Pet:Genesis - Chapter 36 (Patreon)

Iris 

My life… or my brother’s.

It’s a no brainer. Of course I will do whatever it takes to save my brother even if he doesn’t care for me. Because that’s who I am as a person. It’s a trait that Remus not only admires, but exploits every chance he can. Especially if it means keeping me by his side. 

I suck in a deep breath looking at the locket in my hands. The chain has been replaced and it looks like it’s been freshly shined. A kind gesture from Remus that adds more mystery to his character as a whole. My eyes shift to the scenery beyond the window. My home.

It will only be a memory soon. Remus is going to take me away from here and use the people to liven the populations of those in his empire. And there’s nothing I can do about it. I am at his mercy as I’ve always been, but he’s made it very clear just how outmatched I am this time around. I turn away from the window as the longing for freedom sends my mood into a deeper pit of despair.

I make my way to the mirror in the room to once again look at myself. My body has no signs of any trauma I’ve endured. I silently push my hair over my shoulder to take in my throat where Remus attacked me. There’s nothing there, not even a scar. I shudder to think of that moment. Remus almost killed me in the process. He was terrifyingly savage, his demeanor far from the one I’ve become accustomed to. Although there’s no scars, the spot is tender to the touch, and it’s been throbbing for days since. Not from pain, but something else. Like a pulse of sorts. I place my fingers over the area feeling only warmth.

Something familiar catches my attention pulling me away from the mirror. It’s a scent. The same scent that I’ve been craving for days now. A strange sensation washes over me and I don’t have to look to know Remus is in the room. As my eyes meet his, my body comes alive. Just being in his presence is calming. I find myself wanting nothing more than to embrace him, but I can’t. I know I can’t.

He’s watching me with an emotionless expression, his eyes shifting ever so slightly as he studies me.

“What did you do to me?” I whisper.

Ever since his attack, I don’t feel the same. Remus doesn’t respond making his way across the room. He stands over me, his thumb rubbing lightly over my cheek and I find myself drawn to the feeling. My body immediately calms from the contact, the anxiousness I felt all but disappearing. It’s as if my body needs his presence to feel safe, which is the complete opposite of how I felt only days ago.

I raise my hand, placing it over his to remove his touch from my face. It takes all of my strength, but somehow I manage.

“… please don't,” I murmur. To my shock, he doesn’t push the issue.

“Have you thought about my offer?” he asks softly. I laugh at his choice of words, ignoring the bitter sting of tears.

“Offer? You mean, ultimatum?” I say. Now Remus laughs.

“If you want to call it that.”

I shrug, looking away.

“Of course, I’ll choose you if it means saving my brother,” I look at Remus and his purple gaze is practically glowing as I speak, “but you already knew that,” I add. His smile widens.

“Of course I did. You would do anything to protect those you care about. You care about what happens to them more than what happens to yourself,” he says.

“It is a trait we both share.”

I narrow my gaze at him.

“You are nothing like me,” I growl.

“Oh? Why? Because I am the conqueror?” he asks. An amused grin spreads over his lips as he takes me in.

“Don’t let your anger cloud your sense of logic, Iris. Because we are on opposite sides, our ideals do not align, true, but we are very much the same in our determination to protect those we care about.”

His gaze drops to my throat only for an instant before his eyes meet mine.

“You know that I will do whatever it takes to see Ezra return safely, and you would sacrifice your own happiness to ensure your brother makes it out of the massacre of the rebels.”

I take a step away from him, my body screaming at me in anger from the distance I put between us. And Remus somehow knows it, judging by his laugh.

“Whether you care or not, I am very pleased that you have decided to discontinue putting your life at risk,” he says behind me. I let out a bitter laugh.

“It won’t be for long. I’m human Remus. You do know I will die one day. My life is fleeting compared to yours,” I say. Remus doesn’t respond but I can feel him step closer to me. He gently grabs my hand, pulling it to his lips as his eyes meet mine and he smiles revealing those sharp teeth that have plagued my nightmares. 

“Then I shall enjoy the time I have with you.”

* * * * *

I silently watch Remus adjust his clothing from my place across the room. He’s uniquely stunning as I watch him. He’s fastening a clip in his hair, holding it back in his usual half up half down style. The clip is a jewel that I’ve seen him wear a few times at events. I’m assuming it is another symbol of his status.

Remus’s eyes shift in the mirror to take me in and I notice the corner of his mouth twitch as he looks at me. I clench the dress in my hands tighter to my chest from his gaze.

“I don’t know how to put this on… and there was no one to help me…,” I murmur.

Remus doesn’t say another word as he silently holds his hand out to me and I find myself making my way into the room. His gaze falls to the gown, and he gently pulls it from my hands, helping me into it.

“I thought you might feel more at east without the presence of slave’s or Leviathan,” he says.

I don’t respond but I understand now why I haven’t seen any since the attack for my brother. Yet again, Remus is showing me consideration. Remus silently fastens the dresses strings, the material hugging my frame flatteringly. He’s very focused on his task and I take the time to eye him in the mirror. He’s easily taller than me, his powerful frame making me look weak in comparison. It’s just a physical reminder of the war between us.

“Is there really no chance for my planet?” I ask.

“Are you really not willing to give us a place in your empire?”

Remus’s eyes meet mine in the mirror and he seems to be thinking about his words before responding. He lets out a deep breath and I see the pity in his gaze as he looks at me.

“Your race is volatile and self destructive. There is no place for you in my society Iris.”

“Why me, though? I’m a part of them,” I say softly.

“As far as I’m concerned, you are a rare exception to them. You don’t fully comprehend just how despicable your people are. You are innocent to their nature.”

“But-”

“I won’t discuss this with you anymore.”

Silence washes over us as I take us in.

Remus sucks in a deep breath pulling the pin from his hair. He studies it for a moment before gently tucking mine behind my hear. He then places it in my hair to hold it out of my face. 

“They never deserved you Iris. They will eat up everything good and innocent to please themselves. The malicious are always in power leaving the weak to suffer their wrath. They do not do what is best for their people. They do what is in their own interest so that they will have a meaningless mark on a history that is but a speck in the eye of the universe.”

“And you aren’t doing the same?” I say bitterly. Remus smiles at my comment, placing a kiss atop my head.

“I am giving you a life where you will never be harmed by the selfishness of humanity.” His arms gently wrap around me and he dips his head so that he can place a soft kiss on my throat.

"I am doing the exact opposite of what humanity would offer you."