It was Zara who reached for Jessie’s hand this time. “Jessie, Looch is your ayah. I knew it the first time I was in a room with you, Leigh and Looch. I permit you to do anything you feel necessary to help Looch. My father is the one who brokered the deal. For the first time in my life, I’m deciding for myself. I’m revoking the remaining bonding period.”
~~~~~~~~
Jessie found herself numbly walking with Leigh towards the healing ward which housed Sloane and Looch. “I have had Lian make the oil you need for Looch’s massage to Riley’s exact specifications. Do you want me to stay with you?”
Jessie smiled towards Leigh. “No, it’s a little weird to have someone watch me.”
“I understand. I’ll wait for you across the hall with Lian and Lyon.” Jessie nodded her acceptance.
Leigh left Jessie to her task. She circled Looch’s prone body assessing her method of massage. Swedish massage with a hint of deep tissue application would be perfect in this situation. Just when she was about to start, she heard a whisper of her name in the air. Jessie looked around and found Sloane’s eyes not only open but looking straight at her. “Sloane?” Jessie immediately hit the emergency response button on the wall, then ran to Sloane.
Leigh, Lyon, and Lian burst through the door thinking trouble was a foot. Once Lian and Lyon realized Sloane was awake they rushed to her side. “Please Princess Jessie, let me tend to her.” Lyon said scooting by her. Sloane looked groggy but in excellent condition. Jessie noticed the jaundice was gone, and so was the pain in her eyes.
Sloane tried to get into a sitting position but was still too weak to do so. Lian grabbed a glass of fresh water and gently lifted her body enough for Sloane to bring parched lips to the glass and take a small sip. “That tastes phenomenal.” Looking around to everyone Sloane finally asked, “Can someone help me sit up? I feel like I’m in a coffin and you’re all looking at me. It’s freaking me out.”
Lian and Lyon jumped into action immediately. “Lyon her respirations have increased, and I scent her distress.”
“I scent her distress as well. Princess Jessie, will you please hand me several of those pillows to help support her back?”
Jessie grabbed the pillows, and while Lian and Lyon gently lifted Sloane, Jessie slid the pillows behind her back. Jessie looked intently into Sloane’s eyes, then hugged her. Jessie smiled, and a lone tear slid down her cheek. “I’m so happy you’re better.”
Lian lifted the glass of water to Sloane’s lips again, “Sip, my love. Lyon and I have kept you well hydrated, but it will be better for you to take water and nourishment yourself.”
Sloane sipped the water then asked the question, “How long was I out?”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the room. Jessie whispered, “Almost two months.” Sloane looked broken.
Lyon’s voice was rough with emotion. “Ayah…you were so close to death. We know the Goddess would have taken you with open arms, but you came back to us.”
Sloane was surprised by Lyon’s declaration but smiled sweetly to both Lyon and Lian. “Thank you for that. I don’t mean to change topics, but what’s wrong with Commander Looch?”
Jessie looked to Looch then back to Sloane, “An advisor to the Kings and Queen poisoned Looch. Why? We don’t know yet. I was getting ready to massage Looch with an oil Riley made to try and counteract the poison and wake him.”
Sloane nodded slowly looking deep in thought. “Why did Lian call you Princess Jessie?”
“Long story, but I’m bonded to Leigh. Looch and Leigh are the Princes of Arenia.” Jessie beamed.
“Oh Jessie, I’m so happy for you. You’ll have to tell me the whole story later, it seems I have a lot to catch up on, but for right now, I’ll leave you to it.” Sloane made a gesture to get up from the healing unit when Lian and Lyon stopped her.
“You are not fully recovered. I know you may feel better, but you’re still too weak to stand. Please allow Lian and I to transport you to the other room.” Sloane was silent, but graciously let them carry her to another room with Leigh in tow so they may tend to her.
Jessie was once again alone with Looch. She took the massage oil Riley had designed and poured some onto her palm, then started to warm the oil by rubbing her hands vigorously together. Starting with Looch’s back, she made a long sweeping motion to disperse the oil onto his taunt golden skin. When she felt confident the oil was distributed evenly, she started to knead the largest group of back muscles. Taking her time, she slowly and methodically massaged her way down Looch’s body, then back up to his neck and out to his arms. All the while making sure she sufficiently applied and massaged the oil into every nook and cranny on Looch’s body.
By the time she was done with the back of his body, her hands were fatigued and shaking. She used her comlink to call some healers in to help position Looch face up. Queen Maya had given Leigh strict instructions not to touch Looch for fear he’d fall ill as well. So Leigh sat there and watched the healers gently turn his brother’s lifeless body over. Leigh loved his brother and knew in his heart Looch would complete their triad union. Looch would give Jessie all of himself just as Leigh had. Together they would love her with all their being. This antidote must work. Thought Leigh.
With a meek smile, Jessie told Leigh. “This will work. Let me massage his front. Then we’ll give it some time. If nothing happens, I’ll do this all over again, until he wakes up.”
Leigh gave her a slight nod, then left the room with Lian and Lyon. Jessie was again alone with Looch and started the same massage process as she’d done on Looch’s back.
Only this time she could see his handsome face. She took in all Looch’s handsome facial features in great detail.
She chuckled as she continued to massage Looch. This man…this obstinate, willful, abrasive man. He saved her from a horrible death. He made sure she and her friends had every comfort possible. He warned off Gade and Aryn, knowing Marie had reservations about men in general. Both, he and Leigh never let her pull away from them. Looch had taken her virginity which she gave freely to him.
Jessie realized Looch was, in a good way, the dark to Leigh’s light. They complimented each other in so many ways. They were never jealous or resentful of each other. When one of them had to do something significant they carefully placed her in the care of the other without reservation.
The situation hit her like a freight train. She needed Looch in her life. Looch completed their bond. She loved Looch. I love Looch.
When Jessie finished Looch’s massage, her hands were trembling. She washed her hands, then pulled a chair close to the table. Before she sat down, Jessie shakily caressed Looch’s face, then peppered chaste kisses along his jaw and lips. When she finally sat down, Jessie placed her hand in Looch’s and rested her head against his upper thigh, fatigue of the day overtaking her. “Please come back to me Looch. I love you.” Jessie whispered as tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
She didn’t know how long she lay there by Looch’s side but woke to someone gently stroking her hair. She looked up to see Looch’s huge emerald eyes staring back at her. Jessie began to cry in earnest. “Looch?”
“I’m here, ayah. Please don’t cry. It breaks my heart, and this is a glorious day.” Looch stated in a raspy voice.
“Of course it’s a glorious day. Riley’s oil worked. Do you feel alright?” Jessie said while standing up.
Looch sat up and grabbed Jessie’s face between his two large hands and kissed her with passion. Breaking the kiss, Looch said, “I feel rejuvenated. I love you Jessie, and I now know you truly love me.”
Jessie was apparently happy, but also confused. “I do love you Looch, but how do you know that?”
Looch traced what Jessie thought to be Leigh’s mark on her arm, but the way he traced it felt different than what she thought Leigh’s mark looked like. She looked down to see Looch’s mark intertwined with Leigh’s. Although the marks on Leigh and Looch were very manly, the combination of the two intertwin
ed on Jessie’s skin, highlighted in white were feminine and beautiful. “Looch, it’s your mark.”
Looch kissed her again with all the emotion of a starving man. Finally breaking the kiss, Looch smiled a devilish smile. “You are mine, Jessie. I’ll not lose you again.”
When she smiled back and nodded to Looch, he all but sprung up from the table causing the sheet to fall to the floor and leaving a very aroused and very nude Looch standing there. Jessie chuckled. “Again, don’t you guys believe in clothes?”
Looch swept her up in his arms and gave her a wolfish grin. “Ayah, I was unconscious and defenseless against your advances. It is I, who is the victim here.”
Jessie opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, feigning mock horror. “You need to put me down and get some clothes on. At the very least you need to wrap the sheet around yourself. What if someone…”
As if on cue, the doors to the medical ward opened and there stood Leigh and Lyon. Lyon didn’t even try to hide his laughter. Leigh, on the other hand, tried to cover his laughter with his hand. “I’m relieved to find you well, brother. After you dress and are checked out by Lyon, we will celebrate.”
Chapter Nineteen
Since Looch had emerged from the healing unit a week ago, his brother and himself were genuinely dying a slow and agonizing death. Although they thought they would finally have the bond they were destined to have with Jessie, she had other ideas. She had put a halt to any sexual activity until the Earthling wedding custom. She’d even gone as far as to get a separate room to sleep in. She told them something about waiting would make their wedding night more special. Neither Looch, nor Leigh were fond of waiting but would do as she wished.
Queen Maya, on the other hand, was ecstatic to be planning a royal celebration. She spent every waking moment planning for the royal wedding reception. She invited kings, queens, and dignitaries from neighboring allied worlds.
Earlier in the week, Jessie had asked King Taavi and Raiden to walk her down the aisle and give her away to Looch and Leigh. They were a little reluctant at first, but once Jessie explained the significance of walking her down the aisle, they both puffed out their chest in manly pride and agreed immediately. Since Arenians didn’t know what a wedding was, let alone the vows usually spoken during the ceremony, Riley officiated. Sloane was her maid of honor and Marie and Teagan were her bridesmaids. Jessie decided not to have groomsman as Marie and Teagan didn’t seem overly comfortable around men in general, and Jessie wanted the ceremony to be stress-free for everyone.
Apparently crying at weddings is a universal commonality even on other planets. Queen Maya cried happy tears throughout the whole ceremony. Looch, Leigh, and Jessie had recited their vows together as one to signify their unity. Now that their small quiet family wedding was done, the reception was looming over Jessie. She was afraid she’d start an interstellar war with her lack of grace. Looch and Leigh scented Her apprehension because they were both right by her side with encouraging words.
“So far everyone who has met you loves you. You have nothing to fear.”
“Several months ago I thought humans were the only species in the whole universe. Look how I treated Meesa the first time I saw her. What if I make a mistake?”
Looch took Jessie’s hand and gently kissed the back of it. “Although you’re perfect in our eyes, we know you’ll make mistakes along the way. That’s why Leigh and I are here. There will be many other species in attendance. Not all species believe the same things Arenians do. Some will look very different from us but don’t be afraid; we will guide and protect you.”
Looch’s declaration calmed her nerves until the doors opened in the grand ballroom. Everyone in the ballroom stopped what they were doing and parted ways until a clear path down the middle presented itself. Looch and Leigh lead her down the path to the dais as everyone bowed as they passed. When they reached the bottom of the dais, Looch and Leigh turned Jessie to the crowd. While they both still held her hands, Leigh whispered from the side of his mouth, “Bow to everyone.”
She complied and bowed to the crowd. While Jessie, Looch, and Leigh all bowed in unison toward the crowd, Queen Maya, King Taavi and Raiden stood from their thrones at the top of the dais. Queen Maya announced, “I, Queen Maya Aren, matriarch of Arenia, present to you with much pride, my sons, Prince Looch and Prince Leigh and their ayah, Princess Jessica May James-Aren.”
As Looch, Leigh, and Jessie rose from their bow, cheers and clapping erupted from the guests. Jessie looked at Looch, then Leigh and smiled. Leigh kissed the back of her hand and whispered again. “The receiving line will start. Don’t speak unless spoken too. Bowing is a universal sign of respect and is acceptable with almost all species within the allied worlds. Smile Jessie, they already love you.”
Jessie was dumbfounded with all the different species that were in attendance. She couldn’t remember all their names due to the sheer number of people there were. She was thankful the first King she saw was a RaBatt. She was at least familiar with the species. He had six females in two straight lines trailing him. The king bowed, then the females and in turn Jessie bowed to them all.
She just couldn’t get over how different everyone was from each other. Some species were covered in feathers; some had translucent skin and she could see all their internal organs and bone structure. Others had a reptile vibe going on with all their scales and yet others had deep purple skin with trunks where their hair would be.
Anything and everything you could imagine, she saw on the receiving line. She was relieved when they were done meeting everyone. She sat down for just a moment when Meesa came up to Jessie bowing. “Princess Jessie, Zara sent me to find you. She’s in need of your assistance. Could you find it in your heart to take a break?”
Looch and Leigh eyed Meesa with contention, but Looch was the first to speak. “Why would Zara need anything from Jessie? She has maids for dressing and warriors for her protection.”
It was Jessie’s turn to eye Looch and Leigh. “She apparently asked for me, what does it matter why? She’s my friend, and so is Meesa. Of course, I’ll help them. I need a break anyway. This has been a little overwhelming, to say the least.”
“We will go with you to ensure your safety” Leigh stated firmly.
“Nonsense, I’ll take guards with me, but you need to stay to keep appearances. The people came to see us. If someone asks just tell them I had to freshen up for just a bit and will be back soon.”
Looch growled low in her ear. “I don’t like this. There’s something you don’t know about the RaBatt. Due to their constant production of pheromones, it masks all other emotions. Arenians can’t scent their true emotions, nor can we tell if they are lying.”
“A while ago you couldn’t tell if Zara was lying either. So I guess we’re going to have to go on good old-fashioned faith. You know I can take care of myself.”
Sitting back in his seat and pouting like a petulant child Looch sneered, “Fine, take Gade and Aryn with you.”
“First of all; I’m not one of your servants, I’m your wife. You won’t snap your fingers at me and have it be so. I have my own mind and exercise it on a regular basis. Second, I’d never do that to Marie. She’s frightened enough with Gade and Aryn I can’t just take them with me and leave Marie with two other hulking men she doesn’t know. Give me some other guards, and I’ll take them.”
Looch gently grabbed Jessie by the back of the neck, pulled her forward and kissed her forehead. “I love you, ayah. Please don’t be sore with me. I only look out for your well-being.”
Jessie kissed him back and then Leigh. “I love you both too. It’ll be alright. I’ll go with Meesa and be back in a flash.” Finally, Looch and Leigh relented and sent two guards with Jessie and Meesa.
They walked down the corridor in complete silence, which kind of unnerved Jessie. When they arrived at Zara’s room, the guards stood outside while Jessie and Meesa went inside. Once the doors closed, Jessie moved towards Zara sitting i
n a chair with an odd look on her face. “Zara, what’s wrong?”
It was then; Councilman Cerin came out from behind a pillar Zara was sitting in front of. “So nice of you to join us, Princess Jessie.” Cerin spat. He settled a knife to Zara’s neck. “You’ll do as I say or you’ll be the person responsible for Zara’s death.”
“You’d kill your daughter?”
“You’d be surprised at what I’d do for power. But first, Meesa please quietly secure the door. If you alert the guards in any way, I’ll kill them both.”
Meesa did as she was told, then walked silently towards Cerin but as she passed by Jessie, Meesa whispered, “I’m sorry to deceive you princess, he was going to kill her if I didn’t do what he said.”
“It’s okay; you were right to come get me.”
“Meesa, when you’re done dawdling, please come to me.” Cerin sneered.
While Meesa strolled towards Cerin, Jessie was wracking her brain to figure out a plan to get all of them out of here safely. Keep him talking, and stall is all she could come up with. “What are you going to do with us Cerin? You know Looch and Leigh will figure things out and come looking for us. What will you do then?”
It all happened in slow motion. Cerin took something out of his pocket with his free hand and placed it on the side of Meesa’s neck and depressed a small lever which in turn sent an electrical current through Meesa. The shock was so harsh, little bolts of electricity came out from the tips of her long ears, singeing the hair. Without a sound, Meesa immediately fell to the floor in a heap. Jessie stepped towards Meesa, but Zara let out a slight whimper which caught Jessie’s ear. When Jessie turned her attention back to Zara, Cerin had made a small cut on Zara’s neck. A slow-moving rivulet of blood started to trickle down Zara’s neck.
Jessie (The Mark Series Book 1) Page 17