“If anything happened to you, he would hold me responsible. You could be raped by some filthy clone. I swear I don’t know what has gotten into your father. They are all over the place, and in uniform, as though they’re human. He’s even been giving them real food. What a waste. At least they’ll all be gone in a couple of days.”
Gone? “Where are they going?”
“I didn’t care enough to ask. He just said they’d be gone and I wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore. I told him I didn’t like the way they looked at me, especially that clone of Michael’s. Just too creepy. I think he wants to have sex with me. I can tell by the way he watched me in the garden a week ago while I was having tea. They aren’t supposed to make eye contact, yet he did. They’re getting way too bold since they’ve been given those uniforms.”
And she went on and on. I didn’t hear much past her false accusation against Axel. He hadn’t been in the garden during her tea. He’d been with me. I narrowed my eyes and glared at her. Had she told Michael Axis he’d been watching her? Was that why he noticed when Axel looked at me?
I suddenly liked her even less. Bitch. It wasn’t until after Eva told me her story that I understood just how nasty the woman was. She played both sides, worked as a double agent, and only for her gain. She didn’t care about anyone but herself. Not my father, certainly not the clones. Carmen was the worst kind of opportunist and wouldn’t hesitate to lie and cheat to further her agenda and fatten her pocketbook or raise her status in society.
If only she knew how close I’d come to giving a clone everything, and most certainly not by force. And I would, before I freed him—give him everything.
“They’re not filthy.” No, Axel bathed regularly. Actually, it was required. I’d also noticed he’d filled out, but I assumed it was muscle he’d built from all the hard military exercises they were putting them through. He’d gone from tall and gangly to a warrior overnight. And the food certainly had something to do with it. At least being a soldier wasn’t all bad.
“You don’t talk to them, do you?”
“Of course not,” I lied again—this time hating myself for it. Not only did I talk to them, I wanted to make love to one, and planned to free them. All of them. My lips were swollen and bruised from the passion, but like everyone else, she failed to notice me, or my disheveled, well-kissed appearance. I wasn’t surprised. Poor, sick Olivia. Nobody ever saw her.
“Good. I certainly wouldn’t want to explain that to your father.”
“Is there a reason you’re here?” I had grounds not to like her before she’d lied to my father and possibly the General about Axel. The biggest reason was she acted as though she had authority over me because she slept with my father, and she didn’t bother to show the least bit of shame. And now, because of what she’d said, she might have hurt someone I cared about. I disliked her even more.
When Eva told me what happened to Carmen, I didn’t feel remorse. I should have. I was not coldhearted or uncaring, but her death served her a richly deserved justice. She’d gotten back all she’d given and more.
“Your parents are home. They want to see you, but I suggest you change first.” She wrinkled her pert little nose. “Really, Olivia, you’re the president’s daughter. It’s unseemly to roll around in the field like a sow. You have all those pretty new clothes we bought, and you won’t wear a single bit of it. If I was thin enough to wear them, I’d take them back. You really need to think about what kind of an impression you make from now on.” She gave me a devious smile, as though she had inside information I didn’t.
I narrowed my eyes. There was only one of us rolling around like a pig, and it wasn’t me. The whore had a lot of room to talk. She was only five years older than me, and far more experienced in the ways of men. It had been a long time since she’d been innocent, if ever. I rose from where I lay and plucked another bloom from my hair. Carmen walked off, assuming I followed.
I glanced back and thought I saw him standing in a shadow, watching as he always had. My guardian angel.
13
Four hours later…
My skin itched from the gold makeup. The fitted bodice of the empire gown cut into my ribs, and my lacing in the back was too tight, forcing me to keep my spine straight. I should have expected this sooner than later, but I’d pushed it to the back of my mind, pretending I had time.
Of course I’d been wrong. It wasn’t Michael I was to marry, but one of his sons.
“Scan your fucking hand over the document. I’ve found you a good husband, and you should be grateful.”
“I don’t want him.” I stared at the digital pad, unable to find the strength to lift my arm and do as told. I’d never been one for rebellion, but this, I hated the thought of it.
My father grabbed my wrist and ran my hand over the scanner, signing the contract.
General Axis repeated the move in proxy for his son.
“That means nothing. I don’t have to commit to the vows.” I glared at Michael, but addressed my father. I would not be another puppet in their game. Not now. Not ever.
“You’re already married. Vows don’t have to be exchanged.”
“And the marriage isn’t a marriage unless it’s consummated, and it will be a cold day in hell before I allow that to happen.” I crossed my arms and lifted my chin, staring my father down.
He pointed his finger at me, opened his mouth, and closed it.
“I won’t. I’d rather die first.”
That did it. My father shook, and his face turned red. “You will do as you’re told. Your mother has spoiled you, and I won’t have it. You don’t have any say in the matter,” my father shouted into my face and spun around to storm from his library, leaving me alone with my father-in-law.
I looked over to where he leaned back in a chair with a cigar in his hand, calm, untouched by my little display.
“I won’t let him touch me. I’ll never love him.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. Smoke came out with it, reminding me of a dragon, ready to burn the world down. “It’s not about love, my dear.” He leaned forward and fixed me with a cold look. “It’s about power. You have a few weeks to adjust to the idea. Marcus is off on a training exercise and won’t make it to the party. But he’ll be back for the honeymoon. I’ll make sure of that.”
“I refuse to accept this.”
“You have no choice. You’re as good as married, and will be once the arrangement is consummated. After that, I don’t give a shit what you do, but don’t think it won’t happen. You and my son will give me what I want.”
“Just what is it you want?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I want Aeropia. You’re the heir, the only heir. Your father isn’t getting any younger. You needed a husband, and Marcus was willing and able.” He stubbed his cigar out. “You’re what I like to call, Plan B.”
I had no clue what that meant at the time, but I didn’t stick around to ask. I fled, going as fast as I could without losing my breath. My heart skipped and pounded. Tears poured from my eyes. All I could think of was the man I loved, not the one who’d been pawned off on me by the monster in the library.
I charged through the ballroom, past couples dancing or doing things in dark corners I could hardly believe. I averted my eyes. I did not want a husband, and not General Axis’s son. I’d never met him, but if he was anything like his sire, there could be no worse fate.
The kitchen was empty. I shut the door and leaned back, drawing a deep breath, collecting myself. I needed to tell Axel everything. About the transplant my doctor said I must have if I were to survive, about the marriage I’d been forced into, and the innocence I didn’t want to lose to anyone but him.
My heart had to come from somewhere; therefore, I couldn’t stay. I didn’t want anyone to die for me, and he would understand above all others why I didn’t want Marcus. I intended to run tonight, far away, but not until I could share a small part of myself with the man who’d earned my body, not the one
who’d purchased it.
Our time had run out. I sucked in a deep breath, poured steel into my spine, and went back to the great room. Patience. I would let the guests become drunk. And then I’d come back here, to the kitchen—to him.
I had the codes, but tonight would be the most dangerous night to release them. With all the guests in the palace, the announcement of handfasting, eyes would be everywhere and security tight. Perhaps I could give them to Axel, and he could find a way? I had to do something, and it needed to be tonight.
I danced, palm-to-palm, with the grace of a queen. Inside, I fell apart. Each turn around the floor reminded me of the marriage pact I’d imprinted on. My head spun, my stomach churned, and I forced a smile in response to every congratulation on my nuptials. I was the perfect daughter and hostess.
The gown, one of the many I’d purchased on my outing with Carmen, cut into my ribs. I should have burnt them when I got back that day, but I hadn’t, and was forced to wear the stuffy garb. Boning dug into my sides, forcing me to take shallow breaths. It made me dizzy, even though I was used to being light-headed from lack of oxygen.
The golden foundation burned and itched on my cheeks and jaw. Every time I reached up to scratch, I’d find someone’s gaze on me, watching. I’d fan myself as though I was hot, and seek out a less conspicuous location. There were none. Everywhere I went, someone studied me. It unnerved me, and oh how I hated the spotlight. When midnight came, and half the guests had left, and the remaining crowd retreated to the semi-privacy of dark corners, I made my escape.
As I walked into the kitchen, he was coming the other way, wearing his uniform. We both veered off course for each other.
“Olivia.”
I threw my arms around him, buried my face in his neck, and sobbed. I wasn’t mindful of my makeup, or that it might have transferred to his skin or clothing. I only wanted the comfort he could provide. This error would be a grave mistake, one I would never forgive myself for.
“Axel. I have to leave tonight, and I don’t want to go without first being with you.”
He hooked my jaw with two fingers and lifted my gaze to his, staring for a second. His thumb brushed a tear from my cheek and transferred some of the gold to his hand. “What’s going on?”
“My father… married me to your keeper’s son. I—”
“Marcus or Pilot?”
“Marcus.”
“The better of the two.”
“I don’t want my first time to be with him.”
“We can’t talk out here.” With that said, he guided me into an empty pantry, locking the door behind us. “What are you saying?” He turned around.
“That I need to be with you, tonight.”
“If we do this, we can’t take it back.”
“I don’t want to take anything back. He’s forced me to marry, and I have to have a transplant, and—”
“Shush,” he whispered and lifted me, resting my backside on a bag of potatoes, hooking my knees and bringing them up to his waist. He unfastened his pants. “You really want this.” He said it more as a statement, but I still nodded. Fingers pushed aside the crotch of my panties, probed, and found me wet, wanting. He stroked, touched, and worked me until I thought I’d melt.
“Please. It’s the one thing I can give you that he can’t have—will never have.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I hurt without you.” I loved him with all my heart. I didn’t care if people thought he was unclean, soulless. He wasn’t. Axel had more spirit than any other man I’d met. I didn’t tell him I planned to run away that night. This would be the last time we saw each other. I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
“I love you.” He drove inside me.
My whole body moved with him. I arched my back and cried out. It hurt, but it also felt liberating. A love I’d denied for so long was finally set free, and I didn’t care if the world knew. I loved him, a clone, and for the rest of my life I would. This memory would go with me, and when I died, it would be the last thing I thought of.
He stopped for a moment, letting me get used to the way he felt inside me. The romance books had taught me some of what to expect, but not all, not the sense of oneness I felt, the connection told me he was meant for me. His forehead rested against mine, and I could tell it took all his control to remain still.
“You okay”
“Yes.” I cried. Not because I was sad, but that we had to hide the way we felt.
“I’ve hurt you.”
“No. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Please don’t stop. I need you—us, this moment.”
He moved slowly, even though we didn’t have time to spare. My mother could notice I’d left the party and come searching for me. The consequences for Axel could be lethal, but it didn’t stop him from loving me with gentleness, as though we had all the time in the world to consummate what had bloomed between us for three years.
When I came, stars exploded. My heartbeat pounded in my throat, strained but strong. Pleasure pulsed from between my thighs, rolling through my body in a ball of heat, sweeping me away with it.
I wished I could say our last evening was perfect, and nothing happened to ruin the moment, but my life had never been a fairytale. Our last night together would prove no exception. I’d given my heart and innocence to a man who could never publicly declare his feelings for me, and I the same. All this on the night of my announced handfasting. He was not my husband, but he was my love. My body didn’t belong to me anymore, and I’d given it to whom it should belong. This was the last time I would spend with him. Without the transplant, I’d die. At least I could free him, give him the codes, have him pass them to the underground members I’d met the day the guard tried to rape me.
As he traced my lips with the pad of his finger, I longed to run away with him. But the collar around his neck would prevent that. He could not go where I planned to travel. Not tonight. Once he was free. I’d probably be dead by then.
“We can’t do this again,” he said. He spoke the truth, but I didn’t want to hear it. I opened my mouth, and he pressed two fingers over it. “No. I should have never touched you. You’re a princess, I’m—”
“I’m not a princess, and you are human, Axel. No matter what they say. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. I love you.”
“You can’t love me.” He pulled back, stepping away and buttoning his pants. “And I won’t let you. I don’t want to even think about what would happen to you if they found out.”
“They won’t find out, and I’m running away tonight.”
“You can’t. It’s hard out there, dangerous on your own.”
“I have to. I can’t take the thought that they’ll kill someone to save me. But before I go, I have something to give you—something you must pass to the underground.” The codes rested on the tip of my tongue, but as I opened my mouth to give them to him, he shook his head, stopping me.
“Olivia…” He grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes, but didn’t get any further. A rap sounded on the door.
I turned and stared at the painted wood, praying I hadn’t heard what I just had.
Knock, knock, knock.
A bolt of panic struck. No.
“Who’s in there?”
Stephan? “It’s me,” I spoke up. And for several horrific moments, we just stared at one another. The doorknob jiggled, but we’d locked it. It didn’t ease my fears.
“Who is me?”
“Olivia.” I pressed my hand to my chest, doing my best to still my heart and regain control. “I. Needed. Space.” Inhale. Speak. Each word took effort to extract from where they’d become lodged in my throat. Lord, I was terrified. “Please. Go. Away.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m. Fine.”
“You don’t sound okay. I’m getting your father.” The footsteps receded, but they’d be back in a moment.
“No, not now. Please.” Cramps bound my stomach, and the room spun. My chest tightened
like a behemoth sat on it. I could hardly draw a breath. Seconds later, I slumped to the floor in a distorted sense of reality, feeling as though I’d stepped out of my body and was nothing more than an observer. “Get out.” I looked up and pled, painting what I couldn’t say on my expression, begging him to go.
Axel shook his head and scooped me up. He cradled me against his chest. “I won’t leave you to die on the floor. I shouldn’t have been here. I shouldn’t have touched you.”
I shook my head and tears spilled from my eyes. The door was thrown open. We both turned to face our worst nightmares. Stephan and my father stood before us.
“Put her down!”
“Something’s wrong with her.” Axel tightened his grip. There would be no second chances. Still, he struggled to break the rules, tell them what they needed to know, even if they hadn’t asked.
My father sniffed. The smell of sex was undeniable. He studied me for what seemed like forever, before his attention shifted to Axel’s face and his black uniform, stained with golden makeup. It took me seconds to interpret the look he gave him.
No! I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t even whisper.
“You raped her, that’s what’s wrong.” My father ripped me from Axel’s arms.
“Animal.” Stephan snarled and slammed the butt of his weapon into the side of my love’s head, dropping him to the floor. “I’ll take care of this rubbish. Get her to the hospital.”
“No,” I said with the last of my air. No, no, no. Axel wasn’t an animal. Couldn’t they see he had only wanted to help, that he was trying to save me? I sank into hell; the darkness engulfed me. I wondered if this time I would come back.
14
A lullaby woke me.
Numbers on the holo-screen over the foot of my bed were fuzzy. I had to blink several times to bring them into focus and eliminate the greasy drops they’d placed in my eyes. December. Three months had passed since that night, and I didn’t know if Axel was alive or dead. I had no memories from the time I’d lost consciousness.
The Book of Eva: Clone, Book One Page 14
