He reaches for me and I pull back. It's instinctive. I don't mean for it to hurt him but it does. He can't hide the pain in his eyes, the way his wings droop, the smile falls off his face. I try to say something to make it better but I don't have any words to give him.
We stare at each other until at last he looks away. I try to reach for him. I want to, tell my hand to but my body is numb. The possibilities of a future I'd never considered paralyze me. I scoot closer to the fire and lie down, regretting having come up with this idea of game to pass the time. I never meant to hurt him but now I can't fix it.
13 CHERUB
*** Outside Looking In***
'No, no, no, silly girl. You know what's right. You know what to do,' I say.
They can't see me but I've been watching them. It's going perfect. They're finding their way just like I'd hoped. It'd been nice if I didn't have to put them through so much to get here. Oh well, doing what has to be done isn't always easy. I had to break down their defenses so they could really see each other.
She's not supposed to pull away. I can sense her fear but how do I fix it? Ah… I've got an idea.
******
JENNA
I'm warm and cozy. The stone floor seems absolutely comfortable and I don't want to get up. A bright light keeps trying to pull me to the waking world and I really wish someone would shut the damn thing off. Another hour, that's all I need. One more hour of good, solid sleep. I snuggle deeper in the covers and feel Biast's arms around me. I shift closer to him hoping to sleep a bit longer.
The light won't stop. Something about it bugs me, invades my sleepy thoughts and won't let go. What is it about the damn light?
"What the hell?" I ask, sitting straight up.
Covers fall away as I rise. Covers. What covers? I didn't have blankets. Blinking against the bright light I look around and know, with a sinking feeling in my stomach, I'm not where I fell asleep.
"What is-" Biast says as he wakes and sits up but cuts himself off.
He look around blinking much like I am. My clothes lie on the floor next to the bed just like I'd gone to sleep here. Which I know damn well I didn't.
"Son of a bitch, I hate that bastard," I growl.
"Jenna," Biast says and something in his voice stops me.
He's shaking his head.
"What?"
"This is… my home."
"How the hell did we get here?" Anger flashes white hot. "You did this didn't you? You just asked me if I'd come live here with you! Is this all part of some plan between you and that half-pint son of a-"
"Jenna!" he raises his voice, cutting me off with his hands held up in front of himself.
"What?" I bark.
"I had nothing to do with this, I swear to you."
"How am I supposed to believe you?"
Tingles run across my skin chasing the cold chills. Anger and fear vie for control as tears well in my eyes. This is too much. I just want to go home. Home to poor Cloud who I'm sure is missing me. Back to where things make sense.
"I didn't-"
"You have no right! I didn't choose this. I can't be here, what about Cloud? What about my life? What do I even do here? How do I fit in? How do I get home?"
Biast doesn't answer. My hands shake and tears stream down my face. Everything closes in on me. I can't believe this. I'm stuck here with him and somehow it's even worse than being stuck where we were. At least then we were both stranded, now he's home and I've lost mine. It's not right. The room closes in on me, my throat tightens, and my heart pounds in my chest. I want to scream at him, yell, do something but nothing is going to fix this.
I sink back into the bed holding my head in my hands. I'm an alien on an alien planet. In a culture I don't know or understand. I'm an outcast. It's too much.
Biast puts an arm around my shoulders then slides in beside me. I stiffen at his touch. This is his fault. He must be in on this with that dwarf-cherub. He doesn't say anything or remove his arm. I sob, tears shaking me, then I collapse against his chest. He pulls me tight but doesn't say anything.
The moment passes as do the tears. Wiping them away I sit up straight. Biast stays next to me but doesn't speak or present any arguments. What is there to say? I'm stuck here, maybe forever. The worst part? Cloud. What will he do without me? It's not like I have any close friends or anyone is going to stop by. Everyone I know is anonymous through YouTube. No one will come by to see why I'm not around.
A deep, shaky breath, then I pull myself together. Rising, I gather my clothes and start dressing. Biast does the same though he goes to a closet and gets himself clean clothes. That would be nice. My own clothes have been lived in for a while now, not to mention all the things that we've done to survive like killing monster dinosaur-looking things.
Biast looks me over with a critical eye. He goes back into his closet and pulls out several pieces of cloth. He holds them up for me to inspect. They're plain, tan and browns, but the cloth itself is very soft when I run it between my fingers. Why not? When in… wherever the hell I am… do what the natives do right?
Biast helps me figure out how to put them on. They seem less like clothes then layers of cloth that are strung together but once I'm in them they're incredibly comfortable. Loose, flowing, they're as close to wearing nothing as you can get while still being clothed. I have to admit they're just as comfortable as the sweat pants and baby T's I wear when I'm lounging around the house.
"Now what?" I ask.
"I would like to show you my home," he says.
I start to say something but he holds up a hand cutting me off. "I know. You may not want to stay here and if you don't, I swear to you my treasure, I will do my best to find a way to return you to your home. First though, come, see my home."
I want to argue with him just because, but that's ridiculous. This isn't his fault. The real blame lies with that dwarf-cherub creature. The least I can do is look around his home and see what it looks like.
Making up my mind I shrug then nod. He smiles, takes my hand and leads the way out. His apartment is nice. It looks mostly like any old apartment on Earth with the same type of stuff I have in my own home. One wall looks like it is some kind of a screen, it's reflective, maybe that's the television?
We exit into a hallway. So it's a high-rise type of building? I haven't looked out the windows yet. Too caught up in being overwhelmed. Now my curiosity is piqued. He holds my hand as we walk down a long hallway with multiple doors. We don't see any other people and it's eerily quiet. He opens a door at the end of the hallway and there's a box which must be some kind of elevator as there doesn't seem to be an exit.
We walk in and as soon as he shuts the door the box starts to lower. I didn't see him push any buttons and have no idea how it knows to start working. When it stops and he opens the door we walk out into an open floor made of what looks like marble. The walls are marble as well and straight ahead the wall is made of glass giving a full view of the outdoors. There are other people, like Biast, moving around the open space but the world outside grips my attention in full.
The sky is red. Really red, not some sunset reddish cast, like bright, blazing red! Outside the window high-rise buildings break the view of the open sky. Each of them covered with glass that glints in the blazing light. People, dressed in loose clothes like Biast and myself, move about their daily business. There's a beauty to the entire scene that takes my breath away. Looking up at Biast I give him a tentative smile.
"Welcome to my home."
14 BIAST
My scales tingle. I've never been so nervous in all my life. I'd rather do something that is likely to get me killed, like slip and fall into a zemlja tunnel, than this. What if she hates it here? What if my people don't like her? What if they don't accept her and I together? What the hell is this 'Cloud' she refers to?
Too many questions, no answers. A sheer act of will keeps my hand from trembling as I take hers. She's so completely, totally, perfect. I'm not certain I deserv
e her. Her beauty makes the stars pale in comparison. Her laughter is the music of the universe. She brings me to life and makes it worth living.
Watching her eyes light up when she sees the city makes my heart take wings of its own. My chest swells as pride fills me. Her grip on my hand tightens. A few people are in the lobby and looking side-ways at us but I don't care. She's alien but so what? Sure they're wondering why I'm with her as I'm no Ambassador but it doesn't matter. They'll get used to it. If she decides to stay, they'll have to.
"It's beautiful," she says at last.
"I'm glad you like it," I answer her then lead her through the lobby.
We're followed by stares, some more open than others, but she doesn't seem to notice and I choose to ignore them.
As soon as we step through the doors to the outside the heat of the planet hits us. The dome above keeps the temperature less than outside but it's still warm. Blissfully warm, a warmth I had no idea how much I would miss if it was gone. Until being on that other planet I had no idea that I could be so cold. Looking up into the sky I close my eyes and bask in it.
"Damn," Jenna says, wiping her brow.
Moisture is forming on her face. It beads across her skin. I've never seen anything like it.
"Are you okay?" I ask, concerned.
"Sure, it's just hot."
I gesture to the beads of moisture on her face. "Yes, but you're… wet."
"Yeah?"
I can hear the uncertainty in her voice as well as see the questioning in her eyes.
"Is it… normal?" I ask, trying to figure out how to without hurting her feelings.
"Of course it is!" she exclaims.
"Oh," I say, hurt, knowing I've said something wrong.
"I'm sorry," she says. "You've never seen anyone sweat before?"
"No," I say. "It's called, sweat?"
"Yes, it's how my body cools itself."
"How strange," I say and she smiles.
"Like having wings and a tail?" she teases.
"Point taken."
We walk through the city and I show her the sites. I want to introduce her to all my friends but they're at work so that won't be able to happen until late tonight when they return from the epis mines. People look at us as we walk. I notice it but Jenna seems oblivious to the occasional stares.
She looks around my city with wide-eyed wonder. I take as much enjoyment from her questions and looks as I have from anything ever. It's like seeing the city and the planet for the first time. We walk and talk for a couple of hours, enjoying each others' company. The longer we're together the more she opens up again until she's back to her normal self.
"I want to show you something," I say.
"Sure," she says.
I take her to one of the buildings close to us and we go into the elevator and ride it to the roof. When we walk out I lead her to the edge. She tenses as we approach. Her grip on my hand tightens and her steps slow but she keeps moving. When we're close to the edge I point. The building is close to the perimeter of the city giving a full view of the world outside the protective dome. The drifting sand shows in all it's glorious shades of red and white. The ragged rock cliffs, the rolling dunes, the light breeze that shifts the sand making it sparkle in the light of the suns. She gasps as her hand flies to her mouth.
"It's beautiful."
"Citizen Biast," a deep, commanding voice says behind us.
Turning, my heart sinks. This can't be happening, not now! Two men in full guard uniforms complete with vibro-blades and blasters at their sides stand intimidatingly.
"Yes."
"You need to come with us," one of them says and I nod.
"Biast, what's happening?" Jenna asks.
"The Council," I say, then realize that doesn't explain anything to her. "Our… rulers. They'll want to meet you. You're an alien and your presence here has to be explained."
"Oh," she says and in her voice and through her hand in mine I know she's afraid.
I am too. What if they say she can't stay? What do I do then? I'll go with her. Wherever they send her. That's the simple answer. I can't stay here without her. There's no point in my life without her in it. We follow the guards keeping quiet but my thoughts are filled with memories of my time with her. That first moment we met when I attacked the cherub. We couldn't understand each other but she laughed. Her laugh was the most beautiful sound. It lights my soul on fire.
We enter the Hall of the Elders following the two men. Jenna's grip tightens on my hand so I give her a reassuring smile. We're led into the Council chambers. The Council is already in session, waiting for us. The chambers are a large room. At the far side from where we enter is a raised dais with a long table. The Council Members sit behind the table staring at us. They're old and none of them smile at our entrance. The guards stop outside the door closing it behind us.
"Citizen Biast," one says.
He sits near the middle. There are nine council members, a mix of male and female. Searching their eyes I look for an ally but they give away nothing on their faces.
I straighten myself, ready to face them head on. "Yes Council."
For her I'll do anything. Whatever it takes.
"Who is your guest?" he asks.
"This is Jenna," I say with pride.
A murmur goes through the chambers.
"Where is she from?" he asks.
I stop and look at her. Jenna is withdrawn and upset. She's staring at the floor, not meeting my eyes. I squeeze her hand but she doesn't respond.
"Earth," I answer honestly. "But I don't know what or where that is."
"I see," he says. "Then how did she get here?"
"Well," I say, knowing this is going to sound stupid. "A small man-like creature, called a Cherub I believe, appeared in my apartment and told me he was taking me to my mate. I was then transported to another planet where I met her."
"A what?" one of the council members bursts out.
"A cherub," I repeat.
The council members look at each other, many of them shaking their heads. I hear someone mutter 'crazy'.
"Biast," the man who has been speaking says. "You must understand, aliens are only allowed on the planet after a full vetting. We have to answer to the Overlords. They don't let just anyone here. There are security protocols. You know this, all citizens know this."
"Yes but she's not a threat in any way," I say.
"How do you know that?" the same council member who burst out earlier yells.
The speaker turns and glares at the interruption, motioning a finger and the other sits back in his seat.
"Though he may speak out of turn, the question is valid."
The woman at the center of the table snorts. Everyone turns and looks at her. She is legend. One of the oldest Zmaj on the planet, decades older than the next in line. She rarely speaks at Council meetings. She stares at Jenna and I, her face inscrutable, giving no clue to where she stands on this.
"Because…" I try to find the words. "Because I know. Look at her. She is the most beautiful creature the Universe has ever created. She is perfect, she is mine, I claim her as my treasure. She is meant to be mine, even the cherub has said it is so."
Jenna looks up at me now and her eyes are wide.
Please, please don't argue with me. I know, we'll work it out later but please just go along for now. My words are true, believe me.
"That does not bypass the security protocols," the speaker says.
"I'm sure she can pass those with no problems," I say. "You have to understand. Please. I've never felt this before. We whisper of it but no one talks about it. This feeling, this knowing that she's the one, that my treasure has been found. The one I want to hold, to care for, to spend all my days with. It's overwhelming yes, but it gives me clarity. I don't care what the price is, I will pay it. I must spend my life with her. Protecting her, caring for her. It is what's meant to be."
Jenna stares at me and a warmth rushes through my face. It's almost an em
barrassment. I'm baring my soul not only to her but to the Council. I'm saying things we're not supposed to say in public. It's taboo, it's not spoken of, but I don't care.
"Biast-" the speaker starts.
"No!" I cut him off. "If she is not to be welcome here then I am not welcome either. I will go where ever she goes. If you will not welcome her to my home, then know I will follow her."
15 JENNA
Biast argues with the Council. They're aggressive and I don't know what to say. I can't even meet their eyes. The way they're staring at me makes me want to crawl under a rock and hide. Anything would be better than listening to them interrogating Biast. Their staring eyes weigh us as they hold our fates in their hands.
I don't know if I even want to be here. Can I give up my home? Everything I know for this? It is beautiful here. Stunningly so but it's not home. Biast is here though. Do I want to live without him?
I can't take him home. Earth is not ready for him. If we went there the government would lock him away in some Area 51 and do god knows what to him. I can't let that happen.
What am I thinking? I need to get home. Cloud needs me.
Really? That's my reason? I can't stay with this man who makes me happy, who makes my heart swell with joy just by the way he looks at me because my cat needs me? Oh god, am I a crazy cat lady?
No. No I'm not that. I don't think. Or is that what a crazy cat lady thinks?
I'm only half listening to Biast. It's too much to handle. The arguing, the debating, the questions and all these strangers staring at us. Glancing up I look down the line of people behind their table. They're all large, old, and imposing. The woman in the center who looks like she's older than all the others put together stares at me. She has rheumy eyes, her scales are dull with a hint of gray about them. Our eyes lock and something about her pulls at me. I can't put a finger on what it is. She makes me think of how my grandma was before she passed. Old, crotchety, yet caring with a heart of gold.
Ribbed For Her Pleasure: Scifi Alien Dragon Romance (Celestial Mates) Page 7
