Chapter Thirteen

 

 

The limo entered through gates that opened to a long curvy road with palm trees on both sides. After a minute or so, the car finally stopped in a courtyard with a large water fountain, unlike the ones that you usually see with the beautiful maiden holding a vase spurting water. This unusual fountain had what appeared to be some sort of a monstrous creature, perhaps a gargoyle, perched in the center with water trickling from both eyes.

The driver stepped out of the car and came around to open the back door. Roman slid out and held out his hand to assist Desiree, who was somewhat inebriated.

For a minute, Desiree thought she was stepping out in front of the luxury Beverly Hills Hotel or maybe the Taj Mahal. “You live here?” She asked aware of her condescending tone, but what the hell, she was feeling the effects of the tequila and didn’t care.

“Yes.” He answered leading her to the front door where she thought a door attendant would open the door for them and a bellman would come running out for their luggage.

“I didn't realize teaching history was such a lucrative profession?”

“I teach because I enjoy it, not for the money.” 

The interior of the home was like a five-star palace she once stayed in while in Vegas. They stood in a large open entryway where two staircases circled up and around to a second level. She was in total awe of the grandeur of the place, but was quickly taken by the arm and led down a hallway and into a large sitting room where the entire back wall was missing. A magnificent view of the ocean could be seen.

Roman led her over to a couch where they both sat and not a minute too soon. She was beginning to feel waves of nausea that threatened to make an ugly appearance; the last thing she wanted was to vomit all over the professor’s pristine marble floors and expensive oriental rugs. If she could just have twenty minutes to rest her head, she would be ready to deal with whatever he wanted to show her, but apparently, he couldn’t wait.

“Do you believe in fate and destiny, Desiree?”

Obviously, it wasn’t a question needing an answer. He went on before she had a chance to open her mouth to answer.

“That our lives are predetermined and that there are certain things that we simply have no control over?”

Wow! The professor was getting a little too deep for a girl whose number one priority was to find the closest toilet because she seriously needed to pee and puke. He was looking at her as if his life depended on her answer. She didn’t want to disappoint him so, she managed to muster up the best response she could with all things considering.

“I suppose I do, but…”

“Good,” he interrupted before she had a chance to finish her thought. “Then half the battle has been won.”

She had no idea what he was talking about. And she was much too wasted to dive into a philosophical approach on any topic, let along fate and destiny and winning battles.

“I asked you a question earlier. I must demand your answer now!”

It was no wonder he always got his way. The way he went around demanding things, bugging a person to death until they conceded out of boredom or sheer frustration. Well, two could play his game, Desiree thought. She was not about to give in because he demanded it. He wasn’t going to get what he wanted this time. 

“Demand all you like, Mr. DePaul, but I would never agree to something when I don’t know what I’m agreeing to. You’re a businessman. Would you make such a blind deal?

“Absolutely,” He said without a second thought.

“Bullshit!” She snapped back.

“It’s true. Most of my major deals were made just that way. It’s called faith.”

“Well, good for you, but I have lost all faith when it comes to men and I refuse to conduct business on blind faith alone. It’s unheard of!”

Roman sat back in his chair and breathed a sigh of frustration. How easy it would be to compel her and make he say yes so that he could be done with all of this.

 “What’s the fucking big deal? Why can’t you tell me what it is you want from me?”

“And why can’t you have faith?”

“Do you know how many times I’ve gotten burned having faith in you men- Too many times to count. Tell me first and I’ll think about it.”

Roman had to do something because time was running out. The council would be meeting soon and if she and Roman were not married before they convened and made their final decision, her time here in the realm would be over. She would be taken away and he would have failed.  

“I’ll give you two minutes to think about your answer and to say yes, Miss Chase.”

“Are you serious? You’re giving me a time limit on making a decision?”

“Yes! And it’s one minute more than you need.” 

“I absolutely refuse to be given a time limit on how long it takes me to think.”

“You are wasting time talking when you should be using your minute to think.”

Desiree couldn’t imagine what could be so damn important that it would make him act like a spoiled brat. She wanted to laugh, cry, and throw up all at the same time.

“Think about what!” She yelled. “You still haven’t told me anything. Exactly what am I supposed to be thinking about?”

“If you say yes and all will be revealed. You will know everything within the hour.”

“No! And you’re an idiot!” She said mockingly. “Now point me to your nearest bathroom before I wet your carpet.”

God, she had to be the most aggravating woman under the stars. He wanted to fuck her while ringing her pretty little neck; in fact, once she was his he might just carry out his wish.

Roman had already informed Kourosh of his impending nuptials. Preparations for his bonding ceremony were already underway. It was to start in less than an hour. Kourosh would not be happy if things didn’t get started on time. Roman needed to appear before him, ready to bond with someone. He had to use magic to make her say, yes.

“Listen, I really need to use your restroom.” She said as she tried to stand.

Resorting to such methods was not his thing; but what choice did he have?

“Say yes first, Miss Chase and I will take you there myself.”

Was he actually going to deny her toilet privileges until she said yes? “Are you kidding me? Hell no!”

“Suit yourself, Miss Chase, but until you say yes I’m afraid you’ll just have to hold it.” He said increasing her need to urinate. Desiree sat there doubled over while her stomach did cartwheels and her bladder almost gave in. All she wanted was to be in the comfort of her own home where she could pee and vomit in peace and in private.

Her body could no longer take it. She had to give in or let it out. She had to surrender, give him whatever he wanted to save herself from an embarrassing situation.

“Okay, yes, Mr. DePaul. I agree to whatever you need me to do.”

“Say it again, Miss Chase. This time put more feeling into it. Say it like you mean it.”

God, the man, was becoming a major pain in her backside. Before she thought too long on it and before the voice in her head had a chance to make a statement, she said it again with feeling.

“Yes, I agree.”

What could his dilemma be anyway; grading a few history papers; cleaning his home? Maybe he just needed someone to track down an old girlfriend. Hell, she could do all of that with her eyes closed.

The urgency to urinate was gone along with the need to vomit. She felt amazing; in fact, she had gotten her second wind and felt as if she could take on the world. 

“Thank you, Desiree. Now we can move forward.”

“Fine,” Desiree murmured as she stood. “As I told you, I’m a woman of my word. Call me first thing Monday morning and we’ll work out all the details to whatever I just agreed to.”

“I’m afraid the details of our agreement must be worked out tonight.”

First, she didn’t even know what the hell she had agreed to. Secondly, even though she felt like she could run a marathon and then turn around and climb Mt. Everest, she still wanted to go home.

“I said yes, Professor. As I said before, my word is my bond. You can reach me in my office first thing Monday morning. If you don’t mind, I’ve had enough of you for one night.”

Desiree headed for the door but little did she know that she was already home. The universe heard her agreement. Within seconds of her saying yes, she and Roman had become one in the eyes of the gods. It was an indissoluble agreement that could never be broken.

The bonding ceremony was merely a ritual deemed necessary by Kourosh in order to keep his vampires from entering into numerous adulterous acts. Once bonded no one could touch another person’s property and once bonded you could only have sex with your consort.

“Desiree!” He called out to her as his eyes darkened in warning. “You will return to your seat and sit until I have given you permission to move.” 

There was no missing the change in his voice and the look in his eyes as Desiree turned to face him. Reality kicked in fast. This was no ordinary man. Reality came with a side order of a rude awakening as she felt something tighten around her neck. She even put her hand there to feel and make sure that there was nothing there. Even though her neck was bare, she suddenly felt trapped.

Until Roman was ready to show her the invisible collar that he had placed around her neck, Desiree would never know it was there. Only another vampire could see it. It was a symbol of ownership. He owned her now and there was no getting away from him.

 “Who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that?”

“Sit down, Desiree.

Seriously- The man was sick. Why she always had to get the sick ones, she thought.

“You can go fuck yourself, Mr. DePaul!”

She wanted out of there before she went rogue on his ass. She headed for the door but Roman was standing in front of her before she could move.  

Desiree stumbled backward, stunned by the swiftness of his movement. She stood there speechless trying to figure it out.

“Are you asking to be punished again, Miss Chase?” He took her firmly by the arm and led her back to where she had been sitting. “Sit!” He said forcing her down on the couch. “And don’t move until you are told to do so!” 

Stunned by his demanding behavior, her mouth flew open. Was this the same man who was so charming in her office? The same one who offered the olive branch? Then at the restaurant promising her no funny business? She should be used to it by now but the man ran hot and cold so quickly she couldn’t keep up.

 “I will not sit down and you can’t make me.” She said shooting up to feet. “And I reported you to the police, so don’t you dare even think about touching me again.”

“You did no such thing. And if I have to tell you once more to sit down I’ll be forced to remove your clothes this time.”

Desiree was beyond words, speechless to the point of stammering.

“I beg your pardon?”

“There you go again with that word, begging. Why don’t we finally put it to good use?”

Could the man be any more obnoxious? “Are you threatening me?”

“No, I’m giving you a warning. Consider yourself lucky. It will be your last.”

Desiree rolled her eyes at his arrogance before she turned and headed for the door. Before she could take a breath, her clothes were off, and she was lying across his lap. This time there was no pleasure, only pain. 

Her screams went unheard, her struggling unnoticed as she fought hard to free herself from his firm hold. Each slap tore through her entire body stinging with intense pain. She cried out begging him to stop as tears ran down her face.

Ivy materializes in front of them clearing her throat to get his attention. Roman’s hand came down one last time before he looked up at Ivy sending Desiree to the floor.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Desiree yelled at the top of her lungs feeling humiliated and wiping the tears off her face with the back of her hand.

“Is this any way to treat your new consort, Master?”

“His new what,” Desiree asked, with a frown on her face.

Ivy knew the ways of vampires. She was certainly no stranger to punishments. Roman couldn’t imagine why she of all people was asking such a question.

“It is precisely the way to treat her.”

“Give the woman a minute to adjust.”

“Adjust to what?”

They both ignored her as if she wasn’t in the room.

“I can see that you are on her side.” He scoffed.

Ivy didn’t want to screw this up. This was her chance to get away from him, to live a normal life, to have the collar of ownership placed on someone else for a change. She had to choose her words wisely even though she wanted to smack some common sense into him to make him see that he needed to behave more gentlemanly.

 “I am firmly on your side, always! But you don’t want to scare the poor woman off before the ceremony.”

It was a little too late for that. Desiree was already afraid. Scared to death, but mostly she was confused.

“What ceremony; and why in God’s name are you calling him master?” She asked looking from one to the other. 

“Don’t let her tears fool you. She’s a viper, trust me.”

“Viper?” she shot back offended. “I never once struck you, but you can’t seem to keep your hands to yourself.”

“Just the other day you slapped me.” He said defending himself.

“Please, that was a bitch slap. You didn’t even feel it. You’re just a big bully!” Desiree screamed at him at the top of her lungs.

“I’ll show you a bully.” He said, grabbing her up off the floor by the arm.

“Take your hands off of me!” Desiree yelled, trying to pull free of his grip.

Hearing more than enough, Ivy held up her hands stopping their back and forth squabbling. They were like siblings fighting over who deserved the last cookie.

 “Enough,” She shouted. “Look at you two. You’re acting like kids.”

“He started all of this.” Desiree murmured under her breath.

Ivy gave her a look that said, shut up before she turned her attention to Roman. “She is a mere mortal. She’s harmless.” 

Roman arched a brow at Desiree. “I’m not entirely convinced of that.”

“I changed my mind. Whatever I said yes to the answer is now, no!”

Pissed, Roman swung her around to face him.

“Really- Well, it’s too late now. You’ve already said yes, Miss my word is my bond.”

 Desiree could not think straight. Too much weirdness was going on. One minute she had to pee like a racehorse and puke like a drunk, then all of a sudden she was fine. Then one minute Roman was sitting twenty feet away, and before she could blink, he was standing in front of her. She didn’t even want to try and figure out how he got her out of her clothes so fast and how she ended up on his lap.

“Where are my clothes?” She asked staring him in the eyes.

Roman waved his hand and Desiree was dressed again, but not in her clothes. She wore a long, black, silk gown with a dramatic train that trailed out behind her. It dipped low into a, V-shape in front. Her back was completely bare. It was more of a sexy piece of lingerie than a dress.

She looked down at herself, baffled that a garment simply appeared on her body. The gown was exquisite, but it wasn’t hers. “What is this?”

“It’s your wedding dress.”

“You must be insane. I would never marry you and I certainly would NOT wear black!”

The look on his face told her that they were indeed getting married and that there wasn’t a damn thing that she could do about it. She swallowed her panic wondering just what was in that Tequila. “Did you drug me?”

“I wouldn’t need to drug you, Miss Chase. I would simply…”

“Master,” Ivy interrupted before he could finish. “Kourosh awaits your arrival.” She knew Desiree would not handle hearing about his supernatural abilities, not yet, anyway.

“Have a seat, young lady,” Ivy said looking at her.

Desiree was too exhausted to do anything other than sit. The burning pain on her bottom was unbearable, but she sat anyway not wanting to give Roman the pleasure of watching her squirm.

“You must learn to control your mouth, child. It will be the death of you.”

Roman chuckled as if agreeing with her statement.

“Your ceremony has begun. Kourosh will not wait much longer.” This was her way of telling him to go away before he ruined everything.

“Prep her.” He instructed. “Make sure she knows her place.” He added before he vanished. 

Oh yeah, she was totally wasted or dreaming. What other explanation could there be for the sci-fi episode she being featured in? Yep, it had to be a dream. Or, maybe she was passed out on the back seat of Roman’s limo, and now she was in a twisted nightmare and couldn’t wake up.

That patron was some powerful shit; people popping in and out, clothes disappearing and reappearing like magic. She couldn’t wait to explain it all to Camille.

Desiree curled up on the couch. “I just need to close my eyes for a sec.” She said as she closed her eyes. “Just a few minutes, then I’ll get out of your hair.” Desiree prayed that when she opened her eyes again she would be home and in her own bed just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. No such luck; when she opened her eyes, she was standing in a long, dark hallway that was lit by hundreds of candles. Directly in front of them were a set of massive wooden doors.

“I need you to listen to me carefully. Soon you will come face to face with Kourosh. He is the ruler of our people. I can’t begin to express the seriousness of what’s about to take place. Just know that Kourosh is not the one to fuck with. One innocent slip of the tongue could be fatal. It is imperative that you show respect to this man and follow my instructions to the letter. Do you think you can do that?”

“What do you mean by one slip of the tongue?”