“You must,” he replied gently.
She lifted her head to stare at him.
“You expect me to be the keeper of the universe? No, I can’t do it. I won’t do it,” she cried.
He placed his forefinger under her chin and looked deeply into her stormy grey eyes.
“You can and you will. I will help you, prepare you to assume your role as guardian of the universe,” he said. “The ability lies within you. You just have to tap into it.”
“I don’t know,” she whimpered.
“Trust me, Jess. Believe in me as I believe in you. I know you can do this,” he said softly.
Jess couldn’t hold back any longer. She threw herself into his strong arms. He held her against him tightly and kissed her neck. He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her. He had wanted to touch her intimately for years. He finally allowed himself the pleasure. Jess was taken aback at the intimate gesture but did not pull away from him. She had fantasized about him kissing her for a very long time. She just wished it had occurred under different circumstances. She wasn’t sure how she should react knowing what she did about him; and about herself. She was in no position to think about romance when she had the weight of the universe on her shoulders. But it did feel good to be in his arms. It was a place she longed to be so she didn’t break the embrace. Troy leaned back against the cushions and brought her with him. She felt good in his arms; as if she belonged there. He knew he should probably begin their journey but he so wanted to just enjoy this moment. He decided a few minutes wouldn’t hurt. He would relish this time for he didn’t know if there would ever be another. He kissed the top of her silver head and held her tightly.
Chapter 2: The Journey of Begins
Jess awakened the next morning in her bed. She was confused as to how she had ended up in her pajamas. The last thing she recalled was sitting on the couch with Troy, snuggled in his arms. Did she change into her pajamas and not recall? Impossible. She felt a movement beside her. She froze. She knew without looking that it was Troy. My God! What had happened last night? Why was he in her bed sleeping like a babe? And more to the point, what had happened before he fell asleep?
“Good morning,” Troy said sleepily.
“What are you doing in my bed?” Jess snapped. She sat up in bed and turned to face him.
“Now who’s lacking in social graces?” Troy grinned.
“Get out! Get out of my bed,” Jess ordered.
“No. For the time being I’m comfortable where I am,” he said. He adjusted his pillows and crossed his arms behind his head.
Jess was outraged at his answer. She threw a pillow at his head. The pillow hit the bull’s eye of his face. He casually tossed the pillow aside.
“There’s no need for violence,” he chastised her.
“Oooh!” she exclaimed in frustration.
She picked up another pillow and was about to throw it at him when he quickly grabbed the pillow from and pinned her on the bed. His actions were so fast that Jess had not time to blink. He crouched over her like a cougar ready to pounce. Her dark grey eyes were bigger than the full moon as she stared at him suddenly afraid. Troy saw the fear in her eyes and immediately relaxed his pose. He never wanted her to be afraid of him. He pulled her into his arms.
“Never fear me, Jess. You never have in the past. Do not start now,” he whispered.
She swallowed.
“I’m not afraid of you,” she said quietly.
“Are you sure? Tell if you are and we will work it out,” he said.
“I’m sure. I’m not afraid of you. It’s just that I’ve never seen you like this before. You’re different somehow. A little more menacing,” she mumbled.
“I don’t mean to be. But you will begin to see me as never before for I am now my true self,” he explained. “The boy you first met in junior high and even the man you’ve come to know may not always be the person that you will now see. I am in my natural form and as such you will see characteristics that may astound and/or scare you. But never will I hurt you. Remember that. Everything that I do is to protect and care for you.”
She nodded. He pushed his hair back from his face. She noticed his ear. She gasped as she stared at it.
“Your ear!” she exclaimed.
He sat back and held his hair so that she could look her fill. His ears were slightly pointed and the lobe was so flat against his hear that it was almost non-existent.
“Your ears were not like this before.” She said in awe.
“When I fought the Wulshuk I reverted back to my natural form,” he explained. “And there’s no need for me to change into human form now that you know who I am. I am not so different from the humanoid except for my ears and of course my special skills.”
“You mean your powers,” she clarified.
“Yes,” he replied.
“I think they’re cute,” she said as she reached out to touch their small peak.
He allowed her to satisfy her curiosity and touch them. Then he gently removed her hand.
“I’m glad you like them. But it is necessary to hide them and appear as everyone else while I am on Earth,” he said.
“I can understand that,” she said. She was silent for a few moments. Then she spoke so quietly that Troy had to strain to hear her. “Troy, am I human?”
Troy took a deep breath. He knew she would soon ask when she connected all of the dots. Jess was a smart girl. It wouldn’t take her long to do that.
“No. Not completely,” he answered.
“I don’t understand. Am I of mixed species?” she asked in confusion.
“Yes. But I will tell you more on our journey. We will have plenty of time for Topal is quite far from Earth. It will take us some time to get there,” he said.
“Do I really have to leave here, Troy?” she asked in dismay.
“Yes, Jess you do. I know it is frightening to travel millions of light-years into the unknown. But it is necessary to save your life and ensure the well-being of the universe,” he said gently.
“All of this is so foreign to me. I’m not sure how to cope,” she said miserably.
He grasped her hands.
“I’ll be with you, Jess. To teach you. Support you. Comfort you. I’ll be whatever you need to help you through this transition,” he said earnestly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you, Troy. With everything that has happened I don’t think that I’ve properly thanked you,” she said sincerely. “I realize I behaved badly yesterday and I am very sorry. I’m really not a brat. You know I’m not.”
“Hmm, I’m not too sure about that,” he teased.
“Troy! You know better. I was just knocked off balance. It was a lot to take in, you have to admit,” she said.
“I’m teasing you. I know you’ve been dealt a loaded hand and I do not blame you for your reaction. I understand it,” he said seriously. “Come on. Our journey must commence.”
He got out of bed and pulled her with him. Jess breathed deeply. Her life was about to change forever. It would never be the same. What would the next chapter of her life hold?
*****
Jess hugged her mom tightly and then her dad, Paul Leyman. Troy had implied that she should meet her natural parents but she had dismissed the notion. Paul and Monica Leyman were the only parents she had known and the only parents she wanted. Now she was about to go far away from them to the unknown. How would she ever survive without her dad’s strong shoulder to lean on or her mom’s gentle wisdom to listen to? None of this was fair. She shouldn’t have to separate from her family to become the queen of a galaxy that she could care less about.
“I will come back. I promise,” Jess swore.
“We know you will. We love you so much,” Monica said with tears in her eyes.
“And I love you; more than I can possibly express,” Jess responded tearfully.
“Take care of her, Troy. I am holding you responsible for her well-being,” Paul said.
�
��I will. You have my word,” Troy answered. “I will contact you throughout our journey.”
Paul nodded. Troy gently pried Jess out of Monica’s arms and led her to the door. Troy picked up Jess’s travel bag and opened the door. They exited the small cottage and began walking toward the woods. Jess looked back at her parents. They stood on the porch and waved and threw kisses to her. Jess stopped to blow and kiss back to them. She then turned and continued walking without looking back. She couldn’t look again for fear she would run back to them and never leave. That’s what she wanted to do. Every fiber in her screamed that she return to the safe haven of her home. But her home was no longer safe for her. It was targeted by strange creatures who wanted to kidnap her and force her to use powers that she had no knowledge of. It was all so very frightening. They soon entered the woods and Troy quickened their pace. They walked for a long while before Troy stopped in front of a small clearing. The woods stood beyond the grassy expanse. Jess looked at Troy’s intense expression.
“What’s wrong? Do you hear something?” she asked. She remembered how he had heard the arrival of the Wulshuk before they appeared.
Troy began to smile.
“Nothing is wrong. Everything is right,” he said cryptically. “Watch.”
Jess frowned as she looked straight ahead of her. All she saw were the trees of the forest. Then suddenly the trees began to part and a doorway of bright light appeared in the forest. Jess was shocked as she saw the trees begin to configure the shape of a space ship.
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed.
“Exactly,” Troy chuckled.
He grasped her hand and they moved forward. Jess pulled back in fear. He looked at her and smiled gently.
“There’s nothing to fear. This is my spaceship, here to take us home,” he said. “It assumed a camouflage of the forest to avoid detection.”
Jess gulped as she looked at the enormous spacecraft. If she entered, would she ever come out of it? Panic gripped her and was surging through her body.
“I don’t think I can do this, Troy,” she said haltingly. Jess began hyperventilating.
Troy saw her condition and cupped her face.
“It’s alright, Jess. Just breathe. Slowly. In and out,” he instructed.
Jess began to calm. She stared up at him and her clouded grey eyes were full of anxiety.
“Trust me, Jess,” was all he said.
Jess thought that was easy for him to say. He knew where he was going and what to expect when he got there. She on the other hand, felt like she was about to step into an abyss and fall into nothingness.
“Come,” he encouraged.
She looked at the mammoth craft before her and saw it swallowing her up where she would die a slow death in its belly. She took a deep breath and moved forward with him. They reached a sparkling ramp that reflected the cosmos. Despite her fear she had to admire the beauty of the incline. When they passed through the portal the ramp rose to click into place. Jess then heard a thunderous roar and felt the craft lift from the ground.
“Come and see,” Troy said excitedly.
He led her to a huge bank of windows. Jess looked through the window to see the forest become a tiny speck as the ship climbed into the sky. Soon they had passed through Earth’s atmosphere and had entered the galaxy. The planet Earth was soon no more than a dot in the realm of space. Jess was in awe as she took in the brilliant stars and magnificent clusters.
“It’s beautiful. Spectacular. I can’t describe the sheer wonder of it all,” she said in amazement.
“It is pretty astonishing. I never tire of staring into space,” he murmured.
“It’s so full of life, vigor and vitality. There’s a feeling of movement and excitement. Yet it’s so peaceful and serene,” she whispered. “I could stare at it for hours on end.”
“I’m glad we share the same feeling,” he smiled into her glittering grey orbs. “Come. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
They moved down a corridor and paused in front of doors that automatically opened for them. They stepped through the opening into a room full of activity. Jess recalled the image of the Bridge on the ships of Sci-fi movies. This room reminded her of what she had seen. People were positioned at different stations around the perimeter of the room occupied in their tasks. There was another huge window that extended the width of the craft. And in its center was the chair. The captain seat. Jess chuckled as she thought to see Captain James T. Kirk seated there. Troy heard her mirth and looked askance at her. She shook her head to dismiss his enquiry as nothing. He led her forward. A tall, muscular, bearded man noticed them and moved toward them. He smiled broadly.
“Troy, my man!” he clasped Troy’s hand and hugged him. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long. You were just a lad the last I saw you. I wondered if I would see you ever again.”
“You saw me a year ago. You’re becoming senile,” Troy joked.
Jess wondered how this man had seen Troy so recently when he’s been on Earth for years. It was something she would have to ask Troy about.
“After three hundred years of life it was bound to happen,” the man laughed.
“Three hundred years! You’ve got to be kidding me,” Jess thought. “He only looks forty, if that.”
“I want you to meet Jessica Leyman,” Troy said.
“Ah! The passenger we were sent to retrieve,” the man said.
“Yes, along with me,” Troy grinned.
“You, I could leave on Earth. But for this beautiful creature I would travel the galaxy to serve,” he said.
Jess blushed at his fulsome flattery. Troy rolled his eyes.
“Jessica, this is Captain Ashton,” Troy introduced.
“Welcome to the Commodore, Jessica,” Captain Ashton said graciously.
Jess and Ashton exchanged greeting.
“Thank you, Captain—
Jess paused. She realized that Troy had not said Ashton’s last name. She looked to Troy to provide the last name. Troy read her mind.
“We do not have last names as you know it,” Troy explained.
Jess thought it strange but mentally shrugged. She was sure it was only the first of odd things she would encounter on this long voyage.
“Captain Ashton,” Jess replied politely.
“Call me Ash, my dear. Such formal address makes me feel old,” Ashton said.
“You are old,’ Troy joked.
“Only you can get away with saying such vile things to me, Troy. I will refrain from my usual response as we have the fair Jessica in our midst,” Ashton said effusively.
“You have a smooth and silver tongue,” Jess laughed.
“Do not allow his flattery to mislead you. He is harder than granite and the best captain in our fleet,” Troy said.
“Now who speaks with the silver tongue? But I thank you. And it is truly a pleasure to meet and be of service to you, Jessica,” Ashton said as he bowed to kiss her hand. “If there is anything you are in need of, you have only to ask.”
“Thank you. I’m sure such a marvelous ship has everything I could possibly want,” Jess murmured.
“She is precious cargo and should be treated as such,” Troy said meaningfully.
Ashton stared at the V neckline of Jess’s blouse. He saw the Galaxia Star. Ashton looked at Troy seriously.
“That is understood,” Ashton returned.
“I will make Jessica comfortable and then you can tell me about home,” Troy said.
“Ah! Yes, there is much to tell. Make our guest comfortable and then we will talk,” Ashton said. He smiled, bowed to Jess then moved away.
“I surmise from his attitude he knows who I’m supposed to be,” Jess said a bit tartly.
Troy turned to face her.
“He knows who you are. And in time, you will know it as well,” Troy said tersely. “Come.”
Troy turned to go through the automatic doors again. She followed resentfully. Jess felt that he had used the word ‘com
e’ an inordinately number of times. She was beginning to see a dictatorial side of him. Sooner or later they would clash in that regard. She wondered who would reign as victorious after the skirmish.
*****
Troy traveled through a maze of corridors. They finally entered a lift that transported them several floors above the level of the Bridge. The doors opened and Troy walked several more feet to another door. He passed his hand over a small square display panel that was green in coloring. The door slid open to the left. Troy gestured for her to precede him inside. Jess walked into the room and gasped at the lavish luxury. The sofas, chairs, desk, bed, lamps and décor all spoke to her every comfort. The muted lighting was soft and cozy. The primary color of tan was used for the sofas and chairs. While the pops of orange and yellow accessories were warm and inviting. The desk was femininely delicate in design yet quite sturdy. It held every electronic device she may want to use. She finally turned to look at the massive bed. It was big enough to sleep at least four people. She probably would get lost in it. Troy led her to the bathroom that was a woman’s delight. The jetted spa tub was incredible. Jess couldn’t wait to relax in its depths. There were sweetly scented bath oils, salts and gels. She selected a bottle of bath salts and lifted it to her nose. She breathed deeply of the vanilla fragrance and smiled. She turned to Troy who had been watching her closely.
“This is heavenly. I can’t wait to take a bath,” she sighed.
Troy could see her slender naked body relaxing in the tub. He saw her raise her shapely leg and glide the sponge along its length. He shook his head and gripped the door jamb tightly to control his desires. Jess did not realize the effect she had on him; she never had. And this was not the time to lose sight of his duty.
“I shall leave to allow you to experience the luxurious bathroom. I am glad it is to your liking,” he said.
“Liking? I love it,” she grinned.
“I will leave you to it then,” he said as he turned to leave.
“Troy,” she called after him.
He reluctantly turned to face her.
“Yes,” he said a bit abruptly.
Heart of the Galaxy (Paranormal Romance Aliens) Page 2
