Page 93 of Pet: Genesis

His gaze drops to my throat only briefly 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 release 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.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Iris

I silently watch Remus adjust his clothing from my place across the room. He’s uniquely captivating 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 ease without the presence of slaves or Leviathan,” he says.

I don’t respond, but I understand now why I haven’t seen any since the attack on my brother. Yet again, Remus is showing me consideration. Remus silently fastens the dress’s strings, the material hugging my frame. 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 build making me look weak in comparison. It’s just a physical reminder of the war between us.

I can no longer take the silence as my mind wanders to dark places. “Is there really no chance for my planet? Are you really not willing to give us a place in your empire?” I ask.

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 them in my society, Iris.”

“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 fills the air as I study us in the reflection. Remus breathes in a deep breath, pulling the pin from his hair. He studies it for a moment before gently tucking mine behind my ear. 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 pleasethemselves. 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.”

The Leviathan are celebrating. What, I haven’t the slightest clue. I have yet to ask Remus, and he has yet to offer the information to me. I look around the large room in awe. The decorations and lighting are something out of a fairytale. Even the Leviathan are all dressed in extravagant gowns, seeming like fictional creatures rather than an actual race of individuals.

I watch Remus in his element, acknowledging his people with a gentle smile as they greet him. I can’t understand what they are saying, but when I take in their expressions I can tell they are overjoyed by his presence. Everyone here seems overjoyed. EvenRemus seems uncharacteristically at ease. Since our arrival, instead of placing me behind him as usual, Remus keeps me at his side, his hand gently placed around my waist, not like a slave but like his equal. I’m not even wearing the usual inhibitor he makes me wear at events like these. Could he be that confident that I am willing to remain by his side in exchange for my brother’s life?

“Remus!” I’m pulled out of my thoughts at the sound of a familiar voice. I look up to see Zaya approaching us, her eyes shining in excitement. Remus smiles back and begins speaking to her in their native tongue. Whatever their conversation is about, Remus seems genuine in his joy.

Zaya is very conversational with Remus. Remus smiles at her as she speaks, his eyes focused on her features as he actually listens to everything she has to say instead of being polite as he is with other Leviathan. He responds to her, engaging in their conversation. As I watch the two of them interact, a dislike blooms in my chest of what I am seeing, and I hate myself for even feeling this way about the two of them. As if sensing my thoughts, Remus looks away from Zaya, his attention focusing on me for a moment, and I instantly turn away, trying to hide my feelings.

Remus releases a soft chuckle, briefly ending his conversation with Zaya as he places his hand on the small of my back to lead me away to the center of the room where most Leviathan are dancing. He doesn’t miss a beat as he gently wraps his arm around my waist, gracefully lifting me so that my feet rest atop his. My gown fans out enough that it covers our feet, giving us the illusion of dancing.

“Are you alright?” Remus asks gently. I look up at him, hating the way my heart frantically beats as I take in his gentle expression—a stark contrast to our dynamic at the first Leviathan event we attended together. So much has changed since then.

My grip on his arm tightens as my thoughts bombard me.

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