Scerior

by Jilly Bowling

  Jo and Kylie looked at each other in horror. What would Acorus do when Julie was found? Both girls knew that he wouldn’t take her running away lightly. They sat next to each other on the couch finding comfort in their friendship. Even Kylie who Acorus called ‘little one ‘knew that his anger was terrible. Jo thought of the conversation she had overheard between Julie and Tchaka, had Julie been seeing another male and had she run away to be with him. Surely after all the years Julie had been with Acorus, she wouldn’t risk everything for an infatuation?

  Kheta and Khala came out of the bedroom and said to Jo that Lord Acorus wanted her in the bedroom. Jo looked at Kylie nervously, feeling quite frightened. She knew that when he was in a bad mood it was quite easy to say the wrong thing. At that moment Tchu, Tjai and Tsu came in carrying trays of food and drink. Kheta explained what was happening and then he and Khala left the room. Kylie suggested that some of the food was taken into Jo’s room in case Acorus was hungry and Jo had just moved to her bedroom door, to open it for Tchu and Tsu, when the door was flung open and Acorus said through gritted teeth

  “Does nobody here do as they are told anymore? Get in here Jo!”

  Against her better resolutions Jo’s anger rose and she snapped “Give me a chance. I’m just getting some food for you. There’s no need to shout at me!”

  Acorus’s arm shot out and grabbed her, pulling her into the room, slamming the door on Tchu and Tsu. As she was dragged into the room Jo ‘heard’ Tchu saying ‘Keep calm and control your temper’. She would have fallen into the room if Acorus had not caught her in his arms. Looking down into her eyes he smiled slightly and said “You are still the same waspish female I have been remembering over the last few days”.

  Lowering his head he found her mouth and kissed her passionately. Jo was so surprised that she just stood there not knowing what to do. When he had kissed her thoroughly he reached behind her and opened the door, Tchu and Tsu were still standing there not sure what to do. Acorus laughed and said “Set the food on the table out there, Jo, Kylie and I will eat together”.

  After the three Escorii had scurried about laying out the food and drink Acorus filled his platter and started to eat hungrily. Kylie asked him where he had been and he told her that wasn’t important. What was important was what they knew about Julie’s absence. Kylie told him that she didn’t know where she could be; only that she hadn’t been herself lately.

  Acorus sighed and said “Have you ever really known what Julie is like?”

  Jo looked at him in surprise, what did he mean? She could see that he looked very tired and that this was the last thing he needed to have to deal with. When he had finished eating he leaned back among the cushions on the couch and closed his eyes. Kylie leaned over and kissed him on the forehead and as he opened his eyes in surprise she said “It’s been a tiring day so if you don’t mind I’m off to bed”.

  Acorus lifted his hand and stroked her cheek “Goodnight little one. I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep well”.

  As Kylie left the room he turned to Jo and growled “Spill the beans, blondie!”

  Jo burst out laughing at his attempt at an American gangster’s drawl and he grabbed her and pulled her down onto his lap. She gasped at how aroused he was and laughingly said “Oh, so you’ve missed me”.

  “Well not necessarily you” he drawled and started to laugh as she hit him.

  Jo snuggled into him and said “To be honest, I don’t really know what Julie’s up to. I did hear an argument between her and Tchaka which sounded as if Tchaka knew something. I didn’t know what to do, and was trying to decide whether to ask Lady Ileya”.

  “No, Ileya would be the last person to ask, she’s fond of Julie and wouldn’t be able to see any wrong in her”.

  As Jo tried to take in what Acorus meant there was a quick knock on the door and Acorus shouted in his own tongue. The door opened and to Jo’s surprise Belain came in with Julie’s arm held tight in one hand, and it was obvious that she had been crying, she also looked very frightened.

  Jo jumped off Acorus’s lap but didn’t have a chance to move any further or say anything, as he grabbed her and firmly sat her down on the couch saying quietly but firmly “Sit there, don’t move and don’t say anything”.

  The look he gave her ensured that she did exactly as he told her. Belain was still wearing his armour and as Acorus rose he saluted him in the Sceriae way.

  Acorus said “You have found her then, brother. Take your ease and tell me how”.

  Still holding Julie Belain reached up and removed his helmet. Jo was surprised at how easily it came off as the Sceriae armour really looked as if it was the wearers own body.

  She was even more surprised when she saw his face. Physically he was the spitting image of Acorus. The same good looks, the same dark hair and bright blue eyes. But his eyes were cold and there was a cruel look to his face. As she had noticed, even in his armour he was shorter than Acorus but wider.

  As Jo was taking in his appearance he rubbed a hand over his eyes and said, “She was waiting for me when I returned to my house. My servants were persuaded to let her stay and had provided her with food and drink. As you can see I have chastised her and told her that she belongs to you. It is not up to her who she lives with”.

  Julie started to cry again and Jo moved as if to get up but Acorus turned and gave her a look, so she subsided onto the couch again. Acorus sighed and said “Come, sit down, both of you, and let us talk and find a solution”.

  Belain led Julie to a couch and they sat. Julie, to Jo’s surprise huddled close to him as if he would protect her. Then Acorus said “When I agreed to let you be together as long as Julie was pregnant by me, I thought it might be a solution to our problem. But obviously, Julie, you are unhappy in my house, bearing my young. Why didn’t you speak to me? You might have ended up in a dangerous situation, wandering through the city alone”.

  Julie gulped and said “I’m sorry that I worried you, but I have to be with Belain. I am nothing to you, only a broodmare. I feel nothing when you mate with me. It’s driving me mad, I love Belain and I know he likes and wants me. Yet, because I belong to you he wouldn’t let me leave you”.

  Acorus turned to Belain “Have I grown so remote from you brother, that you could not speak to me?”

  Belain shook his head and replied, “You know the problems I have had in the past with earthling females. They are so weak and feeble that I hurt them when I don’t mean to. Somehow it is different with Julie. She is not afraid of me when I am aroused. She likes to be handled roughly as you know, which is why she doesn’t suit you, especially now you have another female. I hesitated to ask for her as mine, as I know I am not approved by the council. Everyone knows of my temper, that I killed a female and that another killed herself rather than be with me. As long as Julie belonged to you I felt safe to be with her because you know I would do nothing, purposely, to anger you. However now, I have to admit that I like her and admire the way she has adapted to life on Scerior, and I have to admit also that she has beautiful babies”.

  Acorus laughed and said “They may not be as beautiful if they are yours!”

  To which Belain replied “You know I was always the better looking brother!”

  Looking at Julie, Acorus asked “Do you want to go with Belain, to live in his house and bear his young?”

  Julie answered, with hope in her eyes “Yes I do Acorus. I’m sorry I don’t love you, but I can’t help the way I feel”.

  “Well then, it is decided. You will go with Belain but the new babies will remain here until it is time for them to go to nursery. The Escorii will look after them and bring them to see you whenever you want, but they will live here” decreed Acorus.

  Jo thought Julie would object, but Kylie had been right when she had said that Julie didn’t have strong maternal feelings. Acorus turned to Jo “Would you ask
Tchaka to come out of Kylie’s room, so that I can tell her what is happening”.

  Jo jumped up and tapping on Kylie’s door went in. Tchaka was sitting in a chair looking very worried. When Jo entered she jumped up and asked what was going on. As quickly as she could Jo told her what had passed between Acorus and Belain, and Tchaka closed her eyes in relief. Jo could see that Tchaka had known of the arrangement with Belain, she probably hadn’t approved but had kept quiet because of her loyalty to Julie.

  Kylie was sitting there aghast. She hadn’t known a thing and was shocked at the way Julie had behaved. As for Julie preferring Belain to Acorus, she couldn’t believe it!

  When Jo went back into the main room with, Tchaka following behind, Acorus had offered Belain food and drink. He was tucking in hungrily but Julie was just nibbling at what was on her plate.

  The two males had been talking in their own tongue, but broke off as Jo entered the room and sat down next to Acorus. Julie jumped up and going to Tchaka hugged her and said “I’m so sorry that I worried you, but you knew how I was feeling; please forgive me for putting you through all this. Will you come with me to Belain’s house?”

  Tchaka opened her mouth and with a gasp of surprise said “Live at Belain’s house?” and she looked at Acorus who replied

  “Yes I have given Julie permission to move out of my house into Belain’s house. If you would like to go with her, I have no objection, but if you don’t, that will be alright also”.

  Tchaka frowned and looked at Julie “What about the little ones and Tseya and Tsuma?”

  Before Julie could answer Acorus said “They will stay here until it is time for them to go to the nursery, and Tseya and Tsuma will remain here to look after them”.

  At that Tchaka raised her head and looked at Julie “I cannot come with you, my life is here in Lord Acorus’ house. If Tseya or Tsuma would like to go with you I will stay and look after the babies”.

  Julie pleaded with her to change her mind but she was adamant. She didn’t approve of what Julie had done and no longer felt that she could trust her. Tseya and Tsuma were asked what they wanted to do and Tseya wanted to stay with the babies but Tsuma was happy to go with Julie as her maid, probably thinking it was an advancement of sorts.

  After that everything was quickly sorted, Tsuma packed a few of Julie’s things and the rest would be sent the next day. It was arranged that Julie would express her milk and it would be picked up every day. Finally, Kylie having joined them, Julie said goodbye, promising to come and see them, often, and maybe they would visit Belain’s house too. Jo could see that Kylie wasn’t too surprised at what had happened, so perhaps she already knew some of it. She hugged Julie and said she hoped that she would finally be content. Then Julie turned to Jo and said “I hope you are happy too Jo. It’s obvious from the way Acorus treated you that he thinks a lot of you. Maybe you can teach him how to love!”

  Jo wondered if the way Acorus had been with her had made Julie even more unhappy than she had been before. She felt awful that she had only worried about herself and making a good life on Scerior. Then common sense came to her rescue, it was obvious that Julie’s affair with Belain had started long before Jo arrived. Maybe the fact that Acorus preferred to be with her, had forced Julie’s hand, but it would have occurred sooner or later. Once Belain and Julie, with Tsuma in attendance, had left, Kylie said goodnight and retired to bed again.

  Acorus was sitting on a couch with his head on the cushions, looking totally exhausted. Jo poured them both a drink and sat down beside him. As he felt her sit, he opened his eyes and when she offered him the drink he took it and drank slowly looking at her over the rim of the tumbler. Jo drank from her tumbler and leaned companionably into him. He lifted his arm so that she could snuggle into him and put his head back on the cushions. Jo realising that he was completely drained, just lay there quietly saying nothing.

  They sat there together for nearly thirty minutes until Acorus moved and said “We really must go to bed, Jo. It has been a difficult few days and I have had very little rest. I will tell you all that has happened tomorrow.

  Jo sat up and said “Of course. Would you like me to sleep in Julie’s room? I don’t mind if you want to be alone”.

  Acorus looked at her and frowned “Are you saying that you don’t want to sleep with me? Is it because you are pregnant?”

  “Of course I want to sleep with you, you idiot, don’t you know by now that I love you?” Jo cried. Then she thought ‘There now I’ve said it. ‘

  “Calling your Lord and Master an idiot is not a wise thing to do”, growled Acorus “However, if love is wanting to be with someone, missing them and thinking of them when away, wanting to ‘make love’, is that what you call it, then I think I am suffering from it too” and taking Jo’s head between his hands he kissed her thoroughly. Jo almost drowned in the pleasure she felt and wrapping her arms round him returned his kiss as passionately.

  When they came up for air Acorus said “Much as I would like to ‘make love’ to you all night, I think it would kill me so come to bed and cuddle me all night”.

  With that they quickly retired to bed and with Jo safely tucked into him Acorus fell into a deep sleep.

  Chapter 15

  Jo woke up the next morning to feel Acorus’ hands stroking her body. She lay there savouring the feeling of being loved. When Acorus replaced his hands with his mouth she couldn’t help moaning with desire. Realising that she was awake he flipped her over and straddled her. She laughed at the sudden movement and said “Good morning, Lord and Master”.

  “Ah” growled Acorus “At last you have learned to accept your position”.

  But as she started to tickle him he dropped his stern expression and started to laugh, trying to capture her hands, which she managed with great dexterity, to keep out of his way while still tickling him.

  Lowering his weight onto her he managed to subdue her and as he tickled her face with kisses she stopped tickling, so at last he captured her hands in one of his. He pulled her arms above her head so that she was helpless beneath him. This time, instead of trembling with fear, she trembled with passion and opening her legs welcomed him inside her.

  As they lay there, both trembling with the aftermath of passion, Acorus looked down at her and said “I did not know that making love could make me feel like this. I have ‘mated’ many times but no female has ever made me feel as you do” and as he spoke he moved onto his side so he would not crush her.

  Jo turned her head and looked at him, smiling at the amazement in his eyes “On Earth, throughout history wars have been fought because a man loved a woman. True love they say can move mountains”.

  They lay there contently for a while and then Acorus sighed saying that he must get up as he had so much to organise. He leapt out of bed and Jo watched him without any embarrassment, thinking he is such a perfect specimen, his muscles rippled as he moved, and his skin gleamed golden, under a fine sheen of perspiration. She breathed in deeply to take in that fantastic musky, clean odour of him and could feel herself warming with desire.

  She moved to get out of bed herself but Acorus told her not to join him in the shower, as he mustn’t be sidetracked. Jo laughed and said that she would organise some food.

  So pulling on a kaftan, she opened the bedroom door and called for the Escorii. Tchu answered immediately. She had been hovering by the door, and went off to organise the food.

  It arrived just as Acorus came out of the shower also just wearing a kaftan. Kheta and Khala had entered with the females and now were fussing around Acorus, who told them to stop fussing so much, he was capable of showering and dressing himself. As the male Escorii went to leave Acorus relented and said he would call for them when he needed to put on his armour.

  Jo watched him as he ate, thinking about what he had said the night before, she couldn’t believe what she had
dreamed about had come true, and then her thoughts turned to the girls who hadn’t been so lucky. It must be a horrific experience, to be forced to have child after child only to have them taken away at four months old. She wondered how she was going to react and then reassured herself that, like Kylie she would be able to see her baby every day.

  Her clever analytical mind knew that the babies were taken to the nursery for a reason.

  That was how all the people of Scerior had been raised, and obviously it was important for them to be brought up in the Sceriae way, if they were going to be future citizens, maybe even sitting on the Council. She knew that humans like Alexis were teaching the girls some things about Earth and thought that was a good idea. It was the abducted humans who needed help. As she mused over what she could do to help them she noticed that Acorus was looking at her in amusement. She looked at him and said “What!”

  He laughed as he said “Were you on another planet? I asked if you would like to know where I have been?”

  “Sorry I was day dreaming. I’d love to know where you have been”.

  So Acorus told her that that he had taken a battle fleet, to try and rescue the Chomanays, that the Xenorii were holding captive. He and his officers had worked out which dead planet they must be on from the direction that Haaka had been told to send the signal, telling them that Acorus was dead. When they were within striking of the planet he had sent out unmanned spy drones, to learn exactly where the Xenorii were holding the Chomanay.

  After they had ascertained where, and how many the Xenorii were, Acorus had led his elite soldiers on a fast night time raid. The Xenorii hadn’t stood a chance, most died fighting but a few had surrendered which Acorus found strange because it had never happened before. However he had brought them back to Scerior to be questioned. Jo asked if any of the Chomanay had been harmed and Acorus told her that all but four had been rescued. Unfortunately one young male had died, fighting when a Xenorii raped him, and three adults had been drained of too much blood.