Five Years Later
Louis
The heat of the sun crept across my face, slowly waking me up; a single sheet the only cover I had from the intrusion. I pulled it over my head and groaned. Under the covers, a hand stroked across my chest. Her body inched closer. "Morning."
"Mm…" My fingers delved into thick, red, curly locks. "So soft."
"Louis."
"Don't… You know I have to go."
"It will change everything… Are you so dissatisfied with our life?"
"It has been fifty years… I want a child, Jacklin."
She withdrew her hand and got out of bed. I pulled the sheet off to stare at her, walking across the floor, my body responding to her naked body. Jacklin bent down to pick up her gown. I held myself back from taking her right there, bent over. "Don't get dressed." Irritation flickered across her brow. "I want to look at you while you make breakfast." I didn't read her mind; I never have. And I embraced the vampiric life the day I decided to marry her. It was better this way.
Jacklin dropped the robe.
F—! If she could only get pregnant. Was the house I'd built for us not good enough? We were so secluded and off the grid. Nothing I did helped. Five years of daily f—ing indulgence had produced no baby… With a deep sigh, I stared out the window. Maybe my second wife would be able to give me what I wanted. A smile spread over my mouth. A month-long daily auction list was at least something to look forward to. Even En-gannim women to choose from. F—me, I would be building a harem. How did this happen?
I got up and headed after her, only to fall down on the couch with a clear view of the kitchen, indulging in a few fantasies of how I would satisfy myself. Where I wanted her. How I wanted to take what belonged to me. She was a little stiff since I told her. Jacklin had a rough start. I thought I had given her a way out of her prison. It had to be enough for her. In my manifestation, watching every movement, I could smell every response, hear every beat of her heart. When it faltered or increased. She glanced at me a few times, touching myself. The shaky hands were either anticipation or nerves. I had to take it at face value and accept that either way didn't really matter. We had to make it work.
My cock was aching by the time she placed the two plates on the table. "Come."
Her breath hitched, "I—."
"Come!"
Her heart beat a little faster, and her breath quickened. She knew she wasn't allowed to talk too much. And if we were moving to the compound for a while, she needed to get back in her En-gannim box. Jacklin ambled toward me. Her red curls fell over milky white skin down her back and partly covered heavy breasts—bouncing seductively toward me. Nipples peeked out. Long, curvy legs rounded off the perfection. In reach, I grabbed her wrist and dragged her core to land on my engorged erection. With her ass in hand, I rubbed her over me. "Up. On your knees."
Jacklin trembled, lifting. I took myself in hand and, with the other, pushed down on her shoulder. She was not ready, but f— it. I had to have her. A hiss and moan escaped my lips. "Now make me happy." I slid my touch over her rolling hips and soon moved to her enticing breasts.
***
On the plane, covered from head to toe, Jacklin sat staring aimlessly out the window. She just had to get over the changes ahead. I focused on the tablet and all the work waiting for me. I couldn't wait to be a part of a community with rules. People who had one goal in mind. It would be a good thing if we saw less of one another… What was I looking for in a next wife? If there were any way to increase fertility, it would be my only requirement. What if the next woman also couldn't conceive? How long would I wait before taking yet another wife?
***
Driving up to the compound stirred me to life in a whole new way. I would finally meet my family. A cousin and a nephew. Why had it taken me so long to accept what I was? I had not had one depressive episode since I got married. Staying busy, preparing financially, and building the house had also helped. There were enough rooms for a few more wives. If I ever wanted to escape the confines of this prison that the rest of them were subjected to, I could always leave. Or move back to En-gannim; establishing myself there would keep me well occupied. There was still time for all of it.
We drove onto Qadir's private lot, and the gates closed behind us. The car veered to the right, moving past multiple buildings down a long, narrow road lined with grass and plant beds. He had built me a house adjacent to one of his second wife's plots. I would have some privacy with the wall around us.
The driver opened the door for me, and a male servant waited. "Welcome. You have about an hour to get settled before the first auction."
"Thank you. Are you assigned to the house?"
"Yes—"
"No, Louis is fine."
"As you wish. Qadir has invited you for drinks before the auction."
"Good. We can go." Out of the corner of my eye, three female servants escorted Jacklin away.
I stretched my legs, waiting for them to empty the trunk and slam it shut before he drove me to the assembly hall. A grand building. The red carpet was a bit much. All the way inside, clusters of men gathered in small groups with a drink in hand. Qadir and I spotted one another at the same time. He waved me over and stretched out his arm toward me. "Louis. Nice to meet you."
"You too."
"This is Lucius and his father." I had promised myself not to read one single person. I didn't want to know what anyone was thinking. It had to be an honest, fresh start for me. I'd only use my ability when I felt like it. "This is Clause, the bride of the night's father." A stocky older gentleman, a little fat around his midsection. Next to him stood a younger guy with well-styled long hair. His clothes were expensive. I hid my frown at his stark contrast with the other men. Nevertheless, I shook all their hands. "This is Soren; his sister is on the podium tonight."
"Right."
Qadir and I made the rounds; he introduced me to the most influential vamps there. Each one accompanied by a son or several looking for a next wife. No one spoke about anything but business, and where they thought I could be an asset with all my contacts on the outside. My work kept piling up.
The crowd separated when Soren's father escorted his daughter down the carpet. First outward impressions and verbal judgment about her were not good. I agreed; she didn't have sex appeal. Too short. Not something that would make me lift my hand later.
It was a bidding war. Lucius wanted her something fierce. Bryan, son of the arms-dealing merchant, was looking for a first wife, and the two fathers were piling on the cash for her. I shook my head. I had expected to feel something. Maybe if there was someone on the podium I wanted, it would be different. I still had thirty girls to get through. The anticipation was hidden in the allure. Announced the day, no one knew for whom they were coming. Guaranteed participation, because if you missed a night, it was one of those things. At the very end, Qadir raised his hand. Strange. He already had so many wives and children. Yes, children. This was why. Learn something, Louis.
Qadir walked away with Isla. Looking at Lucius's angry features and the way he drained his drink, it had to be a political move. I glanced around the room to find Clause and Soren. I itched to read them all and get immersed in all the drama. No. Don't. By their faces, they were relieved. What the f— was wrong with Lucius and Bryan? And did none of the fathers want another wife? I'd have to wait and see. Clause escorted Isla home, where three days of decision were encouraged; or you could take her home immediately… A wife costs a lot of money—years to accumulate the funds for a new one.
I left after indulging for a few hours, and, as if it were still Regency England and I had a butler waiting up for me, my servant welcomed me home. "Take me to the mistress's quarters."
He escorted me through the halls. I took a quick look around at what Qadir had thought I would like. Not bad for the time being. I could always make a few changes. "I'll wait here to show you to your wing afterwards."
I pushed open the door and flinched; Jacklin was dressed in lingerie, waiting on the bed. This was different. Custom, I supposed. "Everything okay?"
"Yes," she said shakily. She was on the verge of crying.
I sighed and made my way there, sitting down. I lifted my leg to pull off one shoe and my sock, and then I did the same with the other. "You look stunning. Mysterious."
Jacklin's hands fidgeted on her lap. What happened to her? She practically begged Sam to convince me to marry her. It took him months of talks to make me see the wisdom in what she proposed. Just before I did, Sam told me every little detail about our lives and hers. After—there was no hope left in me. Finding love on a planet where Jacklin and I were stuck on the outside became a ridiculous notion. So, I settled like billions of people before me. And there she was, the unhappy one. I stood and unbuckled my belt. The black evening pants dropped to the floor. My erection bobbed about. With quick fingers, I undid my shirt buttons and shrugged it off. Turning toward her, I swiped my hand across her cheek under the half-face veil. Wet. "Oh, wife… I'll take your mind off everything."
Jacklin nervously turned one shoulder toward me, barring me. As I sat down, I opened it up my way. With a little force, I nudged her to the mattress. Her breathing was shallow. She sniffled. I was too ready to have her to care. With a few rough pulls, her red underwear went over her knees. Jacklin's eyes were closed, and her face turned away from me. I took her chin in hand and opened her mouth with a rough, broad tongue. The kiss was one-sided. Letting her lips go, I dragged her hand down toward my cock. She reluctantly moved up and down my shaft. No longer able to take her defiance, I moved her over onto her side and lifted one knee into the air, opening her core to me. I jerkily slid into the wetness that welcomed me. "You're sure f—ing ready for me."
My pounding went on a little longer than usual. Drunk, I had to work for my release. I didn't want to, and my climax didn't want to come, no matter what position she was in. Pulling out, I lifted her with manifested strength, resting her against the pillow so her mouth was at the right height. I crawled over her and, with three fingers, gripped her chin, forcing it up. Jacklin couldn't look at me. Maybe the next wife would be more willing. "Tongue out, wife, and lick me while I f—." My hips bucked into her mouth. "Tighter." With a few rough thrusts, my fingers clenched around the headboard. With nowhere to go, Jacklin gagged, swallowing as I finished as deep as I could.
I stood and walked out. Jacklin would have to get over what just happened by herself. Her cries had at least stopped.
"This way."
Naked, I followed him into a private apartment. Open plan and kitchen. Around the corner sat a familiar face on the sofa. "Hey! Good to see you."
Samuel lifted his glass. "I'm moving in with you for this month."
"Why? You've never even been here… Looking for a wife? Tonight was so disappointing, I don't know if I'll find another."
Samuel's lip curled. Even if I wanted to know why, with him I couldn't… On our last visit, I complained about my childless state. So he suggested I take a second wife. I guessed he felt responsible for how my life turned out. "No. I… was married… Like you."
"Really."
"For f—sake, Louis, put some clothes on."
"I've been standing like this the whole time." I gestured to my slave, and he brought me some pants. I pulled on my sweats and sat down as the butler put a drink in my hand.
All the time, Samuel watched me, thinking. "Louis… Did I make a mistake?"
"With what?"
"You and Jacklin?"
"I don't know Sam? Why, after fifty years, are you doubting your decisions?"
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I gave up on a dream of revenge… Got up one day, and you and Jacklin left me with a massacre." Sam opened his eyes and looked deep into the glass. "I met with Ahasuerus that same day." I wanted to say something. "Stupid. I know. Maybe there—was where everything changed… Meeting an old friend again. Seeing how life just went on and on—"
"What dream?"
"I can't tell you because for the longest time I thought you would be one of the solutions… I would somehow make you wait. She never came. Not for two hundred years— And now, she's in love with a boy."
"Goodness, love? In a place like this. Sam, you gotta help them!"
"You think?"
"Yes, are vamps not supposed to get a second wind? You have enough money."
"I do, don't I… So you say I should trust one last time?"
"Trust and Love. You show me the way, Sam, because I've given up."
"I'm sorry, Louis… You had this idyllic picture of your parents, which you held on to for so long. Fallen in love. Ran away from the dragon. Had a son… You had a good role model— I just couldn't fill his shoes. Basaam was an enigma… I'm sorry you never got to know him."