Jo's Journey (9 page)

His heart beat heavily as he watched her spin, twist and float almost thirty meters above the floor. He didn’t care that there was a net about halfway up. It was his mate and she looked so – beautiful, he had to admit. When she went from spinning by one ankle to spinning from her neck, her arms and legs gracefully arching in different directions he thought his heart would stop.

After several minutes, she climbed up onto the hoop. He was in the process of starting to breathe again when she reached out and grasped a bar that had been tossed to her. As she jumped off the large ring, it disappeared into the ceiling leaving her swinging back and forth. She flipped up until she was holding onto the bar by her ankles only, leaving her hands free.

“Gods,” Manota muttered.

A moment later, another small figure appeared out of the darkness. At first, Manota thought it was Star. Only when the light struck the woman
’s face was he able to tell it was Tami Strauss. Jo caught her mother’s wrists. He thought she would pull her up but instead as they reached a certain height, Jo released her mother who did a flip and Jo caught her again by her ankles this time. A moment later, her mother flew through the air only to be caught by Alan Strauss. He was hanging upside down like Jo from another bar.

Manota
’s eyes swiveled back to Jo to see she was hanging from the bar by her hands now. Her long legs moved back and forth as she went impossibly higher and higher until he thought for sure she would fly through the top of the tent. As she came back for her last swing, she let go of the bar. Manota stood up, dropping his popcorn as she did several flips and turns in the air. Just when he felt for sure she would fall to her death, Alan Strauss appeared catching her by her wrists.

“
Oh Gods,” Manota said weakly as he sank back down onto the bench.

“
No shit,” K’tar and Shavic said at the same time, their eyes glued toward the ceiling.

*.*.*

Manota watched for the next two hours as one magnificent feat after another was completed. They watched as animals danced. Clowns raced around pulling fits of laugher from everyone until Manota had to hold his sides because they hurt. The last act of the night drew gasps of amazement from everyone - except K’tar who had to be held back at first.

It started with what looked at first like a large clear panel being wheeled out into the center ring. Walter introduced a man called Marcus the Magnificent who walked around it several times before he turned the clear piece of glass to show that it was no more than a few centimeters thick. Once he had turned it around twice, he positioned it until it was facing them. They watched as Marcus walked around it one last time, tapping on it in several places as he did. The audience could see him the entire time. Once he had walked around it, a huge red cover floated down from above to cover it. Marcus spent several minutes making sure the fabric covered every inch of the glass.

“What is he doing?” Shavic asked, looking at the thin glass in puzzlement. “What is so magnificent about a thin piece of covered glass?”

“
Maybe he is going to try to walk through it?” Kev said with a shrug as his eyes drifted down to the female who was staring raptly at the center ring.

Manota
’s eyes drifted around the ring looking for Jo. She had been in several different performances. His eyes turned back as Marcus said something he missed. He watched as the man tapped the glass that was still covered before whipping the cover off with a quick jerk. Inside the thin glass was the figure of a sleeping woman. Manota started when he realized that it was the woman from the mirror that they had seen coming in.

“
It’s her,” K’tar breathed out, jerking forward as his eyes remained glued on the still figure. “How did she get in there? What is he going to do to her?”

“
Shush!” Several warriors growled out.

Manota stared in awe as the girl slowly woke. She sat up, looking around her in surprise before she rose gracefully. This time she was wearing a light blue outfit that highlighted her long black hair. Her eyes were tilted at the corners and she looked wildly exotic and extremely fragile. On her back, gossamer wings fluttered catching the light and sparkling. She rose up on her tiptoes, touching the glass. Her hands roamed it as if she was looking for some doorway to open so she could escape.

“Behold!” Marcus yelled out. “Witness the capture of the beautiful wood fairy. Elusive, magical, rare, she is mine!”

“
Never!” K’tar roared out, standing up.

“
Will you sit down,” one of the young warriors sitting in front of him said. “I want to see what happens!”

“
I’ll show you what happens,” K’tar snarled out.

Shavic grabbed K
’tar’s arm as he started to reach for the young warrior. “I want to see what happens too and if you hurt him then I’ll miss the rest of the show. Now, sit down or so help me I’ll put a laxative in your drink in the morning.”

K
’tar muttered darkly under his breath but sank back down onto the hard bench. Manota shot his communications officer an amused look before he focused back on the drama unfolding in the center ring. Marcus was turning the thin piece of glass around again so they could see not only how thin it was but the front and back of the girl/fairy trapped within. The female was pounding on the glass and turning as he shifted her.

“
But, all good wood fairies need a forest if they are to survive!” Marcus called out. “Denied such a home, they quickly wither and die.”

As if there were a truth in his words, the delicate female slowly sank down. Her large, expressive eyes showing such sorrow that even the oldest, most seasoned warriors began yelling for her to be released. Her eyes moved around the audience, pleading for their help even as she began to fade before their eyes.

“NO!” K’tar roared again, standing up and staring down in horror at the delicate female.

This time, the young fairy
’s eyes moved up to his. She raised her tiny hand, pressing her palm against the glass. A single tear glittered in her eye before slowly rolling down her cheek as she began to fade until they could see through her body.

“
Let me go!” K’tar roared out.

He tried to get down the steps but Shavic and Kev held him by his arms as he tried to move past them. He fought briefly, his eyes still glued to the slender figure fading before his eyes. He had to get to her. He had to help her. He had to save her. He had to – claim her.

“Will you sit down!” Shavic hissed, anxiously. “He’ll do something. He won’t just let her fade away,” he said before he turned to look at Manota. “Will he?”

Manota stood up, scowling down at Marcus.
“Free her!” He demanded.

“
Free her! Free her! Free her!” More and more of the warriors’ voices rang out until it echoed loudly inside the tent.

“
Gentlemen!” Marcus roared out raising his arms. “Gentlemen!” He roared again this time sending out dazzling sparks of light that stunned those yelling down at him. “While I would love to free her, to do so would be to sentence her to immediate death. No, there is only one way to save her!” He yelled dramatically.

“
How?” K’tar demanded as silence fell. “How can you save her?”

Marcus looked at the huge warrior.
“Someone must take her place within the glass,” he said quietly. “Only then can she live.” Total silence filled the tent at Marcus’ words.

“
I will go,” K’tar announced loudly.

“
What?” Manota exclaimed, looking at the huge warrior in shock.

K
’tar looked at his commander before looking back down at the pleading face of the tiny female. “I said I will go in her stead.”

“
We have a volunteer!” Marcus said pointing to where K’tar stood stiff and proud. “A true warrior who would sacrifice his own life, his own freedom for a magical creature!”

Manota started when he realized the two Mimes who had disappeared after the beginning of the show were now standing on the steps in front of him. Both looked solemnly at K
’tar, waiting. K’tar lifted his head and started to step down the stairs.

“
Wait,” Manota growled under his breath as he grabbed K’tar by his left arm. “You cannot be serious about being entrapped in that glass. It would be a death sentence. How long do you think you can survive in it?”

K
’tar looked back down at the young female whose eyes filled with sorrow. She shook her head at him and lowered her eyes. Even as he watched, he swore she faded a little more.

“
How can I leave an innocent female to such an existence?” K’tar responded, shaking off Manota’s hold on him.

Everyone was silent as the Mimes lead K
’tar down to the center ring. They watched as Marcus spoke to him. K’tar nodded once before he walked forward. Everyone held their breath as the delicate female in blue rose to stand again. She pressed her hand against the glass, waiting. A small, shy smile slowly lit her face as K’tar raised his hand and pressed it against the glass over hers.

A loud gasp filled the tent as the female gently pulled K
’tar into the glass with her. As he stepped through, Manota, Kev and Shavic all rose so they could see over the heads of the other warriors who had risen as their comrade and friend became encased inside the glass with the female who became more solid as they watched in awe.

“
Alas, it is not freedom the fairy needed but true love,” Marcus announced. “But, to live they must have a home!”

Manota
’s mouth dropped open as all around K’tar and the female, trees, grass, and plants began to form. K’tar seemed oblivious to everything but the woman in his arms. Even as they watched, he bent his head and sealed his lips over her upturned mouth.

“
And so it goes, that two lovers separated by the veil of magic have been reunited,” Marcus said as the red cover fell back over the thin glass.

Manota watched in disbelief as the Mimes began to roll the glass with his friend inside away. He moved down the stairs rapidly, pushing several warriors to the side. He yelled once and the small group turned as he walked across the floor of the storage Bay.

“Wait!” He ordered again.

“
Yes, dear sir,” Marcus said. “What can I do for you?”

“
Bring him… bring them back!” Manota ordered. “Now!”

Marcus shook his head sadly.
“I fear I cannot. They are locked in another realm now. A realm no human can go to.”

Manota pulled the short laser sword at his side and pointed it at Marcus.
“We are not human,” he growled in a low menacing voice. “I said bring them back now.”

Marcus
’ eyes grew wide as Manota looked at him with deadly intent. His throat moved up and down nervously as he glanced at the two Mimes who rolled their eyes at him. His nervous gaze moved back to Manota who was glaring at him.

“
I can’t bring them back,” Marcus whispered hoarsely.

“
Well, I can!” Manota snarled.

The audience watched in silence as Manota strode over to the covered glass. He reached up and jerked on the cover. He froze as the cover fluttered to the ground. There was nothing on the rolling cart. He kicked the red velvet cover to the side, searching and still nothing. No glass, no female, no K
’tar, no forest – nothing. He turned in a circle several times before he looked at Marcus who smiled sadly at him.

“
As I said, it is too late.”

Before Manota could move, a large cloud of colorful smoke covered the man. By the time it cleared Marcus the Magnificent was gone. Manota
’s head jerked upward as a wisp of blue smoke rose from where Marcus had been, moving upward higher and higher until brilliant sparks burst out over the center ring. Manota covered his eyes against the flash of light. He blinked several times to clear his vision. As things became clearer, he saw a length of blue fabric slowly sinking down to the floor.

As soon as it touched, it began to rise again. From inside it emerged two figures. One female who wore a beautiful long white dress, her long black hair flowing down her back. The other, a fierce Kassisan warrior, protectively holding her in his arms.

“K’tar!” Manota whispered, stunned.

A roar went up from all the warriors as they realized one of their own was not lost. Ricki, Jade and Annie stood up and began to cheer. Slowly, the rest of the cast came out from different parts of the tented area. Jo, Alan, and Tami slid down from the ceiling on long sheaths of colorful fabric. The warriors were all yelling the chant often given after a victory. Only two people appeared to be oblivious to the noise. K
’tar and the small female he was kissing.

Manota stood in his living quarters looking out of the virtual viewport. They would be entering a section of space known for pirate raids on unprepared freighter traffic. He didn’t think it likely they would be attacked but he was not going to leave it to chance. The
Seeker
was a smaller Kassisan warship but it was still a deadly one. Most pirates would not even think of attacking such a vessel even if it was traveling alone.

He looked down at the drink in his hand and sighed. It had been almost two and a half weeks since the night of the first performance. He had asked Jo countless questions about what happened and how they did the things they did. All she would do was smile and laughingly tell him that if she told him how it was done, she would have to kill him. She had then proceeded to make love to him until he thought he had died – from pleasure.

The following afternoon, he had ordered K’tar into the conference room. Kev and Shavic had darted in as well before the door had a chance to close behind his communications officer. They wanted to know what happened to him and where in the hell did he go.

“
I don’t know,” K’tar had said. “I don’t remember anything but Sunny.”

“
Who is Sunny?” Shavic had asked in frustration.

“
The fairy,” K’tar said with a grin. “I remember her grabbing my hand but not a thing afterwards. Well, except for her taste – and her touch – and the feel of her skin and hair.”

Shavic groaned.
“You don’t remember anything?” He demanded.

“
No, not really,” K’tar responded. “It was dark and all I wanted was to keep her safe.”

Kev sank down and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Well, I’m glad at least two of you are being successful at that,” he grumbled.

“
Here,” Manota said with a sympathetic nod as he sank down in the chair next to Kev.

“
Thanks,” Kev replied as he picked up the small glass with the dark green liquid.

Kev grimaced as the potent liquor burned as it went down. He told Manota how he had been positive he would have been able to capture the one named Jade but she was as good at disappearing as that damn magician had been. By the time he got down the steps to the floor of the big tent, she had vanished. He had tried searching for her but she must have gone into one of those camper houses.

Manota thought with amusement of Kev’s frustration and empathized with his friend. He remembered his own struggles to get Jo to accept him. He realized that was part of her appeal, she gave as well as took from him and never let him get away with bossing her around. When he was with her, he felt alive.

“
What are you so deep in thought about?” Jo asked as she stepped out of the cleansing room.

Manota turned at her voice. His eyes roamed hungrily over her. She was wearing a silky blue robe that matched her eyes and was brushing out her hair. He noticed that it had grown several inches since he first saw her. The soft, thin material couldn
’t hide how her nipples pebbled from the cooler air in their living quarters.

It was close to midnight but time aboard the warship was irrelevant. She had been performing in two shows a day for the crew. Most of the shows were abbreviated to fit in with the crews
’ schedules. He tried to attend as many as he could. He knew he would never get tired of watching her. After the first few performances, he began to appreciate that each routine was carefully choreographed and there were numerous safety measures set in place.

“
I was thinking about how incredible you are,” he said huskily. “Come here.” He set his glass on the small table near the chair and opened his arms.

Jo
’s lips curved upward as she saw the hunger in his eyes. They had both been incredibly busy. She had fallen back into the routine of working out with her family and friends during the day. She had also been working with Jane. Annie and Jade had begun spending more time with the quiet young woman who jumped or hid whenever there was a loud noise or a male came too close to her.

“
You’ve been so busy lately. Is everything alright?” Jo asked as she moved into his arms.

Manota slid one arm around Jo
’s slender waist, pulling her close. He cupped her jaw with his other hand, tilting her head back so he could lose himself in her beautiful eyes. He felt the tension melt from his body as she fit snugly against his hard length.

“
There have been some minor issues, nothing important. We should be back on Kassis in less than a week,” he responded huskily. “I love the feel of your skin against mine.”

“
Really? How much?” She asked as she wound her arms around his neck, letting her fingers play with the short strands in the back.

“
How about I show you?” He murmured, brushing a kiss along her cheek and down to the corner of her mouth.

“
How about I show you instead?” She whispered back. “It might be fun to have you at my mercy for a little while. Whenever we make love, you always seem to wipe out every thought in my head. Not that I’m complaining or anything,” she assured him, tilting back just far enough so he could see her face. “But, I think I would like to explore you this time.”

Manota was intrigued by the idea. They had made love many times but he had always taken control as their passion became more intense, driven by a primitive urge to capture and mate. He wasn
’t sure if he had enough control to resist taking over but he was willing to try.

“
If that will make you happy,” he said slowly.

“
I don’t think you will be too unhappy,” she murmured as she brushed her lips against his before pulling back and grabbing his hand. “Come here, big guy. You are about to be loved like you have never been loved before,” she added with a wicked grin.

Manota let her pull him toward their bed. She pushed him gently down onto the end of the bed. Kneeling in front of him, she pulled at his boots removing one then the other. Once she had them off, she rose gracefully to her feet. Bending over him, she pressed a hot kiss to his mouth as she pulled the stays holding his shirt loose. Once they were free, she pushed his shirt off his shoulders letting her nails tenderly graze over his heated skin.

“Jo,” Manota moaned as he reached up and cupped her breasts through the thin material of her robe. “I want you.”

“
I want to please you,” she said huskily. “Let me do this.”

“
You always please me,” Manota groaned out as she pushed him backwards until he was lying flat.

“
Oh no, you don’t,” she whispered, pulling back when he tried to pull her down on top of him. “You are not going to cooperate. I think I need to go to plan B.”

“
Plan B?” Manota asked in frustration as she pulled even further away. “If this is Plan A, I like it. We don’t need Plan B.”

“
Oh yes we do if I want to have my time torturing you the way you torture me every day,” Jo said looking at him with a sexy grin. “Take your pants off and lay down at the top of the bed,” she ordered.

Manota didn
’t wait for her to ask twice. His damn pants were in the way anyway. He tore open the fastenings and pushed them down. He kicked them out of the way before scooting up to the top of the bed, sitting and watching her arrogantly as her eyes widened on his throbbing cock. He gripped it tightly, stroking up and down the length as she watched.

“
Come to me,” he said with a knowing grin.

“
Oh no you don’t, my dear sexy alien,” Jo said with a shake of her head. “Tonight is MY turn.”

She walked over to the side of the bed and pulled out a tie that she had confiscated from the clowns
’ wardrobe. She didn’t think they would miss it. Making a quick slipknot on both ends of the brightly colored piece of fabric, she looped it around Manota’s wrist and threaded it through the emergency railing that ran the length above the bed.

“
Jo?” Manota asked, looking up at her startled.

“
You don’t play fair,” she explained as she wrapped the other end around his other wrist. “So, I thought I would even the odds a bit. I can’t think straight when you start touching me,” she admitted as she brushed another kiss over his lips.

“
I like that, though,” he responded huskily.

Jo chuckled softly as she slid off of him.
“I know you do,” she said.

She turned to walk over to a small device she had set on the table near the long couch. She bent over and pressed several buttons. Standing, she called out for the lights to dim to level two. Music with an unusual beat started to play, filling the room.

Jo began swaying to it, loosening the belt on her robe before letting it slide down her arms. She wanted to give him a taste of something different. She thought about the new dance routine that she was practicing with Sunny and decided to try it out on Manota. Under her robe she was wearing a long sheer gown that she had found in the marketplace during one of her forays into town unbeknownst to Manota. She loved dressing up in disguise and escaping for a little while to explore.

“
Gods!” Manota breathed out, pulling forward as far as he could to look at the length of her. “You are so beautiful, Jo. Can’t we skip Plan B?”

Jo refused to let him distract her as she continued swaying to the music, waiting for the next song to start. As the first song ended, Jo moved into position. She was facing Manota, her arms raised above her head and her head bowed. The pose looked as if she was hanging from a sacrificial alter, waiting for the beast who would claim her. Soon, the room filled with a dark passionate song. Jo moved sensually to the deep, pulsing beat as if she was awakening from a deep sleep and realizing that she was in mortal danger. As the music rose, she twirled lifting one knee up so the slit on the gown fell on each side as she bent her back in a graceful arch in perfect imitation of her struggle to free herself from the invisible bonds holding her. Once free, the music changed to one of discovery, of love, of wonder. She began moving as if she was making love, not only to the music, but with it. The dance became a symbol of a body caught in the thrones of passion. The gentle sway of her breasts rising and falling as the tempo increased and decreased. Jo was locked in a passionate climax as the sultry sound escalated, her body collapsing on the end of the bed as it faded away.

She lay motionless on the end, her arms out in front of her as she caught her breath. She had been locked with the music, images of her and Manota bound together in passion pulsing with the beat to the point she could feel the slickness of her own desire and the taut ache of need.

“
Jo, please,” Manota whispered, his arms sliding under her arms as he pulled her toward him. “I will try to let you explore me next time,” he promised as he lifted her limp body up so that she was straddling him. “For now, I need you.”

*.*.*

Manota didn’t know what to expect when Jo took the colorful ribbon out of the side panel next to the bed. When she had looped it over his wrist and then bound him to the bar above the bed, he was curious and slightly amused. He could easily snap the thin material. He thought she meant to tease him for a short time before releasing him. He never expected her to move away. When she started a strange melody from her world and ordered the lights to dim, he admitted he was more than a little intrigued. What he had not expected was the overwhelming reaction that burned through him as she began to dance. The movements were beautiful, sensual, and exotic. The material did little to hide her body but it was enough that it made him hunger to rip it off of her. It was not until the second song started that he became caught in a web of visual intoxication. The music and her body told a story of fear, hope, longing, and passion. He could see the story unfolding in his mind as she retold it through the movements of her body. He could see... her story. Her fear at being captured and taken to a new world, her hope of escaping, the sudden realization of her love for him - an alien creature so different from any other that she had met, and the passion they share.

He didn
’t remember snapping the thin material holding him captive or removing the tattered pieces from his wrists. He didn’t remember moving to the center of the bed. His mind and eyes were locked on Jo. His world narrowed to just her. Gone was the warship. Gone were the other humans. Gone was the room they were in. They were both bound to a world where only the two of them existed. As the music ended and Jo slowly sank down onto the end of the bed, as if drained of all life, Manota knew he was the only one who could give it back to her. He was the one who could fill her again with the passion that she brought to the world. He was the alien - who loved her.

“
Jo, please,” Manota whispered as he gathered her into his arms. “I will try to let you explore me next time. For now, I need you,” he choked out hoarsely as he guided her over his throbbing length.

He pushed the silky material of her gown to the side and aligned his shaft with her slick entrance. He decided he did not want to ruin the delicate fabric that both concealed and revealed her to him. Gritting his teeth, he slowly pushed up through her soft folds shuddering as the slick heat of her vagina encased his hard cock. He slid his hands along her arms, lifting them and placing them over his shoulders before wrapping his arms around her waist again.