Another Fate
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 7
On a gentle rise he stood, the inky black cloak he wore whipping and billowing in the breeze as he surveyed the absolute carnage he and his guards had wrought.
In what had been a matter of hours, he and his unit had laid waste to what had remained of the proud Romanian stronghold—the ruling seat of their long-time foes, Stefan and Vladimir.
As his gaze skimmed the tumbled down castle and the many smoldering pyres surrounding it, he felt nothing, not even the satisfaction he thought he would. He was just…empty.
When they’d arrived, he’d detected Maria’s scent and it had sent him into a fury the likes of which none of them had seen before. It had been beyond frustrating to detect such a fresh scent only to find she was long gone. Somehow, she had escaped and those left behind had felt the brunt of his wrath.
No one had survived, especially not the two ancients; not when Marcus had finally laid eyes on them.
Aro had been right it seemed. Once their grief-ridden brother had locked his gaze on the two responsible for the death of his beloved, he’d gone into a blood-rage and nothing and no one was able to stand against him as he tore his way toward his targets.
The fight, it seemed, had done them both good. It had awoken his grieving brother, and he hoped Marcus would now rejoin them in this never-ending existence again as a true ruler—perhaps even go on to mate again one day.
As for him, it had allowed him to vent some of the pent up rage and frustration he felt because of his missing mate and their most recent connection—the experience of which had left him in a panic due to the emotions he’d felt from Jasper.
He was now more certain than ever that something bad had happened to his mate. It had left his heart aching and him feeling more helpless than ever—something he wasn’t used to or even slightly accepting of.
He was a being that took charge. He always had been. If there was a battle to be fought, he was there to see it to victory, but this situation, where there was no clear foe and no clear resolution, was driving him to the brink of his sanity.
“Thank you, brother.”
The murmured words penetrated his solitary musings and he inclined his head to his stoic brother who now stood next to him, not needing to ask what he was thanking him for.
“You need not thank me, Marcus. You fought the battle. You took down your mate’s killers, not me.”
Marcus laid a hand on his shoulder. “I’m aware of the disdain you’ve felt for me in the years since losing Didyme. And you were right in feeling the way you did. I should have acted long ago, but I let my grief consume me and did nothing, so I say again, thank you. You did not have to include me in this mission. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d left me to rot as I had been.”
Caius smirked and glanced over his shoulder. “Then thank Aro. He was the one to suggest your inclusion.”
Marcus studied him for a beat before nodding and dropping his hand from his shoulder. “I will.”
They both fell silent, watching as their guards went about the final clean up. “What will you do now?” Marcus finally asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.
A breath gusted from Caius as he ran a hand through his battle-tousled platinum hair before raising the cowl of his cloak. “I will return to Volterra for now to await any potential outcome of the missives we sent. If nothing comes from them soon, I will decide my next course of action.” He met his brother’s gaze. “One thing I refuse to do is quit. As long as I know he lives, I will never quit. And if one day the worst happens—should I ever feel the bond break—I won’t rest until everyone who had a hand in taking him from me is ash.”
“I will support you in this, brother. I have a lot to make up for, leaving you and Aro to the task of ruling essentially by yourselves for all these years.”
Caius arched a brow. “You won’t get an argument from me. I’ll be the first to say I’m glad to see you with a spark of life in your eyes again. It’s about bloody time.”
Marcus bit back a snort as he nodded.
Cautiously, Jane approached and bowed. “My Lords, the final clean up is done and we are ready to depart.”
Caius surveyed the castle ruins once more, his heart aching at the successful failure this mission was. Yes, they’d finally destroyed the Romanians, but he’d missed his true target, the one that would have freed his mate: Maria.
And that bitch needed to die…
“Well then,” he murmured past the lump in his throat, “let us depart.”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
On a little traversed road, just outside the limits of Volterra, Italy, a male and female stood over the smoldering remains of what was once a male vampire; one with a bored expression and the other gazing around their surroundings with impatience and more than a bit of jangled nerves. “Fucking finish burning already,” the female grumbled while toeing the edge of the charred earth with her high heeled boot.
“What now, Mistress?” the bored looking male asked while adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. He’d gotten a bit mussed in the scuffle with the target, but still looked decent, considering.
She arched a brow. “Now?” she repeated while fluffing her long, raven curls. “Now we disappear where no one will find us, Rico. I will not risk being caught. Not after all I’ve accomplished in this life. I am wealthy beyond my wildest dreams and I will use it to my advantage.”
His response was an arrogant chuckle and her eyes narrowed as her hand flashed out, grabbing his chin in a deadly tight hold. His eyes went wide as his body tensed and she smiled maliciously at his renewed fear. “Just remember, you’re only along for the ride, pet, and are expendable.”
His gaze darted down and away in submission as he mumbled, “Yes, Mistress.”
She smirked and firmly patted his cheek drawing a flinch from him. “Good boy. Now, bury the evidence, set his rental car on fire and let’s go. We have a flight to catch,” she growled lowly while heading to their own car. “That little puta psychic…” she hissed, “sending me here of all places to do this! Nothing like snatching prey from the very jaws of the lion…”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Caius settled back into his seat in the more secluded part of the Volturi jet, his brother seated comfortably across from him. They didn’t travel often, but when they did, this was their preferred transportation. It certainly beat how things used to be, and it was one thing he would applaud the humans for. For all their shortcomings, they never seemed to fail to innovate.
As the doors closed and the plane began to taxi, he closed his eyes and regulated his breaths, allowing his body to relax and his mind to clear, seeking to center himself.
It didn’t take long, it never did anymore. After so many centuries of doing something, it becomes second nature, so before he was even consciously aware, he was in a deep meditative state, his soul already seeking its mate.
With pleasure and warmth, he found him there in that misty place where they always joined and this time, unlike the last, he was wrapped in love and comfort; a welcome change from the tumultuous emotions of their last connection.
Jasper…Tesorino…
The words whispered through his mind as his subconscious formed the image of his most precious one there in this misty place, his hands reaching out to glide over warm, supple skin as his lips brushed light kisses against temple, cheek and parted, eager lips.
This… This is what he needed…craved…lived for…
My Tesorino…
There, in this misty place where their love wrapped them like a warm blanket, their unclad bodies came together, twisting and writhing as their mouths connected, tongues brushing and playing together as their hands caressed, tugged and kneaded…
With a spike of joy, Caius settled his subconscious self within the open, welcoming cradle of his lover’s thighs, grinding his hardened length against him as the younger arched and bucked.
Breaking their latest kiss, he drew away to search his love’s eyes and found a desperate longing there, one that he’d never beheld or felt before, and his heart ached as he wondered at it. I want…I need…you must…please!
With a gentle smile and a brush of fingers over temple and cheek, he closed his eyes and kissed his love’s lips while guiding himself into the younger’s warm, welcoming depths, the lithe form arching to take him in with a desperation he’d never experienced before.
Hands gripped and legs wrapped as he began to thrust, the expression on his love’s face matching the emotions now flooding the connection…relief…completion…absolution…
And again, he wondered…
A hand buried in his hair urged him into a sultry kiss, teeth nipping pillowed lips and tongues twisting together as their subconscious selves chased their completion.
Too soon for either of them, they reached it, both gasping soundlessly as they rocked and peaked together; both already feeling the loss as they slowly drifted back to consciousness, their locked gazes and exchanged emotions speaking all they could not say… I miss you…I need you…I love you…I will find you…
With only fingertips touching, they slipped away, both lost in the mist as they rose to full awareness, one miles high on a speeding jet, the other secluded in a room not his own, in a house, not his home.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
With raised brows, Marcus watched as his brother’s eyes finally opened. He smirked, drawing a narrow-eyed scowl from Caius as he shifted uncomfortably in his supple leather seat, subtly adjusting the drape of his cloak over his lap as Marcus commented, “Rather…sticky affair, this meditation business, wouldn’t you say, brother?” he asked, stifling a chuckle as Caius narrowed his eyes further.
“You can return to being a non-communicative lump any time now, Marcus. I hear enough shit from Aro, I don’t need to hear it from you as well.”
Marcus’s smirk only grew as he went back to perusing the magazine in his hands. “Rather strange way of joining the—what do they call it—mile high club?” He glanced up over the page to see Caius glaring.
“Tell me, Marcus, how is it you even know such a term?”
Marcus shrugged. “I may have been non-communicative, as you say, but I heard things over the years.” His gaze darted up from the page, filled with amusement. “You’d be surprised at the things people will divulge when they believe you to be catatonic.”
“Indeed?”
Marcus nodded.
“I can only imagine,” Caius mused, causing Marcus to smirk once more as his platinum brother finally rose from his seat and headed for the restroom.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
“Jasper, honey, I… Oh…!”
Jasper’s eyes snapped open, embarrassment radiating from him as he snatched a pillow to cover his deflating erection and the wet patch on the front of his sweats.
He scowled. “Yes, Esme, what is it?”
Her eyes darted to everywhere but him. “I…well, I just wanted to see if you’d like to take a trip into town with me. I’m picking up some supplies and just thought you might like to get out for a bit. I didn’t know…I mean, I didn't mean to…” She reached up and rubbed her brow, glancing at him as a smirk slowly curved his lips.
She mock glared. “You know, you can let me off the hook anytime now, Jasper.”
He gusted a laugh and arched a brow “No, that’s okay. It’s what you get for barging in.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “I did not barge in, mister! I’ll have you know, I knocked no less than three times! You never answered!”
He snickered. “And now you know why.”
She looked away, rubbing her temple as embarrassment rolled off her. “And now I know why…”
He snickered again and she frowned at him. “Would you like to go, or not?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, sure, but I kinda need a shower first.”
“All right, I’ll just…” she waved a hand, “wait for you downstairs.”
He smirked. “I appreciate that.”
“Oh, you…” she grumbled as the door closed behind her.
Once he’d showered and changed—donning a pair of fashionably ripped black jeans, a tight, white t-shirt and a black leather jacket—he headed down stairs to meet Esme in the living room.
“Ready to go?”
He gestured toward the door. “After you, my Lady.”
“Such a gentleman,” she said as she passed, completely missing Rosalie’s rolled eyes and Edward’s scowl. Jasper didn’t though and he grinned widely at them before closing the door and jogging to the quietly running SUV.
His grin slipped a bit when he got in the front passenger seat and caught the cloying scent of the psychic smugly sitting in the back seat. “Thanks for letting me come with, Mom. I was really bored,” the seer said with a smug smile.
“It’s no problem, dear, you know this.” She eyed Jasper as she pulled out. “I hope you don’t mind, sweetheart. I know you probably thought it would be just the two of us…”
“It’s okay,” he muttered, gazing out the window at the passing scenery. “I should’ve known.”
Sadness trickled from Esme while from the backseat a seething anger radiated which he blocked before sending a small shot of fear. “Cut it out, Jazzy,” the psychic grumbled and he smiled at Esme as she glanced at him.
“So, where we headed?” he asked and Esme smiled in relief at the shift in focus.
“Well, I need to pick up more blue print paper and drafting supplies. I also need to stop by the book store. There’s a book Carlisle mentioned and if they have it, I wanted to get it for him.”
“Mom’s dropping me at the mall first, Jazz, wanna come with? You could do with some other colors in your wardrobe.”
“I like black. I prefer it, actually, and Esme just spent all that money on clothes for me, so I’m set, thanks. I think I’ll just stick with her. Besides, I’m kinda lookin’ forward to the bookstore. Be nice to pick up something new to read.”
“Of course, dear,” Esme said with a pat to his knee. “We’ll get you well stocked on books. Whatever you want.”
“Oh goody,” Alice grumbled, her ire rising by the second.
Jasper smirked.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, only the strains of classic rock from the speakers providing any relief as Esme finally pulled into the vast parking lot of the mall. “Here we are, Alice. I’ll call you when we’re ready to come get you.”
“All right,” she said as she hopped out, holding the door as she asked once more, “You sure you don’t wanna join me, Jazzy? It’ll be fun, I promise.”
He arched a brow. “As tempting as that sounds,” he drawled, “I’ll pass.” He glanced over his shoulder and smirked, his gaze cold as ice. “Thanks, anyway.”
She huffed and closed the door, flouncing off as Esme frowned and pulled away. After a moment, she glanced at Jasper. “You know, Alice told us you were her mate, but…”
He raised a brow as she struggled to say what she wanted to say. Finally, she sighed. “The two of you don’t seem like mates. I mean, I know you don’t know each other and these things take time…”
He scoffed, cutting her short. “There isn’t enough time in existence that would make me mate to her, Esme.” He looked at the Cullen Matriarch. “It will never happen.”
Her sadness washed over him. “Why not, sweetheart? She’s been a lovely girl, all the years we’ve known her. Now, I know she’s been a bit insistent with you and I can tell you’ve found that irritating, but…”
“I have a mate.”
She gasped, looking at him with wide eyes. “You do? Oh, honey, why didn’t you say so?!”
He cringed, his insides tying in knots over skirting so close to breaking Maria’s rules. “Because I couldn’t…I can’t…please don’t ask me any more.”
“But…where is she? Oh, I bet she’s a lovely girl! You could invite her to join us! I’m sure Carlisle wouldn’t mind.”
He snickered and raised a hand, cutting her rambling short. “Esme, stop.”
Her mouth closed and his smile turned sad at the thought of Caius, before tilting into a smirk at the thought of Caius being a lovely girl and coming to join the ‘family’ of gentle veggie vamps. Another snicker escaped and Esme raised a brow. “Sorry,” he muttered, still amused at the mental image in his mind of his Warrior King playing house. He sighed and ran a hand through his tousled curls. “It’s just, what you’re proposing is impossible, and again, I can’t say more.” He looked out the window and murmured, “Please, just leave it alone.”
“All right, honey,” she quietly agreed. “I won’t bring it up again unless you do.”
“Thank you.”
The next parking lot she pulled into was located between two buildings and she gestured to the closest. “This is where I need to go for the drafting supplies and that place over there,” she gestured to the other, “is the book store, just in case you want to get started choosing books.” She smiled knowingly and he returned it with a nod.
“I think I’ll do that,” he said, opening the door and stepping out. After a brief glance around, he closed the door and waved as he headed in the opposite direction.
The bell over the door jingled as he stepped in and he paused briefly, taking in the well loved scent before moving through the aisles with a cursory nod for the clerk who greeted him.
The clerk’s eyes widened, her emotions caught somewhere between lust, curiosity and fear. Jasper was sure his eyes had a lot to do with the fear part, if not the curiosity. They were deep red, after all, and not a very common sight around the area, he was sure.
He’d already had a talk with Carlisle over his eye color and what they would do or say if he should ever venture out in public. The Cullen Patriarch had suggested contacts at first but Jasper had rejected the idea. He’d worn the things before and found them irritating. Not only did they interfere in his perfect sight, they had to be replaced frequently—just an all around pain in the ass. So, he’d proposed letting them think what they would, which in his experience was that he was a rebellious kid that liked to wear freaky contacts to gain attention—something he was fine with and it solved his problem without any fuss.
Carlisle had agreed—after a fashion…and a pleading look from Esme.
Rounding the aisle of spiritual books, he made his way to the history section and started perusing, only pausing when his gaze settled on a section on the civil war.
With reverent fingers, he traced the spines, his mind cast back to a time he could scarcely remember—a time of horses and stiff, woolen uniforms and boys trying their hardest to be men while facing what could very well be their last days.
His heart lurched and he swallowed at the memories—for him, they had well and truly been his last days…
As a boy…as a man…as an innocent…
With a frown, he reached up and slid a heavy tome from the shelf, supporting it with one hand while paging through with the other. His eyes skimmed, taking in all the pictures as there were many.
A melancholy smile played on his lips as he took it all in. In Italy, books on the civil war were rare. What use did the Italians have for such a subject, after all? So this was a treat for him. Sure, he could’ve ordered any number of them, but he’d been too preoccupied with Caius, and learning the laws of the Volturi, and Caius, and training, and Caius…
And by the time the internet rolled around and things like Amazon and Barnes and Noble online were a thing, he’d simply put his past out of his mind.
Now, here it was, in the palm of his hand and he found it fascinating.
With growing anticipation, he flipped through the pages quickly finding what he was searching for—the section on his home state of Texas—and he slowed, taking in every detail, every word, picture, and caption until his breath caught, his eyes going wide at the sight.
“Jasper Theodore Whitlock, Major, Army of the Confederate States of America, missing, presumed deceased.” he muttered, reading the caption under a picture of his human self.
“So long…” he murmured, tracing the picture with his fingertip. “So long ago.”
“What’s so long ago, honey?”
His head snapped up and he blinked at Esme, shocked that she’d been able to catch him off guard. “This,” he said, tilting the book so she could see.
“Oh, Jasper,” she breathed, her own finger now tracing over the sepia toned photo. “It’s you.”
He nodded. “It is.” Then he smiled wanly. “Or, at least, it was.”
“You like history?” she asked and he nodded.
“I do, although I haven’t been able to study it much since…” he glanced at her and she nodded.
“You should think about going to school when we move next.” She eyed him critically for a moment. “You could probably get away with starting off as a sophomore…”
His brows inched up. “Me? In a high school? With a bunch of kids?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes! It’s not so far fetched. All the rest of them do it almost every time we move.”
He narrowed his eyes and canted his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I think it would be good for you. Did you ever graduate high school?”
He thought about that. Had he? Had he finished his education before sneaking off to join up? He couldn’t recall. “I dunno, to tell you the truth. I know I was an officer, so I must’a been educated, but I have no memory of it, just the knowledge. It’s there, and must’a got there somehow.”
“Well, I really think you should. You could go on to college after you graduate. Maybe even major in history.”
“A degree in history…” he murmured, before shrugging. “Nah, I don’t think so. I can get all I need from books without going to class with a bunch of…” He paused as she glared. “ …blood donors.”
“Jasper…” she admonished and he grinned, not sorry at all for what he’d said. It was only the truth. Humans were food. That’s how he’d always see them.
“Well,” she said with a sigh, “go ahead, pick a few more and we’ll go get Alice. I’d like to be home when Carlisle comes in from work.”
And so it was that he’d put up and won his first argument against going to high school.
Too bad it wouldn’t be the last.
On a gentle rise he stood, the inky black cloak he wore whipping and billowing in the breeze as he surveyed the absolute carnage he and his guards had wrought.
In what had been a matter of hours, he and his unit had laid waste to what had remained of the proud Romanian stronghold—the ruling seat of their long-time foes, Stefan and Vladimir.
As his gaze skimmed the tumbled down castle and the many smoldering pyres surrounding it, he felt nothing, not even the satisfaction he thought he would. He was just…empty.
When they’d arrived, he’d detected Maria’s scent and it had sent him into a fury the likes of which none of them had seen before. It had been beyond frustrating to detect such a fresh scent only to find she was long gone. Somehow, she had escaped and those left behind had felt the brunt of his wrath.
No one had survived, especially not the two ancients; not when Marcus had finally laid eyes on them.
Aro had been right it seemed. Once their grief-ridden brother had locked his gaze on the two responsible for the death of his beloved, he’d gone into a blood-rage and nothing and no one was able to stand against him as he tore his way toward his targets.
The fight, it seemed, had done them both good. It had awoken his grieving brother, and he hoped Marcus would now rejoin them in this never-ending existence again as a true ruler—perhaps even go on to mate again one day.
As for him, it had allowed him to vent some of the pent up rage and frustration he felt because of his missing mate and their most recent connection—the experience of which had left him in a panic due to the emotions he’d felt from Jasper.
He was now more certain than ever that something bad had happened to his mate. It had left his heart aching and him feeling more helpless than ever—something he wasn’t used to or even slightly accepting of.
He was a being that took charge. He always had been. If there was a battle to be fought, he was there to see it to victory, but this situation, where there was no clear foe and no clear resolution, was driving him to the brink of his sanity.
“Thank you, brother.”
The murmured words penetrated his solitary musings and he inclined his head to his stoic brother who now stood next to him, not needing to ask what he was thanking him for.
“You need not thank me, Marcus. You fought the battle. You took down your mate’s killers, not me.”
Marcus laid a hand on his shoulder. “I’m aware of the disdain you’ve felt for me in the years since losing Didyme. And you were right in feeling the way you did. I should have acted long ago, but I let my grief consume me and did nothing, so I say again, thank you. You did not have to include me in this mission. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d left me to rot as I had been.”
Caius smirked and glanced over his shoulder. “Then thank Aro. He was the one to suggest your inclusion.”
Marcus studied him for a beat before nodding and dropping his hand from his shoulder. “I will.”
They both fell silent, watching as their guards went about the final clean up. “What will you do now?” Marcus finally asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.
A breath gusted from Caius as he ran a hand through his battle-tousled platinum hair before raising the cowl of his cloak. “I will return to Volterra for now to await any potential outcome of the missives we sent. If nothing comes from them soon, I will decide my next course of action.” He met his brother’s gaze. “One thing I refuse to do is quit. As long as I know he lives, I will never quit. And if one day the worst happens—should I ever feel the bond break—I won’t rest until everyone who had a hand in taking him from me is ash.”
“I will support you in this, brother. I have a lot to make up for, leaving you and Aro to the task of ruling essentially by yourselves for all these years.”
Caius arched a brow. “You won’t get an argument from me. I’ll be the first to say I’m glad to see you with a spark of life in your eyes again. It’s about bloody time.”
Marcus bit back a snort as he nodded.
Cautiously, Jane approached and bowed. “My Lords, the final clean up is done and we are ready to depart.”
Caius surveyed the castle ruins once more, his heart aching at the successful failure this mission was. Yes, they’d finally destroyed the Romanians, but he’d missed his true target, the one that would have freed his mate: Maria.
And that bitch needed to die…
“Well then,” he murmured past the lump in his throat, “let us depart.”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
On a little traversed road, just outside the limits of Volterra, Italy, a male and female stood over the smoldering remains of what was once a male vampire; one with a bored expression and the other gazing around their surroundings with impatience and more than a bit of jangled nerves. “Fucking finish burning already,” the female grumbled while toeing the edge of the charred earth with her high heeled boot.
“What now, Mistress?” the bored looking male asked while adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. He’d gotten a bit mussed in the scuffle with the target, but still looked decent, considering.
She arched a brow. “Now?” she repeated while fluffing her long, raven curls. “Now we disappear where no one will find us, Rico. I will not risk being caught. Not after all I’ve accomplished in this life. I am wealthy beyond my wildest dreams and I will use it to my advantage.”
His response was an arrogant chuckle and her eyes narrowed as her hand flashed out, grabbing his chin in a deadly tight hold. His eyes went wide as his body tensed and she smiled maliciously at his renewed fear. “Just remember, you’re only along for the ride, pet, and are expendable.”
His gaze darted down and away in submission as he mumbled, “Yes, Mistress.”
She smirked and firmly patted his cheek drawing a flinch from him. “Good boy. Now, bury the evidence, set his rental car on fire and let’s go. We have a flight to catch,” she growled lowly while heading to their own car. “That little puta psychic…” she hissed, “sending me here of all places to do this! Nothing like snatching prey from the very jaws of the lion…”
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Caius settled back into his seat in the more secluded part of the Volturi jet, his brother seated comfortably across from him. They didn’t travel often, but when they did, this was their preferred transportation. It certainly beat how things used to be, and it was one thing he would applaud the humans for. For all their shortcomings, they never seemed to fail to innovate.
As the doors closed and the plane began to taxi, he closed his eyes and regulated his breaths, allowing his body to relax and his mind to clear, seeking to center himself.
It didn’t take long, it never did anymore. After so many centuries of doing something, it becomes second nature, so before he was even consciously aware, he was in a deep meditative state, his soul already seeking its mate.
With pleasure and warmth, he found him there in that misty place where they always joined and this time, unlike the last, he was wrapped in love and comfort; a welcome change from the tumultuous emotions of their last connection.
Jasper…Tesorino…
The words whispered through his mind as his subconscious formed the image of his most precious one there in this misty place, his hands reaching out to glide over warm, supple skin as his lips brushed light kisses against temple, cheek and parted, eager lips.
This… This is what he needed…craved…lived for…
My Tesorino…
There, in this misty place where their love wrapped them like a warm blanket, their unclad bodies came together, twisting and writhing as their mouths connected, tongues brushing and playing together as their hands caressed, tugged and kneaded…
With a spike of joy, Caius settled his subconscious self within the open, welcoming cradle of his lover’s thighs, grinding his hardened length against him as the younger arched and bucked.
Breaking their latest kiss, he drew away to search his love’s eyes and found a desperate longing there, one that he’d never beheld or felt before, and his heart ached as he wondered at it. I want…I need…you must…please!
With a gentle smile and a brush of fingers over temple and cheek, he closed his eyes and kissed his love’s lips while guiding himself into the younger’s warm, welcoming depths, the lithe form arching to take him in with a desperation he’d never experienced before.
Hands gripped and legs wrapped as he began to thrust, the expression on his love’s face matching the emotions now flooding the connection…relief…completion…absolution…
And again, he wondered…
A hand buried in his hair urged him into a sultry kiss, teeth nipping pillowed lips and tongues twisting together as their subconscious selves chased their completion.
Too soon for either of them, they reached it, both gasping soundlessly as they rocked and peaked together; both already feeling the loss as they slowly drifted back to consciousness, their locked gazes and exchanged emotions speaking all they could not say… I miss you…I need you…I love you…I will find you…
With only fingertips touching, they slipped away, both lost in the mist as they rose to full awareness, one miles high on a speeding jet, the other secluded in a room not his own, in a house, not his home.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
With raised brows, Marcus watched as his brother’s eyes finally opened. He smirked, drawing a narrow-eyed scowl from Caius as he shifted uncomfortably in his supple leather seat, subtly adjusting the drape of his cloak over his lap as Marcus commented, “Rather…sticky affair, this meditation business, wouldn’t you say, brother?” he asked, stifling a chuckle as Caius narrowed his eyes further.
“You can return to being a non-communicative lump any time now, Marcus. I hear enough shit from Aro, I don’t need to hear it from you as well.”
Marcus’s smirk only grew as he went back to perusing the magazine in his hands. “Rather strange way of joining the—what do they call it—mile high club?” He glanced up over the page to see Caius glaring.
“Tell me, Marcus, how is it you even know such a term?”
Marcus shrugged. “I may have been non-communicative, as you say, but I heard things over the years.” His gaze darted up from the page, filled with amusement. “You’d be surprised at the things people will divulge when they believe you to be catatonic.”
“Indeed?”
Marcus nodded.
“I can only imagine,” Caius mused, causing Marcus to smirk once more as his platinum brother finally rose from his seat and headed for the restroom.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
“Jasper, honey, I… Oh…!”
Jasper’s eyes snapped open, embarrassment radiating from him as he snatched a pillow to cover his deflating erection and the wet patch on the front of his sweats.
He scowled. “Yes, Esme, what is it?”
Her eyes darted to everywhere but him. “I…well, I just wanted to see if you’d like to take a trip into town with me. I’m picking up some supplies and just thought you might like to get out for a bit. I didn’t know…I mean, I didn't mean to…” She reached up and rubbed her brow, glancing at him as a smirk slowly curved his lips.
She mock glared. “You know, you can let me off the hook anytime now, Jasper.”
He gusted a laugh and arched a brow “No, that’s okay. It’s what you get for barging in.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “I did not barge in, mister! I’ll have you know, I knocked no less than three times! You never answered!”
He snickered. “And now you know why.”
She looked away, rubbing her temple as embarrassment rolled off her. “And now I know why…”
He snickered again and she frowned at him. “Would you like to go, or not?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, sure, but I kinda need a shower first.”
“All right, I’ll just…” she waved a hand, “wait for you downstairs.”
He smirked. “I appreciate that.”
“Oh, you…” she grumbled as the door closed behind her.
Once he’d showered and changed—donning a pair of fashionably ripped black jeans, a tight, white t-shirt and a black leather jacket—he headed down stairs to meet Esme in the living room.
“Ready to go?”
He gestured toward the door. “After you, my Lady.”
“Such a gentleman,” she said as she passed, completely missing Rosalie’s rolled eyes and Edward’s scowl. Jasper didn’t though and he grinned widely at them before closing the door and jogging to the quietly running SUV.
His grin slipped a bit when he got in the front passenger seat and caught the cloying scent of the psychic smugly sitting in the back seat. “Thanks for letting me come with, Mom. I was really bored,” the seer said with a smug smile.
“It’s no problem, dear, you know this.” She eyed Jasper as she pulled out. “I hope you don’t mind, sweetheart. I know you probably thought it would be just the two of us…”
“It’s okay,” he muttered, gazing out the window at the passing scenery. “I should’ve known.”
Sadness trickled from Esme while from the backseat a seething anger radiated which he blocked before sending a small shot of fear. “Cut it out, Jazzy,” the psychic grumbled and he smiled at Esme as she glanced at him.
“So, where we headed?” he asked and Esme smiled in relief at the shift in focus.
“Well, I need to pick up more blue print paper and drafting supplies. I also need to stop by the book store. There’s a book Carlisle mentioned and if they have it, I wanted to get it for him.”
“Mom’s dropping me at the mall first, Jazz, wanna come with? You could do with some other colors in your wardrobe.”
“I like black. I prefer it, actually, and Esme just spent all that money on clothes for me, so I’m set, thanks. I think I’ll just stick with her. Besides, I’m kinda lookin’ forward to the bookstore. Be nice to pick up something new to read.”
“Of course, dear,” Esme said with a pat to his knee. “We’ll get you well stocked on books. Whatever you want.”
“Oh goody,” Alice grumbled, her ire rising by the second.
Jasper smirked.
They rode the rest of the way in silence, only the strains of classic rock from the speakers providing any relief as Esme finally pulled into the vast parking lot of the mall. “Here we are, Alice. I’ll call you when we’re ready to come get you.”
“All right,” she said as she hopped out, holding the door as she asked once more, “You sure you don’t wanna join me, Jazzy? It’ll be fun, I promise.”
He arched a brow. “As tempting as that sounds,” he drawled, “I’ll pass.” He glanced over his shoulder and smirked, his gaze cold as ice. “Thanks, anyway.”
She huffed and closed the door, flouncing off as Esme frowned and pulled away. After a moment, she glanced at Jasper. “You know, Alice told us you were her mate, but…”
He raised a brow as she struggled to say what she wanted to say. Finally, she sighed. “The two of you don’t seem like mates. I mean, I know you don’t know each other and these things take time…”
He scoffed, cutting her short. “There isn’t enough time in existence that would make me mate to her, Esme.” He looked at the Cullen Matriarch. “It will never happen.”
Her sadness washed over him. “Why not, sweetheart? She’s been a lovely girl, all the years we’ve known her. Now, I know she’s been a bit insistent with you and I can tell you’ve found that irritating, but…”
“I have a mate.”
She gasped, looking at him with wide eyes. “You do? Oh, honey, why didn’t you say so?!”
He cringed, his insides tying in knots over skirting so close to breaking Maria’s rules. “Because I couldn’t…I can’t…please don’t ask me any more.”
“But…where is she? Oh, I bet she’s a lovely girl! You could invite her to join us! I’m sure Carlisle wouldn’t mind.”
He snickered and raised a hand, cutting her rambling short. “Esme, stop.”
Her mouth closed and his smile turned sad at the thought of Caius, before tilting into a smirk at the thought of Caius being a lovely girl and coming to join the ‘family’ of gentle veggie vamps. Another snicker escaped and Esme raised a brow. “Sorry,” he muttered, still amused at the mental image in his mind of his Warrior King playing house. He sighed and ran a hand through his tousled curls. “It’s just, what you’re proposing is impossible, and again, I can’t say more.” He looked out the window and murmured, “Please, just leave it alone.”
“All right, honey,” she quietly agreed. “I won’t bring it up again unless you do.”
“Thank you.”
The next parking lot she pulled into was located between two buildings and she gestured to the closest. “This is where I need to go for the drafting supplies and that place over there,” she gestured to the other, “is the book store, just in case you want to get started choosing books.” She smiled knowingly and he returned it with a nod.
“I think I’ll do that,” he said, opening the door and stepping out. After a brief glance around, he closed the door and waved as he headed in the opposite direction.
The bell over the door jingled as he stepped in and he paused briefly, taking in the well loved scent before moving through the aisles with a cursory nod for the clerk who greeted him.
The clerk’s eyes widened, her emotions caught somewhere between lust, curiosity and fear. Jasper was sure his eyes had a lot to do with the fear part, if not the curiosity. They were deep red, after all, and not a very common sight around the area, he was sure.
He’d already had a talk with Carlisle over his eye color and what they would do or say if he should ever venture out in public. The Cullen Patriarch had suggested contacts at first but Jasper had rejected the idea. He’d worn the things before and found them irritating. Not only did they interfere in his perfect sight, they had to be replaced frequently—just an all around pain in the ass. So, he’d proposed letting them think what they would, which in his experience was that he was a rebellious kid that liked to wear freaky contacts to gain attention—something he was fine with and it solved his problem without any fuss.
Carlisle had agreed—after a fashion…and a pleading look from Esme.
Rounding the aisle of spiritual books, he made his way to the history section and started perusing, only pausing when his gaze settled on a section on the civil war.
With reverent fingers, he traced the spines, his mind cast back to a time he could scarcely remember—a time of horses and stiff, woolen uniforms and boys trying their hardest to be men while facing what could very well be their last days.
His heart lurched and he swallowed at the memories—for him, they had well and truly been his last days…
As a boy…as a man…as an innocent…
With a frown, he reached up and slid a heavy tome from the shelf, supporting it with one hand while paging through with the other. His eyes skimmed, taking in all the pictures as there were many.
A melancholy smile played on his lips as he took it all in. In Italy, books on the civil war were rare. What use did the Italians have for such a subject, after all? So this was a treat for him. Sure, he could’ve ordered any number of them, but he’d been too preoccupied with Caius, and learning the laws of the Volturi, and Caius, and training, and Caius…
And by the time the internet rolled around and things like Amazon and Barnes and Noble online were a thing, he’d simply put his past out of his mind.
Now, here it was, in the palm of his hand and he found it fascinating.
With growing anticipation, he flipped through the pages quickly finding what he was searching for—the section on his home state of Texas—and he slowed, taking in every detail, every word, picture, and caption until his breath caught, his eyes going wide at the sight.
“Jasper Theodore Whitlock, Major, Army of the Confederate States of America, missing, presumed deceased.” he muttered, reading the caption under a picture of his human self.
“So long…” he murmured, tracing the picture with his fingertip. “So long ago.”
“What’s so long ago, honey?”
His head snapped up and he blinked at Esme, shocked that she’d been able to catch him off guard. “This,” he said, tilting the book so she could see.
“Oh, Jasper,” she breathed, her own finger now tracing over the sepia toned photo. “It’s you.”
He nodded. “It is.” Then he smiled wanly. “Or, at least, it was.”
“You like history?” she asked and he nodded.
“I do, although I haven’t been able to study it much since…” he glanced at her and she nodded.
“You should think about going to school when we move next.” She eyed him critically for a moment. “You could probably get away with starting off as a sophomore…”
His brows inched up. “Me? In a high school? With a bunch of kids?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes! It’s not so far fetched. All the rest of them do it almost every time we move.”
He narrowed his eyes and canted his head. “I don’t think so.”
“I think it would be good for you. Did you ever graduate high school?”
He thought about that. Had he? Had he finished his education before sneaking off to join up? He couldn’t recall. “I dunno, to tell you the truth. I know I was an officer, so I must’a been educated, but I have no memory of it, just the knowledge. It’s there, and must’a got there somehow.”
“Well, I really think you should. You could go on to college after you graduate. Maybe even major in history.”
“A degree in history…” he murmured, before shrugging. “Nah, I don’t think so. I can get all I need from books without going to class with a bunch of…” He paused as she glared. “ …blood donors.”
“Jasper…” she admonished and he grinned, not sorry at all for what he’d said. It was only the truth. Humans were food. That’s how he’d always see them.
“Well,” she said with a sigh, “go ahead, pick a few more and we’ll go get Alice. I’d like to be home when Carlisle comes in from work.”
And so it was that he’d put up and won his first argument against going to high school.
Too bad it wouldn’t be the last.
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