Jo's Journey (3 page)

He watched as she sighed again in her sleep. She was still restless, even with the sedative Shavic had given her. Something was bothering her. He had noticed her increasing quietness over the past week. He thought it was worry about her sister’s injuries but there was something else as well.

Unable to stand the sight of the dried blood on her skin, Manota slowly approached the bed. He could easily call for one of the women who remained in his House to come take care of her but he wouldn
’t.

No, she is mine to care for whether she
is ready to accept it or not,
Manota thought as he tenderly began stripping the clothes from her slender body.

His fingers trailed along the smooth skin of her stomach where his blade had sliced through the delicate skin. Fear, an emotion he was unfamiliar with before meeting Jo, choked him. He closed his eyes briefly as he realized just how close he came to killing his own mate. He had no idea why she did not identify who she was when he confronted her.

A wry chuckle escaped him as he pulled the knife at his side out and sliced through the black top binding her breasts. Who was he trying to kid? He knew exactly why she didn’t. She was too stubborn to let him know that she had snuck out and too independent to allow him to cage her, even if it was only to keep her safe.

Manota
’s breath caught at the magnificent beauty lying before him. Even with her pale skin marred with blood, he couldn’t help but notice how soft and fragile she looked. He set the knife on the nightstand and began removing his own clothing. His body was taut still from the adrenaline from their fight and the fear coursing through him when he discovered it was Jo he had almost killed.

His darkly tanned body reflected scars earned during the war that were too deep to totally erase. He knew he wasn
’t handsome like his other two brothers. His face was more rugged, his features darker and harder. His eyes burned with barely suppressed control. He felt more comfortable moving among the shadows. He fought for his family and his people with a savagery more like his ancestors from centuries long ago. He did not know what type of males Jo had back on her world and really didn’t care; she was his and he would do whatever was necessary to keep her.

Sliding his arms around her, he gently lifted her. Cradling her against his warmer body, he turned and walked back into the cleansing room. His lips curled as he remembered her insisting it was a
‘bathroom’. He would never admit to her, but he loved that she was not in the least intimidated by him. The females that had lived in his House before always treated him with reverence. They never argued, never demanded, never excited his blood the way Jo did.

Manota rubbed his cheek against Jo
’s soft hair as he stepped into the sunken pool. He remembered the first time he had taken her to his House. He expected her to be impressed with all the females living there. It was a sign of power for a male to have many women under their protection. He had been greeted with the honor expected of a man of his position. He was the second son of the Royal House of Kassis. He was a powerful leader in his own right.

He cradled Jo
’s slumbering body closer to his as he gently washed the blood from it. He grinned when he thought of her outrage when she discovered what he was doing. She would have fought him tooth and nail if she had been conscious. He shifted her so she was lying with her back against his chest. For just a little while, he wanted to enjoy the feel of just holding her. Yes, he was aroused but there was something more than just his physical desire for her. He wanted – needed- the peace she gave his battered soul.

Manota leaned his head back against the side and closed his eyes as he continued to stroke her soft skin. The first time he had brought her into his House she had stood in frozen silence. At first he had thought she was stunned by the power and prestige he held. When he had introduced her to the other females and explained she would be the Lead Female as his mate, he had expected her to be pleased.

He chuckled as he brushed a kiss along her temple. Instead, she had given him a black eye before turning and walking out. His chuckle died as his eyes darkened with the memory of what happened next. He and his brothers found the three females in the central garden. They were making plans to return to their world – had in fact demanded that they be returned. An assassination attempt almost took the life of his older brother’s mate, River, when she pushed Torak out of harm’s way.

Jo moved restlessly against Manota. He felt her breathing increase as if she was suddenly frightened. He turned her in his arms again and pulled her close.

“Shush,
mi t’belle
,” he murmured softly. “I will protect you.”

Jo settled back into a deeper sleep as he continued rubbing her back. He reluctantly rose out of the warm waters of the bath. Stepping in front of the dryer, he let the heated air swirl around them, drying their skin. Once he felt sure that she was dry enough, he carried her back to the bed. He laid her down on the covers, pulling the other side back before picking her up and sliding her back under the covers. She gave a deep sigh and rolled over onto her side. He pulled the covers on the other side back and slid in beside her. Jo rolled toward him the minute he was under the covers, snuggling close. A contented sigh escaped him as he wrapped his arms around her. Calling out a command, the blinds in the windows closed them in a cocoon of darkness.

Soon,
he thought tiredly as sleep overtook him.
Soon I will claim her as mine.

Jo stretched, feeling suddenly very refreshed. It was a wonderful feeling after so many days of not sleeping well. She turned her head, frowning as she saw the blinds were closed. Sitting up, she was startled to discover she was nude.

“
Open blinds,” she called out.

The blinds dissolved letting in the brilliant afternoon light. Jo pushed her hair out of her eyes, blinking several times as her eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness. Her eyes swept over the room as she tried to remember how she ended up in the bed. Her eyes lowered to the covers, freezing on the spots of dried blood on the top bedspread. She frowned as the memories slowly returned. She had been out exploring the area around the four Houses. She wanted to know every square inch, every possible hiding place that someone might be able to hide in. She had almost lost River to an assassin
’s shot and her sister the night of the dinner to another. She would do everything in her power to protect them. She was the oldest, the one who had wanted to get away. It was her fault they ended up at the cabin. Star had wanted to go to the Bahamas. Jo was the one who wanted the peace of the mountains.

Pushing the covers aside, she slid out of the bed. As she turned to straighten the covers she noticed the indent in the pillow next to hers. Jo slowly reached over and pulled the pillow toward her. Lifting it, she pressed her face into it. Manota
’s heady masculine scent filled her, bringing with it a wave of longing. He had slept with her.

She dropped the pillow back onto the bed as the wave of longing returned even stronger than before. Her fingers slid down to touch her smooth, unmarked stomach. She remembered Shavic coming in and healing her. He had given her something that made her sleepy. Jo looked down at her clean skin and knew that Manota must have removed her clothes to bathe the blood and sweat from her body. A shiver went through her as she thought of him touching her, caring for her, while she was unconscious.

“You are awake,” a deep voice spoke quietly from the doorway.

Jo gasped in surprise, her eyes widening as the man in her thoughts suddenly appeared before her. She blushed a furious red as she grabbed the covers from the bed and dragged them around her bare figure. She watched warily as he stepped into the room carrying a small tray.

“I…” Jo swallowed as she watched him set it on the small table next to the windows. “I’ll be right back,” she muttered.

Manota watched as Jo hurried into the cleansing room, ordering the door closed behind her. He turned to look out the windows, deep in thought. He had awakened several hours ago when his Captain of the Guard informed him that his father wished to meet with him. He had reluctantly pulled out of Jo
’s arms. She had been draped over his chest, one slender leg curled between his.

It had taken every ounce of control he had to not throw caution to the wind and just claim her right then and there. His cock had been full and heavy with need. There were two things that stopped him. The first was his honor. He would never take a female without her consent, especially the female who was destined to be his mate. The second reason was he didn
’t have a single doubt that Jo would never have forgiven him for taking that choice away from her. He had learned much over the past few months. She was fiercely loyal, proud, brave, kind and protective of those she loved. He knew if he wanted to be in that group, he would have to earn it. The problem was – time had run out. He could wait no longer. The constant hunger to be one with her was driving him to the point he could think of little else. His fear of something happening to her, of losing her, was another battle he fought. He wanted to feel her in his arms at night, wrapped around him as she had been earlier.

*.*.*

“I…,” Jo took as deep breath as she emerged from the bathroom, tightening the belt on the soft, pale blue robe she had slipped on. “Thank you… for having Shavic come in and heal me. I’m sorry about not telling you who I was.”

She had done some serious thinking while she used the restroom and refreshed herself. She bit her lip as she glanced at the rumpled bed before walking over to where Manota still stood, silhouetted by the afternoon light. She slid into one of the chairs next to the small table and poured them both a cup of the hot liquid that was favored on Kassis. It wasn
’t coffee or tea but a mixture of flavors that was a combination of the two.

“
Why? Why were you out? Why did you not tell me who you were when I confronted you?” Manota asked harshly, sitting heavily in the chair across from her. He waited until she looked up at him, her eyes filled with remorse. “I could have killed you,” he said hoarsely.

Jo shook her head, sending the long blond strands dancing around her shoulders.
“But you didn’t. I would have told you if I felt I was in danger.”

Manota exploded out of his chair, turning his back to her. Jo
’s eyes followed him as he stepped closer to the window and stared out over the gardens far below. He placed his hands on the side of the window frame. His fists clenching and unclenching as he fought for control. It was several long minutes before he finally drew in a deep, calming breath.

He turned and looked at her.
“You were in danger. I would have killed you immediately if it wasn’t for the fact that I wanted information I thought you had. Do you know what it would have done to me? To your sister and River, if I had? I would not have been able to live with myself,” he said grimly. “You jeopardized not only your life but mine and the strength of the House of Kassis by your foolish act this morning.”

Jo rose stiffly from her chair.
“You are right,” she replied quietly with a slight bow of her head. “For that, I apologize. There is no way to turn back time and correct the decision I made. I can only learn and move forward. The fact remains, you did not kill me and there is nothing I can do to change what has already happened. But, I can make sure that it does not happen again,” she added woodenly. “That is why I have come to the decision that I think it is best if I leave.”

Manota ran his hand across the back of his neck in aggravation.
“Do you think going to stay with your sister or River will change things?” He asked in frustration.

Jo shook her head.
“I’m not talking about staying with Star or River,” she said softly. “I’m talking about going home. I want to return to my world. I… I want to be taken back to Earth.”

Manota
’s breath exploded out of his chest as he stared in horror and disbelief at Jo. He had not expected her to request that she be taken back to her world. Anger built as fear of losing her swept through him.

“
No,” he growled out quietly, the look of determination glittering in his eyes as he took a step toward where she was standing. “No,” he said again, this time with a thread of steel in the word. “I will not return you to your world. You are mine! I have claimed you. I have tried to give you time to adjust, time to accept your new life. You leave me no other choice, Jo.”

Jo stepped back as he advanced toward her. Her hand fluttered to her throat as his expression changed from anger to a calm determination. The look in his eyes scared and excited her. Her eyes widened when his hands began to undo the stays holding his shirt closed.

“Manota,” she whispered, raising her hand out to ward him off. “Please, you have to understand. I have to return. I don’t belong here. My parents …” Her voice died as he shrugged his shirt off and tossed it on the back of the chair. “I can’t….”

“
You can,” he whispered as his hands moved to the buttons of his pants. “You must. I claim you, Jo. I should have taken you back on the warship months ago but you were not ready to accept my claim then. I have tried to give you time to adjust but I can wait no longer. You are mine,” he said. “Let it be known I, Manota Ja Kel Coradon of the Second House of Kassis, claim you, Jo Strauss, for my house and as my mate. I claim you as my woman,” he murmured as he toed off his boots, kicking them to the side. “No other may claim you. I will kill any other who try,” he continued as he pushed the black trousers he was wearing down. “I give you my protection as is my right as leader of my house. I claim you as is my right by the House of Kassis,” he finished as he kicked his pants to the side and continued to advance toward her, now completely nude.

“
Manota,” Jo choked out, her voice fading in despair.