Juliet
Eldra'Kahz, Eldra'Khaz, why were you so far away? I shouldn't complain about the walking after being locked up my whole life. Endless white sands. Clear skies. A rock wall covered in lava. Yeah! A wonderful honeymoon.
Romero led us through a tunnel. At the entrance, the heat of the cascading thick liquid made me break out in a sweat. On the other side, clean spring mist chilled my skin. None of this was familiar or what I expected. Nor did I anticipate a river of black people kneeling. Thousands and thousands covering the ground between trees, plants, and beauty. Heads bowed. Chanting some thrumming chorus for a greeting. The deep base of the male voices vibrated the ground.
I met my mom's eyes. Cindy's chest lifted and fell as fast as mine did. I had thought—fighting, maybe. Lengthy discussions. Or being laughed at for presuming they would indulge our request. They would overpower us, and the men would die.
Romero said two words. "Na gode." Which I'd learnt meant—thank you. How did he have any power here? Anyway, a silence descended on the people. They didn't move or raise their heads. Waiting. For what? He hadn't told them to get up, and his gaze was deep into the valley. Searching. For who?
It wasn't long before a happy stampede of feet pounded the ground and came our way. The winding path of cobblestones obscured the man until he burst through, only a tiny dot in the brush. His form grew larger, and my eyes had to lift to meet his height as he ran past. The stranger threw his hands around Romero's neck and wept. Wtf? Obviously, his brother.
To end the reunion, the two stared at one another in companionable silence, taking stock. Still in each other's arms, as if they'd not see each other for hundreds of years…
"How long?" Romero spoke in English.
The stranger replied the same, "It's been four hundred years, brother."
Vittore had a bad-ass smile. A cocky glint in the corners… Sexy, serious features… He finally, and quickly, looked us over and frowned. "What have you been feeding your people that they turn pink?"
Romero chuckled. "Soren… this is Vittore."
The two shook hands. "Are they from Earth?"
"Yes. This is Cindy, Liam, and Samuel."
Vittore shook all their hands.
I was last. Vittore and Romero came to stand in front of me. Romero took a deep breath and said slowly, "This… is… Juliet." He took an obvious, dramatic step back from both of us. My gaze drifted around Vittore to follow Romero's antics. What was he doing? Romero gave me a smile, as if he knew me, and with a flick of his fingers shooed me to meet his brother already.
Vittore's eyes narrowed and crinkled, watching his brother's weird reaction and raking over the others staring at the two of us. A strange vibe in the group.
Vittore gave me a look that asked for an explanation.
"Hey, I'm with you on this one. They're acting weird, right?" Question turned to amusement. I stretched out my hand. "My name's Juliet, nice to meet you."
He grasped my hand and shook it. Vittore's smile fell. His jaw tensed, taking a firm hold of me, involuntarily tugging on my arm. I gave him an annoyed, flat look—if he thought I was a gift— His hair, his skin, his eyes shifted, a blackness crept into every part of him. I yanked. I yelped.
Vittore held me in place and pulled me into the darkness. I fought the best I could. His strong hands and solid fingers rested on my back; they splayed, and he pushed me even closer. The peaks of my breasts engorged with pleasure. Pressure. My back arch. My chin lifted… At my orgasmic peak, just before I would've cum in front of everyone, I dropped like a missed beat from a bad lover in a romance novel. Shit! I wasn't even angry. My mind quiet, driven to an uncontrollable, earth-shattering clarity.
I gasped as he let me go—a look in his eye I've never seen on anyone. I tried to laugh it off. It came out more nervous. My breathing shallow; it couldn't forget the heights I reached with one simple hug. "What was that?" I placed my hand on my heart, watching him, unsure.
He lifted his hand in reply, making lightning veins come to life, changing colors a few times between black. Fine, they obviously had abilities… Gesturing toward me, he was asking if I would like to try it.
Out of habit, I looked at my parents. Cindy had a pull around her lips. Soren and the men averted their eyes. I didn't like this. No one had intervened or reprimanded Vittore for playing around. He could control me!
With one finger on my chin, Vittore brought my eyes back to his and smiled. "Try."
Okay weird. Everyone in the freaking city was gaping at us, respectfully on one knee. This was a different place. Strange customs. I didn't want to be rude. Although the familiar tightness in my chest of submission made me nod.
Vittore rested a palm on my cheek. "Anger," he whispered. I burst. Clutched my stomach, almost doubling over, wanting to murder. He caught me, and black and green lilted past my vision… The change to jealousy was so stark, I'd never… felt anything like it before. And I was. Jealous. About everything and even him… Green turned to gold. My breath trembled to find a semblance of normal.
Vittore gave me a few seconds and grasped my wrist to turn my hand. On my palm sat a deep cut I'd gotten while foraging for fruit. I had hidden it, yet somehow he knew every inch of my body. One tainted white finger traced the line and closed the wound as if it had never happened. The white disappeared. A completely black one pressed into the same spot. "Ow!" I jerked my arm free. "Geez, okay, black hurts."
Vittore turned his finger purple, and the veins grew and flowed all over his body and face, reaching deep into his eyes. I lifted two hands. "No need to show me again. Purple. Sex. I get it." I spun to Romero. "Okay, what the f— is going on?" I pointed aimlessly and to the dheka around us. "Someone better tell me right now."
As if I hadn't said anything, Vittore came back from his manifestation, rushed to his brother, and tumbled to both knees. He reached out and held an open hand in the air, waiting. For what?
From the crowd, a dheka boy hurled to his feet, drawing our attention. He ran with a sword clasped in one fist. I took a step back. Was this where they killed us? Romero raised a fist in the air, halting the boy mid-stride. Facing the crowd, he spoke loudly to the dheka in their language. They murmured responses. Vittore yelled at Romero, hitting a fist on his heart, and held out his hand for the sword again. Romero went to his knees and took his brother's face in his hands. He spoke slowly, like only an older brother could. Whatever he said did the trick… Vittore and Romero embraced for a second, followed by a joy-filled, emotional discussion between the two. Hands moving. Voices changing in pitch and quickness.
Soren came to stand behind me and wrapped his arms around me, resting his chin on my shoulder. Vittore's head whipped our way. He growled; his manifestation instant and red. Anger? Why? Romero put his hand on Vittore's head and popped him right back to human. I chuckled. Older brother scolding the younger… The two spoke some more, and more; the other dheka were riveted on the scene. Listening. Man, I wished I knew what they were saying.
Vittore, at intervals, looked at us and every face, nodding compliantly.
Finally, the two men stood. "Who wants to tell her what your plans were from the start?"
Liam stepped toward them. "Is there anywhere I can speak privately with her?"
"Come with me! You can all stay at my house." Vittore chanted a few words, the crowd cheered, and we were surrounded by excited men. Not one woman besides the two of us. The celebration was too loud. Neither my mom nor I moved. Go anywhere with him? No way.
The men followed him without question and disappeared between the throng. No one made sure we were okay. "Romero!" I yelled.
When he stopped to speak to me, the men around us parted. They hadn't overcrowded us, but still.
"It was an order that you be left alone… No one will ever touch you. Trust me."
Vitore's head flung around as if Romero had insulted him by insinuating they would ever force any women. I scoffed. Trust! He was the one who said we were crazy for coming.
***
Liam's speech left me staring out the window at the valley rich with otherworldliness. Tall, thin trunks were domed by puffballs of dull white, fluffy leaves. If only the grass were green. Khaki maybe? Like my new feelings, I couldn't even name. Two husbands? Really? That was what this was all about… Even more if I wanted to… Whenever I felt like falling in love again. I could. I could have as many husbands as I wished… Brylee—someone I'd never heard of was sending a werewolf she was sure I'd like. We could even have children if the branding didn't work; she knew a guy who could help, a scientist on Earth.
The foreign tightness in my chest planted roots like the hooped thick vines curling around the water source outside. All the colors turned grey. Replaced my confidence with hurt. Liam had raised me with a rod and a few books, so I didn't go crazy. Or maybe he didn't want to go crazy and forced self-control onto me. My exuberant energy channeled into sitting still. Maybe all that frustration would follow the water into the abyss of this planet. Going from one to the other. One way of living to another.
Protection! Supernatural control. Vittore would yield more ability with every addition. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Soren didn't tell me… How could disappointment hurt more than acceptance? F—me, this didn't feel right. He wasn't satisfied with the life we planned to live. No, these kids would rather share me on the playground… For power!
My whole body sagged into my feet.
"Julie, are you angry with us?" Liam asked.
"I don't understand, daddy."
"Juliet, Sam, and I created a big fuss on En-gannim… And if you had been there, you'd understand how difficult it is to protect anyone when there are billions of souls behind the one man ruling our lives. Telling us when to sit and when to get up… I had the idea in the back of my mind, but fifty years ago, Samuel called me on the compound and told me he was too old to continue waiting. It would be dangerous if he were dead and we were alone on Earth… Your mother and I had given up hope of ever having children… And when you came along, I had forgotten about it… We were so happy we were blessed with a kid… Soren was such a surprise to us, Juliet. We never in a million years thought there would be a guy who could love you… In truth… Before you turned twenty-two… Do you know the odds?"
"Hmm, I think I'm beginning to understand. You're scared."
"Yes, terrified for the future of a whole galaxy run by them… Marcus will take over…" I nodded. "And selfishly, I want your mom to be free. She's lived long enough in my shadow… I know I'm asking a lot. Springing this on you… You don't have to make the decision today… Get to know him."
I spun around. "Dad, they're all rapists here. You want me to be okay with a man who forces women! Bind myself to him… Then I might as well have given myself to the Ahmeds and formed an alliance."
Liam slowly shook his head. "Vittore will never ever cheat on you, Julie. Rape you. Man handle you. Maim you. Hurt you in any way… I promise you! What would've happened there will never even cross his mind… From this day forward, he is yours! Whether you go into that room or not… If you don't, he will still follow you to the ends of the earth… It's that kind of fated connection… The same with Soren… Juliet… the only way is to kill them when they come… You were born for this role… If not you, then we're trapped."
"Dad. You raised me to submit. Keep my mouth shut. Now I'm supposed to embrace freedom… How is this my only option!"
"I didn't raise you for this, no." Liam raked a hand through his hair. "If I'd clung to the idea, believe me, things would've been different. Your world was so small. Ours was. We have to think much bigger now. And this place— It's not much different than En-gannim."
I scoffed. "You're saying the oppression of women is evolutionary biology!"
"No… Reality. Life is very grey."
I looked away from the person who fought his way out of that reality. He didn't accept it.
"Better to have the power to protect yourself, don't you think… Vittore might have been off course for a long time, but he doesn't seem depraved or stupid."
The chuckle stuck in my throat didn't want to escape. There was no point in arguing about this. I couldn't do anything about how life played out for past generation. No matter the planet. "No… A little rural."
Liam's laugh came more easily. "Yes. Earth was not much different."
I shrugged. "I guess… I just… It's so hard to let it go… A past with Soren was never an issue… I was hoping we'd be alone and have kids. Read and run a bookstore somewhere in a little town. Every now and again—we would move—if we had to. Travel the world with you guys… I know Mom's parents are still in prison; she said it's one thing she wanted. How will this help us get what we want? Is it only for protection?"
The door slowly opened. "Not if you don't want it to be." Soren came in. "Can I have a word with her?"
I couldn't look at him.
"Sure, you guys talk. I'm going to take your mom for a stroll."
"Dad! Is she safe?"
"I will go with them," Romero said from outside.
"Did everyone hear everything anyway!"
"Yes!" the group answered, even Vittore. No one could miss his smooth baritone voice.
Soren didn't care whether the rest could hear us or not. He didn't care about much. Never angry, not even ruffled. His calmness about it all didn't seem right either.
"Juliet, I love you… I would never have wanted it any other way than what you described. The two of us, alone… It's all I wanted—"
"You're lying—" I turned away from him and looked out over the valley. The beauty clouded by manipulation. "At some point, Soren, your sins will catch up with you… And I think Vittore's isn't as bad as yours… And I'll be the judge of whether what you did was worse."
Soren was quiet behind me… Too quiet for someone who always had something to say. Just the right something. He probably couldn't, or we'd have our first fight. "It's okay… I love you. Don't know why! But I always have, and I'm sure I'll become a handful now that I can do what I want. Who knows, maybe I'll forgive you too—seeing that I have no choice in the matter." He still didn't say anything. I spun around. Soren was on his knees behind me, putting his arms around my waist. "If you ever cheat on me because I sleep with other men and you feel left out or some crap excuse, I'll kill us all in one happy death by cop suicide situation."
He stood and at the same time kissed me. A little stiff, I turned my cheek. Soren didn't push and looked into my eyes… "If this will change you, we leave today. If you'll lose yourself because of me, I'll never forgive myself."
I closed my eyes, attempting to— Who knows! "Can you give me a day or two? It's a lot… Suddenly, I have to think."
"Of course… And at any time you can change your mind."
Soren left the room. I didn't want him to go! A lonely void formed in my belly. Alone! I never wanted to feel alone, surrounded by the people who were supposed to love me the most. Anxious ripples tugged on my gut, having to make the decision at all. Lost to be in control. Control, I didn't even want! I didn't want this. I wanted someone who could take all the blame if this all went sideways. I scoffed. How could I trust Soren? Give him more power over me… How will we sort out the hierarchy? Would I always have to say yes and no? Come or go away… It didn't feel real in a way… As if something was missing? I'd lost something or someone who would've taken my hand and said, I'll never leave you nor forsake you… Together. Always there no matter what… I stared at my hand as if I needed someone to lace their fingers in mine and love me even more than I loved them… That was the control I wanted. To be first only to serve out of freedom and love. What I had now was a werewolf harem. I stomped my foot. I wanted to be a princess!
***
For a few days, I had my space. Except Vittore. If I lifted my chin in the market, he was there, somewhere, following me. When I looked over my shoulder in a room, he was staring at me.
At least the time spent in Eldra'Khaz wasn't so bad. As a family, we were together, listening to their stories. How things worked on Mirach. Their class systems. Ways to travel.
Cindy and I clung together, watching. None of the women were grabbed off the street and dragged into an alley or raped right in front of us. None of it made sense.
"Juliet, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?" Romero urged around the dinner table.
In my head, I had to actually pay attention after hearing my name. "A command?" I asked.
Romero smiled and shook his head. "Genuine interest."
"Okay… I like to read… A lot. It wasn't allowed. Beyond that, there's not much to say… I grew up—so isolated. Unsocialized. My only two friends were my mom and dad." I rested my head on her shoulder. "We can be glad we like each other."
Vittore stood and walked over, holding out his hand for me to take. I didn't want to. What did he want? I felt forced into this situation. Taught not to be rude. With a tightness in my hand, I took it.
The two of us walked far down the winding road. Out of the city. In silence. To a hidden building, constructed within the mountain wall. I only lifted my eyes from the ground inside and hurried to the rows and shelves to take one.
"I know you can not read or understand our language yet—"
"No… This is great… It's the first time I feel comfortable here." I opened the book and traced the images and writings… I put it back and slid my fingers over the spines. Some were kept in material bags. Others were too thin and stacked high. Cushions covered one part of the floor before a staircase winding its way to more stories. Four hundred years he'd been here. Alone. Without family. "Do you like to read?" I found myself asking.
"Yes."
At least we had something in common.
"And write."
I turned to him, surprised. "What do you write about?"
"Stories… History… Memories of this place, its people… To remember the fallen or their lives… Fighting techniques. Sword movements. Battle strategies the dheka could deploy."
I sat on one of the pillows and gestured to the books.
His gaze went from me to the shelves… Tall, he didn't have to reach for a specific book he already had in mind. What would he choose? Back muscles bulged under his shirt. Biceps almost popped the seams of his sleeves. Not my type at all. A little gym bunny. I'd call him… Mr. Flex. I chuckled.
He joined me and opened the wooden-bound book. I kept staring at him. His profile. Mannerisms. Beautiful nonetheless. His face made up for the presence of dominance. Soft features and kind eyes. Strange combo. "I'll translate."
"Wait! Give me a pen and paper, and I'll write it down so I can match the words."
"Pen." He chuckled. "Good idea." He grabbed a few things before heading my way.
Shoulder to shoulder, we did the first page together. Word-for-word, he taught me how sounds were put together. Rules and order. Pretty. Soothing coming from him. The book detailed his life's journey. All the innocence Imani had kept record of. A hundred years until he left after losing a friend. Mirach was not for everyone. Like a handful in every society, honor was up to the parameters you allowed. If Liam had taken women instead, Ahasuerus would've given him a congratulatory slap on the back.
Somewhere during his fictional autobiography, I began only listening and rested my head on his shoulder. Dusk was settling in, and at the bottom of the valley, it became dark quickly.
Vittore stood to lift material off pots. Illuminating stones nestled inside.
"Why cover them at all?"
"Purpose. Small things fill a day."
The soft, dimmed golden light fell over all the right places. "Pretty."
"Juliet… How did you know to come here? Where to find me."
"Soren and my uncle… knew. I think in a way your brother also knows what's going on?" My voice pitched to make it a question, and I searched his face to see his reaction.
"I do not know how… But I am grateful… I… failed you."
"Me?" I sat a bit straighter, following his movements about the room.
"Yes, I should have had more faith… Waited… Waited till you found me."
"Do you believe in fate?"
He chuckled. "I do now." I scoffed a light laugh. At least he had a sense of humor. He was still a person. Maybe a little broken… But weren't we all. "I would have killed myself. To honor you." He took two large steps and came down on his knees in front of me.
"That was what the sword was for?"
He looked deep into my eyes. Grey. Light grey. "Do you feel me yet? In there?" He placed a flat palm on my heart.
"My heart's a little bit more south."
His smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he slid his hand up my neck. "How do you miss someone you never even knew existed?" Softly, he stroked through my hair.
"You did know. I didn't know."
He let me go and turned away. Vittore was trying, I get it, but BS wasn't something I liked. Seduction didn't work on me. I was not a whore either.
I stood and walked out.
It wasn't long before he caught up. "I see you value honesty."
"Yes!"
"Mm… From now on, I will only speak the truth."
"Okay… So, are your intentions honorable, or will you use me to further your career?"
"I can not take over from Romero, unless he dies… I will never kill him. None of us will. He is our king."
"Oh…"
"And once we are joined… We can never leave the planet."
I came to an abrupt stop and faced him. Even with my height, my neck had to bend. What was the guy? Six eight? "What do you mean?"
"Supernaturally bound to one another and the planet."
"How far?"
Vittore glanced up and down the valley. "The start of the valley at the wall," he pointed, "to the end of the city." I followed his finger as if I could measure the distance. Not very far. "Does this make a difference?"
"It helps, actually."
"Why?"
"I don't know… But if Soren wants more people in our bed… I guess it will be nice to have someone who can't leave."
He smiled brightly. Too cocky for his own good. He'd never leave my side. He would work Soren out one way or another. Vittore lifted a hand asking for mine. I slid mine into a large, firm grip and turned it over, taking a good look at his hands. "Are you inspecting me?"
"Yes… You will be touching me, won't you?"
"I would love to work myself into your heart."
I laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. "Yes! A joke. Now we're connecting."
He dragged me closer and pulled me into a walk. "I did not think you would get over my past."
"Don't ever bring up your past again. They probably didn't even fight much with your abilities, or they made themselves numb." I stopped walking and placed two hands over my face.
"You have not accepted—"
"How can I!"
"I did not leave my home to join the raiders! I had questions… Our way is strict and I… wanted—"
"A change!?"
"No. We use our golden ability to control ourselves. Why do you think Romero didn't cry when he saw me?"
"You chose slavery."
"No. It is one or the other. By the time I found the city, most of the women who were born here had been raised differently. No knowledge of the dheka way."
"You're telling me you have someone?"
"No. We don't have the purple color until we meet our mates. The bond… takes over."
"I was the first you used it on?"
"Yes. Does this help?"
"I don't know! I don't know anything! I don't know who I am or who I want to be. Where I want to be." The funny feeling flickered through me. I rubbed at my chest to make the wrongness right.
"I can help."
I nodded and accepted the drugs.