Chương 158

Louis watched Willa cleaning her glasses with a cloth. She was beautiful with or without them. He liked her sharp, intelligent eyes and her cynical tone. He blew her a kiss as she put her glasses back on. She raised an eyebrow.

"What was that for?"

"For being you," Louis said. She smirked.

"I am always me. You don't need to praise me for it."

"I know. But I want to. I love you." Willa's expression softened.

"I love you too, Louis. Even if I know you are going to say that to all of us."

"I mean it when I say it. To each of you." He paused.

"I want to kiss you, Willa." She looked at the others, then back at him.

"Are you feeling sorry for not interacting with me enough or are you in heat? Because I can't really tell."

"A little bit of both." He laughed.

"And because you are the smartest woman I have ever met."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Willa leaned forward.

"But a kiss is acceptable. For now." He leaned in and kissed her. Her lips were soft, and she opened her mouth slightly, letting his tongue in. Her mouth tasted like mint. He licked her lips, then pulled back. His cock had already stirred in his jeans.

"Not bad." She smiled. Savannah watched them.

"That's hot."

"He has a way," Willa said, leaning back.

"You'll get used to it." Maeve looked at Louis, her cheeks flushed.

"I still haven't gotten used to it."

"Don't worry, Mae-Mae," Gladice called from the back.

"You will. We'll help you." She winked at Louis.

"Right, Louis?" Louis laughed.

"Of course, Gladie." Cherish's cheeks were pink. She looked at her hands, then at Louis.

"Are we going to do… that in front of everyone?" Gladice laughed.

"Why not, Cherry? We are all family here." Willa adjusted her glasses.

"I think we may need to relax our boundaries a bit further, then. In the interest of group cohesion." Savannah raised an eyebrow.

"Is that what we are calling it now? Group cohesion?"

"It's a useful term," Willa said.

"And it sounds better than 'orgy in the sky.'" Louis smiled at Willa.

"I like the way you think, Willa."

"I know," she said, her eyes gleaming.

"So do you." Judith laughed.

"Oh, Louis. You and your harem."

"It's not a harem, Mom," Louis said.

"It's a commune."

"Same difference," Judith said.

"I approve." Philip exchanged a glance with Maria. She just shook her head with a small smile.

"Kids these days," she said.

"Always so dramatic."

"We are not kids," Louis said.

"We are adults."

"Relatively speaking," Maria said.

"But you are all still very young."

"And you are old," Gladice said, stretching.

"But you look good for your age." Maria laughed.

"Thank you, Sergeant Simington. I try."

"Always a pleasure, Your Majesty." Gladice gave a small salute.

"Call me Maria," Maria said.

"We are all friends here."

"Okay, Maria," Gladice said.

"But I still think you're a queen."

"I am," Maria said.

"But that doesn't mean I can't be friendly." Savannah snorted.

"Only in the Dominion."

"True," Willa said.

"Where else can you get a ride on a presidential jet and a compliment from a queen in the same day?" Cherish looked at Maria.

"Are you really a queen?" Maria smiled.

"I was. In Navarre. Before the revolution. Now I am just a mother. And a friend." Cherish's eyes widened.

"A real queen?"

"Yes," Maria said.

"But that's a story for another day. For now, we need to rest."

"We can rest later," Gladice said.

"I want to party."

"Let's save it for after we land, Glads," Angelique said. Gladice sighed.

"Fine." Willa took a sip of her sparkling water.

"So, Louis, back to the topic at hand. You said you love all of us."

"I do."

"That's a lot of love to go around," Willa said.

"How do you manage it?"

"I'm a Collins," Louis said.

"We're good at multitasking."

"I bet you are." Willa laughed.

"But seriously, Louis. How do you choose when your attention is so divided?" Louis paused, looking at each of them.

"I don't know. It's not about choosing. It's about… connection. With each of you. It's different."

"Different how?" Willa asked.

"Well, with Angi, it's intense. It's like we've known each other forever. And with Gladie, it's passionate. And wild." He looked at Gladice, who winked at him.

"Donya and I have something spiritual. Something deep. With Savannah, I feel protective, but she challenges me too. With Cherish, it's… innocent. And tender. And with Maeve, it's raw. And honest. And with you, Willa. Well, it's… intellectual. And sexy." Willa smiled.

"Intellectual and sexy? I'll take that."

"You should," Louis said.

"Because it's true." He looked at Cherish.

"And you, Cherry. You are the sweetest, kindest person I have ever met. I want to protect you from all the bad things in the world. And I want to show you all the good things." Cherish's cheeks flushed.

"I… I want that too." Willa crossed her legs.

"So what are you going to do with all this love, Louis? Spread it around like butter on toast?" Louis laughed.

"Something like that."

"Well, I hope you have enough stamina for all of us," Willa said.

"Because we all have needs. And expectations."

"I'm up for the challenge," Louis said.

"I have a lot of needs," Gladice said, stretching her legs.

"Sexually." If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it. Constantine looked at her.

"Always so direct, Sergeant Simington."

"It's my best quality, sir."

"I made the right choice making you a Dominion citizen, then." Constantine smiled.

"You'll fit right in."

"I'm glad to hear that." Gladice winked.

"Maybe you can promote me to a general later." Constantine laughed.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Willa shook her head.

"Please, I'm having an intellectual discussion about emotional bandwidth and logistical challenges here. Do not interrupt."

"Logistical challenges?" Savannah asked.

"Sounds like you're planning a military operation."

"Managing one man's attention among seven women is a military operation," Willa said.

"We need strategy, discipline, and coordination."

"Sounds hot," Gladice said.

"It's a practical matter," Willa said, folding her arms.

"We need to avoid conflict. And jealousy."

"I'm not jealous," Maeve said quietly.

"I'm just… I don't know how to be one of many."

"Neither did I," Donya said.

"But I'm learning."

"We are all learning," Angelique said.

"Together."

"It helps that Louis has a big jet," Gladice said.

"And a lot of money."

"That helps," Willa admitted.

"But it doesn't solve the emotional problems. We need to solve those ourselves."

"So what you got in mind?" Savannah asked.

"A schedule? A rotation?"

"Perhaps," Willa said.

"Or perhaps we just need to be honest with each other. And with ourselves. About what we want. And what we can accept."

"Honesty is good," Louis said.

"I like honesty."

"Good," Willa said.

"Because you're going to get a lot of it."

"Fine by me."

"Then let's start," Willa said.

"I want you, Louis. I want to explore this… connection. But I also value my independence. And my privacy. So I don't want to be smothered. Or controlled. Or… worshipped."

"Okay," Louis said.

"But sometimes I want to worship you." Willa smiled.

"I know. And I appreciate the sentiment. But I don't need a god. I need a partner. Who respects my mind. And my body. And my boundaries."

"I don't like boundaries," Gladice said.

"They're boring."

"Some boundaries are necessary, Glads," Willa said.

"For safety. And sanity."

"Speak for yourself." Gladice rolled her eyes.

"So what're your boundaries then?"

"The obvious ones," Willa said.

"No serious harm. No humiliation. No recording. And… no sharing beyond the group."

"Sharing beyond the group?" Savannah raised an eyebrow.

"He already has the biggest group I ever seen."

"It's big, but it's defined," Willa said.

"We survived together. We trust each other. I don't want to bring in strangers. For security reasons. And for emotional reasons."

"I agree with Willa on that," Angelique said.

"We are a family. Let's keep it that way."

"Agreed," Donya said.

"We have something special here."

"Special and crazy," Savannah said.

"But I'm in."

"Me too," Maeve whispered. Cherish looked at Louis.

"I don't know about all this talk about boundaries and sharing. I just… I like being with you, Louis. And with them. They feel like sisters to me." Louis smiled at her.

"That's what matters, Cherry."

"So we are all on the same page," Willa said.

"Good. That's a start."

"Now what?" Gladice asked.

"Do we draw up a contract? Sign it in blood?"

"I was thinking more of a verbal agreement," Willa said.

"With clear communication. And mutual respect."

"Boring," Gladice said.

"Does that mean we can't fuck whenever I want?"

"No," Willa said.

"It means we need to consider each other's feelings, like if we want a private space for the night. Or if we want to join."

"I ain't really into other people joining in," Savannah said.

"Most of the time."

"I'm flexible," Gladice said.

"As long as I can come." Donya laughed.

"Gladice!"

"What? It's true." Constantine looked at Judith.

"Our son has gathered quite the collection."

"More like a commune," Judith said.

"I think it's progressive."

"And you have no problem with this?" Philip asked.

"Why should I?" Judith said.

"They are all intelligent, capable women. They have proven their loyalty under extreme circumstances. And they have good taste. They chose my son."

"They chose the Supreme President's son," Philip said.

"They chose Louis," Judith said.

"Before they knew what he could do for them. They chose the person."

"That's true," Angelique said.

"I chose him before he was the prince. I chose the boy I liked."

"I chose him when I thought he was just a funny tourist," Gladice said.

"With a big dick."

"Gladice!" Judith laughed.

"Have you considered working in my ministry? You have a talent for branding." Gladice's face lit up.

"Really?"

"Maybe."

"Don't encourage her, Mom," Louis said.

"Why not?" Judith said.

"She's a natural."

"She's a troublemaker," Louis said.

"I am." Gladice smirked.

"And I'm good at it."

"I think we can all agree on that," Willa said. Philip shook his head, a faint smile on his face.

"This is… quite a family dynamic you're building here, Louis. The world has changed."

"We've changed," Louis said.

"The world is catching up."

"I wasn't planning to bring up this topic now." Philip's tone grew serious.

"But since you're all being so open about relationships, I should ask. How should we handle the betrothal between you and Angelique?" Angelique's smile faded. She looked at Louis. Before Louis could answer, Constantine spoke.

"That will be a matter for the families. Not for a public statement today." Philip nodded.

"Of course. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. But the matter exists."

"It does," Constantine said.

"And we will address it when the situation is stable. Give them a few days to recover."

"Agreed," Philip said.

"But the matter should not be left unattended for long." Maria put a hand on Philip's arm.

"Later, Philip. They have been through enough. We have all been through enough."

"You're right," Philip said, sighing.

"Later." Louis looked at Angelique. She met his gaze and nodded, then looked away.

"It's a lot to think about," Angelique said.

"My head is spinning."

"Then don't think about it now," Judith said.

"Focus on enjoying the flight. Let's have dinner. Then we can all rest. And we will be home before you know it."

"That sounds good," Angelique said.

"What are we having?"

"Today is Japanese fusion," Judith said.

"I hope you all enjoy it." She pressed a button on the arm of her seat and spoke into the intercom.

"We're ready to serve."

"Of course, Mrs. Collins." A few minutes later, the cabin crew spread white cloths over the folding tables and served small cups of miso soup. The crew followed with yuzu deviled eggs, hamachi crudo, snow crab and cucumber salad, foie gras nigiri, chilled soba, and black-garlic wagyu with grilled vegetables and garlic rice. Cherish studied her plate before cutting off a small piece of one of the eggs. Maeve tried to hold the chopsticks, adjusted her fingers twice, and finally put them down.

She took a fork instead and looked from one dish to another. Gladice went straight for the wagyu. Angelique smiled at Philip and Maria, but Louis noticed how tightly she held her chopsticks.

"Is it good?" Judith asked Cherish. Cherish nodded, her mouth full of egg.

"Very good."

"Good." Judith turned to Louis.

"You need to eat more."

"I am." Louis ate a piece of nigiri. He had forgotten how much he missed food like this. He swallowed and looked at Maeve.

"Eat, Maeve." She looked at him, then tried a piece of the egg.

"It's good."

"Yes." Louis watched her try the nigiri.

"It is." Maeve paused after the first bite, then immediately reached for another.

"Better than the stew in the mess hall?" Gladice asked from the back. Maeve did not look up.

"Fuck yes." Constantine laughed.

"Welcome to the Dominion," he said.

"We eat well here."

"I can tell." Maeve took another bite of wagyu. Willa watched her.

"You have good taste for a communist." Maeve ate without looking up.

"I'm not a communist anymore."

"Good. Because I hate communism." Willa ate a piece of crab.

"And this crab is delicious."

"It is," Savannah said.

"I ain't had crab this good since I left Atlanta."

"You will have it as much as you want," Judith said.

"All of you."

"Thank you, Mrs. Collins," Savannah said.

"Call me Judith." Savannah nodded.

"Thank you, Judith." Donya smiled at Louis.

"This is nice."

"It is," Louis said.

"But it's even nicer at home." She nodded and continued eating.

"I like this better than steak this morning," Cherish said.

"I like both," Gladice said.

"I like meat."

"I can tell," Willa said.

"You eat like you're in a competition."

"I am always in a competition," Gladice said.

"Especially with food."

"Against whom?"

"Against myself."

"Interesting," Willa said.

"A self-competitive approach to life."

"It works for me," Gladice said, finishing her wagyu.

"So, what's for dessert?"

"Patience. We will have tea before that." Judith smiled. She pressed the button.

"We're ready for tea."

"Of course, ma'am." The crew served hot green tea in small white cups. They could choose between sencha and hojicha. Louis held his cup between his palms. Maeve had finished eating and sat back with her eyes half closed.

"I never knew food could feel like this," Cherish said.

"Food is important," Judith said.

"Especially after long days." Savannah set her cup down.

"This tea's good."

"Good," Judith said.

"You deserve it." Angelique sipped her tea and looked at Louis for a moment. Her look reminded him of New Orleans and the life they had known before the journey. He raised his cup to her, and she raised hers back. Willa watched them from her seat.

"So what's the plan for tonight? When we land?"

"Rest," Constantine said.

"The residence is prepared. Sleep as long as you need. We will talk more tomorrow."

"Separate rooms?" Willa asked.

"No," Louis said.

"We sleep together." Judith glanced at Constantine. He nodded once.

"As you wish. Louis has a large bedroom."

"Thank you, Dad."

"Don't thank me yet," Constantine said.

"You still owe me a full report. All of you."

"Of course," Louis said.

"But not tonight."

"No," Constantine agreed.

"Not tonight." The crew served mini mochi ice cream in chilled bowls with small spoons. Maeve opened her eyes and sat up.

"What are those?"

"Mochi," Judith said.

"Try one. They are mango and strawberry." Maeve took one and tasted it. Her eyes widened.

"This is… this is amazing."

"Finally, dessert," Gladice said, leaning forward to take two.

"I miss sugar."

"Who doesn't?" Savannah asked, taking one too.

"This a little too fancy for me, though."

"You'll get used to it," Willa said, taking a green tea mochi.

"I did." Cherish took a strawberry mochi and ate it slowly, her eyes closed.

"This is the best thing I have ever tasted."

"I'm glad you like it, dear," Judith said.

"We have more."

"Is this real?" Cherish opened her eyes and looked at Louis.

"It's real." He nodded.

"I don't want it to end." She took another bite.

"It won't." Louis watched her. Jennifer's face surfaced in his mind, fragile and soft. She would have loved the mochi. His eyes stung. He looked away and blinked several times. Maeve watched him from her seat.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said.

"Just remembering someone."

"Jennifer?" She lowered her voice.

"Yeah." Maeve didn't ask more. She reached over and touched his knee. Louis placed his hand over hers. The flight attendants cleared the plates and dimmed the cabin lights. Low instrumental music played through the speakers. Philip reclined his seat and closed his eyes. Judith whispered something to Constantine, and he nodded. Louis showed Maeve how to recline her seat before adjusting his own. He watched the lights of the distant cities and small towns far below. Then he closed his eyes.