Negative Conflict Resolution

Juliet

The foyer at The Tower was empty. I guessed Soren didn't tell anyone I would be coming home. I went upstairs to my office. It was packed. The door opened, and all eyes were on me. I scanned the room. No Louis. It was a hard pill to swallow. Also, no, Chris.

"Caleb?"

"He's safe."

My feet carried me to the only other man I wanted to confront. He was seated, dragging a cigarette, and the only one avoiding me. I think he knew what was coming. I stood before him. "Get up." He shook his head. I slapped him. My father wanted to intervene. Samuel stretched out an arm to his brother, but when my hand came at him again, he grabbed my wrist. I pulled and yanked. "What were you thinking. Please tell me why?"

My uncle's face contorted, struggling with himself. "He is an Ahmed Juliet."

"So that's it. You knew Ahasuerus would never touch him."

His features softened. "No… That's not what I meant." Samuel stood up. "Why do you think Ahasuerus left Marcus with Qadir." My hand started shaking, still fast in his grasp. "Do you think Ella had a wonderful time being married to the man? Her husband sleeping with a new addition every few years. Raping her over and over. And she gave him nine children. One that killed the rest."

"Who is she?"

My uncle let go of my arm. "Everyone out." The room cleared. "She is one of his wives."

"When did it happen?"

"I knew Louis's history. Of course. But when I sent him to your side. I told him not to touch you if he wasn't sure."

"You took a chance on a man like that. Who lied to me. Keeps lying to me. Runs away and controls me. He's a coward!"

"He's an Ahmed Juliet. Their struggles run deep in their veins. But I knew if you could bring back Marcus… It was only a matter of time. I love Louis like a son… I was his only father, friend, and confidant for two hundred years… Two hundred years, Juliet. Stuck in a prison with no one."

My eyes were closed, and my fingers were rubbing over my forehead, trying to rid myself of what I had seen. I had thought Louis had multiple partners over the years. His sex journals were detailed, but it was a few entries.

"What is she doing on Earth? Why did he not tell me?"

"He was scared. He nearly killed himself when his father died, and his mother left him without a care in the world, making us think she was dying… Losing anyone close to him… he will not make it if you do not forgive him… He saw what Marcus saw… What Michael sees and Chris. You are a lifeline, Juliet."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

"You're lying too. It's all everyone does. Lie, lie, lie. Where is he!?"

"I don't know. He left this morning when Soren told him you're coming home… Juliet, what about Marcus? You can't leave him there."

The look I gave my uncle made a hand come up in surrender. "I'm going to ask you one last time."

"He was falling in love with her. He sent her to Earth because she got under his skin in his old age. It was a hundred years ago. She is about four hundred years old. Ahasuerus stayed in touch… And rather than pine away, he used her to have another way to control the situation. Information of what was happening on Earth. And she, in turn, was what she was… The only other vamp Louis could relate to. It was one time. And it happened long before you. After her, he stopped. He started building the house. He was waiting, Juliet… For someone."

"He changed for her…" My voice broke at the words… "Not me." My uncle wanted to speak, but I interrupted him. "So not only did you not tell us. But we have another enemy out there with let's play worst-case scenario; all Ahasuerus's knowledge wrapped up in a woman somewhere on Earth. Another enemy that we could've taken out had you only been honest. What do you think will happen if she goes to Ian?"

"Juliet, it's war. It always has been. Since I went to your mother's island."

"Well, you are terrible at it. I think you should try something else."

My uncle quickly took a few steps closer. I turned away from him only for him to reach out and grab my arm, pulling me into his chest, taking all the backlash until his strength and age had me wrapped up in a tight grasp around my body. He held me while I struggled. Forced me to spend the little energy I didn't have left. I had nothing left. He tightened his hold, and it was a long time before I could even breathe. Then, when I could, I sobbed. He picked me up and sat on the couch with me in his arms, cradling me like a child.

We stayed like that for some time until he handed me his handkerchief, which would have grossed me out in any other circumstance. My father came in and took in the scene. My uncle nodded, and he came in and sat across from us. "Where were you?"

"I'm so sorry, Juliet. Do you know how it feels not to be able to protect you?"

I had three kids… Of course, I knew how it felt. "What does the other stone do?"

"What do you mean? We don't know."

"Why did Chris not come?"

"He did. He went alone and didn't come back."

"You promise Caleb is safe."

"Yes, he is safe. Do you think I would be that stupid?"

"Oh, Daddy! Right now, I don't trust anyone." My uncle's arms tightened again.

"Caleb is babysitting, if you can believe it with Iku. We told the shadow the boy should not leave his side. Chris cut him for good measure… I had been going every day to keep the boy contained. He did lose his mind. If Chris wasn't there, Caleb would've… Anyway."

"So it's only Chris and Marcus there."

My dad frowned. "No, Chris is here. Soren sent him back after watching for a few days. Think he got the condensed version. They had made some makeshift weapon that released shards of that sword crushed up. Chris was useless. No point in him going back. Soren had advised Ian not to kill Chris. He didn't think a war with the Riphaths would go in their favor." I was trying to put it all together. What Soren said. What I could remember and what not. How did I not see Chris? What Soren lied about.

"What happened in the last three weeks?"

"First, you fought with Marcus and told everyone you'll be going to Earth to save them if no one else would… Caleb had gone to see if Charlene's parents were okay. When he came back, Caleb told Louis his feed was playing on TV. The man lost it. Jessy lost it, and the others wanted to keep their own secrets contained." My uncle's grasp tightened around me.

Liam raked his hand through his hair and struggled to continue, letting my uncle help me work through it. "So Louis took over the islands… Killed Soren's parents and cleared En-gannim of anyone that was in the least a threat. Iku changed the whole situation… We should've asked him to help a long time ago. Ask Romero for help… Louis and Kubra had done nothing but fight for three weeks."

"Where did they go?"

"Some planet to colonize or something. I still don't know, but Samuel was on board."

"He sorted out all our problems and left?" My uncle added.

"He will be back. You said it yourself… They always come back."

"He was never supposed to leave."

My uncle caressed my hair in gentle strokes. "You can handle everything, but not that." I shook my head.

"Juliet, what about Marcus?" My dad asked.

"I have a plan… So they are stuck on Earth?"

"Have been for all the time since you got taken. Your son was clever enough to go and destroy the whole structure. Iku's wife is a little temperamental."

Only hearing about Iku's wife brought me back to Marcus, lusting after her. "Carl?"

"Nothing. We don't know. We think they might be fighting. Charlene still has that nagging feeling… Michael has been there a few times and has taken some men to help. Ian has the compound and the barracks, as well as most of America. Other major cities all over the world. Michael had been reuniting Earth to one location. But as you know. It won't be easy recalibrating."

"Has Michael gone looking for Louis at all?"

"Every chance he gets."

"You sure Soren didn't take him."

"I don't think so. Juliet. There would've been no way."

"He didn't exchange us. Soren isn't making him watch his own father's death over and over with Marcus?"

"Marcus had to watch everything with you?" My uncle's grasp firmed around me, bracing for the worst. "Did you, Juliet."

More tears ran down my cheeks. "No… That was one thing I could not watch."

"OH, Juliet, what is Soren thinking." My dad asked.

"He's infected... And without a plate to control it. I know Soren is looking at it from a revenge standpoint, but Ian. How and why would he not kill me… All their problems would have been solved.."

"Soren was on Mirach."

"So that's the reason… Charlene just saved our lives. Again."

"Julie."

I jumped up at the endearment. "Dad. Please never call me that again."

He stood and opened his arms. "There is something I have to tell you." His arms closed around me. "Your mom is pregnant."

"I'm going to a big sister?"

"It's all that purple…" All I could get out was a small laugh.

***

I stayed in The Tower that night. Louis didn't have a plate with him, and even if he did, he would have to contact me first. I didn't think he would. Neither could I send him a message on a phone. I had been thinking where he could be. Earth was the only option. Maybe not. But I couldn't think about Louis at the moment. I had to get Marcus out. Take some time to figure out who Jacklin had as contacts on En-gannim. I had my indoor plumbing at last. I was not allowed off the planet for the last four months. "While I sat in the desert." Like Jade forced to sit and wait.

My uncle came into the room. My eyes begged him to forgive me. He walked over and patted my cheek. I reached out and rubbed my thumb over the cheek I had hit. "I am sorry."

"You're a Furrow, Juliet. I understand. You are so young. And your father and I… we planned all this. Hoped for this. But never for you to have gone through what you have."

He sat down on the bed, stroking my cat. Katty was sleeping on my bed. "Every time I looked at her, I think about how far and wide she had traveled. She had her own servant on Mirach. He needed to follow her and clean up everywhere she pooped or peed in their sand or ensured she wasn't getting too far away from the village." My uncle smiled. "He fed her anything she wanted. She had the best time on Mirach. All the sand she could dream of. Adventure."

"You glad to be home in a sense?" I nodded, looking out over all we had fought for. I could finally say it after so much time. Our home. Mine. Was it worth it? It didn't really matter. Chris would never go back, even if I begged.

"Juliet. I do not want to lie to you again. You are Queen now. And deserve it… Louis asked me only one question." I turned to him. "To tell him when you will be alone here in your room."

"Well, you don't see my other husbands making an appearance."

"Give Chris some time. He… is not taking it so well… You have one left… who might be able to help."

I regarded my uncle. "You put Michael there." He smiled. "Yes. It was one round of gambling I had gone in deep and…"

"I'm reaping the benefits." He chuckled. "Have a cigarette with me." He smiled, and we sat on the balcony. He told me all about his days working for Ahasuerus hundreds of years ago, about going to Earth, and all Louis's struggles. "You know… I kinda blame you for all this."

I chuckled. "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"You should have told your father about Chris. I would never have thought about Louis for you. I think… I could've asked Ira to take you there. Secretly. No one would ever have known. You and Chris could've just disappeared."

"When did you tell them about the Riphaths and other planets?"

"When Michael told me you're going to France and that Chris wasn't sure about you… Then Michael showed me your conversation with Louis… Juliet, I can not tell you; the change in the man was night and day… But you don't need me to tell you that he loves you."

My uncle took out a plate and wanted me to take it. I looked at it for a long time. "Then you know how important it is for him to come back by himself… I can't, uncle."

He put the plate away, "I understand."

***

I would be back at my desk as soon as Marcus was home. I had slept all alone, and it wasn't a good feeling. It was a real possibility that we would not make it. What would the guys do to Louis even if he did come back? If Chris couldn't even face me. Caleb had seen it all… I would beg. Ask him to go back to the morning I was pregnant with Naji…. No, it would have to be the moment the guys came into the room to tell us of Ian's attacks on En-gannim… No… Charlene and Romero. There really wasn't a time that could fix it all… I wanted it to go away. A scared and gnawing feeling in my heart, thinking that Soren really did figure out what the other stones's purpose was. I finally understood why Ira and the guys killed all the Werewolves on Zoreah. There really was no other way. We lived so long. It was like finding a mother spider that laid eggs, and you decide not to kill her and the spiderlings. After that, you could not be disgusted when the hundreds of babies erupted from their sack or be fearful that they would make your home theirs.

I got up and dressed in one of Brylee's creations. It would be one of those days where I did my hair and make-up and looked my best. I had chosen a soft golden metallic leather outfit. The top was in the shape of a bikini. A chocker around my throat connected to weaved strands draped regally over my shoulders, flowing down over my shoulders to my ankles. The pants were also covered with twisted strands. Tied around my waist with a dramatic belt. All in the same color. Gladiator sandals fastened around my ankles. Romero would've been proud.

I traveled to Jade's palace. With hands in the air, I got escorted to her room, and left me with a window to talk to Dimitrios. "There is a package for you at the embassy. Someone will send some of your men back and forth. After that, we will rebuild what you lost."

Dimitrios watched me for a long time and called off the escort. "You know where it is."

I found my way to Jade's room. She was pleased to see me. "Why are you still here. With Soren stuck on Earth, you could do whatever you want." I asked.

"I did. Drank a lot of alcohol. Went on a boat and into the water. I went flying and killed anyone that wanted to stop me."

"How many tried?"

"Not one."

"Good girl… Tell me Dimitrios took advantage…" Jade laughed. "I need a favor. Brought you gifts to fix what we broke. Heard there was a fight. I was not there to govern the situation."

"I understand. It does not matter. When you did not come after two days, I figured something must have happened."

"Thank You."

"What is the favor?" I gestured to Aries. She nodded. I picked up the not-so-little guy and held him up in front of me, nuzzling his neck. His chest glowed as he gurgled and waved his hands about. "He likes you. It is a sign of trust."

I looked at Jade and back at the little guy. "You should come to school on our planet. I'll teach you everything about everything… Jade, will you go on a mission with me? Those red swords of yours are now officially the bane of my existence."

"Yes, we do have some advantage."

"Soren took Marcus and me hostage. Did some awful things to us, and let me go."

"Marcus is still in a dungeon? I have to say that I am getting sick of Ian and Soren. And have been thinking." I sat down with the little dragon on my lap. "If I were Soren. I would kill Ian and then me. Or in a different order. He would have everything. Palmyra. The vamps you have as prisoners. Soren needs only to round up those who do not want to follow you… He could have a whole new army in a few years."

"Yes. Maybe less."

"We would not be here. So the question is, who is a worst enemy to you? Us or Soren?"

"You were never my enemy. Michael meant so much to me that I went a little overboard… I was angry that Chris had lost his power. But he got it back."

Jade sat up. "He did?"

I nodded. "All be it at a heavy price. He almost left me and mated with someone else."

"You did not have anyone in your bed last night, did you?" I shook my head. "Why you need to go get Marcus? I told you to tie them up."

The disgust rose in my throat. I shook my shoulders to rid myself of all the feelings that didn't want to leave me alone. I never wanted to see a restraint again. "Maybe… Anyway, Fahan is there. Ian and Soren. So I don't know if you can or will help me."

"I think it's time we both put the men in our lives in their places. You know what Fahan said to me. He can not ask for forgiveness for what he did."

"Oh, Jade."

"Yes. So now I will not ask for forgiveness either. I will leave them there when our teleporter is fixed. I will take control, and Fahan will have to do as I say. And Yes, I will help you. "

"In and out."

"In and out. Undetected."

"Perfect. I've had as much fighting as I can handle for now." My voice was continually on the brink of breaking. I got up to put Aries down. "Do you want to come with me? I'll teach you everything your husband didn't want to. Clever of him to give certain information to only some of you."

"Yes. Too clever for his own good."

***

Jade and I had landed on Earth. Michael was gracious enough to go to the entrance and set a spot to travel to. The weapons shot out but meant nothing to her. She walked out, and I touched her. "It doesn't seem that he's been fed at all.

"I brought something for him." We walked out of the tunnel where Michael and Caleb were waiting for us outside the gate. I didn't want to ask them to help, but I did ask for a favor. Ira had sent me one of those slimy things. Jade thrust her sword through its head. I held it out to Marcus, who responded in kind. Marcus couldn't open his eyes. The color came back into his cheeks, and we let him finish in his own time. I gestured for Michael, and he picked him up. "Wait here. I'll take you all in turn."

"Thank You."

Caleb was next.

"Jade, I don't know how to thank you. I am really sorry about taking Aries."

"I never blamed you. But I had to forgive his stupidity. You have to understand that better than anyone."

"I do."

Michael held open his arms. Jade jumped in, making Michael's knees buckle, and I laughed for the first time. He made some grunting noises, looking at me with wide, imploring eyes. "Do you mind if we take the long way?"

"No," Jade replied. I handed Michael a plate, laughingly smiling at him.

I started walking down the gorge after they disappeared. Not that you could call the valley a canyon or anything anymore. Michael landed and could not see me. He transformed into a werewolf, running up to me and nudging the air, easily traversing the landscape and moving alongside me. Jumping up and past me as I climbed. We walked in silence for some time. He came back to human and walked with me. "Where will you look? If you ask me, he's somewhere on Mirach in a hut. Chris told us about your dream… Would you really hide from me? I think it is rather shallow… I don't mind older women… We've never talked about you connecting to me… Anyway… And do I not get a kid? What makes you suddenly not be able to have kids anymore?"

I smiled.

"You know he can be anywhere. I looked. The Alps. His house in Paris doesn't exist anymore. Chris's hut. The Farm. The mountains… where he used to live before he could handle his ability. The hut I almost killed you in…. Let's see where else. Your old house. His old house. Even the neighborhood. Rodrigo's house. The other house Rodrigo had. The whole of Narihma is out looking for him. The whole of En-gannim has him as a fugitive. I even checked where Marcus wanted to take you for two weeks. Juliet… It's beautiful. The grass is turquoise and long, and the shorter grass on the ground is dark green. The pink ocean makes it all look magical. And the house… Anyway… I checked Palmyra and every teleportation that Jessy could log. But he could've gotten away with getting someone else to do it for him. If there is a weak link, I think it might be Samuel. I went to Zoreah. Asked Ira to keep an eye out. I looked in every crevice anyway."

"And you couldn't carry a Chadari girl in your arms. Weakling."

Michael scooped me up. "Oh honey, I've missed you. I'm so glad it made you laugh… All I can think about is our night of drugs and sex. All I want to do is take you on a bike ride, which I don't think will ever happen again." Michael leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I welcomed him with an open mouth. His tongue was playful with mine.

I lifted, saying, "You know. I've never done it invisible." I continued to kiss him. Michaels's hands stilled around me. Slowly, he unlocked our lips, licking his and staring at mine. "You won't get your dance. My room is…" I shuddered, thinking about it.

He plopped me down on the ground and walked off in a huff. I had to laugh. "Really, it means that much to you." He ignored me. I ran after him, lacing my fingers with his. "We're like the ultimate power couple. Can you imagine what we can do together?"

"Kill Soren."

"Funny. Glad you remember our conversations… That, yes, but really. We can come and go, and no one would even know."

"If it weren't for those red swords."

"Not everyone has them… Michael… Where were you the last few months? You didn't even come on the nights it was your turn. It's been so long."

"Waiting like a good boy. My queen didn't summon me, so I had to wait."

I laughed so hard and yanked him around that he stopped abruptly and had to look at me. I gazed deep into his eyes to see if it was true. He was dead serious. "Michael… I need to be touched. I need…. A five-minute ride pushed up against… that wall, holding me up with your strong arms and fulfilling one of my fantasies."

Michael laughed even louder than me. "It's going to cost you."

"What do you want?"

"Five weeks on Zoreah…" I wanted to say something. "After we find him."

"That is not what I wanted to say… You always ask for time… And I've never gotten around to giving you any."

Michael played with his beard and looked up at me. "I was in my werewolf form for three months… It does put it all into perspective… No, No… I wanted to. It does change everything, and I can understand why the boys on Earth had such a hard time."

"Michael."

"I have so long to live. And I remembered what Liam told Chris right before he came to France." I was intrigued by what had made Chris change his mind. "Liam said that this life. Chris's new life doesn't give you a moment… And it's true. All we have is now. It's why you want me to…" Michael nudged to the wall behind him.

"Yes. Time for time?" Michael smiled. "Do I need to sign anywhere? We don't have a paper trail this time. Hey, I still haven't gotten my full body massage."

"For our first time, when you manipulated and raped me." Michael had not thought it through. The expression on his face changed, and the humor had fallen away. He covered his mouth with a hand.

"Oh honey, it's not rape if your wife sleeps with you." Michael met my eye. We stared at each other.

"I think he regrets saying it. I think that's why Louis was so angry that night."

"You were also very angry at me that night."

"Juliet, I'm sorry for what you went through. I think I'm partly to blame. All of us. I knew my time as a watcher would end."

"You didn't know they were going to take you."

"But me not being there. It did make things more difficult for you. I was deliberately doing everything they were not. Made you fall in love with me. I knew there was a chance we would never see each other again… Not only that… I knew my place in all of this was to stop all the threats against us before they even became a problem… I feel like I failed you. This hierarchy stuff is hard. I have to listen. I'm not in control anymore."

"It does not matter… We… I… I'm just glad Marcus came back in time. If he had stayed away longer, Soren would've been allowed in. And… how could we all be so blind? I would've had a scar on my bottom."

"Your… bottom?" I giggled. He chuckled. "You still in the mood?" Michael's eyes roamed over my outfit, my hair, and the jewelry around my arms.

"I…"

"I understand. Not in the mood… I'll do anything to make you feel something again. Come back to me." Michael picked me up in one arm. "If you want me to do this properly, I will have to go creature."

"How did you manage? I didn't feel the nails?"

"It was tough, but I got it done. Back and forth. Didn't want the drugs to drain out too quickly. I needed to feel it like that."

"The nails on my skin were worth it."

Michael's finger pulled the bikini triangle down over my breast. His whole hand enveloped my flesh. He squeezed and stroked his thumb over my nipple while we walked. When we reached the desired flat surface, I was undoing his pants and shoved them down over his bulky ass. Michael struggled with my belt, but I helped him and let them drop down, stepping out. The soft strands of the twined caftan hung softly over my skin. His fingers pushed each string sensually over my shoulders. "I don't know if you look better in the outfit or out of it." He cupped my bottom and lifted me to the perfect height. "Are you going to be able to hold on?" I took him in hand, and Michael took a small step closer, hovering his mouth over mine, waiting for me to let go. Our eyes were waiting in anticipation. I let go, and he slowly nudged into me. My lips parted, and his tongue came out to meet mine. He nudged again. I let out a moan. "Did you say five minutes?"

"I'll take anything right now." He bit into my shoulder and entered me slowly till we were one. My knees clamped down around his waist, and my hips pushed toward him.

"Don't move."

I had to laugh. "You won't be able to handle even one thrust."

He shook his head in a frustrated attempt not to spill himself into me. "Let's just stay like this for a second… At least you're laughing." He pulled out. I wanted to say something. He barred me, replacing himself with fingers. "I can wait till you join me there." I closed my eyes and forgot about everything.

Michael pulled up his pants, looked down at me, and began fixing my dress. Every finger moved with precision to get the threads to hang perfectly. He finished by putting the strands of my hair in place. "I got a little carried away." He said sheepishly. I did the same for him. I had disheveled him. My hands roamed his chest and over his shoulders down his arms. I took his hands in mine and put them on my ass. He squeezed. I jumped again, wrapping my legs around him. "Will you do me a favor?"

"Another one. Where do you want to start."

"No, I want to show you something. First, travel us to the diner."

Michael obliged. I used a plate, and we traveled into darkness. I clapped my hands, and the room filled with a dim glow of soft light. Michael scanned the space, looked at me, and walked around a bit. He opened the door that led outside and stood, taking in the scene. He lit a cigarette and clutched one hand under an armpit. After a few minutes, he walked around the little cabin. I was biting my nails and stopped when he came into view. "Your moment of weakness." I nodded. "When?"

"It was done right before we had our fight in my room. For that night… For all our nights."

Michael opened his arms, remorse on his features. "There are black sheets on the bed."

"I know. I was thinking if we won't be coming back."

"Again?"

"You're too tired."

He leaned down. "No. Never. I have to redeem myself."

"No sex?" I asked

"Just love. It will be our first time."

***

I was lying in the crook of his arm after we took our time and made love. We had kinda consummated our relationship at last, after so many years. A new beginning. It felt so strange that all our previous encounters had been foreplay, abstinence, and, a few times of, quickies. "Juliet."

"Mmm." I laced and unlaced our fingers. We did have our one night on Mirach, where we were clouded with lust. The only thing wrong with it was the timing. Experiencing it again was one thing I was looking forward to. I was trying to think about anything rather than what happened.

"What will happen now?"

My fingers stopped moving, "You know it's not up to me. He still gets to decide."

"Did what you see… change anything?"

"I don't know… I honestly can't think about it right now…

"I was serious."

"About what."

"You will have to ask. We can't go back to Earth customs. We will have to embrace a new way of living… And no, I don't want to leave…" Michael's hands were large, with long, well-proportioned fingers, and the veins gently protruding under the skin made them a perfect specimen. His nails were manicured, and with the rings he always wore, it was one of those things about him I could not get enough of. "Please don't give it all up for him. Even if he asks."

I was quiet. What could I say without lying? I had other plans on how to fix everything. "Michael, you said it yourself. Someone has to be in charge of all this. Have you changed your mind? Is Louis not who you would've chosen for me…"

"I have never seen his feed… I went to Earth to watch it." His fingers closed painfully around mine. 

"Let's talk about something else, please."

"Okay."

"How will it work?"

His fingers relaxed and continued with slow movements, gently caressing mine. "You can summon me whenever you want… I will send a… request?"

I laughed lightly. "I hope you're ready."

Michael rolled up on his elbow, a wicked smile on his mouth. "I can't wait."

I licked my lips and stared at his hands, "Can you manifest into a vampire so I can add black nails to my temptations."