Page 23 of Varro's Human Bride
“This female is your sister, isn’t she, Caylee?” He gestured at the screen. “Answer me.”
“Yes.” Julie’s vision blurred as her eyes filled with tears. There was no point in holding back the full truth any longer, and she drew in a deep breath and braced herself for Varro’s reaction. “You’re correct. Nova is my sister. And my name isn’t Caylee. It’s Julie.”
“What?”
“I wasn’t a chosen Tarrkuan bride, but I wished to come to your planet, so I switched places with the real Caylee. You see, Nova was the only family I had left—our parents died just a few weeks ago—and when the opportunity to come to Tarrkua arose, I had to take it.”
Varro remained silent for so long, she almost wondered if he understood what she had said. But when he finally spoke, calling her by her real name for the first time, she realized he’d heard every word.
“Turn the video comm off,Julie. We will continue this conversation in private. Tell your sister goodnight.” He didn’t sound angry, as she had expected. Instead, he sounded surprisingly calm. She was further startled when he placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. He wasn’t grabbing her as he had after she’d disobeyed him in Ashorr today.
Julie looked at Nova, whose face had gone quite pale. “I have to go, sis. Goodnight.”
“Wait! Before you end the call, I want Varro to swear to me he won’t hurt you. Swear it on your Gods, Varro,” Nova said in a bold, defiant tone. The color had returned to her face, too, and she sat taller in her seat.
Julie glanced at Varro, expecting to see his face darkened with fury or his jaw clenched. But instead, there was a strange glint of amusement in his eye and for the briefest instant, she thought the corners of his mouth creased with a smile. But surely she was mistaken. How could he not be livid with her right now?
Varro knelt next to Julie and nodded at Nova. “You’re protective of your sister. I admire that.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I give you my word, Nova from Earth, that I will not hurt your sister, and I also swear on my Gods. I promise you will hear from her soon.” Then Varro pressed a button and the video comm screen went black.
What would happen now?
Julie had never felt so sick to her stomach, uncertainty twisting her insides as her worry over Varro’s response to her deception increased. He swiveled the chair, turning her to face him. He remained kneeling, but even so, he was still far taller than her. Taller and stronger. What would he do?
“I know I deceived you,Xerr.” Her heart teetered on the edge of a dark oblivion, ready to plummet into the depths of endless misery. “If you wish for me to leave, I will go. I could go live with my sister, but please, I only beg you not to turn me in to your authorities. Please, just this one mercy. I don’t wish to get Caylee into trouble or cause her to be sent here, as she is desperate to stay on Earth with her family. It was my idea, anyway, for us to switch places.”
He grabbed her by her shoulders and leaned so close she felt his hot breath wafting against her face. “You aren’t going anywhere, Julie. You aremine, little human.Mine.” He squeezed her shoulders and gave her a slight shake, his muscles tensing as a low growl rumbled from his throat.
Little human. Her spirits lifted when he used the endearment. Tears filled her eyes and her throat burned. He claimed that she belonged to him and that he didn’t want her to leave, but how could he wish for her to stay? Even if he loved her, she couldn’t give him the heir he needed. Oh how she wished he wasn’t a member of the ruling class, then this whole situation wouldn’t be as complicated.
But she loved him. Her entire body ached at the prospect of losing him. “I don’t wish to leave you,Xerr. You’re my husband, my master, and I honestly have grown to care for you. Yes, I’ve told you some lies, but only to protect my identity. The affection I hold for you isn’t a lie. It’s very real, I swear it. But how can you still want me when…” Her voice trailed off and she felt utterly lost. Perhaps she was in shock.
Varro picked her up and carried her upstairs. Her stomach flipped. She’d just admitted to lying to him and after his strict admonition never to tell him an untruth, she wondered if he might take the strap to her again, despite his promise to Nova not to hurt her. What an awful person she was, pretending to be a Tarrkuan bride who could bear him children, when in fact the only thing she could give him was companionship. But was that enough?
He placed her upon the bed and pulled the covers over her. She stared up at him, her confusion growing. Why was he tucking her in?
“Xerr?” More tears cascaded down her cheeks. “I lied to you. I made you believe I was a woman named Caylee, a Tarrkuan bride who could provide you with children. I lied!” She all but screamed the last two words. “Aren’t you going to whip me?”
He remained silent for several seconds and she dared a glance at the leather strap, which had been returned to its place on the wall.
“I must leave to take care of some important family matters, Julie. I expect you to stay right here until I return. Try to get some sleep.”
Her mind swirled when he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. After he pulled away, he gave her a look so profound and filled with emotion, that she almost begged him not to leave.
Important family matters.
Oh God. He was going to inform his family of her deception. They would all hate her now, she was sure of it. Even if Varro still wanted her, she didn’t know how she would bear the rejection of his large family who also happened to be her only neighbors.
She proceeded to soak her pillow in tears, consumed with sorrow and regret.
Chapter 15
Countless shades of orange painted the horizon, and the nighttime insects had mostly quieted. Morning had arrived on the mountain and Varro had finally completed the business he’d needed to take care of. He rushed into his home and headed straight for the bedroom, anxious to see his wife.
He found Julie sleeping, though he noted tear tracks on her face and guilt swept through him for leaving her alone for so long. The arrangements he’d needed to make with his father, which had included signing legal documents, had taken longer than expected.
He pulled back the covers and lifted her up, then carried her to a large chair in the corner of the bedroom. He sat down with her in his arms, holding her close to his heart. She stirred to life and her pretty blue eyes fluttered open. She peered up at him, happiness filling her gaze, but not for long. In the next moment, her eyes widened and a look of horror took over her lovely features as her memories of last night undoubtedly fell into place.
“Good morning, little human.”
