Sleeping with Kai

“I’m sorry I—” Juniper spoke, feeling utterly lost in the conversation. Who was this man?

“Juniper?” Kai’s voice echoed. She turned to see him summoning her.

She looked to see the old man had vanished, because why not? Now that fairytales are real, why not have an old man tell you some shit and then vanish? She decided to keep this to herself and not tell anyone until she understood what this new world was truly like.

“We’re you talking to someone?” Kai asked. Juniper just shook her head as if her lips would betray her. Kai’s hand went to her neck and brushed it lightly. The pain of yesterday remained, but his touch calmed the burn. It caused her gut to flutter. Sex.

She could see it just as much in his eyes as in hers. She wouldn’t mind a taste of him. Sadly, she wasn’t some kid fresh out of middle school. She knew a thing or two; she knew he was a prince of an entire world that she didn’t understand. Not to mention He kidnapped her. It all seemed a bit too messy for a girl to have a fling. It didn’t help that Dayton was always lurking around saying crude things.

Did Kai really intend she…

Kai frowned, seeing the confusion in her eyes. He gave one last tender touch. As if he knew she was lost. “Come, let’s check on Barcelona, and let me give you a tour of this place. Then we have a few more meetings to attend.”

...

Finishing for the day, Juniper felt almost jet-lagged as she stumbled back to Kai’s room. Her mind was full of new information about dragons and the other clans living in this realm called Valnoco. As he went to open the door, she paused.

“Am I to stay with you again?” She asked him, hoping for an answer that would give her less pressure.

“Yes.”

She scrunched her face. “Can I sleep on the couch?”

“No,” he laughed. “In my bed.”

“With you?”

“Yes.”

“Why, surely there must be other rooms in the castle?”

“Customs.” was all the explanation he provided before attempting to guide Juniper into the room.

“Dayton said something,” Juniper spoke, stopping them from entering the room. “Do you plan on having sex with me?”

“Dayton needs to mind his own business.” He growled, flustered.

“Just please… please tell me.”

“I’d prefer a willing partner, but yes.”

“If I’m not willing?”

“Juniper, go get cleaned up.” He dismissed the conversation and opened the door, pushing her in.

She watched as he ignored her, taking off his shirt. He was more on edge today. What the fuck did she get herself into?

She threw a minor tantrum, stomped into the bathroom, and tore her million layers of dress off. Why couldn’t she wear what Stasia was wearing? It looked a lot more practical.

Remembering Kai saying he would take her shopping, she made a mental note of that. No more million-layered dresses.

She stripped herself naked and looked at herself in the mirror. She has done this every night since she was a young girl. It was her self-confidence booster. Her skin seemed to glow in the contrast of black lines veining around her neck.

Shocked, she leaned closer to her reflection. She looked to see the veins covering her whole body. Scared, she busted out of the bathroom. She didn’t even worry about clothes as she felt herself shake.

“Kai!” she screamed. He was at the door talking to someone. He quickly shut the door and took her nakedness in.

“Something is wrong….” She whined.

“What’s wrong?” he frowned at her, standing frozen as he tried to look only at her eyes.

“My neck. My veins there black and… I’m not like your kind. I don’t think I’m supposed to—” Juniper’s worry spooled out in mumbles. He came up to her, shushing her as he brushed the black veins on her neck.

“It’s normal. Don’t worry.”

“So I’m not dying?”

He laughed. “The only one dying is me. This is the second time I’ve seen your ass beautifully naked, and I can’t touch you the way I please.” He spoke, still softly outlining the black in her veins. She froze in her spot. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She went to scurry away from him in embarrassment, but his arm reached out and caught her. Her breath stilled as the exhilarating danger of him near her intoxicated her body, readying itself for him.

“Tomorrow, your markings will show. Two essential ones will be on your neck and your chest. You are to show the one on your neck at all times. It will tell everyone you are of this clan and of this castle. It will protect you; the one on your chest is a sacred and ancient tradition. You are to keep it covered always. The only one who is to see it is me.”

“Why only you?” She whispered, wanting to run away and fling herself at him simultaneously.

He looked deep into her eyes. She held her breath as she watched the swirls in his eyes dance as if they were calling her.

“You are mine.”

Juniper swallowed hard. She felt excitement at his declaration, but nervous just the same. He petted her bottom lip as if he wanted to kiss her. “Now go get cleaned up,” he said with a gentle push.

Juniper didn’t speak. She didn’t want to. She felt tired, her brain overwhelmed. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. Even the warm shower felt alien to her. She robbed and went to the bedroom looking for her bag.

When she walked out, Kai jumped from the couch and smiled.

“My turn.” He pranced into the bathroom, leaving her alone.

She had her hair brushed and her pajamas on, sitting on the edge of the bed, unsure of herself. She looked at the door, and it called to her.

Just one peak… One tiny adventure to get some air and refresh my brain. Juniper thought to herself. She felt the need for space and hadn’t been alone since meeting Kai. She slipped her slippers on and went for the door, half expecting it to be locked, not expecting the giant burly man guarding the entrance.

“Lady of Sala, please kindly return to your room.”

She had to look up at him, and she couldn’t help but give him a shy wave before slowly closing the door.

“Where were you off to?” Kai’s voice came through the archway of the bathroom.

“I just wanted some air.”

“You don’t go anywhere without my permission. Especially wearing that. If you need a night walk, change your clothes to the dress Stasia left you, and I’ll accompany you.”

“Too complicated. I’ll stay here.” Kai nodded, then moved the sheets from the bed and crawled in. Juniper leaned against the wall, feeling a bit ugh, and thought for a quick moment about her family. Then she heard the recognizable ring of her phone and perked up. She listened for a second and knew she wasn’t hallucinating. She did hear her phone ring.

“We get service here?” she asked as she moved towards the sound of the ring. Kai quickly stepped into her path.

“Yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re not permitted to use your phone.”

“What could I possibly do to-”

“I only brought your phone for the deal that you could still see your family if I see you are trustworthy and deserving of it. If I find out that you so much as touch that phone without my permission, you can say goodbye to any chances of seeing your family again. Don’t make me regret having a soft spot for you.”

“Will you at least allow me to be updated?”

“Once you are adapting here, I’ll loosen the reign. Until then, I want you to think about starting a fresh new life with no ties to your past. Living in the past and hoping for things that can no longer be will slow down your progress.”

“So you have no intention of letting me see my family? No more contact?”

“Didn’t say that. I’m just asking you to consider it. Now come to bed.” She watched as he crawled into bed and glanced between him and the couch.

“Can I sleep on the couch?”

“Don’t be unnecessary. Come.” She felt awkward crawling into bed. They weren’t her sheets, and she didn’t know this man.

Everything felt too unfamiliar, that when she turned to her side to get some sleep, she couldn’t help but think of Derrick. As fucked and heartbreaking of a nightmare it may have been, at least it was familiar, and for the first time in three months, she missed him again.