marcus frowned… "You've wanted to kill her a long time ago." I shrugged; he went on, "It was only because of Caleb that you listened to him… You feel we have a right when it comes to the kids…" He smiled. "Why you sat in that desert." I gagged at the thought but nodded. "I am sorry about saying it." I laughed. "Where do you want to begin?" He said quickly, shaking off the feelings.
I stretched out my hand for him to take it. "Don't enjoy it too much."
"I think I'm going to hate it. It's going to be worse for me than it is for you. Trust me."
Marcus was very gentle with me. He was patient and quiet and knew what to do when. We did it one bondage at a time, until I was comfortable with every part. He also didn't take over the process and sometimes waited days before I was ready for the next submission exercise. It also helped that it wasn't a sexual thing. I could see it as training, honing my abilities and strength. The goal was to be in total control even when you have none.
On the other days, Sammy, Naji, Miné, Jaali, and Fia came to our house. We would babysit and be exhausted at the end of the day. I didn't want to be away from Sammy for the time I was there. Whenever she wanted to see me, Jessy would bring her for a visit. She had talked about Warden a lot, and I was so happy Carl was back. Curious about everything happening on the other planets, but I didn't want to leave. It was much easier with one person.
Louis had not dragged me out of bed again, nor did he come back home after I asked. The flashes of images of him having sex with other people were not subsiding. No new experiences wanted to replace what I saw, and I figured maybe in fifty or a hundred years, I would get over it. Soren really knew me too well, thinking he could destroy us with my jealousy. It felt like I had a dream of a partner cheating, and when you wake up, you're angry the whole day, sure that they did cheat on you. And Louis's leaving before I came back was worse than his past. He was still a lone wolf who dealt with things on his own. I was more scared that he would never come back than us getting past this, because why did he leave? Something was wrong. He didn't pull me out of bed for the fun of it.
Did my heart still belong to Louis after everything? Yes. I couldn't let him go. Not after everything he promised me. I would not again lose faith in him even if he did drive me up the wall. He was probably staying away to see if I could go on with my life without him. Idiot. How many times did I have to tell him he was above all the other men for it to stick? From the first chapter of our story, all he said was that he wanted me to choose him, and nothing he did would ever make me let him go. And I figured that this was the last thing that could happen between us. I hoped, anyway. So, at random times during the day, I would focus only on him, keeping him quiet for as long as I could.
The other thing that bothered me was my jealousy of Marcus. He had asked me, and I still couldn't figure it out. He was confused about the brandings and what it all meant. I was even more, and because of this, I kept reading, planning, and waiting. My mom was also reaching the end of her third trimester. It meant that they would be coming soon. My father knew I would not miss it for the world.
Charlene and I were in correspondence. Old-time mailed letters. I sent her a very long written missive, and she responded in kind. We would talk like we always did, and I would lie on Marcus's lap, reading my letters to him.
Dear Juliet
I miss my friend and need a good night of dancing and fun. With Carl back, we need a night where we can let loose. Carl still doesn't want to make the marriage journey. He doesn't even want to kiss me. And it's not like I can manipulate him into sleeping with me.
I hope you are feeling better. If you get really depressed, go kill someone. If I could. I would kill Soren for you. Putting you through all that… For what? Idiot.
I miss emojis. I miss indoor plumbing. You are jealous of me, and I'm jealous of you.
Fia and Jaali are doing well. Romero says thank you for taking them off planet and giving us a honeymoon. They don't have honeymoons, but he liked the idea, so we went to Iku's old place and lived in his cave for a few days. It wasn't two weeks, but it was a lot of fun.
Can you send me images of the house? Michael and Chris make me jealous that I won't be able to live there with you. Carl is nipping to see you. He wants to talk to you. I don't know why. It was so funny the first day I saw him. Romero gave him one hell of a fight until he passed out. I was a little angry, but when he woke up, he held me for a long time, and we talked like we always did. He went through so much over there and kept defending Lyla. Can you believe it? We did fight about it. I wish you were here. I can't wait to see you. We need to take our trip to the werewolves. Fahan and Jade have been here to meet Imani and Yazen. Romero and Kubra didn't want me anywhere near them for now. I guessed if you were here, you could alleviate all our fears about the giant dragons.
When you come back, I was hoping you could go to Earth and get me an iPod. I want music and solar panels to charge the thing. I am working on the indoor plumbing. Chris said it's his mission to contain the pink water on En-gannim and use it in a sewage tank or something. I'm all for it.
Caleb has been a massive help with the kids. He is always here, and Iku enjoys talking to him about Zoreah. It seems they still want to go. Romero told me he also thinks Iku's wife is beautiful. I was not impressed and tested the boundary of our branding. I know now how far I can sleep on the other side of the mattress.
Juliet I am sorry about not believing you about Louis. I made you feel like a bad girlfriend. But how everyone is acting… I don't think I ever want to watch it. Carl said he was with Louis for the last three months. So Louis is not doing too well, but at least we know he is okay. I asked Romero if I could tell you about the positions of the brandings. He didn't want it on paper, so I'll just warn you about Michael and Louis. Maybe handle it… in a timely fashion. Let everyone sort out all their feelings. And that's all I'm going to say.
Although Carl has been nagging to find out what happened. No one is saying anything. No one is talking about it. I know you don't want to, so I'll also let it go and wait till you're ready.
I've been designing more clothes and jewelry and crowns. The Dheka all want a piece designed by the queen. I'm thinking about opening a chain store. He He He. Would've used an emoji here but really. Where is Apple when you need it? While I'm writing, Romero is looking over my shoulder and he has no idea what I'm talking about. It took me two hours to write this because he keeps stopping me to ask questions. (Devil emoji)
Do you and Marcus have any new positions we can try? Romero is running…
Marcus and I Iaughed the whole letter through but had a good laugh when her handwriting scribbled off into incoherency.
***
Marcus
Naji was six months old when the whole family came for the first time. Juliet had run for Chris's arms. They did not even kiss. All they did was hold each other, nestling and standing like that for a long time. Cindy was about to give birth, and they thought Juliet would want to know. I believe Liam was happier than me with their new addition. Juliet talked to her mom's stomach for a while. Cindy enjoyed it very much. Michael joined her, and they sang to the little baby and rubbed over the belly. All rock songs. Juliet was laughing. It was so good to see her like that. Our time was over, but it was what we needed. I longed for it to never end.
Michael and Juliet had disappeared while Liam and I set the table. We were going to be civilized for once. Plate settings and décor. Chris had sat down in the chair I was in for months. Caleb was walking over to join him. Sammy, Miné, and Katty were running on the grass, jumping up in the air, playing with toys they had brought with them.
Charlene crossed my mind. It would become harder for her to be stuck there. Juliet had read all her letters to me. I didn't think she had thoroughly considered how limited she would be. How difficult it would be to become accustomed to a new culture.
"Caleb, can you give us a minute." The boy got up and joined his mom, coming up the path from the beach. Her arms were open, and she welcomed him in. He manifested and teleported her all over the place and the house. He was getting a tour. Chris and I laughed. You could see them going from one floor to the next. Michael came to sit at our feet.
"Were you serious about the dark city?"
"It has been hard on Charlene. Kubra says she is restless. She has no outlet."
"Did you ask him?"
"He said it might not even work. But if it did, we would be bound to Mirach. Yes…"
"It is what she wants," Michael said. "Are you ready to make that sacrifice?"
"After everything? It's hardly a sacrifice. And Charlene is there. Carl will be there and also bound to the place. He and Charlene would be the only ones who will die together…"
"Have to stay together for three thousand years… And stay there for all that time." I added. Chris looked at Michael. He was staring at the ground. He would also be there. Alone. Chris leaned in and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We can still connect to you. Or we could move to Zoreah for two thousand, and then we could go to Mirach for the branding. We can all die together."
He nodded, revived, and said. "I don't think Carl will make it?" We all laughed.
"It's much the same as Zoreah, but they don't have the problem of the species mixing, not like Ira. They have a way to counter the ittoqure that will come. It is the safest place."
"You're right. We could find a place that is just ours. The rest of us can still come and go. We can help the kids for generations."
"Look, we don't have to decide now. Even if it happens in a hundred years. Does it really matter?"
"No. Not for us. But for Carl, it does… And you. We still don't know what happens to riphaths. Romero doesn't want to say?"
"He doesn't know."
"Really? Ira likes to keep it basic. He will never tell us."
"No. It seems he, Brylee, and Ahasuerus were the only ones who knew all the facets… Brylee's predecessors had to make the legend go away. It was not what the Werewolf women wanted in life. A man that could control them."
"The thing is, when Mine is fifteen. The trouble will start. The Werewolves still don't know everything, and I can't think they would want to stay where they are. They've had no home for so long and are rapidly populating again."
"Someone will have to be there to help Mine. And it can't be Charlene. If Juliet is also stuck, it won't be good."
"No. How are relations going with Fahan?"
"Good. We gave them all the coordinates. Helped them with plates, and they help us with food and water. Much the same as it was. So that will be another issue for another day. Mixing them with the Werewolves."
"Any news of the whore?"
We all laughed. "She still calling him that?"
"Urgh. She… is so happy at this point I don't want to jinx it. I don't know why, but… isn't it easier without him?" I ventured. To put the truth out there and hear how they were handling what they saw. Not that Michael saw it… I glanced at him. He was pulling grass out of the ground.
"She seems well, Marcus. You did a wonderful job there. And I don't know if you're ready to talk about Louis?"
"I am. What's up?"
"When we were guarding your study door. Louis was out of control. He said that we three are the problem. And that he was sick of it all. And that was before he knew Juliet would see his feed… We don't know if it's a vampire thing. But when is his lust going to come in full force? Are we going to have two teenage Vampires on our hands soon?"
"What? Like he didn't get laid enough?" The words were out before I could curb myself. "Yes, these hundred years are going to be rough on all of us."
Michael was still quiet, hesitant to speak. His domineering attitude was nowhere to be seen.
"The place is amazing. She probably doesn't want to leave."
"Yeah, she loves it here. But no…" Michael hesitated. Finally, he said something.
"What happened?"
"When Carl came back… The day she left. Months ago. Carl said Louis found them. Saved them. He is on Earth and helping there."
"Yes, I know. I heard, but what… You think he's going after the boy."
"I want to go after the boy," Michael said.
"The question is who will kill him in the worst way. Make him suffer." I sneered.
"Is that what she said." I nodded. "Then it has to be you."
"I don't know… I think Louis has to be the one."
"It does make sense. He still pulls her out at night?" Chris asked.
"No… what do you mean?"
"He woke her up after she came back at night when she was alone on En-gannim and made her walk to the door."
"Really. How does he know? And how did he bypass the system?"
"Seems Ahasuerus left a lot for us to learn. Louis was busy when you were there. Planning his escape. He can piggyback the system without any trace."
We all looked at the bundle of energy hopping over to her cat. The little head rubbed Juliet's chin in loving caresses, nuzzling into her owner's person. She caught three pairs of eyes on her and came over. "It's time for dinner. You guys done talking?"
I held out my hand. She dropped the cat and sat on my lap. "Juliet. I think it's time you go looking for our lost sheep."
Her eyes drifted from mine to Chris's. She held his gaze for a long time. "You've never… fought for him," Chris said hesitantly.
"No, maybe not… he was always there. But he's not here anymore. He left and…"
"Juliet," Michael interrupted her. "We have made our peace with what happened. I think you are able to take care of yourself. You've proven that much. We are all guilty and could be blamed for what happened. Even Liam feels it." Juliet's gaze drifted to her father. "You would've said something if you ever felt it was wrong. The way he controls you." Juliet's eyes snapped back to him. Michael kept going. "All you said to Samuel. The lying. His past." It seemed I had missed a lot. He had told her we had gotten over it. But neither he nor Chris seemed over it.
"I can't take the lying anymore from any of you. No one says what they want to. No one knows what they want or think about it." Juliet stood up and looked at me. "I told you no more… You don't go back today before you make a decision. You've had two months, and you still can't come close to going back and figuring out a way for us to handle the situation… You all run away as soon as I get too much… You said you don't know why you're here… Well I don't know why you're here if I am too much. Whether we are alone or not, it's not going to change anything. "
Chris and I stood at this tirade that came out of nowhere. "It did change everything. How were the last months, not the best we've ever had."
"Running away is over, Marcus. You come back fully prepared to deal with all of me, or you don't… And that is why I'm not going after Louis. He chose to leave. I didn't go to Zoreah for Chris. I went for my son… Michael is the only one thus far that's forced himself to change. I've forced myself to change. It's time you, Chris, and Louis catch up, or I think I'll take him and leave. You can have your planet. Louis can keep his power because it's so simple for him to go through the reversal, but… he would rather…" Juliet scoffed and shook her head. "Leave because he doesn't want to give it up… After what he did to me… No, how could you ask me to go find him? Coddle you and accept Chris cheating on me." Juliet's voice was so loud by now that the house's occupants were watching the scene unfold. "Michael is the only one who has an excuse. And he's the one that gets the short straw every time." Chris took two large steps toward her and gripped her arms. "If you shake me, so help me, I'll put you on your ass."
Chris smiled and did. She manifested, and Chris stabbed her in the neck before she could say one more word. He scooped her up before she dropped to the ground. Chris put her down in the chair. He ripped open her top and checked her skin. Nothing. He then undid her pants and pulled them down. Michael and I got up to see her leg starting to cover. It was a small patch. "S-."
"F-. How did you know?"
"I know my wife." Chris pulled up her pants and threw her over his shoulder.
"Where are you going."
"I'm taking her to the Tower. She needs that maintenance drug now that we're not on Mirach anymore… She was right about one thing. She and Louis won't get the reversal, so they have to keep taking the drugs if they can't give it up… We have to find him… If he's not covered already."
"Maybe Mirach is the solution," Michael suggested. Chris stopped walking and looked at Michael. They stood staring at each other for a long time. It seemed that they had become friends. There was an understanding between them. Chris nodded softly. "You're right. It's time she gets what she wants."
Michael agreed. "After Cindy?"
"After Cindy… Will you go find him."
Michael smiled. "Do you have her?"
Chris laughed. "I do." Michael disappeared.