Juliet
Where was he? I walked back and forth around our fire. A tiny little cauldron was held up with a hook, hanging over some coals; the water inside bubbled. Who could think about tea at a time like this! Basaam was the only other person as nervous as I was. He didn't have any connection with anyone in our family, yet he was biting his nails—something he'd not done since he was nine. Frustrated, I stomped out of the little area; I hated being free yet dependent on Michael. I wanted a plate. I wanted Jessy back on En-gannim to make it all work. We were so far from that scenario with only one man to do all the work. Did Michael even find Marcus? What were they doing? It's been days. He told me he'd be right back… An irritating void chafed at my gut. If I lost him again. I didn't know if I could do it.
Was Marcus safe all this time yet somewhere in a werewolf camp, unwilling to tell me, because really, why would he decide to not spend the last hundred years with me? We could've been together, free, and have all the freaking babies he wanted… Searching and kids… Oh, maybe his decision was calculated… We could cover more ground, and finding Michael was more important… Sheesh, they didn't even want him in the family in the beginning… Now, he was our only means of ever doing anything again.
I chuckled despite myself… Marcus always made the logical choices. I looked up at the sky, "You didn't think about me, did you." I nudged on the Muslim. I nudged on Michael. It had been days since Michael had gone to look for Marcus, and I didn't want to cause them any problems with whatever they were facing to get him out... Nevertheless, I couldn't wait any longer; I had to do it.
In a second, Michael stood in front of me. I was fuming by the time my eyes reached his. Angry tears sprung to my eyes, "How could you."
The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk. I was ready to explode. He took something out of his pocket. My eyes widened, and I took a step back, "You wouldn't."
"I like your boobs." He was behind me and stabbed on either side of my neck. He caught me and lifted me into his arms. "Chris reminded me you would crash…" Chris! Even with the drugs, I wanted to scream. How could—
***
I groggily moved my head from side to side; lips caught mine in a desperate kiss. I reached out to feel what hair I was dealing with. It was brittle, coarse, and cut short in awkward lengths over a skull. Uhh, who was this? Hands covered my eyes, and the lips coaxed till I gave in and kissed back. Michael wouldn't leave me with a stranger. It was either Marcus or Chris. My hands moved, and I touched bony shoulders and thin arms. My gut twisted; someone was starved. Emaciated. Tortured for a hundred years… No! I stoked over a very prominent collarbone.
Marcus and Chris had the same body type. He didn't want me to feel his face… There was really only one way to figure out who it was. My hand drifted down into pants, and I abruptly stilled and squeezed. Chris kissed me even harder, and his hand slid up under my shirt. Why did it have to be him? I pulled my mouth from under his, my hand out from his pants, and turned my face away. "Nami!" he yelled. They wouldn't knock me out again! I wasn't a child anymore; was I not allowed to have any feelings!
My eyes stayed pushed shut. A hand covered my open mouth as I complained into it. Another rested on my head… Chris got on top of me, spreading my legs, and the all too familiar gulf hit me… With our clothes on, he grinded on top of me, wrestling to get himself lined up. Two more strokes against my core—I cried out—muffled by his hand. Chris's body shuddered against mine. "Don't open your eyes, please."
Even with the drugs of the purple shadow, I couldn't let it go. I tried to hold back the tears and lifted my chin to keep my eyes closed. My shirt was pulled off my body while a few escaped down my temples. My pants got shakily taken off. It took a moment for him to get himself undressed. Was he so weak? Worse than it was the last time… "Juliet, may I?" I shook my head slowly from side to side. "Do I have to call her again… Why is it not working? I should've kept my pants on and just grind myself into oblivion."
I pressed my lips together, and a laugh escaped, "This is like the car all over, only the other way around."
"Well, you didn't give me much choice back then, so," he nestled in beside me, desperately ravaged my breasts; one hand slid down my body; fingers found their way to my folds and stroked over me. The second time he came up, I came for a second time, trying to hold back gasps as he moved rhythmically over me. My legs shook with the convulsions. F— this was torture. Two fingers drove into me with gentle thrusts and worked me to my third orgasm. With his lips, he took firm hold of my nipple and pulled my peak out of me, coalescing all the sensations... I couldn't catch my breath, my heart beating out of my chest, gasping quietly.
Chris waited till I was steady and pulled out. With my eyes still closed, I heard him lick his fingers, moaning. He came right back to my breast, which he had a hard time letting go of; his mouth sucked and kissed me raw, my skin sensitized with his teeth and tongue. He let go of me, kissing my body while moving lower so he could go down on me. I grabbed his shoulders and urged him toward my lips. As he came back up, he sunk into me rigid and demanding, grunting loudly in my ear each time he entered me. My fingers dug into his back; all I felt were protruding ribs, and let go immediately.
"No! I'm fine… You're not hurting me."
I opened my legs even more and lifted my knees, giving him space to edge closer, deeper. Could I touch him? Was it wrong to want to? What if he was lying. Did he have bruises? Open wounds. Chris couldn't even push up on his arms; he lay heavy on my body, careful in where he was exerting energy.
"Juliet, touch me."
I did and hesitantly took hold of him… The friction and feelings he evoked stoked my desire… Again? Really. My body took over, consuming my mind and being, with only one goal to aim for. I responded a little more focused on us. Chris noticed and kissed me with all the longing and passion I had missed for so long. We had so much time left… I kissed back, saying how much I would always love him. My fingers were so used to reaching for his hair but found none to grasp and push our mouths together. I couldn't even take over and risk hurting him, so I waited, and so did he, shakily thrusting into me in rhythmic penetrations. I broke our kiss too close to my climax, panting. This time, I couldn't hold back and grasped his skin, desperate for my release. Chris worked a little harder, sending himself and me over together, moaning against each other's lips.
His breathing was labored, resting his head on my shoulder. Quietly taking his time. Then suddenly, he became limp on top of me—boneless. Passed out and unresponsive. I closed my arms around him and hugged him tightly—sniffling. I was too scared to open my eyes before I wriggled out, unlodging him from me. I got to my knees and turned him over, laying his head on a pillow. Ragged sobs escaped, taking in all of him, stroking his face and features. He had scars not even the dheka could heal… I touched each; one over his cheek, another down his neck, more over his chest. Long lashes over his body in two neat rows of mangled flesh. I no longer felt guilty about whatever happened to the wolves or the vamps... How many bruises did we have to endure to get ahead…
Even though Mael and others might not understand it… I cared only about my family and would only care about them no matter how many worlds I had to ruin. There was something to say about the species or a group of people who stood together like the dheka and riphaths… Like we have… One large family with united goals. My sobs deepened, and my body racked with all the emotions of finding Michael… Our children who were still alive… My parents were okay. The grief finally caught up to me. I had held it back for a hundred years and could finally let go… Everyone was safe and accounted for.
The room door opened. I looked up, my vision blurry. There was no mistaking the darkest brown eyes peeking around the frame. My head dropped, and I shut my eyes tightly, my cries louder. His feet covered the floor, and a body sat behind me. Marcus put his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. I clutched onto him and leaned back, nestling into his neck. He smelled like Marcus. Felt like safety. Warmth. So many times, I wanted to call out to him. Where had he been? I wanted to be angry… There was nothing left. He pulled me into his lap and let me cry it out on his shoulder.
Marcus picked me up and headed for the tub someone had filled with hot water while I was pouring out my soul. The bathroom was only separated by a pretty curtain from the room. He got in with me and sat down behind me. He reached for a piece of cloth, spreading the water over my skin. It trickled over my shoulder. The stream fell down my body. My hair got swept away so he could clean my back. "I lost rock paper scissors."
I was not amused, scooping handfuls of water and washing my face, drying my hands on my hair to get it out of my eyes. Marcus helped, tilting my head a little, and drenched my hair with a pitcher. He rubbed two hands together and worked the lather into the strands. More water to rinse it off… "This feels oddly familiar."
"It should… It was the first day you woke up after we reunited in the sand… I washed your hair over the tub."
The door opened again; four servants came in, heading for Chris, "Where are you taking him?"
Two hands stroked over my arms, "He needs to see the doctor and get cleaned up." I took his hands in mine and pulled them over my chest to lean back into him. Marcus scooted a little closer, tightening his hold on me. "Where do you want to have this out?"
"In the ring."
"Very well, I'm sure I'll win either way."
"Tomorrow morning?"
"I'll be there… Naji is beautiful, Julie."
I sat up and turned, crossing my legs, "He's here!"
"Michael has not stopped bringing all the people who were stuck on the island here… He makes two trips in the morning, midday, and two at night… Eats in between and sleeps." The corner of my mouth lifted. So that's where he was. "I think this is as good a home base as any—for now… Kaia and Nami's parents are here."
"It's stunning, isn't it." He pouted—sulkily. I took his chin in my hand, lifting his face. "You could've done better."
He shrugged, "I have a lot to learn from them… where architecture is concerned… I'm a little afraid to ever go back to En-gannim… None of the others want to ever be there again."
"No more islands were my mom's words."
He traced my cheekbones and my lips, "You look good a little older… All mature and stuck in time like this… Like me."
"Disappointed?"
He shook his head and kissed me quickly, "Tomorrow… After our fight… If I win, I get to have you against the closest wall." I said nothing touching his body. He seemed fine, good, and taken care of. Pretending that we weren't apart for a hundred years. He was also a little older. What would be the point of being angry… Or fighting… It was not the time to go off at him. "Come on! Out with," his voice was gentle.
I sighed and shook my head, resting my head on his chest. "You're going to kill me, aren't you… When this all settles."
"I'll try tomorrow."
"Fine, let's go… I want to sit down with our son and feel how it feels to be a family."
I was ushered to my side of the room and helped to get dressed. Sandals and a soft, flowing fabric over my skin. My hair was dried and styled. I waved away the crown and asked them for delicate hair ornaments and jewelry.
Marcus waited outside my door; he held out his hand. I took it and was led out to the dining room. He loosened his grip to let go. I painfully held onto him and leaned over, "You can be happy I'm not stuck to your waist."
"Tomorrow," he whispered back. A little revived, I laughed lightly and saw Naji and Sammy together, waving at us to join them. "The two are inseparable," Marcus whispered.
"It's their love of drinking."
Marcus laughed as he sat down next to our son and pulled me down on his lap. I landed unceremoniously being caught and kissed again. Although I was a little stiff with my lips. Marcus quirked a smile. How many times would we go through this dance?
I looked away; we were seated around a large table; across the room, three more tables seated the others. I scanned every face. First was Michael next to me. He met my eye and ever so slightly gestured across the table with the hidden tilt of his head.
I pretended to continue on, making contact with everyone. Caleb was next to him, "You all okay?" I asked. He closed his eyes slowly.
Kaia waved and then Basaam. My smile fell because of Louis. "He said we can talk in a few days. Don't worry about it. Tonight, we drink." He raised a glass.
Sammy cheered at the planned festivities. I had to laugh at my new partner in crime.
Next to Nami sat Ira, who was next to my mother, with Liam on her other side. I took a big sip of alcohol, and Michael put his hand on my leg. My father was in deep conversations with Mael. They didn't even care, or maybe Mael was keeping Liam busy. Really right under his nose. This was going to blow up, and I didn't know if I could keep the secret from my dad…
I ignored both my new father and my cheating parent…
Miné was a little out of place seated between Mael and the Kaia's and Nami's parents… I didn't have a chance to say something before the door opened, and a weak Chris came wandering in. He scanned the crowd. They had shaven his head entirely, evening it out. I didn't recognize him. It was so long, and he was thin to the bone. Our eyes met across the room—he smiled. He was feeling better after our make-out session and a little pick-me-up from the dheka.
I wanted to get up to help him; Marcus gripped my hand, "Don't you dare."
Chris made it eventually sitting between Michael and me, "Are you going to cry the whole night."
I glanced at Ira; our eyes met as the only two people who would forever do whatever we had to for that man. "Are we going hunting, Juliet, because I could rip some head off some shoulders," he said from across the table.
I looked at Chris to see where his head was at, "Am I at least allowed to avenge you?"
"What is wrong with you," a voice from the other side of the table said.
"Hey!"
"Watch your mouth, boy."
"Shut the hell up!" Three men said at once to Mael across the table.
Basaam and Caleb got to their feet. It was Basaam who said, "This attitude will end very badly for you."
Mael sneered, "You're not the queen of anything right now, and everyone looks to you to make universal decisions."
"He is right, Juliet… In all honesty, I'm supposed to take the wolves back to Palmyra and lead them."
I swallowed hard, hearing Miné speak. My fingers clenched in Marcus's.
Mael and my gazes were locked, already fighting for the position. His eyes closed; he winced and clutched his midsection. His face contorted, and he fell down on the ground, groaning—limbs rigid. Miné was next, her head between her hands, screaming. What the hell was going on? It wasn't me.
At once, the two relaxed and came back out of it. The two people next to Miné took a knee, and so did Kaia and Nami.
I jumped up and turned around. In a flash, I was outside, far away from the city, squashed in between two riphaths. They didn't let me go and increased the group hug; I was all cried out and just happy. Too happy to say anything.
After a while, they let me go. Carl was at least three heads taller than Charlene—his horn enormous. I had to crane my neck to meet his eye and flung my arms around his body. The two came back from their enormous, fully grown manifestation. Charlene joined us again, and we jumped up and down together. "Can I say it! Can I say it!" Carl yelled.
"No."
"Please, no."
We laughed, and when we were finally calm and adults again, Charlene asked, "What is wrong with your brother?"
"I know! And Miné is all like Brylee; the two together give me the creeps."
"They're together? Together?" Carl asked.
"Yes, and she has a real issue with you guys wiping out her flock."
Charlene scanned our faces, "Hey, we're all grown up! Look at us all middle-aged and boring."
"Let's do something stupid," I clapped my hands.
"Like what?" Carl complained.
"Hey, you didn't mind last night."
My eyes widened as the two reminisced about their time together. "Carl, you're not a virgin anymore."
"I don't want to talk out of the bedroom, but no… I'll have to tell you all Charlene's little quirks and fetishes."
"Again, you didn't complain last night."
He stepped toward her and kissed her. How absolutely freaky. The whole world was upside down. The two didn't stop; no problem with their PDA. I had to intervene, "Okay, sheesh, I get it." The two very lewdly let go of one another, coming back for a last kiss.
They held out their hands. In another blink, I was in the dining room again. Marcus was waiting and pulled Carl into his arms. Michael was next, and everyone wanted a piece of the guy who was now the last piece of chocolate cake.
Charlene pulled me aside, "How do I look?"
"Stunning! Why?" She took my hand and pulled me towards Jaali and Kubra, who were speaking and connecting for the first time. I held out my arms. Kubra picked me up and twirled me in a circle. We watched as mother and son hugged. Charlene was a little emotional, but not nearly as much as I was seeing my kids for the first time.
Romero and Fia moved a little closer to introduce the two. Romero came around, and we embraced for a long time. Charlene pulled me off him, "Hey, that's way more than two mississippi's."
"I'm so happy to see you, Juliet. We missed you on the battlefield."
"I am… at your service," I bowed gallantly.
Romero's no-nonsense Marcus gaze landed on Miné, "I will wipe out every last one of them. Here you submit or—."
"Join the raiders," I commented. Romero's gaze came back to mine. "You have a bigger problem close to Selah with the wolves who joined them… Caleb and I almost died out there looking for Chris… If it wasn't for Niana… we wouldn't have made it… Although that was a hundred years ago. When did you last hear from him."
Romero's face hardened, "Well then, we know where we're going next," Romero nodded at a man standing at attention at the door. "Juliet, we could use that teleporter of yours and have this sorted out in a month."
"Well, that's up to your princess here."
"I'm so ready to do something stupid."
"Me too." I turned, and Chris stepped closer.
Charlene drew in a breath, "I will kill every last one of them."
"Yeah, okay, okay. I look terrible, and everyone wants blood… I don't mind being the cause."
"Does he know?" Charlene asked.
"No… He's not heard the good news yet."
"Am I allowed to tell him?" Silvanus asked.
"Tell me what?" I giggled. Charlene poked me in the ribs. "What is going on!?"
Silvanus turned to Chris, "You're mother is alive." Chris frowned a little but waited patiently. He took my hand. "She's Charlene's mother."
"What!" Chris faltered again, "I need to sit down."
I manifested and picked him up. "Yeah, I'm carrying my man. If anyone has anything to say, Romero can sort you out."
We all made little clusters around the table. "Tell me."
"I don't know, Chris? Why or how… I want to go see her as soon as possible. Michael knows where they are, and Charlene kinda also wants to see her… We don't know if Charlene's father is still alive… If he might have connected to her… Ira and Silvanus also want to see her."
Charlene sat down, and brother and sister stared at one another, "We could've grown up together… Know each other… Our whole lives, we were alone and isolated."
"I know Chris, I'm as angry as you are… Just to protect a stone! Or to keep herself protected after the night you first manifested… No wonder my parents were so eager to meet with Louis… My father even had a beer with him the next day… We all sat together talking about going to France."
"And Satya? Well, I guess her name is not Satya but Emily."
"She was quiet like always… Maybe a little more withdrawn… I guess finding out everyone around you is also creatures might have been a blow… I don't know. I would like to get her here…"
"I want to see her," Silvanus said.
Chris frowned, "What has this all got to do with you… Don't tell me you're my father and Ira lied."
I took his hand, "That was my first thought, too, but no."
"Then what?"
"He is her brother."
"No…! Charlene and I are your niece and nephew!"
"No wonder he followed us around," Caleb commented. Chris looked at his son, and the two shared a moment. "You look really terrible, Chris. When are you going to manifest? Why are you always so slow? Is it going to take you thirty years again?"
"Well, I tried sex! It didn't work." The table laughed. "Juliet won't be in danger anytime soon, given the enormous wall around her now! And the only other thing will take us days to hunt."
We all sighed, thinking about the slimy beasts from Palmyra. "Or a ouji bird from Zoreah." Chris groaned. "Those monkeys from En-gannim."
"No Monkeys! I don't want to see another one in my entire life."
"Dad, was that really all you had to eat."
"Yes, eye-popping little things."
"We should build a monument in their honor." I lifted my glass. The rest of the table did the same.
"Julie, how are you and Marcus going to settle this… I would've been pretty upset if I were you," Liam continued.
"We'll have it out tomorrow in the ring."
Mael stood to his feet, "You'll fight your husband? The rightful air to the throne because of what? Because he made a decision without you."
The table became really quiet…
"I think he needs to go to a camp," Charlene joked.
The table erupted in laughter, and even my dad laughed. My mom was also relaxing a little and didn't go after him this time.
Mael headed for the door; before he got there, he turned. "I, Mael Furrow, challenge you for the throne... Whoever wins is the rightful king or queen..."
"It's the most common sense you showed. I accept… If you want it, you'll have to take it."
"You can't use all of them! You will have no wall tomorrow!"
"As you wish. I'll do this one alone." He turned. "After that, I'll sort out my husband… If you win, you can tell me not to… However, before you say one more word about my way of doing things… You have to actually go through everything we went through."
"Fine. I've been training with Silvanus. Aries. Naji my whole life… What have you been doing? Walking? If I win, I get everything."
"You know you can't do anything without the teleporters. You don't have any water on the planet… How will you even—"
"Yes, sister. I will have it up and running in no time. I'm sure I can bribe Michael to take me to Palmyra."
I had to hold myself back from going after him with the insult to our relationship. Did my mother tell him everything! Michael stood, "You are walking on fragile ice, playing with what is sacred to me… If I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut, or I will shut it for you."
I looked across the table and met Ira's eyes on me. I stared him down. Did he do this because he didn't know what would happen? Who died and had to plan for the long run… Did Ira mold him, and Silvanus was tasked to train him? Did the two sleep with two vamps to get a foothold on the power. Well, f—. I didn't even consider the power on Palmyra might be salvaged.
Ira lifted his glass at me and drained it.
***
The arena was packed to capacity. Dheka, vampires, ittoqure, one werewolf, and demon's together in a huddle. "Don't embarrass us," Selena yelled from the sidelines. I laughed and bowed to the crowd.
Saleh had, when Basaam was born, given me the two most beautiful short blades and sheathes. They were Kukri pointed and engraved. I pulled them out, and the dheka in the crowd cheered, stomping their feet and clapping loudly. They recognized the honor of the gift, at least. My life already meant so much to me. Did I really want it… Should I just give it to him? Concede like Ahasuerus and live my days out here.
The stone shone bright, hanging around my neck. Charlene in the crowd was dressed as the queen she was with Romero… Minè would never get it off her mother's neck! Did she think the chadari would just give Palmyra to her… Maybe with Zoreah's help—
A lonely figure walked into the ring and caught my attention. Marcus ambled toward me. I was even more angry now because we could've been training together for a hundred years. Today would've been only a formality.
"Mornin."
"Yeah," I scuffed with my shoe in the dirt.
"Are you ever going to look at me again?"
"No!"
"My smile doesn't work anymore."
"Well, if I can't see it how could it."
He came at me to sweep my feet out from under me. I had turned and stepped around him in a flash. The crowd cheered. The corner of his mouth lifted, and he walked out the way he had come. Testing me? Humpf.
He backtracked, looking at me, "I'm going to enjoy our fight."
I pointed my blade at him.
"Like Selena said, don't embarrass us."
My family cheered.
On the other side of the arena, Silvanus and Mael came through the doors. He was dressed in his full kit armor. Of course, Marcus had every weapon available on the island to train with... At least it wasn't a gun. He chose a simple sword.
Romero stood. The crowd quieted down, and Silvanus took his leave. It was early in the morning, and there was a cool breeze in the air. We both moved closer to each other and into the middle of the arena... I had to give the first blow after he issued the challenge. So, I decided to take this opportunity and set the pace. Both our speed was in play, which was new over the years to get used to. What they didn't take into account was training with the dheka who could become what they wanted and even disappear into thin air one moment and rejoin their particles the next to be as strong as any of us—was a little different than fighting someone who only used strength. Caleb had the teleportation, and I had not slacked one day… Although I couldn't teleport—thanks to Ira… Oh, I will once Chris and I make the journey… Only to be confined to Mirach. Urgh, I can deal with it, I suppose.
I struck out toward his face with both swords in short succession. Mael was taller than Liam. Still, he moved swiftly backward, pairing my attacks, swords slamming against one another. His solid strength countered, pounding me two steps away from him. I circled to close the distance between us, slicing out toward his inner thigh at the same time, stopping his blade from coming down on me from the top.
Mael's feet stepped out of reach, and he swung his entire body out toward me in a powerful half-circle. I slammed his sword to the ground mid-strike and stepped on it, kicking him in the face as hard as I could. Quicker than I thought, he shook it off and sliced through the air, making my body retreat. I ducked and got closer to him, viciously coming from the bottom and ridding him of his weapon. In the air, I kicked it away so he wouldn't get near it.
Speed would be his next strategy, and as he moved, I barred him from getting around me, blocking every presumption. With my martial arts training, I was more up in the air and all over him, blocking too quickly for him to find a gap.
My blades hit the leather around his arm. His other hand grabbed my wrist and flung me over, relieving me of my one sword. He had it in hand, and our blades clanged against the others in different movements. Blocking. Lunging. Striking. I had to duck a few times and use my legs to counter his strength. Our feet never stopped moving around each other, kicking and blocking blows. With every strike, we used our strength and went with it, hitting and blocking others. He swung the short blade and, with his elbow, followed through after I turned swiftly. The hit had grazed me. Surprising him, I came back instead of going with my movement, grabbing his wrist, slicing the straps of his armor, revealing his bare chest glistened in the morning sun.
Now, I could put in a little more effort, stabbing rapidly at his exposed body. Our blades made circles to find a gap. With his arm extended to get to me, I rolled along with it and stabbed into his upper thigh. I was out and away from his retaliation, although the blade skimmed past my midsection, missing me the way I had planned. I grabbed the blade with my arm—his wrist with my hand and stabbed into his side. He turned his wrist, twisting the blade, and pulled out, cutting me along my body. I would make no sound to give him the satisfaction.
With two kicks, I had his ankle in a precarious position, forcing him to lean forward. My sword sliced across his neck, leaving a blood trail in its wake. I was, of course, not out to kill him, but every mark had to matter. It was for him—so he had to feel every cut mixing with sweat, creating an irritating sting with each exertion. A loosing discomfort with every movement.
Mael slammed me in the ribs. I grabbed the back of his head and did the same against my knee, breaking his nose. I circled and kicked his back, having the advantage. He was almost on his knees off balance, struggling to get his long legs underneath him. I used his body and ran across him—landing on his wrist—taking my sword back. Before he could move, both were stuck in his flesh against his throat from both sides.
I looked up at my mom for dramatic effect, asking if I could kill him. She rolled her eyes and chuckled.
The audacity! Mael actually tried to move. I inched the blades even deeper into his skin. He looked up. "Are you done?" He said nothing. "Like I tell everyone before I kill them… You have no idea who you're dealing with." I ripped the points out, cutting him even more. The dheka could patch him up.
I turned away, taking a breather; I still had a husband to submit. I walked around, wiping my blades against my legs. Like I knew he would, Mael was on his feet, coming at me in long, pounding strides. I waited till he dove and disappeared. He hit the sand with a crash. For someone so tall, he was really nimble, rolling and onto his feet in a second.
Tired and done talking, I tossed both blades into the ground. They rippled; the handles moved frantically back and forth, resonating in the air. I put on my demon manifestation and took my hand-to-hand combat stance. Mael gasped and moved back a step. A lot of people climbed the barrier and came at me. "No, Juliet!" My two husbands. Ira and my dad.
I chuffed, relaxed, and let it go. "I wasn't even trying, dude."
"Next time, you won't win. I will figure out how to beat you…"
"Get the f— out of the arena. I have another man to put in his place!" His lip pulled in disgust. "Shoe… Shoe… Out you lost fair and square." A little peeved, he turned and wiped over his nose, smearing the blood. The dheka was waiting for him.
Another silence descended. I smiled. Marcus was behind me, wasn't he? His bare feet were silent in the sand. I waited. Two hands rested on my shoulders and sensually slid down my arms. He could've had me yesterday. However, after Chris, I needed one day to recoup. I stepped back and gave him a quick peck on the mouth. And we went at it.
Hand-to-hand full-on jabbing, punching, kicking, and moving around one another with precision and class. We jumped around, never standing still. Sometimes, we got close—going to the ground and having the crowd on their feet only to get out of each other holds and free to fight again. I didn't give him one moment of peace or an opportunity to toy with me. Neither could he get me pinned like he did when I was younger. No punches landed from either of us; our blocking and speed were too good in our anticipation. We matched each other in every step. We knew each other so well, even after all these years—we were dancing.
The crowd gasped if it looked like either would find a loophole only to be thwarted. I smiled every time. He did, too. The sun was beaming down on us, the crowd under nice shaded nets. Sweat trickled down his brow, and my grip on him was slipping. My own cheeks were heated from the exercise—my hair hot and stuck against my scalp.
With his next attack, Marcus tried to throw me. I kicked off the ground through the air and landed on my feet, which were out of reach. I ran the few strides between us and threw both legs around his waist like a scissor; he followed me and dove, making us roll through the sand. We were back up on our feet, and he followed through, slamming my jaw. I retaliate, grabbing the other arm coming at me, holding it—palming his chest a few times as hard as I could. He grunted with every strike.
His other arm came up to block. I had to grab it to jump and maneuver over his shoulder. He anticipated my hold too late as my weight pulled him down, and I dropped to the ground, barring his arm between my legs. Claps resounded from the people. It was in vain. Marcus slapped my leg with so much strength and rolled out in a second.
Sluggishly, I come up on my knees, my hands resting on my legs. My chest rose and fell. I looked up at him.
"Don't give up now!" Selena complained.
"Yeah, we want to see a fair fight."
Our spirals in our black eyes spun for one another—me looking up, him looking down. I placed my hands together in front of my body in a sort of circle and waited. Marcus dropped down, sitting on his feet, and did the same. I let go of my manifestation, and so did he. We both kowtow together, coming up and doing it three times. A promise that we would never stop fighting. Together, we turned and bowed toward Romero, a sign of respect. We turned again to kowtow for Naji, a promise to keep him safe. When we faced each other again, I held out my hands for him to help me up, and he gallantly did. I didn't realize how tired I was or how long we were at it.
Marcus swept my feet out from under me and stood. The crowd was all standing, bowing to us. I rested my head on his shoulder.