by S. E. Smith
“The guards underestimated his abilities. He overpowered one of the guards and shot both of them. He escaped into the woods on the outskirts of the city as he was being transported to a holding facility.”
“He said he had special training. He used it on me when we fought.” Tink whispered softly. She turned worried eyes on J’kar. “He isn’t sane. I could tell from his eyes.”
“The guards?” J’kar asked.
“Both killed. He knocked one out and killed the other then shot the one while he was unconscious at close range. There was nothing we could do to save them.” Lan replied furious. He felt responsible for the deaths.
J’kar laid his hand on Lan’s shoulder. “I accept responsibility for their deaths. I should have killed him immediately.”
Lan looked at Tink. “Before one guard died he heard the Earthling say he had unfinished business with you and your bond mate. I would feel better if you had extra guards until he is captured.”
J’kar growled before nodding his consent. “Post extra guards around this area. I want some of our best trackers looking for him. Kill on sight. I will not have him harm anyone else.”
Lan nodded before leaving. J’kar took one look at Tink and knew she was fighting back tears again. Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her tight against his body. He would never let anything harm her again. He knew what it was like to almost lose her and he didn’t think he could ever live through it again.
“Come, you should eat something and sleep for a while. It has been a very trying day.” J’kar murmured as he picked Tink up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
Tink wrapped her arms around J’kar’s neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Just for a little while she wanted to feel safe and protected. “Will you stay with me?”
J’kar brushed his lips over her hair. “For a little while, until you fall asleep. I need to help with the search. I will send for my mother and Terra to stay with you. It will be good for you to meet her. There will also be guards posted outside the rooms.”
Tink just nodded. “I’m not very hungry but I will take you up on the nap. Can you hold me for a little while?”
J’kar laid Tink gently on the bed. “Of course, little one. Sleep now. All will be well. I will not let him hurt anyone else, especially you.”
Tink’s eyes were already closed. The strain of the day had finally been too much combined with the lack of sleep. J’kar held her close to him feeling her body slowly relax into a deeper sleep. He brushed a light kiss over the top of her head before he carefully untangled himself from her arms and legs. He could not resist brushing her hair back from her face and cupping her cheek gently in the palm of his hand. She was so delicate looking when she was asleep. His gaze traveled down to her stomach and he laid his palm on it smiling at the thought of his children growing inside of her. He knew she would be even more beautiful rounded with his children. He had much to do if he was going to bring her family to his world and capture the man who had tried to kill her.
Chapter 28
J’kar called for his mother and sister to join him in his living quarters. He paced back and forth impatiently waiting for them. He was furious at the human’s escape. Bachman was a dead man he just didn’t know it yet. J’kar was even more dangerous now that his bond mate was breeding. He would kill anyone who was a threat to his family.
J’kar strode to the door and flung it open when he heard the soft knock. Opening the door he gazed at his mother looking at her through new eyes. He would need her help and support if Tink was to adjust to their way of life.
Tresa ‘Tag Krell Manok was a woman known for her strength and beauty. She was the perfect complement to his father. Where his father was stern, imposing, and fearsome she was elegance, grace, and gentleness.
“Mother.” J’kar said with a bow.
“J’kar.” His mother acknowledged softly. “I am most pleased you are safe. I heard about the attack on your warship. I feared for your brothers’ and your safety.”
“All was well. I have good men and Borj and Derik fought well.” J’kar replied. “Please, come in and sit. I have need to speak with you.”
Tresa nodded and moved into the room looking around. She had hoped to meet J’kar’s bond mate. She had heard much and, she thought with a slight blush, experienced much last night because of the female’s influence. She couldn’t quite keep the smile from curving her lips as she reflected on last night’s experience. Teriff had come to her bed with restraints. She had expected it to be a normal occurrence of his needing to seek release. She had learned long ago not to resist him but to just try to enjoy the encounter as much as she could. What she had not expected was for him to do some of the things he had done to her. He had restrained her something he had not done in years. Instead of mounting her he had used his mouth on her to give her pleasure unlike anything she had ever encountered. By the end of the night she had been screaming out her release and begging him for more. He had made love to her over and over throughout the night and she had woken in his arms blushing, wanting more. She had never felt so well loved or satisfied in her life. She wanted, needed to speak with the female about how to please her bond mate as well as he had pleased her.
“J’kar, where is your bond mate? I would like very much to meet her.” Tresa asked softly as she moved to sit down on the large couch.
J’kar looked at his mother noting her pink cheeks with a frown. He hoped she was well. He did not want Tink exposed to any illnesses. “You are well, mother? Is Terra coming?”
“I am very well, thank you. Terra will be along shortly. She wanted to meet with RITA to discuss your bond mate’s breeding. She had medical questions she wanted to ask to make sure your bond mate gets the best care possible. I told her I would meet her here.” Tresa responded lightly.
“Tink is lying down. I am afraid I have not let her get the rest she needs.” J’kar said, his face turning slightly red. “I would like it if you could offer your friendship and guidance to my bond mate. She is missing her family, especially her mother and sisters. She needs their assistance during her breeding.”
“It is my understanding she is expecting two children. This is unheard of. I can understand her concern. I remember well how fragile I was while carrying you, your brothers, and your sister.” Tresa said. “I will be happy to offer her my friendship and guidance. I am glad you have found your bond mate, my son.”
J’kar smiled, “She is extraordinary. She is small but very strong and brave. She is different from the women here and I fear they may not understand or accept her. I need for you and Terra to protect her.”
“You needn’t worry. We will keep her safe.” Tresa replied seeing the love J’kar had for his bond mate shining from his eyes. She looked up when she heard the sound of a door opening. Standing up Tresa turned to get her first look at the female who had captured her oldest son’s heart.
Tink stood in the doorway looking uncertain at the woman standing next to J’kar. She was very, very beautiful. She was wearing the traditional dress and colors of his house. It was only when she turned that Tink was able to see the resemblance to J’kar in her face. Smiling shyly at the woman Tink moved forward pulling the robe around her small frame a little tighter about her.
“Hi.” Tink said as she wrapped her arm around J’kar’s waist. “I’m Jasmine Bell. Everyone calls me Tink.”
J’kar leaned down and kissed Tink on her lips murmuring softly, “You did not sleep very long, little one.” Tink just smiled and laid her head against his chest.
“It is a pleasure to meet you at last, daughter. I am Tresa, J’kar’s mother.” Tresa responded watching the interaction between her son and new daughter. She couldn’t help but notice how gentle J’kar was with the female or how the female seemed to enjoy touching him. She looked forward to learning more about her new daughter.
J’kar sighed before giving Tink another kiss. “I have to go out for a little while. Mother, please see Tink eats somethin
g. I will return as soon as possible.” Bending he murmured for Tink’s ears alone. “I love you, little one. Take care until I am with you again.”
He kissed Tink deeply leaving her breathless before he turned and left. Tink stood staring at the closed door looking lost.
“Come, child. Sit and have some refreshments. He will return as soon as possible.” Tresa guided Tink over to the couch gently pushing her down into the soft cushions. She poured some tea for Tink and handed it to her. “I have never seen my son look at a female the way he looks at you.”
“What do you mean?” Tink asked distractedly. She took a sip of the tea and let the warmth flow through her. She missed J’kar already and he had just left. She totally had it bad.
“He loves you.” Tresa said with a smile. “I am most pleased.”
Tink looked up startled. “You are?”
“Of course. I always dreamed my sons would find their bond mate. To find her and love her is a blessing of the gods and the goddesses.” Tresa said watching Tink’s reaction to her comment.
“I love him. I don’t understand how I can feel this way so quickly but I do.” Tink said softly. “I can’t believe we are going to have a baby.” She rubbed her hand over her stomach in amazement.
“Tink, may I ask you something?” Tresa asked hesitantly. She twisted the material of her long dress between her fingers nervously.
“Of course.” Tink responded suddenly cautious. Was this when the mother-in-law grew claws, she wondered.
“Last night Teriff, J’kar’s father and my bond mate, came to me. He…” Tresa took a deep breath and turned her face away from Tink, “he came to my bed. He did things… things I had never experienced before. He…oh, dear.” Tresa rose and walked over to the windows overlooking the gardens. Straightening her shoulders she turned and looked at Tink. “He used his mouth on me in ways I never knew were possible.” She finished with a nice rosy red to her cheeks.
Tink stared at J’kar’s mom for a moment absorbing what she was saying. “Are you saying he used oral sex on you?”
“Yes.” Tresa whispered twisting her hands together. “He told me he watched a vidcom on you telling the men on the warship about it. He said it was the most amazing thing and he wanted to try it.”
Tink shook her head trying not to laugh. She was famous for her sex ed class. Wow! “So, what is your question?”
“I want to do it again and again but I want to pleasure him the way he pleasured me. How do I do it?” Tresa asked anxiously.
“Oh boy, I could really use my mom here.” Tink said as she leaned back into the cushion of the couch. “Well, for starters you could….”
Tink and Tresa spent the next hour talking about all the things Tresa could try in the bedroom. Tresa’s eyes widened and she gasped a few times but she seemed really interested in learning about ways to entice her bond mate to greater pleasure. When the knock on the outer door sounded Tink didn’t know whether to be relieved or irritated. She was getting some really good ideas from the discussion they were having.
“Mother, I apologize for taking so long. I had a most rewarding discussion with Tink’s RITA.” Terra said as she came into the room.
“Hey, Terra.” Tink called out in greeting. It turned out she really liked Terra which turned out to be even better after learning she was J’kar, Borj, and Derik’s sister. “How’s it going?”
“Very well, thank you. I had a most enjoyable discussion with your RITA. She is very informative.” Terra said pouring herself a cup of tea.
“Hey, why don’t you tell me about it while I fix us something to eat. I could eat a horse right now.” Tink said as she headed for the small kitchen area. Opening cabinets she discovered several strange looking items.
Terra and Tersa laughed at Tink’s puzzled look pushing her gently into a chair as they took over the cooking. The three of them spent the next several hours talking about everything from the weather, to what Earth was like, to family and finally ending up back on their first topic – sex.
“So, you humans use toys as well during sex?” Terra asked in awe.
“You guys are asking the wrong person. You need to talk to my mom. She can tell you all the really good stuff.” Tink said with a laugh. A sudden case of homesickness hit her making her catch her breath. A sob escaped before she could stop it followed by another than another.
“Oh, my dear. What is wrong?” Tresa asked anxiously pulling Tink into her arms.
“I miss my family so much.” Tink sobbed.
It took almost half an hour for Tresa and Terra to get Tink calmed down. By then, Tink was totally exhausted. Terra gave Tink a light sedative to help her sleep and tucked her into bed.
“Mother, you must talk to father about bringing Tink’s family here. She needs them. I could not imagine being in her position without you, father and my brothers to support me.” Terra said anxiously.
Tersa smiled wickedly, “I will talk to your father. I believe I may know a way to convince him.”
“How?” Terra asked confused.
“Didn’t Tink say her mother could tell us more ways to pleasure our men?” Terra nodded suddenly understanding.
“Oh, mother. I never knew you could be so devious.” Terra laughed. She almost felt sorry for her father. If her mother’s plan worked Tink’s family would be with her very soon.
Chapter 29
J’kar frowned at the report he was receiving from the trackers. He had flown one of the search vessels to the last location the human had been tracked too. They had lost the human’s trail about halfway over the Eastern Mountains. It was almost like he had disappeared into thin air. J’kar worried it wasn’t thin air he had disappeared into but into one of the Eastern Mountain clans. They were a smaller warrior clan who lived in the thick forest. The warriors did not tolerate intruders to their region. If the human had just disappeared there was a good chance he had been captured by them. Kneeling, he looked at the ground then up at the dense forest covering. Turning, he looked at one of the two trackers who had met him.
“What information do you have?” J’kar asked impatiently.
“He was traveling fast much of the way. His tracks suddenly vanished here. We found evidence of movement in the higher levels of the forest and suspect he was taken up through the higher canopy.” One of the trackers said.
J’kar trusted the tracker’s judgment. He had been raised in the region and often traded with members of the Eastern Mountain clan.
“Use what contacts you have to locate him. I want him dead.” J’kar snarled. The tracker nodded and disappeared into the woods.
Borj moved to stand near him. Putting a hand on his shoulder he murmured. “Do you think the Eastern Mountain clan will kill him?”
“Not if he gives them something worth keeping him alive.” J’kar glared up at the trees. They were so thick not even the light from the sun could penetrate all the way through.
“What could he have to barter with?” Borj asked curiously.
“He took one of the vidcom’s from the warship. It had information about Tink. If they know of her they may try to take her.” J’kar turned to look at Borj with worried eyes. “If he tells of what human females are like it could become very dangerous for her. They are known for their hunting abilities. It can become very dangerous for her.”
“Hopefully he will use his charming personality to convince them and they will kill him as soon as he opens his mouth.” Borj suggested.
J’kar shook his head. He could only hope Bachman would be such a fool but he feared the human was much more cunning than they had given him credit for. J’kar nodded to several of his men and turned to return to the search vessel. He had been away from his bond mate most of the day and needed to see her, touch her, taste her.
Tresa waited until her bond mate came through the door later in the evening watching him carefully as he strode through their living area. She had spent the afternoon planning ways to convince him to allow Tink’s family to b
e brought to their world. She knew the council would go along with whatever he suggested. If he said Tink’s family needed to be here, it would happen. She would like to meet Tink’s mother, Tilly. She had fallen in love with Tink immediately recognizing the gentle and loving touch of the tiny female.
Teriff looked at Tresa trying to gauge her feelings as he strode through the room. When he had left his sons last night he had been burning with need. He had always found pleasure with Tresa and loved her in his own way but after last night he could not imagine looking anywhere else for pleasure. He had never known a physical relationship with his bond mate could be so explosive. He had done some of the things his new daughter had talked about to Tresa and her screams of release last night had haunted him. He had been hard for her all day. He was not sure of what he expected tonight. He had kept the restraints out in case he needed to use them again. He wanted to see if he could bring his bond mate of almost thirty years to pleasure again and again.
