“You know I would not have made it without him, and if it had not been for that boat Captain, ah Pisces. Did he make it or did Marcus kill him? He swore he was going to.�
“Pisces is recuperating also. I have spoken to him. He won’t be charged with a crime. He did the best he could. Ainu has dismissed the charges and he will retain his Pacifica citizenship. I told him just a few minutes ago. He was very relieved as he has family there. Pisces came to me while you were unconscious and apologized for what happened. He felt responsible. As bad as his injuries were, I don’t know how he managed to get out of bed.â€�
Jessica’s parents joined them and seeing they were both reasonably alert and feeling better. Harold broached a subject that had been bothering him since the conversation he discussed with his daughter about her marriage to the Atlantian Lord.
“Young man,� he began by addressing Xerxes. Jessica knew that tone of voice from her father and wondered what he was going to say to the Lord of Atlantis. “It has come to my attention that you consider yourself married to my daughter.�
“Yes sir,� Xerxes stood, answering in a very respectful manner, “By Atlantian law, we are man and wife.�
“Son, I am aware of that, but I think Jessica deserves a wedding with all the trimming including standing before a minister. After all, she has friends and a family. I think something should be arranged.�
Jessica would never have believed it but Xerxes blushed to the roots of his blonde hair. “Yes sir,â€� Xerxes looked at the woman he loved. “I think it should be. I had planned a small informal ceremony in Atlantis, but I can see you are correct.â€� He took Jessica’s hand. “After this matter with Marcus has been adjudicated, security will much easier to handle. He has had us all in a very difficult situation, because of him I came close to losing control of not only Atlantis but of losing Jessica.â€�
“Good son, I knew you were a reasonable and honorable man.� Harold decided he liked Xerxes more by the minute, he would be a good son-in-law and it would take a man as forceful as Xerxes to handle his strong-willed daughter.
They remained in space another two days due to Jessica and Anthony’s recuperation. Ainu remained in Pacifica but checked on them periodically and Pisces transferred back down as soon as he was well enough. He was welcomed as a hero much to his bewilderment. He willingly made plans to voyage to Atlantis with his wife when the time came to testify against Marcus at his trial for treason.
On the day before Barrous’ guests were to return to Atlantis, he hosted a dinner party in their honor, Ainu returned from Pacifica and joined them. Recovered, Jessica and Anthony were able to enjoy the delicacies prepared in their esteem and a grand tour of the ship followed given by Barrous.
“I will be leaving after I drop you at Atlantis. Ainu has already taken a shuttle down to Pacifica,â€� he explained as they all prepared to leave. However, I will be back in time for your wedding Jezzika.â€� Barrous told her. “My life mate, Lee’lane is about to give life to our second,â€� as he explained birth “or I would have brought her to Pericles’ wedding, but how will you explain us to your Earth friends?â€�
“You are my friend, Barrous, I do not need to explain you.â€� she kissed his cheek and he turned pink. “I hope you will come and bring your wife and children. Jessica looked at Bruce with C’Lar next to him and please bring your niece with you, perhaps she will consent to be one of my attendants at our wedding.â€�
“Weee will try!â€� he waved and they boarded the shuttle to return to Earth. Barrous’ Starship became just another star as they broke through Earth’s atmosphere in the dark of night.
Slipping undetected beneath the green-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Harold, Maureen and Skip were speechless. Bruce was so exited he could hardly contain himself at the sight of Atlantis. Marcus, still in restraints and under guard sat sullenly in the back of the shuttle, grimly returning to face a death sentence.
Harold found his voice first, “Your Realm is beautiful beyond words, Son.� his voice betrayed how impressed he was, pausing a moment he asked, “What should we call you?� he asked Xerxes.
“I am honored to be called your son, Harold, please do so when you wish.� Xerxes replied humbly, “We are informal in Atlantis. Only on the most formal of occasions would any of my people call me other than Xerxes.�
“And on those occasions how should we address you, or our own daughter for that matter?� Maureen asked.
“Lord Xerxes is more than adequate and your daughter is referred to as Lady Jessica as you would be Lady Maureen, and Sir Harold or Sir Anthony.� Xerxes paused, “Or Sir Bruce, who, if you wish Bruce, will be appointed to our board of Antiquities since Marcus back there will no longer hold that position.�
“Lord Xerxes I would be so notably honored, thank you,� Bruce glowed.
Jessica squeezed her husband’s hand and he turned to look into her glowing eyes. “Thank you.â€� She said with her lips.
“Well Lord Xerxes,� said Maureen, “you have a most beautiful world, are we now residence of it?�
“My wife!â€� Anthony exclaimed, “She is pregnant with our first, I can’t leave her.â€�
“Arrangements will be made, Anthony, don’t worry. I asked Ainu to contact her already; she knows you are well. We can discuss your futures as soon as I have a little more information on how much damage was done by our captive in the back.â€� Xerxes explained as their shuttle docked.
An honor guard waited for their Lord and his Wife as well as their guests. An armed guard awaited Marcus. Captains of that guard were his Nephews who had recuperated from their recent minor injuries sustained in Jessica’s rescue and wore grim expressions of disgust for their disgraced uncle.
“So my nephews have achieved the rank of Captains of the Atlantian guard.� Marcus said arrogantly to the young men.
“Do not speak to us Traitor, it is our honor to serve Lord Xerxes and escort you to holding as well as give evidence against you. You have brought disgrace to our family, a black mark that both Anke and I will try to absolve with our service.� Nuba gave Marcus a slight push as the guards led him away.
Unknown to either of the young men, but at all times their actions drew close observation until their allegiance confirmed their fidelity. Much of their loyalty already established by the return of the Vortex Stones and the rescue they had participated in.
Jessica parents’ apartment adjoined Xerxes’ own so that they were not far away from Jessica. Anthony’s was nearby. Jessica saw to their comfort while Xerxes went to catch up on Atlantis’ internal affairs with Geb and Alena at his office.
Bruce, taken to the spacious apartments befitting a Councilor, not far away. His new aids informed him where he could obtain needed apparel until he could move his things from West Palm Beach. On Xerxes orders, Bruce was now officially Minister of Antiquities, was escorted to his office building where he was introduced to his secretary and the rest of his staff. His secretary showed him to his office, but paused before she opened the door and explained that Marcus had kept the Department in a constant manner of chaos and his office reflected this. Bruce was shocked when she opened the door. Looking around in astonishment at the lack of order, he knew it would take him a month of hard work just to understand what the office contained. He immediately started with Marcus’ desk and soon became so engrossed with the level of the man’s insanity that he found in the form of his diary, he lost all track of time.
As promised, a communications link was securely set up so Anthony could call his wife and speak with her at his leisure. She was eight months along and Xerxes knew Anthony was concerned over the stress this affair had caused her. Their conversation was a long one - one for which he did not need to worry about the phone bill or t
he security of their conversation. He was informed he could tell his wife full details of his adventures. Xerxes explained Ainu had contacted Cathy, Anthony’s wife, several days earlier to assure her he was well and would be in touch with her soon. Ainu visited Cathy in person, and feeling out the situation, he decided that Anthony’s wife deserved more than a phone call, which she might not have believed.
Alone after so many days apart or in situations where Xerxes and Jessica could not be intimate, Xerxes drew his wife into a heated embrace. At last, they found themselves at home, in their own apartment where no one would disturbed them. Jessica had not thought of these roomy chambers as home until now and now she knew it would always be home. She looked to Xerxes, who watched her walk slowly around the living room and she came to stand before him, both looking into the other’s eyes without touching. Xerxes arms went around Jessica as hers did him, both kissing for long moments leaving them both breathless.
“Jessica!â€� Xerxes’ voice was stern. He allowed his full authoritative command ability to flow into his tone. “If you ever try something that foolish again I swear I will beat you!â€� His voice cracked at the end.
“Oh really?� Jessica drew back in feigned astonishment, knowing that he would never do such a thing.
“No,� he admitted the vision of her deathly ill fresh in his mind and the black vortex he had fallen into while he waited outside her treatment room before he had gone into her.
“I did not think, Xerxes, I did not trust in you or your love and I am truly, extremely sorry,� Jessica told him, repentant. “Never before in my life have I ever loved anyone the way I do you and never have I had to trust anyone in that manner.�
“Ainu had just orchestrated the meeting with your parents. He told me at Pericles and Alena’s wedding everything had been arranged. Ainu also told me to tell you immediately. I should not have waited.â€� Xerxes pulled her down on the couch, “However, if you had not done what you did, we would not have discovered the Vortex Stones were gone as quickly as we did. Marcus took them only moments before your escape, had they been in place you would not have been able to leave.â€�
“That is what you told me before, but you did not tell me why?� Jessica asked and waited for an explanation.
“With out the proper codes no one can leave Atlantis. Before a vessel can cross the Vortex, it must be cleared through Atlantis’ Controllers. With the wedding celebration, they were busy with all the out of area guests, the theft wasn’t noticed as efficiently as it would normally be. But because you were missed only moments after you had left,â€� Xerxes paused remembering her tears fresh on the parchment note she had left him, “we quickly were able to initiate the old back-up system to cover Atlantis. Marcus didn’t know we had it. If he had disclosed Atlantis’ location, or forced you to do so, it would not have done him one bit of good. At least for sixty-five hours, then the old system quit, seven hours early. As it happened, his nephews returned the Stones just in time to put the Vortex back online.â€� Xerxes explained just how close they came to detection.
“Xerxes, it would seem to me Atlantis needs a better back-up, why don’t you, ah, we have another set of Vortex Stones. After all they are just very pure sapphires aren’t they?â€�
“Yes, but very pure sapphires are not just lying around on the ground.� Xerxes said with some humor.
“No,â€� Jessica said with tempered patience, “but one of the best places in the world to find sapphires is in the mountains of North Carolina, in the United States. When I was a child, we use to go gem mining there. We could go on a vacation there, you and me.” Jessica smiled slyly. “Hiking and bicycling in the mountains would be fun and kayaking in the streams.â€� She looked lovingly up into his eyes. “Can you ride a bicycle, Lord of Atlantis?â€� Jessica wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed him with longing, her tongue brushing his temptingly. “Camping comes to mind. I think I might like sleeping in the cool mountain air in a tent with you in one sleeping bag.â€� Again, they kissed, Xerxes taking control of Jessica’s mouth, Jessica savoring the sensations she had feared she would never again feel. The couch that Xerxes had once threatened to remove seemed very comfortable to two lovers separated for so long a time.
Xerxes caressed his wife and remembering how close to losing her he had come, his kisses demanded more from her. His lips followed her neck down to her breasts, pulling her blouse from her. He carried her to their bedroom to lay her on the bed that had not felt their weight in many days. Xerxes lay next to her and pulled her back into his embrace to just hold her close and feel her body molded to his. He took her face between his hands and looked into her warm, passionate brown eyes, then his lips gently took hers. His tongue massaged hers then he stopped to nibble on her bottom lip moving to kiss her face. He felt his wife unbutton his shirt while he kissed her, Jessica’s small hands roved over his chest and back to caress Xerxes’ heavily muscled shoulders as she pulled him to her.
“I want you!� Xerxes heard Jessica say. “I need you, and I love you.�
He stopped to look into her eyes again, “I love you more than my own life,� he told her. “It was hell to be forced to secure Atlantis before I could come after you. Can you forgive me?�
“I knew you would have to. You had no other choice. That is one part of you that I love - your sense of duty and honor. I know I can always depend on you for that. There is nothing for me to forgive. It is you to forgive me for my lack of trust in you.� Jessica buried her face in his shoulder, a little sob escaping before she could hide her tears.
“Never hide your tears from me again Jessica. I know if you have been driven to them, you have good reason, share with me your joys and your sorrows. I love you I want to know when you are in pain.â€� Xerxes told her then took her lips before she could say another word. “I can see now we do need a formal ceremony between us,” Xerxes told her. “One that has solemn vows of love, honor, and cherish, in sickness, and health, so that you are bound before God to tell me when you are in pain, and sorrow.”
Jessica returned his passion with her whole being. She remembered being adrift at sea, certain she would die and never again feel his touch, how she had sat forlornly on the beach and missed his kisses. She gave herself up to his lovemaking encouraging his touch with her own. Vaguely Jessica remembered the frightened girl who had been terrified in this same place of ecstasy, and the gentleness of her husband’s touch arousing her body. Now her body demanded his. Jessica clung to her husband as he whispered his love for her, and she for him, swearing never to part from him again. His hands caressed her over her clothes, removing the obstacles deftly as she did his. He planted kisses from his lips down to her breasts, and then nuzzled her breasts as if worshiping them. Xerxes mouth found her breasts arousing her slowly to the warmth of his love for her. Swearing, to himself, to always venerate her in their lovemaking never to take her quickly just to satisfy his lust.
Jessica moaned, “I thought I would never know your touch again,â€� she sobbed.â€� I sat on the beach and cried for you. I remembered how you held me that first night and didn’t force me. When I was adrift with Hammer, I remembered our wedding night and how you must have suffered to restrain your passion and make my first experience glorious.â€�
Xerxes hands cupped each precious breast gently, and smoothed a hand down her over her ribs, waist and her hips to spread her legs, careful of her bandaged and healing wound. His hand lightly passed over the flame-colored hairs of her mound. He wove his fingers through them and felt Jessica jump slightly from his touch. Xerxes cradled Jessica’s precious body close and his lips sent waves of desire through her body that burned from a different fever now. He produced a groan of desire deep in Jessica’s throat, and she arched her hips to the touch of his lips. He knew this area of their sex play was sensitive for hi
s wife, but he knew too that it pushed her to a higher climax, and he loved the level of ecstasy it drove her to.
“Xer…” Jessica started to protest.
He looked up at her, “I am High Lord here, my love, and you know that.�
“Yes but…â€� her voice was husky and low, her eyes full of passion and desire.
He smiled, “I love you and will have my way, hush. He began to kiss her flame red hair. She moaned then gasped at his torturous teases. “Not yet, honey, wait.� Xerxes commanded and returned to his delicate torture of her sex. He could see her clinch the bed sheets in her hands, and she gasped as she strained to wait as he bade her.
Xerxes returned to her lips when he sensed she was coming too close to climax. Jessica sighed and looked into his eyes, sliding her hand from the sheets, grasping his hard cock, and returned the pleasures he had given her. Xerxes’ eyes turned a dark aquamarine, a color they only turned in his passion. His lips teased hers, and he at last took full possession of them, his desire leaving Jessica breathless.
Jessica said in a low husky voice. “I called out for you while I was on that horrible ship, but I have no idea what I said.� She blushed, tears running from her eyes.
Xerxes smiled, he knew what she was meant, her parents may be knowledgeable of their bedroom play. He stopped. Xerxes chuckled at her revelation, not caring that they knew, and kissed her. His body covered her as if he were a magnificent shield, her arms around his neck, her fingers laced in his blonde hair. As gentle as he was on their wedding night, he joined with her precious body, so thankful he hadn’t lost her. He smoothed her long hair from her face, a hand on each side of her face to kiss her deeply as he began to build their rhythm to a crescendo only they could hear. Jessica joining his rhythm, lost in the depth of his eyes, as he was hers until they cried out in their mutual passion’s zenith.
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