Suppliant

by Laura Tree

  Chapter 32

  When I wake up, I roll over and smell him. Realization hits that he was holding me last night when I fell asleep. I feel embarrassed for a minute and blush before I remember his pact with Damien.

  Zeke smiles at me. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

  “I did. I slept surprisingly well,” I say, blushing deeper when Zeke runs his hand down my arm.

  “Remember your promise not to go anywhere without one of us,” he says, bending down to kiss my forehead before heading to the bathroom.

  “Damien took a shower a few minutes ago, so I’m going to take one quickly. Come find me when you’re ready to go,” he says.

  I take a few more minutes to wake up and stretch, waiting until Zeke is out of the shower. I wonder what the day will hold. As far as I know, this is my only free day of the weekend since I spent yesterday training on the beach.

  I can do whatever I want to do today. I think about it for a moment and decide that I would like to take a swim and work on my tan; I am still a teenager for the moment.

  So I head to the shower when I hear Zeke has finished and then gotten dressed.

  Zeke answers the knock on Damien’s door. I’m holding my beach bag with all of the necessities.

  “Come on in.” He opens the door and I step inside.

  “Damien went to talk to the Dean.” Zeke has his laptop sitting open on the desk so he goes over to close it.

  “I thought he went last night,” I say, taking a seat on the empty chair.

  “He tried, but the Dean was unavailable. He made an appointment for first thing this morning,” He says, pointing at my bag. “Where are we off to?”

  “I thought we could grab some breakfast and then head to the pool. I would like to go for a swim in this heat and catch up on getting some sun.” I motion at my pale skin.

  “Sounds like a plan. Let me grab my stuff,” he says.

  A few minutes later, we’re headed to the cafeteria.

  ...

  The pool is quiet when we arrive. That’s just the way that I like it. Within a few minutes of being in the sun, I start to sweat, so I dive into the pool to cool off.

  When I get out, I read a book as I dry off. We spend hours of contentment between reading and swimming. It turns out that Zeke likes to read also, making it really easy to have him around at the pool.

  I notice the other students joining us. The chairs start to fill up, so I reserve one next to me for Damien. I know that he will come find us soon.

  I can’t help but notice all the attention that Zeke is getting. Every girl within a two--mile radius is staring as he lounges by me, reading his book. The best part about it is his oblivion.

  “There you guys are,” Damien says, walking up with a smile on his face. He has his swimming trunks on, a pair of sunglasses, and a beach towel slung over his shoulder.

  “How did you know where to find us?” I ask. Damien gives me a chuckle.

  “Zeke left a note.” He drops his head to give me a kiss and slides into the lounge chair next to mine. I know that he’s just playing the part of my boyfriend, but did he have to kiss me like that in public?

  “So spill the beans. What did the Dean have to say?” I ask, curiosity taking over. I’m bursting at the seams. Being in the sun all day has put me in a great mood.

  “We can talk about it later,” he says. I know that to the casual observer, nothing would seem awry, but I can feel the tension, and his shoulders are tight.

  I look back at my book and begin to read. After some more time, I start to sweat again, so I jump into the pool. Both Damien and Zeke follow me. We are caught in a playful splashing game when I see Trish swimming our way.

  “Hey guys. Is your stomach feeling better?” Trish asks, turning to smile at me.

  “Much, thanks,” I answer. “What are you up to?” I’m trying to avoid the splashing going on behind me.

  “I just came down for a swim before the pool got too packed with the party. Are you planning on staying?” I notice that she’s being careful not to get her hair wet.

  “I didn’t know there was a party, but it sounds like fun,” I walk toward the shallow end, away from the constant cannonballs.

  “Every once in a while, The Isle hosts a pool party with steel drums, drinks, and an outside buffet. It’s tons of fun. I would recommend it. Besides, it’s not like there’s anything else going on.” Trish follows me out of the pool, and I notice the boys heading our way.

  “I can’t wait.” I turn to the boys. “I need to use the ladies’ room; I’ll be right back.”

  Zeke glances at Damien, and I catch a slight nod. Damien hooks his arm through mine and off we go.

  It’s not like I mind, but really, Damien, you don’t have to follow me everywhere. I’m just going to the restroom.

  I don’t want to chance it. Besides, it’s less suspicious if I go with you than if Zeke does. It just looks like we’re trying to steal a few minutes alone.

  Before I go in, Damien presses my back up against the wall and nuzzles my neck. The fire shoots down my collarbone to my chest. I catch my breath and push him off when I spot two girls giggling and looking our way. He must be trying to cover his bases.

  ...

  The three of us leave our beach towels on the lounge chairs to save our spots and head off to grab a late lunch. By the time we return, the pool is transformed.

  There are palm fronds all around. The band is setting up by the hot tub. There are servants bustling about trying to set up the bar and the buffet. The crowd is gathering. I’m really thankful that we came early enough to mark our spots, seeing as there’s no longer any seating available.

  The drums are amazing. They are playing some tropical music that makes my hips sway. It reminds me of being on a cruise ship.

  Some students are playing a game of pool volleyball which looks like fun. There are servers walking around offering a red frozen drink cocktail. We all get one, and the alcohol puts me in a better mood.

  The afternoon is a blast. There are tons of games being played, people chatting, and plenty of sun. Damien tells me that curfew had pushed back to midnight on the weekends.

  After a few more drinks, I’m totally relaxed. Some students are starting to dance when Trish comes over. She grabs my hand and pulls me closer to the music despite my pleas not to. My hips sway to the music and I let go.

  It’s so easy to forget about my troubles right now. I’m really having a good time and enjoying the company of the partying students.

  When the song is over, we head back to our chairs and I notice the sun starting to set. My eyes meet Damien’s and I see large smile on his face. I can tell that he’s watching my every move. I look around for Zeke and find him sitting on the edge of the pool talking to Princess Anna. Jealousy flares through me.

  I really connected with Zeke last night, and now he’s brushing me off like he doesn’t know about me. What’s going on with me? I hate feeling like this. I know that Zeke really is using Anna to put on a show. She’s just his cover.

  Damien has a drink waiting for me at the lounge chair. He whispers in my ear that he’s going to do a perimeter check and that he has already told Zeke that he needs to stay close by.

  Trish is holding Zeke’s seat while he’s gone. We chat for a few minutes over the blaring music. I try so hard to push Zeke out of my head, but it’s nearly impossible. I subconsciously check to make sure that my mental wall is up.

  I glance at Zeke and he’s in the pool with his arm strewn over Anna’s shoulders. Damn him. Why am I so jealous? It’s not like I can have a real relationship with either one of them.

  It doesn’t help that he teases me with comfort and runs off to Anna every chance he gets. My head is swimming, and I’m not sure if it’s from anger or from the many drinks that I have consumed. They are delicious, I think, taking another big gulp. They taste like strawberries and burn going down. It’s a good thing that alcohol doesn’
t affect magical people.

  Trish catches me looking at Zeke. “Okay, spill the beans. Why are you staring at him?”

  Oh crap, here we go.

  “I just hate that he’s spending so much time with her. He is my . . . friend. It’s like he doesn’t look at me when Damien is not around.” I’m trying really hard to hide my jealousy, but my words are starting to slur along with my thoughts.

  “It sounds like you really like him.” Trish looks their way. “You have to admit that they make a cute couple; besides, you have Damien, who is head over heels for you. Everyone knows it.”

  It’s full--on dark outside now. The tiki torches and light show are providing some light, but we’re far enough away from the action to still have some privacy.

  Zeke gets out of the lighted pool and heads our way with Anna on his arm. It hurts to admit that they look great together. They are laughing and sharing jokes that I can’t share with him in public. I wish I could be on his arm, but I know that I can’t have both him and Damien, especially not in the public eye.

  “You look a little red, Layla. You should have put on some more sunscreen,” Zeke says. I can see the concern in his eyes, and my anger flares. What right does he have to be concerned about me when he is carting around the pretty Princess Anna?

  I dismiss myself to the bathroom, and Zeke follows. I’m stumbling into everything when Zeke catches up to me.

  He grabs my arm to turn me around, and I cry out in pain.

  “Ouch, that hurts; let go of me. Don’t you have someone else to put your hands on?” I’m practically screaming at him. He gets close to my face, and I can see the danger in his eyes.

  “Are you drunk?” He catches a whiff of my breath. I stumble out of his grasp and turn for the bathrooms.

  “Layla.” He’s chasing after me again.

  “Leave me alone and go spend more time with your girlfriend,” I’m upset, but right now, I can’t remember why. I subconsciously know that my actions are not what they normally would be, but at the moment, I don’t care.

  “That’s it; we’re going to the dorm,” he says, grabbing my arm again, and pulling me back to the lounge chair. His eyes are telling me not to fight him and make a scene, so I choose to listen.

  “Ladies, it’s been a pleasure, but I promised to take Layla back,” he says, giving Anna a quick peck on the cheek and promising to see her tomorrow.

  The whole way back I’m fuming. It takes immense concentration to walk straight. More than once I’m leaning on Zeke for support and hate every minute of it.

  How can he treat me like that? He’s acting like I’m nothing more than a nuisance, someone he has promised to babysit while her boyfriend is away.

  I try to slam the door in his face, but it’s useless. Zeke is much stronger than I am. He pushes his way inside and I start to undress, taking off my shirt, leaving my standing in my bikini.

  “What are you doing? Layla, talk to me!” I turn on him and push him away. I know I’m not being logical, but I am hurt, and for once, I’m going to think about my feelings first.

  “Why should I? You have other girls to talk to that are much more interesting than me,” I say as he takes a step closer. I can see his eyes soften.

  “Is that what this is about? You’re jealous of Anna?” I can feel the blush creep up my cheeks.

  “I am NOT jealous! I just don’t like her.” I turn around and take off my shorts, pretending that Zeke isn’t there. I have no intention of getting into it with him right now. I just want him to leave so I can cry it out. I feel the tears in the back of my throat.

  “She is my pretend girlfriend. Why are you so upset?” I turn around and look at him.

  “Pretend? Someone needs to tell her that. She was all over you, and you didn’t seem to mind one bit,” I spit out.

  “Layla, somehow I think you’re drunk. It’s not supposed to be possible for us,” he says, pulling me into his arms, and I let the tears fall. His chest is so warm and tight. It reminds me again of last night and how compassionate he was. I just want him to hold me and tell me that he wants me, and not Anna. I can’t tell if he is pretending to care about me or Anna, but he sure is putting on a good show.

  “What is really bothering you?” He’s holding my head with one hand and running his other hand up and down my bare back. It’s getting harder to focus on the source of my anger.

  “You. How can you hold me at night and flirt with her so adamantly the next day?” My crying is muffled by his bare chest, but my hurt is radiating.

  “It was just for show, Layla; you know that I care about you,” he whispers.

  “I care about you, too, but I have to watch you with her. You seem so into her. It’s like you want to be with her, until we are alone,” I admit.

  “I know how you feel.” Zeke pushes me back and runs a hand through his hair. “You think it doesn’t bother me to see you with Damien? I can assure you that it is not a pleasant feeling when I want you too. I have the same right to be with you, but he was there first. I know that this situation is hard on both of us, but there’s nothing that we can do for the time being.” I take a deep breath, knowing he’s right.

  I know that it’s not easy for him to deal with me and Damien. It’s not fair to either one of us. I don’t like it. I didn’t want him to get a pretend girlfriend in the first place. I wish I could have him all to myself, but I know that I can’t have both of them.

  My emotions are a wreck. I’m not supposed to be with one of them, but I want to be with both of them, and I’m basically married to both of them. Everywhere that I have read, the Suppliant’s and Protector’s bond is really strong, and only gets stronger. They are pulled together, and it’s really hard to keep them apart.

  I feel so helpless; I’ve gotten to know them both so much, and I really like them, but at the same time, there’s nothing I can really do about it. I can’t be with only one of them, or both of them.

  I sit down on the edge of the bed, and my shoulders fall.

  “I just feel defeated. I like you, and it’s so hard to see you lusting after someone else. How do you do it?” I look at him, really look. His eyes scan over my bikini--clad body.

  “I pretend that she’s you. I have had to try so hard all day to keep my eyes off of you. It was pure torture.” He is standing in front of me now, his well--defined abs in front of my face.

  “It felt really good when you held me last night. I didn’t want you to stop,” I say, my breathing becoming labored.

  “I could hold you right now,” he offered, running his fingers along my cheek. I start to melt. The heat is rising along with the need. My power is pulsing through my veins.

  I nod and he sits beside me and wraps his arms around me. It’s glorious. I can feel every ripple of his hard muscles. I can hear his pulse pounding. My head is lying on his bare chest. My skin is touching his. Fire is shooting through me.

  Our power connects, stronger than I have ever felt it before.

  A knock on the door has me jumping away from Zeke. Silently, he turns to the bathroom, with disappointment in his eyes.

  “Just a minute,” I call out.

  I take a moment to compose myself and quickly get dressed, falling more than once into my desk while trying to put my shorts on. I feel ashamed when I swing the door open to see Damien.

  “What the hell is going on? Trish told me that you left with Zeke. She said that you were off your game,” he says.

  I can’t help it, but the look on his face makes me giggle. I guess “off my game” was one way to put it.

  Damien gets closer and sniffs the air. “Layla, are you drunk?” He’s confused.

  “That’s what Zeke said. He told me that it shouldn’t be possible,” I say, turning and stumbling back to the bed.

  “I just want to go to sleep, Damien,” I say. He looks surprised when I burp in his face. I didn’t mean to; it just came out.

  “Okay, we can talk about th
is tomorrow. Let me help you in,” he says, holding up the covers for me. The second that my face hits the pillow, I’m out.