Verando had left me in the high-class section of our event, despite that he would be closer to the stage than I'd rather him. With the risk of attack from Caspian's men low given that he was in our custody, I was free to do what I was trained to do and that was to speak to political figures. It would be my job to ensure that those floating around this room of free-flowing alcohol and low whispers of scandalous behavior remained on our side. 

That was best achieved without a warlord looming in the background. Must as he was valued by the public, the natural fear of the startling eyes and the presence of the Alpha was hard to avoid.

Given that it's partly sponsored and partly donated to the public, entertaining those who funded our mission was a priority if we would be fleeing the country. Sponsors who wanted to be on this side of the war could fund the opportunity for a free concert, and keep us within the funds that we needed to survive these months of anarchy. Leave it to my warlord to find a way to give away his talent yet still make money at it.

Tiberius's unique music style creates an atmosphere that is almost electric. It reminds me too much of the day we encountered the wraiths, looking to collect magic, hunting me to aid them in sniffing it out. My wolf was on edge, my body rigid as I move from person to person, greeting them and taking in the small details that I immediately dismissed in their remedial lives. 

I couldn't care about sports, the latest gossip, or much of anything assuring that this event was a success. With the sun attempting to set and the city coming alive with the weekend night life, the theatre was only becoming more flooded with patrons every passing second. Thruthfully, it was probably one of the safest spots in town given that our target audience was magic users. Hero's patrol the grounds, keeping  watchful eye, but I struggled to trust their judgment on true danger.

I take a drink of my jack and coke, enjoying the burn on the back of my tongue. It was not my normal drink of choice, but I didn't want to risk a spike of something sinister slipping into my known preference. This drink would remain in my hand, and it would be the only one I'd have for the night. 

"How is married life treating you?" I recognize Chispa's voice as I tug at the oversized button-up. It shouldn't surprise me she was here, she was one of the most prestigious wedding planners and with our outing as homosexuals, it seemed that it was becoming more widely accepted. Since the wedding, multiple other celebrities had staked their claim to their preference, it would seem they had felt similar to we had. How would people perceive us? 

"Interesting choice to a concert, though I suppose we aren't at a symphony such as your husband normally entertains. Nice to see you've decided to join the common folk." 

Often times I didn't allow myself to look like a civilian, I attempted to keep myself as groomed as possible in public events. But, today, with my lack of tolerance for anything other than Verando, I was allowing myself to look the part to keep from drawing too much attention. Verando and I had fans to appease, a society waiting on bated breath for our next move, but it didn't mean I had to torture myself with the discomfort of a stuffy outfit. 

My body was on fire, uncomfortable in my own skin, I wasn't sure how else I would survive the night but in his borrowed clothes.

"Fine. Never better." I shift in my jeans, adjusting my belt. The tear in the knee was driving me mad, it was so unnecessary, but such was the style according to Pascal. She seemed to think the people needed to see me as one of them, considering that Verando looked nothing like a mortal man with his gray hair, startling eyes, and scarred body. 

I could pass as a human, people were more comfortable with my appearance. The only issue was it seemed I wasn't nearly as likeable. As Pascal liked to point out, I had a resting bitch face as my default.

The jeans were relaxed, and the shirt engulfed me in the scent of my husband. I could steal a whiff of the collar any time I needed a fix. My nose skirts over the collar as I wrap my arms around myself in a half hearted attempt to appear embarrassed. It was easier to play the ditzy husband, to partake in the persona that I was a useless house wife. 

"You look adorable." She teases, comfortable once more. "The 'boyfriend' look suits you. I never get to see you look comfortable, it's refreshing. So just fine? Already hitting a slump? Too much sex? Not enough?" Of course she would want to know that, I spy her cellphone in her hand, she must be attempting to get a statement from me to sell to a news outlet. 

I take another sip of my drink, and while I hate to admit it; I needed her publicity. The Good King was a king of the people, I had to help unite our fronts. Feeling the color rush to my cheeks, I attempt to play off my irritation that she could insinuate marriage would come between me and Verando. 

Helen's voice hums in the distance, it's reassurance that everything is alright and I allow my shoulders to relax just slightly. 

"Is that what this look is called? My designer didn't provide much for an explanation." Brushing my hair to the side, I exhale as I catch a glimpse of myself in the tall window. It was the youngest I'd looked in years. I'd spent so long trying to look older, to be bigger than I was, accepting my height and youth was a relief.  "I'm avoiding the Siren song. I'm sure you're aware of the effect it has on humans, I'm currently having a quarrel with Tiberius. No, no slump. Just at different ends of the entertainment spectrum tonight."

I couldn't risk Tiberius targeting me, while I knew it was in good-hearted fun, choosing public situations to feed off of my heightened sense of libido had begun to grow tiresome. Sirens had an annoying ability of never feeling satisfied without a soul or two, my desire to ravage Verando was the perfect appetite suppressant. 

"With that... You're leaving the country?" She asks, with a small frown. "It's not permanent, is it?"

Much as she wouldn't admit it, it hurt her that I wouldn't confide in her. Little did she know I hardly had anyone I considered a friend, I couldn't trust anyone, so I chose to trust no one outside of my circle. "On a second honeymoon." I tell her, wishing there was salt on the rim of my glass. "I have some unfinished business in America."

"You're not going to give me anything, are you?" She sighs. "We're all just worried about you, you know. The public.. your fans, your friends.."

Friends with us was a dangerous game. There was no space in my life for that. "Much as I know you're hunting for a story, no, I'm not. The sex is mindblowing, we're very happy, all the same, I'm sure you can form something fascinating from my attire." I feign a smile, checking over my shoulder out the window once more. 

Having my back to the open space gave me a cold chill, I hated being exposed in large crowds. It was odd to be on my own, almost nerve wracking. 

Shrugging one shoulder, she gives up as she crosses her arms over her chest. "If you were a woman, I'd ask if you were knocked up. You look on edge, please just take care of yourself, alright?" Wrinkling her nose, she tilts her head to admire my figure and I resist the urge to lash out at her. 

She couldn't know how I was feeling, she couldn't know the inner turmoil threatening to send me spiraling. "It really is a good look for you, though. Very... warm. Welcoming."

"Sorry, not pregnant." I exhale, pulling my lips into a thin line of appeasement. "Good, that's what I was going for. The picture of sunshine. Please, enjoy the crass music, Chispa. It was nice catching up."

Chispa knows better than to touch me, which I appreciate. "Well, when you're done socializing, Mistress is waiting in the back for you. She told me to come and find you." 

The wolf in me says to find out why she would tell me this, what she possibly stood to gain from telling me Mistress was here. But, as quick as it comes, it dissipates. Chispa was not a spy, that I knew of, she was a wedding planner and a gossip. 

My lack of trust in anyone makes me wonder what her motive was, I could only figure it was her interest in finding a story that involved me. Seeing a dominatrix that owned a gentleman's club as a married man would appeal to her want for dirt. Perhaps, she truly was just relaying me a message.

"Thank you Chispa." I leave quickly, following the scent of floral perfume and the faint whiff of  burning atmosphere. Steeping into the smoke-filled lounge, I shudder at the heavy aroma of use. The world feels like it's on fire, yet I feel more at home here than I did among the mortals. 

Spotting her, I approach Mistress with deliberate steps, the tall woman sits before me in a black leather dress that hugs the oversized breasts, tight to her form and hardly covering anything beyond unmentionables. Not as if she would know, being blind. It did surprise me to see her here, given the amount of politics and government lurking about.

"Good to see you." I greet. 

"I see you found the man I sent you to look for." Mistress smirks, crossing one leg over the other. "Lycan suits you."

"What brings you to our part of town?" It was easier to cut to the chase, to step away from formalities. I wasn't sure if I was grateful for the unveiling of my wolf or not.

"I'm a sponsor, your husband reached out to me as a thank you for helping you. Interesting man, even more attractive in person." She shrugs, taking a slow pull on a cigarette. "I also run one of the biggest undergrounds in France. Don't be so shocked I'd be invited." Holding out a black, slender wallet, I knew what it possessed. My hand twitches, and I see the corner of her mouth twitch. "Take it."

It's not a question.

I take the bag and quickly stuff it into my back pocket. The smell of decay hits my nose, making my hair stand on end. "Are-"

"Am I dying? Yes." Slowly pull off one of the shoulder-length, leather gloves, revealing the shriveling mess that was the skin on her right arm, the body was in a state of disrepair. "I am blind, by nature, I am not a magical being. A human gifted sight through this drug, but as we all know, it can't last forever for someone like me. A lot of us are dying." Sliding the glove back on, Mistress takes a slow exhale before turning the white gaze back to me. "I wanted to see you one more time, I'm not going to stop taking the enhancer, and we both know what that means."

"Will I die, too? Will the enhancer do this to me?" It wasn't worth it trying to convince her, what were we to each other beyond pieces to a puzzle that could benefit one another? It has been a question floating in my head, was I slowly dying by taking the enhancer to use my magic?

Taking another drag of her cigarette, Mistress smirks, "We all die eventually. That's not what you want to ask me. Interesting that your questions are always so different from everyone else's. First, you wanted to fuck your husband, now it's... quite different."

"We all change." I remind her, stiff at the memory that I was so focused on getting into Verando's pants that I nearly sabatoged any hope at help. "Isn't that why you decided to help me? Because I'm different?"

"Something like that." Mistress taps lightly on her knee, bouncing the leather-clad high heel. "I can only see your contract, what you're destined to do, your life played before my eyes. It is one of my favorite shows to watch, your life. Go to America, Nicolas. That was what I wanted to tell you. That, and goodbye. It's been an interesting experience, knowing you." 

What an odd way of existing, to know someone so well by watching their life play and yet the other knowing so little about yourself. "Are you planning to be somewhere else when I return?"

She smiles once more, shrugging one shoulder. "The trip of a life time, baby. It's the end of the world, you know. Shame I won't get to see how it ends."

Nodding, I sigh as I dismiss myself, it wasn't worth taking up more of her time as she seemed that she'd given me all the information she felt important. I should be grateful for more enhancer, in my haste to return to my post, I nearly collide with Randy who looks as shocked to see me as I do to see him. 

"Did you sneak out again?" I demand, irritated. 

He shrugs one shoulder. "You're really bad at locking me up. Besides, it's a party and the alcohol is free." He holds up a glass and downs it before I take it from him. Leaning against his body to reach the cup, he nearly giggles at the height difference. "You're so short. How did you get so short?"

"You're such a dick." I exhale, exassperated. Spying lipstick on his neck, it disgusts me as I push him away. "Really? You're fornicating with women at an event your future self is running? Don't you think that's shitty?"

"I'm kind of a shitty person." He shrugs, looking disappointed in his cup only to snag mine. "There are some beautiful women here, I'm just partaking in the festivities. Besides, why do you care? I don't belong to you."

A snarl builds in my throat, flashing my teeth before reining myself in. "That wasn't what you were saying when you were on your knees." I snap. 

Flushing, he swallows back the drink, cheeking a piece of ice with a sinister expression. "You rejected me, remember? Look, I haven't had sex since I've been here and I don't intend to continue to live in this drought. Just go find the version of me you prefer and forget you saw me, that's what you're good at."

The audacity nearly floors me, how could one man be so sensitive? Grabbing his shirt, I yank him down to my level, the smell of alcohol heavy on his clothes mixed with perfume. I spy the hicky on his neck, the teeth mark grazing his skin, the jealousy sparks in me so strongly I'm nearly out of my mind with rage. He was mine, even in this body, even as he walked without knowing who I was, he belonged to me and the thought of him with anyone else sent me beyond even a level of jealousy that my wolf could comprehend. 

I crush my lips to his, stealing the piece of ice from his mouth with my tongue as I kiss him. My hand knots in his hair as I stretch up on my tip toes, clutching him to me with a force that produces the desired effect. My masochist melts under my fingers, collecting my waist to pull me against his body. 

Breaking the kiss, I slip back out of his grasp, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "Don't forget how I make you feel, asshole." I seeth, shoving past him to storm out of the backroom. His hand catches my wrist, spinning me around as I attempt to jerk out of his grasp. 

His lips are on mine once more, pushing me against the wall beside the door way, his knee sliding between my thighs as he pins me with his body. I curse under my breath, damning my body for responding so strongly. "Speak for yourself." He whispers through his teeth, "Perhaps it's just you who can't let me go?"

"Of course I can't, I love you." I respond before slapping him across the face. "You're never going to find anyone else who makes you feel this way, you can fuck all the women you want, but it's me you'll come back to. That's why I can't be with you, that's why we shouldn't be kissing eachother like this... that's why... it feels so god damned good to kiss you. We are soulmates, you're just not in the right timeline yet."

Randy's eyes burn as he meets my gaze, capturing my throat in his hand in a way that only a dominant can, there is no ill intend in the way he holds me. His thumb traces the soft skin beneath my jaw. "You're asking a lot of me to wait. You're making all these promises yet I'm supposed to wait around to find you again. Seems like a lot cheap talk considering who you are, what your family does to mine.. what you eventually will do to me. What if it doesn't seem worth it?"

"If you dare do anything to change the future, to stop me from finding the man I love, I'll hunt you down. You're not getting away from me, I'm not afraid of you." I snap back, pushing his hand away. "So cut the dramatics, we're trying to save the world, not stroke your fragile ego."

"Then convince me." He retorts sharply. "Convince me it's worth waiting for. Show me what I'm missing."

"What? What do you want from me? To have sex with you? Is that really what all of this is about, you'd risk your own feelings to ask me to have sex with you? Are you that desperate?"

Pulling his lips into a thin line, he clutches his fists at his sides. There's a hesitation there, an uncertainty of exactly what would make this any different. He was in uncharted territory, I'm sure the women of his time found him charming, dangerous, a symbol of what they couldn't have. Except for me, I had the original, and I was quite content with that. But, I had to tread lightly. I couldn't turn him off of me, I couldn't scare him away. 

"It feels like it's a dream, a fantasy." He says finally. "I think of my father, what he would say, if he knew I laid with a man. Then you kiss me, and you do things that illicit a response in me that I've never had before. Then it's gone, and I'm left feeling more empty than I had before you touched me. I can't help but feel... bewitched. Is this truly real? Could Caspian make me feel the same?"

Stunned, I turn to face him. "Is it so hard to believe that you love me? That I love you enough to know you so intimately? That somewhere, when some sick, twisted being made us, they made us side by side with the intent on being together? I feel the same way, doesn't that make it real? Make it worth waiting for?"

With an almost sickened scoff, he runs a hand through his hair. "It doesn't work that way for me, darling. At the risk of sounding horrendously dramatic, no body loves me. It's a phase, an obsession, that quickly dies out when they come to realize how much trouble I am. It would figure the only person who seems to be loyal to me is bonded to a different version, a part that I can only watch and hope for. But... I've seen what's happening. I've already fucked it up, it doesn't work out for me."

Wincing, he looks genuine as he stares at our reflections in the full length window. "I just want to see what it's like, so that when I go back.. and it doesn't happen.. I'll have at least experienced it in some way. I want to know what I'm missing, because if this whole thing is riding on me then I hate to break it to you but you're betting on the wrong horse, mate. "