Pet: Genesis - Chapter 33 (Patreon)

Iris

I miss the beach. I miss the warmth of the sun and the comfort that the sound of waves crashing brought me. I miss being able to pretend I was a normal woman and not a prisoner of war. The world was still its old self, not lost to Remus’s will, and nothing horrible could happen inside my small bubble of reality I had created for myself. But we have returned to the mainland overlooking the heart of another Leviathan city.

Remus may have accepted my betrayal, but since it came to light he treats me more as a threat than he ever did in the past. His new home has been wiped of any books or maps, and he’s even resorted to leaving to conduct his business. He may not be able to kill me because of his growing affection, but he isn’t going to give me the same freedoms I once had. Even now I can’t leave this place to roam outside or even open a window. He’s kept me locked inside this pristine prison for days, only able to see my freedom and never touch it.

The sky has darkened today, the slight moisture finding its way onto the glass. It’s going to rain soon. A fitting backdrop for my mood.

“Iris move away from there.”

I tense at the sound of Remus’s voice. I didn’t hear him return let alone enter the room. When I face him, he’s standing in the doorway with a disappointed frown on his lips before taking deliberate steps towards me. I take in his attire, my brain already working to analyze just where it is he’s been. I’ve been in his grasp for so long, I can pick out just how important where he went is by looking at his clothing. And judging from what he wears today, he’s been somewhere very important.

“You’re back,” I say softly before stepping away from the window. Remus laughs at my lame greeting but makes his way towards me nonetheless. He threads his fingers through my hair pulling me in to place a soft kiss along my forehead.

“Yes. I’m back.”

He pulls away from me studying my features. His hand brushes my cheek as that purple gaze roams over my face with keen interest. It’s strange being this close to him and not feeling as I once did. My body comes alive at his touch, my mind losing all sense of logic at his embrace. Now fear has been replaced with unease. Not only have I lost his trust, but Remus has become closed off in the days since departing the beach. I know something big is coming. My only fear is what it could possibly be.

Remus’s eyes shift to the glass I was just standing in front of and he silently steps past me.

“Why do you torture yourself like this?” he asks placing his hand against the glass. He looks back at me expectantly and it takes me a moment to realize he’s waiting for an answer.

“What else am I supposed to do? You’ve taken everything from me,” I say. He shakes his head looking back at the scenery around us. We’re on the edge of the mountainside giving us the perfect view of the Leviathan living their lives below.

“You put yourself in that position. I only reacted to protect my interests,” he says.

“And what about me? Everything I did was for my own interest as well as my people.”

Remus looks back at me, studying me again with that terrifying expression. His eyes seem to light up, especially since the oncoming weather is darkening the sky as well as the natural light incoming from the open windows. This new dynamic between us gives me such a dreadful sense of unease. He’s constantly trying to figure me out, my betrayal a *** to him.

“It would seem we are at an impasse then,” he says.

My cheeks burn from my lack of knowledge after all this time. Learning the Leviathan language was difficult in itself, and I never tried to expand my vocabulary in English because I was so busy trying to pass on what information I could find. A ghost of a smile appears on Remus’s lips as he takes in my predicament.

“It means we won’t see eye to eye on this subject.”

“And you won’t force me to?” I ask. Remus’s smile widens revealing his teeth and he makes his way towards me.

“Force you?” he reiterates. A part of me is happy to see his open playfulness return after so long. But the logical part of me is terrified what his playfulness will lead to. I slowly nod my head, my anxiety building as he stands over me.

“After all this time, do you still not understand the difference between you and I?” he asks lifting my chin to meet his gaze. His eyes are gleaming in excitement.

“Your thoughts, opinions, and actions are your own. Though I underestimated you in the past, I won’t do so again. Other than that, you aren’t a threat to me. You’re only fighting for your people. A fight that I have warned you several times is a useless one. However, I respect it. If you continue to pursue this fight, I hope you are prepared for the consequences of those surrounding you. They will all die, and you will be left to endure the suffering. Because I will never, end your life.”

My eyes widen as I take in the being in front of me. A chill ripples up my spine, resting on the tops of my arms from his words.

“You’ve seen what they are willing to do to kill me. They aren’t worth your suffering.” He slowly rubs his thumb over my cheek, the simple gesture leaving a scorching trail. I can no longer hold his gaze stepping away immediately. I wrap around arms around myself as I turn my back to him, unable to even stand in the same vicinity as him. My gaze shifts to the window where a low rumble of thunder begins to ripple across the sky.

“What about my brother?” I ask. My throat feels tight just thinking about his answer. And I don’t dare ask about Jude.

“…You will be very disappointed if you continue to try and fight for them.”

“How do you know I haven’t given up already?” I ask bitterly, “I tried to convince him to give up the fight. I give into you every time you touch me,” I add.

Remus scoffs behind me and I hear him moving.

“You’re human. Denying yourself pleasure doesn’t place you in a winners bracket. It only denies you an experience. And you have a drive like no other. A will to fight no matter what. Right now, you have only just discovered how pathetically outmatched your race is. And you’ve lost the drive. But not your will. You’re unlike any other being I’ve encountered. You have such a strong will to live… to experience.”

I slowly turn to face him and he’s watching me with a strange expression, his head angled slightly as he studies me.

“It’s one thing I’ve come to admire about you.”

I fight the sudden tension in my chest at his confession. Remus, the almighty being admires… me? I thought his feelings towards me were purely sexual. As I study him, his expression suddenly makes sense.

“When you said you were curious… you were genuinely curious because you don’t understand me?” I ask softly. Remus doesn’t seem shocked in the least about my revelation.

“I’ve always been transparent with you, Iris.” 

Remus suddenly seems less relatable as he stands before me. His interactions with his own people as well as mine suddenly make perfect sense. I understand why he was always confused when I asked why he hated my people, and if he disliked his own. He genuinely doesn’t hold emotion towards them. Either of them. His behavior towards everyone isn’t because he dislikes them, he lacks the emotional capacity to understand them. But somehow being with me allows him a glimpse into something he doesn’t understand.

I find myself laughing at the bitter irony I’ve been dealt. I look up just as Remus places his hand in mine, his grip tightening as he pulls me along.

“Come. I wish to show you something.”