Did he want to have sex with her? Mehanna had always wondered about it. The things she read made it sound like a lot of fun. She had watched amusement stories that dealt with romance, but those people were also pretending. It didn’t seem real when she heard couples from the village arguing. They didn’t seem to be the perfect pairs she had seen in the feeds. She had to admit kissing Grinnell had felt really good. Her blood hummed, and she felt her body react to it in a very stimulating way.
“You don’t seem to be the type of person to want to have their first time as a casual encounter.”
“Oh, I never thought about it.” She liked the way he held her. “I’ve been here alone all my life and thought I’d grow old and die this way.”
“Until I invaded your little haven.”
“True. But I knew those people from the village were coming, so I had to either leave you out there for them to find or allow you in.”
“Thank you.” He hesitated.
She knew he wanted to have sex with her. How did the feeds word it? He wanted her, but he didn’t know if she wanted him. What had she seen in those entertainment feeds? Normally, one person took the hand of the other and brought them to their bedroom.
She took his hand and urged him to walk with her.
“What are you doing?”
“Am I doing this wrong?” She stopped and looked at him.
“No, but you don’t have to do this. I feel like you’ve watched too many entertainment feeds. I find you very attractive, but this will be your first time. What if you do go home and find out your planet is one that demands the women to remain chaste until they find a life partner?”
“Why should I care?” She looked up at him. “They left me here. They didn’t want me.”
“There could have been a crash,” he countered.
“No!” She shook her head. She got a little agitated when she spoke. “There was no evidence of a crash. I was left here.”
He used their clasped hands to draw her close. The warmth of his embrace calmed her.
“They don’t care about me, so I don’t care about their rules. I want you. You plan on making me leave here, but sooner or later I plan on coming back. This might be my only chance to experience this, especially with someone I care for.” She realized too late she said too much.
Grinnell smiled at her, then scooped her up in his arms and walked toward her sleeping area. “Does this fit into what you saw in the entertainment feeds?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “Oh, yes.”
Once they reach her sleeping quarters, Grinnell looked around for a ledge that could hold the two of them.
“Um, my bed is over there.”
“I know, but we need a little bit bigger space.”
“Oh, there is a wider ledge toward the back of this room. I also have a few covers that we can use.”
“Perfect.” With her direction, he went to where the covers were. He refused to put her down, so she had to wiggle a little to reach them. Laughter escaped her when she tried to place the cover on the soft moss that covered the rocks.
“It doesn’t have to be perfect. I promise you won’t care later.” He released her legs and let her slide down his body. Now he had to make sure she still wanted this. The moment had passed. She could change her mind. Her nerves could get the best of her.
She looked up at him, and he knew she feared the same thing.
He brushed his knuckles along her jaw. He dipped his head toward hers. He went slowly, giving her a chance to stop him if she did change her mind. If she pulled back, he would back off, offering to hold her for a little while.
Her arms wrapped back around his neck as she closed the gap and pressed her lips against his. He took control at that point. Grinnell eased her back onto their bed. He was as nervous as she was. His father had hired a teacher to educate him on how to please a woman, but he had never had to use his training on someone so naive before. He hoped he didn’t botch it.
He placed soft kisses along her jawline and throat as he opened the closures on her top. Once she realized what he was doing, she did the same for him. Gentle touches followed bits of clothing until they were both naked.
Grinnell needed to arouse her. The moment had passed, and he could tell by the way she mimicked what he did, but there was no desire behind her movements. He pressed a kiss against her collar bone. His hands started caressing her. They glided over her soft skin, caressing and stroking all the right places. Her hands started to explore his body the same way he was exploring hers.
She was hesitant, but when she heard him moan when she brushed a hand against the inside of his thigh, she became bolder. He moved down her body enough so he could take the tip of her left breast into his mouth. The secur she felt the heat of his mouth surround her nipple, she moaned herself. Forgetting her exploration, she gripped his head with both hands and held him close.
If she liked that, how would she react to what he was going to do next? He continued to focus on the one breast as his hand worked its way down her body to her folds. His fingers slipped in and gently stroked her. He took his time, making sure he pushed her need higher. He felt her body shake, and he knew what he was doing was working.
Breaking her hold on his head, he moved down until he could replace his fingers with his mouth. He latched onto her, drawing small circles around her core with his tongue. He slipped a finger inside her and heard another moan. She was so tight she gripped his finger in a vise and as he slid his finger in and out, he heard her breath become shallower. Her body shook again as her muscles clamped down on his finger. Mehanna’s legs started moving, showing she didn’t know what would happen next. Grinnell knew she was reaching for something she didn’t know how to find.
He moved again, this time back up her body, driving into her body deep and quick. Shock filled her face at the invasion. She felt pain, but it didn’t overshadow the release she was close to having. Grinnell gave her a few moments to adjust to his size before he started to move. He did slow, short strokes at first, then he shifted to deeper ones once he felt she was ready for it.
She looked up at him in awe, and he knew he’d done the right thing. He rocked into her, setting a nice pace. One she could keep up with if her body responded the way he expected. It didn’t take long before she moved with him. He picked up the tempo, and she kept up with him. Her legs moved against his. Creeping up with each move.
He slipped an arm under her left thigh, bringing the leg up higher and tilting her pelvis so he could fill her completely. He drove in deep and heard her breath stop. Her hands grasped at his back. She wanted more. He started moving faster, filling her again and again. Her body started to shake.
“Don’t fight it. Let it flow over you. Let it take control.”
She had no idea. All the feeds she had seen never prepared her for this. Mehanna had pleasured herself many times, but it had never felt like this. It was just out of her reach. Grinnell slipped his other arm under her other thigh and brought that up as well. Now he had total control, but oh stars it felt good. He pounded into her faster, harder, and each time he filled her, her body tightened just a little more.
It was close. Whatever she was about to experience was very close. She felt everything tighten and then felt a euphoria fill her. It started deep inside her and then, like the way a light filled a room, it filled every part of her. It bubbled in her stomach and then spread out to her fingers and her toes. Her heart hammered in her chest. It took her breath away.
It had been a glorious three duras. They had made love when they wanted to, ate when they needed to, and slept when they had to. Their little world held just the two of them, then a communique from Orla came and shattered their little cocoon.
“Grinnell. Have you found her?”
“Yes, but there is a complication.” How was he going to explain that Lawaya was trapped in a mirror?
“What sort of complications?”
Grinnell paused, not sure how to answer the question. He looked at the mirror when Lawaya banged on it. “Um, Orla, can I have a moment?”
“Of course.”
Grinnell halted the communiqué so Orla wouldn’t hear or see what was going on.
“Is there another Barou with her?” asked Lawaya.
“Grenta.” He frowned, not knowing what she was getting at.
“That will do.” Lawaya crossed her arms over her chest. “I can use Grenta to help Astrid right now, then you can figure out how to release me from this prison.”
“I thought Grenta was banned by the Barou.”
“She was, but I have the power to restore her Barou status. That was why I needed time to think. She never should have been banned in the first place, and I needed to come up with a strong reason to reinstate her.”
“You want me to bring you to Astrid while being trapped in the mirror?”
“I don’t have a problem with it. Her health is most important. Mehanna will release me. I know she can do this.”
“Orla?” Grinnell focused on his conversation once again. “I should be lifting off in a few horas. I need to take care of something first.”
“Hurry, Grinnell. Astrid is getting worse.”
“Yes, sir.” He ended the call.
“What do you need to do?” asked Lawaya.
“I want to talk to Mehanna’s sister. She must know something about what happened. She knew Mehanna was here.”
“So you think she was the reason those men kept coming here?”
“No,” Mehanna said. “They didn’t come here until Lawaya came.”
“I do.” Grinnell looked at Mehanna. “They didn’t start coming here until you started training. Your sister might have felt your power and realized it was like hers and wanted to know who had the same talent.”
Mehanna remained silent. Grinnell could almost see the wheels turning. She had never looked at it that way.
“It shouldn’t take me too long,” he reassured her.
Grinnell decided that sneaking up wasn’t the way to handle this. These people were still cleaning up from the storm and were moving about too much. They’d spot him easily. Instead, he walked to the center of their village. He heard them whispering as he passed. They knew he had come on a spaceship. They wanted to know if he was going to take “her” away. From the snippets he caught, it sounded like they wanted him to take her away.
They were afraid of Mehanna’s sister.
No one approached him, but a few looked at him, then glanced at the building they wanted him to go into. He sure hoped they weren’t leading him into a trap. He entered and saw the woman he was looking for. Mehanna, or her mirror image. They were identical.
“You’re him, aren’t you?” asked the young woman.
“Him who?” Might as well find out what she knew.
“The man who came from space. You’re going to take her from me.” She sighed. “I had hoped I could talk to her; maybe learn how she controls her magic.”
He wanted to laugh at that. Mehanna had no control. “What can you do?”
“Me? Frighten the villagers. That’s my magic power. That’s why I’m here.” She gestured to the room. “The walls absorb anything that gets out of hand, which is a lot.” She looked at him. “Do you know how she controls it?”
“She’s had a little training.” He felt like he was talking to Mehanna. There was no evil in this woman, just sadness that she couldn’t control things the way she wished. “What is your name?”
“The people here call me Mayanna, but I don’t know what my real name is. You can call me May.” She moved about the room for a moment. “Can I go with you? Meet the woman with the same powers? Maybe learn a little from her?”
“Isn’t this your home? These people raised you, correct?”
She nodded.
“Wouldn’t they be upset if you were to leave?” He was surprised to find her talking after the computer told him she hadn’t talked with any of the villagers. What did she do, save it up until Grinnell saw her? He didn’t think she had stopped for a breath yet.
“These people have been very sweet to me, but they don’t want me here. They’re afraid I’ll destroy their village. They don’t even want me to talk to them. You’re the first person I’ve spoken to in a long while.” She walked around the room. “My power started to develop about three yepas ago, and I’ve caused more than enough trouble for them.”
Grinnell frowned. Mehanna had been taught how to use magic to make the piece of fruit when she was a child. Wasn’t this woman taught how to do the same thing?
At his frown, she asked, “What?”
He decided to be honest. “Your sister has been able to make a piece of fruit since she was a child.”
“My sister? Really?” Hope filled her face. “I have a sister. Wait, you said she’s had her magic since she was little?”
“Yes. Did you have a special talent? Something that could be considered magical or good luck?”
“Not really. The family I grew up with told me I was left in the center of town with a note saying someone would be back for me, something that has never happened.”
“This isn’t making a lot of sense. Why did you send men to Mehanna’s cave?”
“I didn’t.” She looked shocked. “Oh! The people here must have done it. They have wanted to help me control my talents, and when I felt magic like mine in the air, they must have tried to find it.”
“So they camped outside her cave because they thought she could help you?”
“I think. They didn’t harm anyone, did they?”
“No.” Grinnell thought about what she said. “But if they didn’t have the magic, how did they know where to look?”
“Oh.” May clasped her hands in front of her. “I told them where I felt magic. I could feel it coming from the south. They questioned me about it, but I never expected them to try to find it.”
“So you told them where you thought it came from.” He nodded. “That explains why they camped outside. They weren’t sure if they had the right cave and hoped your sister would come out to find out why they were there. My next question is do you know who left you?”
“I don’t remember much, but I was young. I was told I had been found curled up and sound asleep. They did keep my clothes and a blanket I was found with. Would you like to see them?”
“I could scan them and tell you where the materials came from. That might make it easier to figure out where these two came from,” said the ship.
He agreed. He gave May his best smile. “That would be great.”
Mehanna watched the entrance. Grinnell had left several horas ago, and she was getting worried. He had told her he could be awhile, but the thought of him being in trouble bothered her.
She went to her computer center and checked all her screens to see if they were picking up anything.
“Why am I behaving this way?” Mehanna never had anyone in her life before. Why would she worry about a man she didn’t want to stay in the first place?
“Because you’re attracted to him,” said Lawaya. “He is the first person you’ve been around, and he is a kind heart.”
That made her sound like she craved companionship, and she had done quite nicely without anyone all her life. “I barely know him.”
“Yet you slept with him.”
“What makes you say that?” The mirror wasn’t in that section of the cave. How could she know that?
“I can see the signs,” said Lawaya. Before Mehanna could ask her what she meant, Lawaya tried to explain why Grinnell wasn't back yet. “You need to look at this logically. He walked there, which would have taken him a hora, maybe a little more. Then he had to talk them into letting him see her. I wouldn’t expect him back until closer to sundown. You need to be patient.”
“I know, but those people have been after you, or me. I don’t know.” She looked at Lawaya. “I just don’t trust them.”
“And it’s good to be a little skeptical. He’ll be back. That ship of his will keep him safe.”
She wasn’t sure about that but didn’t think arguing with Lawaya was smart, so she just continued to stare at the monitors. Finally, she saw someone heading to her cave. Mehanna raced to the entrance but waited when she realized two people were approaching. Who did Grinnell bring with him?
“Mehanna? I have someone I think you should meet.”
She stared at an exact image of herself. She couldn’t believe it. Mehanna stepped out of the mouth of the cave to get a better look.
“You look like me?” they asked in unison. The two women circled each other, looking for differences.
“Do you have a mole?” asked May.
“The one right here?” Mehanna pointed to her hip.
“Mine is on my stomach.”
“Can you do this?” Mehanna flipped her wrist and produced a piece of fruit. The red skin held the soft meaty center intact. She liked the sweet and tart flavor. The seeds in the center and the stem made her wonder if it grew on trees.
“No.” May’s eyes widened as she picked up the fruit from her hand. “Oh, please do that again.”
“Ladies, I know you two have lots of questions for each other, but I have a mission that I must complete, and to do that I need you two to come with me.” Grinnell gestured toward the ship waiting nearby.
“You mean we can go into space?” May looked at him with childlike wonder.
“Yes. I promised Mehanna I would help her find her home. It’s your home as well, so you should come with us.”
Mehanna looked at her cave, then looked at his ship. She didn’t say a word, but he know she didn’t want to leave.
“I promise to bring you back, if that is what you want, once we find your home. Will that make it easier for you to leave? I know you want to help Lawaya get freed from the mirror and none of us know how to do that.”
“Someone is trapped in a mirror?” May looked from Grinnell to Mehanna. “How did that happen?”
“It is a long story,” said Grinnell. “One that should wait until we’re on the ship.”
Once the ship had broken through the atmosphere and he could turn over control to the computer, Grinnell went to speak with his guests.
“I’m going to need a few horas to prepare rooms for you. This is Orla’s ship. Only one room had been created, and I never even used it since I tend to stay in the cockpit.”
“We can share,” said May.
“This ship is capable of having several rooms. I just have to set it up. You two can sit in the galley until I come to get you. Learn a few things about each other.”
“I would like to learn how you make that fruit,” May said.
“It’s a natural reflex,” May replied. “I’m not sure if I can teach you, but maybe you can figure it out if I repeat the motion enough.”
Grinnell showed them where they could relax and headed to the cargo area.
“Alright, computer. I know we will be at Emori in a few horas, but I have promised to take these two to their home planet, and I don’t know how long that will take.”
“Orla promised to make you your own ship.”
“You think he can get one ready for me in a few horas?”
“He might be working on one for you now and will have it ready when we arrive.”
“Okay,” said Grinnell. “Creating these rooms for them will show them that I’m telling the truth about helping them find their homeworld. Anything I do here can be transferred to another ship, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” The cargo hold was huge. He used a tablet to map out two bedrooms. Then he created a third room that was especially for Mehanna. She didn’t want to leave her cave, and he hoped what he created for her would make her feel more comfortable.
Once he had the rooms set up, he went back to the ladies.
“Your rooms are ready if you’re ready to see them.”
They nodded as one. He found it eerie. Was that a twin thing? These two girls didn’t grow up together. How could they be in sync so quickly?
He brought them to the first room.
“May, these are the colors you had in your room in the village. You can make changes as you see fit, but I thought this would be a good start.”
“Thank you, Grinnell. Do you mind if I rest a little? I’m not used to so much activity.”
“Of course. I’ll show Mehanna her room. We should be landing in a few horas. I’ll have the computer alert you.”
“Thank you.”
He ushered Mehanna down the hall but walked past the bedroom he had set up for her. He stopped in front of a large set of doors.
“I know you didn’t want to come.” He turned toward her. “And you were worried about leaving your equipment behind.”
“You told me it would be safe.”
“And I didn’t lie to you.” He pressed a button, and the doors opened.
She watched as they revealed her cave. Well, part of her cave, the section that held all her computers and surveillance equipment.
He had brought it all here.
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. It was quick but filled with such joy that it jolted him.
By the gods, he wanted another one.
Orla was standing outside the ship when they landed. The worry lines creasing his face made Grinnell feel guilty. He should have been back sooner.
“My friend.” They clasped hands and bumped shoulders. “I see you have brought some friends.”
Grinnell turned and found the two women peeking out the doorway. “Ah, yes. Mehanna was working with Lawaya and May is her twin.”
“And where is Lawaya?”
“I’ll bring her to you in a few microns. Why don’t you bring your mate out to the garden? Lawaya said she needed sunlight and lots of space.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Only a little complication. Where is Grenta? I need to speak to her before I bring Lawaya to you.” Grinnell smiled, trying not to show how nervous he was. “Lawaya needs to speak to her before we start.”
“Okay.” By Orla’s tone, he wasn’t sure if he should force Grinnell to explain his odd behavior or let this play out and see what Grinnell was hiding from him. “I’ll send her here to you.”
“Thank you.” He headed back into the ship before Orla could ask him any questions. A sigh escaped him. One problem dealt with. Now he had to deal with Grenta.
She stood at the bottom of the gangplank yelling for him.
“Grenta, come on up.” He came to the door and gestured for her to come up.
“You know I don’t like the close confines.” She stood at the bottom with her arms crossed over her chest.
“I do and normally I wouldn’t ask you to do this, but it’s important.” He had to convince her to come onto the ship.
“Is Lawaya on the ship?”
“Um, yes.” Why did she ask that?
“Then I can’t come aboard.” Grenta smiled as she spoke. “I’m not allowed to be in the same room she is in. In fact, I’m not allowed to be on the same planet.”
“That won’t be a problem.” He smiled back. If she fought too much he would go down and bodily carry her on to the ship.
“What do you mean?” She frowned at him. “What have you done to her?”
Grinnell watched in amazement as she stomped up the gangplank and barged past him.
“If you have harmed her.” She stopped when she reached the main part of the ship.
“I am not harmed, Grenta.”
Grenta turned toward her voice. Her jaw dropped when she saw the mirror. She spun on her heel and glared at Grinnell. “What did you do?”
“Grinnell had nothing to do with this. It was an accident, pure and simple. It was Grinnell who gave me the ability to communicate with everyone.”
“We need your help,” said Grinnell. “She can still help Astrid, but she needs to use your hands.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I can’t. I’m no longer part of the Barou. I made promises that I must keep.”
“You never should have been banned,” said Lawaya. “We all knew that boy had an evil streak. He never should have been allowed into the academy. My predecessor took him in because he came from an affluent family. She hoped if we could train him, it would allow us to get a strong backing. She didn’t look at his soul when she accepted him.”
“I killed him.” Grenta looked down.
“You protected us.” Lawaya’s words made her look back up.
“I should have handled it differently.” Grenta wrapped her arms around herself. “I should have been more careful.”
“All these yepas you have been mourning him. You have been punished enough. I decree that you are no longer banned and are a full member of the Barou once again, Grinnell, are you a witness?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.” She then spoke to Mehanna. “Mehanna, are you a witness?”
“Yes, Lawaya.”
“And May, are you a witness?” She shifted inside the mirror so she could see May.
“I am.” May nodded.
“Computer, send a record of this to the Barou homeworld.”
The computer took a few microns before responding. “Done.”
“Now, let’s go help Astrid.”
Four people entered the garden.
Grinnell hoped they did a good job hiding what happened to Lawaya. He and Grenta were up front and Mehanna and her sister were behind them, carrying the mirror.
Orla had Astrid moved to the garden. He’d also had a beautiful lean-to erected to keep her out of the sun.
Seeing his friend unconscious and looking so pale made him feel worse. Orla had kept just how bad she had gotten from him. “I’m sorry it took so long to get back.”
“Time to explain everything,” said Orla.
“I agree,” said Grinnell. “But first let me introduce my new friends and give you a little history. This is Mehanna and May. They are from one of the races that have the ability to do magic, but she and her sister were never trained. They were left on the planet you sent me to when they were children. Lawaya met Mehanna and learned her story. She felt a talent was a talent and wanted to help her learn to use her powers.”
“Okay.” Orla looked at the way he and Grenta were keeping the two sisters behind them. “What happened?”