Authors: Alyssa Ezra
Simone thought about it. “So Pevas wasn’t just one Phoenix guy, he was all three of those Phoenix guys.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Wow, this is trippy,” Simone said.
Storm Kar chuckled, and he didn’t seem so intimidating for a moment. “You’ll soon get used to it. Come on, we need to take our place of honour.”
Simone followed Storm Kar across the terrace, exchanging bows with the Phoenix People they met. All of them showed Storm Kar the deepest respect and appeared genuinely pleased that he was here.
At the far end of the terrace, behind the trestle tables, a brightly colored awning had been erected, with thick cushions and rugs underneath for them to sit on. As Simone settled down cross-legged on the cushions, a timid triad of Phoenix women approached and offered her and Storm Kar wafers with some kind of spicy chutney on it, along with two clay cups of sweet tasting juice.
“Thank you,” said Simone warmly, taking the proffered refreshments from the aliens.
“That’s very nice of you.”
“It is a local delicacy, potential mate of noble Storm Kar,” the bird women trilled pleasantly. “It is called the churillia and increases potency in the male and increases their staying power. We hope it will be of value to you when you become intimate.”
Simone felt her cheeks burning and managed another polite smile. When they had headed away, she turned on Storm Kar. “These guys seem real eager for you to get laid,” she muttered under her breath.
“You must not take it personally,” Storm Kar said. “They are merely happy for me that I finally found someone who might share my life with me. They want me to fulfil my destiny.”
“You’re really respected by them,” Simone observed, trying not to think about all this soul mate business. Though she was finding the Vision Land a fascinating place, she still had every intention to return to Earth when the agreed month was up.
Storm Kar nodded. “They feel obliged to be this way,” he said nonchalantly.
“Several years ago the Phoenix People were struck down by a terrible plague that could have wiped them out completely. Fortunately I was able to develop a cure before it was too late. Ever since then, the Phoenix People have been staunch allies of the Mystic Folk.”
“You’re full of surprise,s aren’t you,” Simone said, feeling new found respect for him. “No wonder you’re a local hero around here.”
Storm Kar shrugged his broad shoulders. “I did not do it alone,” he said modestly.
“Without Pevas, I could never have succeeded in finding the cure. Together, we managed to save his people. He has a first rate mind, and when his duties here allow, he has helped out as my research assistant back at the citadel. In fact, he is much to blame for bringing you here as I am. You’d be in your rights to leave here and now if you wanted.”
Simone took a bite of the food that had been offered. It really was good. “It’s okay, I’m happy to stay. I love a party, even on a strange alien planet.”
“That is a relief,” Storm Kar said gratefully. “The Phoenix People are good folk, once you get used to them. If my role as Shaman Scientist didn’t command so much of my attention, I would even come and live with them. They are more . . . accepting of my appearance.”
Storm Kar dipped his glowing eyes, and for a moment, she saw the full weight of loneliness that hung over his shoulders. Simone felt her heart go out to him. “The Mystic Folk, they don’t accept you because of the way you are?” she asked in a gentler voice.
Storm Kar’s face became clouded. “I should not have said anything,” he said grimly.
“You think I am looking for sympathy.”
“No, I’m curious to know more,” Simone urged. Without meaning to, she slipped her hand over his. His skin was soft and warm.
“The Mystic Folk accept me as their own still, don’t get me wrong,” Storm Kar said reluctantly, “and Grazing Elk Woman has been a tower of strength when things became challenging for me, but – ”
“But what?” Simone pressed.
“I feel out of place amongst them. There is a difference between me and them, my own kind. Nobody says anything out loud but I can sense it. There is a barrier there because of my appearance and it can never be crossed.”
Simone nodded. “In some way, I can relate,” she said. “I feel like an outsider amongst my own people too.”
“But you are beautiful,” Storm Kar asserted, his eyes flaring as he looked intently at her.
A warm feeling swept through her at the conviction in his tone and fierceness of his gaze. She realized how close they were sitting together and that she was still touching him. It felt nice.
“I’m not sure I’d call myself beautiful,” she said, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. She removed her hand from his and subtly made some space between them.
“It’s not about physical appearance. I just don’t seem to connect with anyone else. It’s been like that all my life, with my parents, friends, and boyfriends, there’s always been a lack of connection, like an invisible wall between me and them. I can’t explain it, but nobody really gets me.”
She paused as she thought of Dean. He was the exception to the rule. The one person she’d ever met who was on the same emotional level as her. She didn’t tell Storm Kar that though. Dean was none of his business.
Storm Kar looked out thoughtfully at the terrace. “We have something in common,” he reflected. “The Great Spirits knew this when they showed me to you. Perhaps, we should take it as a sign.”
“Perhaps, we should just see how things go before we start looking for signs or talk about destiny,” Simone replied coolly, feeling her defences rising again. “This is all still very new to me. I need time to get used to things.”
“Of course, I understand,” he said politely, though she could hear the disappointment he tried to hide in his voice. It made her bristle with anger. He was trying to make her feel guilty when he was the one that was in the wrong for kidnapping her in the first place.
She scolded herself for being so harsh, as soon as she thought that. It must be extremely lonely for him living as an outsider, she reflected, and she should be grateful he had given her the opportunity to visit an alien world. She just didn’t like the idea that she had more in common with him than she first thought.
As she brooded on this, the Phoenix People had made all the preparations for their festival. Melodic music made by flutes and drums drifted up into the air, and the bird creatures settled down at the trestle tables to eat and drink. The triad known as Pevas came and sat with Storm Kar and Simone and she was offered more many tasty foods and the delicious liquid they called Fire Juice.
In the central area of the terrace, a number of Phoenix People triads began dancing, sinuous beautiful creatures moving with elegant coordination. At several points during the dance, they surged into the air and performed gymnastic displays across the sky, their vibrant wings burning with glorious white fire.
Simone watched every moment of the display like a kid who was going to the circus for the first time. The entertainment coupled with the good food and drink had erased all her concerns and conflicting feelings over Storm Kar. She was caught up in the moment, giving over to simple pleasure.
Once the dancers had finished, Phoenix People in gaudy colored rags and bizarre wooden masks began capering across the terrace, doing wild jigs and somersaults. Some of them urged the more intoxicated members of the audience at the trestle tables to join them in comic dances, which they gamely consented to.
Simone figured they must be the Phoenix Peoples’ version of clowns, and she laughed uncontrollably at their antics. A couple of times, she glanced over at Storm Kar and saw him chortling, his deep laughter sounding like thunder. Seeing him enjoying himself made her feel happier.
The day stretched into evening and tiredness stole over Simone. She feared she had over-enjoyed what the Phoenix People had offered because she felt her eyes grow heavy and her head droop down.
As a group of delicate Phoenix women triads began singing a slow, melancholic song in their unified soprano voices, she nestled closer to Storm Kar’s strong body. She hadn’t done it on purpose, but the song sung in the Phoenix People’s ancient language made her ache for comfort and deep sleep.
She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, the way she used to do with Dean when they sat in front of the sofa, watching a romantic movie.
She must have fallen asleep completely at one point, because she woke with a start to find Storm Kar carrying her across the terrace and down a flight of steps carved into the rock.
“You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you,” he said softly. “I hope you are not offended.”
“It’s okay,” she said sleepily. “Is the festival over?”
Storm Kar nodded. “I hope you enjoyed it.”
“Very much so,” she replied. Lying in his strong arms made her feel fuzzy inside and a pleasurable tingle danced along her skin. “Um, you can put me down now. I’m awake enough to walk.”
“Yes, I am sorry,” Storm Kar said quickly, setting her down carefully, like she was made of porcelain. “Jedediah is waiting to take us back to the citadel.”
It was dark now and stone touches set up around the terrace were burning brightly. Storm Kar’s red eyes were sultry beacons in the dark and his ravaged face was smothered in shadows. The sight of him and the closeness of his powerful body ignited a sensual hunger that sent wild heat through her bloodstream.
“I should go and thank Pevas,” she said briskly, stepping back a little and trying to fight the call of her body. “I’ve had a really amazing time today.”
She looked out across the terrace and saw a few Phoenix People sauntering around, but most had now disappeared.
“It’s best that we don’t disturb him,” Storm Kar said carefully. “It is time for the ceremonial orgy, which is traditional at Phoenix People celebrations.”
Simone widened her eyes and felt her cheeks flush. She was glad it was too dark for him to see her clearly. “Oh, I see. Yeah, I guess you’re right, but I will have to thank him sometimes, or is it them? Never mind. I should thank you too.”
“There is no need,” he said. “I am just happy that you had a good time.” He paused and looked levelly at her. “I am not the monster you think I am,” he said, a strange note entering his voice.
“I never said you were a monster!” she retorted, and then relented. “Sorry, I don’t want to get into an argument.”
He nodded his head slowly and their eyes met again. A spark of electricity shot through her and she moved closer to him, drawn by some magnetic force. His scent, rich and smoky filled her senses and her yearning to be held by a man became intoxicating.
He seemed to sense her longing too, and bent his head closer to her face. Her mouth brushed against his invisible lips and she suddenly pulled back.
“We’d best get going,” she said suddenly, her heart smashing like an enraged tiger against the bars of her rib cage. “I’m exhausted and could really do with my bed.”
He remained motionless, a simmering vortex of desire in the dark. “Yes,” he said in a neutral voice after a long, pregnant silence. “We should be going.”
Taking up a burning touch from a nearby holder, he led Simone in silence down the steps to the waiting Podderer.
Chapter 6: The Savage Heart Unmasked
“Come on! Get the lead out of your butt! I’ll race you to the nearest island!” Simone yelled as she pulled off her buckskin dress and ran toward the water’s edge.
“Wait a minute will you!” Storm Kar called out after her. “The Infernal Islands can be hazardous!”
Simone grinned as she stepped bare foot into the warm waters of the huge caldera lake that he had brought her to. “Well, if they are called the Infernal Islands then they must be hazardous. Don’t be such a wuss. You’re a big strong man, you should be able to protect me.”
Storm Kar scowled as he hurried over to join her. He had slipped off his own clothing and was now clad only in a leather thong. Simone pretended she wasn’t turned on by the way his toned, muscled body appeared tanned and magnificent in the midday sun.
A week had passed since she had first woken up in that strange building and he had taken her to the festival of the Phoenix People. Neither of them had spoken of that intense moment of intimacy they had shared as they were leaving, and Simone thought she had her feelings under control. Seeing him now, coming towards her, she suddenly realized that might not be the case.
“I will protect you with my life Simone,” Storm Kar said with all serious, “but you must be aware that we are now on the edge of the Mystic Folk territory and the land becomes more hostile in these parts.”
“I know, I know, but you’re the one who wanted to come swimming here,” Simone protested, noting how his eyes roved over the curves of her body showed off by the skimpy bathing costume she wore.
He quickly moved his gaze back to her face and she smiled inside. A week ago, she’d be offended at him looking at her in that way, but now she didn’t mind so much.
“I only agreed to do so because you demanded to see more of the Vision Land,” he countered. “Your curiosity is insatiable. We’ve already been to the Crystal Mountain, the grottos of the Ether Fish and the Temple of Infinite Dreams. I am running out of ideas of what to show you next.”
“That’s why I thought we’d just spend the day enjoying the great outdoors,” replied Simone. “I love swimming and this place is truly beautiful. Come on, we’ll race to the island once and then I’ll be happy.”
Storm Kar released a mock sigh. “I live only to serve you,” he drawled, “though all this sightseeing is interfering with my duties.”
“Hey, don’t blame me for that,” she said, punching him playfully on his upper chest. She had to fight the urge to run her hand along his smooth skin. “You’re the one who started all this, remember?”
A secret smile danced across his lips, softening the fierceness of his face. “Yes, I did start this and I don’t regret it, even if you do decide to go back to Earth.”
The soft words made the hairs on her back stand up and for a second, they shared a moment of connection. She had gotten used to his looks over the week now, and with his long, silky black hair tied back into a ponytail along his broad back, there was a kind of rugged handsomeness about him. Simone felt the same stirring urges she’d had at the settlement of the Phoenix People and had to bring her emotions under control again.
To cut the tension, she suddenly splashed his face and he barked a laugh in surprise.
“Come on! Let’s race!” she giggled, and plunged deeper into the water.
“You’re such a firebrand!” he retorted and came after her.
She ignored him, now focusing all her attention on the small, obsidian island directly ahead of her. Noticing the jagged rocks and spindly dead trees on its shore, she could see why it was called Infernal. Similar black islands dotted the lake, but they were much farther out.
Getting into a rhythm, she surged ahead, enjoying the thrill of the race. She had always loved swimming and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d swam this intensely.
At high school, she’d been in the swim team, but jealously from her other teammates who were part of the popular clique and weren’t as good as she was, had forced her to eventually quit. For a long time afterward, it had made her depressed and angry, but now felt so inconsequential. She was light years away from Earth on a world she was steadily falling in love with.
What about Storm Kar?
Her inner voice asked.
Are you steadily falling in love with him too?
If she’d been asked that question a week ago, she would have given a resounding no, but now she wasn’t so sure. Dean was the only man she’d ever loved, she was certain of that, but Storm Kar’s attention and obvious affection for her was making her wonder if it wasn’t possible for them to make a go of it.
Being with him these last few days had made her realize how much she was missing out of life, but could she really make such a big commitment, especially with someone like him?
Not wanting to dwell on that, she concentrated on her swimming. From the corner of her eye, she noticed he was lagging behind and she thrilled at the prospect of victory. With one final push, she reached the black rocks of the island and heaved onto the shore.
Her lungs burned with the exertion and she had to lie down on the ground to get her breath back. This sure had been a lot easier in high school, she thought. She started to recover and sat up, looking out across the lake. Storm Kar swam towards her, his sleek body sharking through the waters.
Watching him sparked a wave of desire that started in the pit of her belly and worked down to the wet heat between her legs. She surrendered to the feeling, too tired to fight it. She imagined him holding her in his arms, trailing kisses along her body before thrusting into her with savage lust.
She bit her lip, shocked by the intensity of her arousal and had to stop herself from slipping her hand between her legs to caress her throbbing need. Fortunately, he was still too far away to notice this erotic drama raging inside her, and she took several breaths to calm her fiery libido.
A low, guttural growl came from behind her and she froze where she was. The growl came again and, heart pounding, Simone turned around. Hunched on the rocks a few feet away was the hulking shape of a shaggy, grey furred beast. It was roughly simian in shape, with huge black tusks and spikes along its squat head and hunched back. Eyes of feral yellow glared at her.
Simone jumped to her feet, and glanced at the water. She was about to make a run for it when the monster let out a thunderous roar and shambled closer. Its nostrils flared, as it smelled her and it snarled lunging out with its huge claws.
“Get back!” Storm Kar’s voice suddenly rang out. Appearing out of nowhere, he rushed forward to protect her with his body.
The beast roared again and made to attack him. Retreating backwards, Simone watched in stunned horror as beams of fiery energy shot from Storm Kar’s eyes. The blasts hit the beast in the shoulder and it staggered back, but it was down. Foaming at the mouth, it carried on with its lunge at Storm Kar.
Simone screamed as the monster brought the alien to the ground. Storm Kar’s red eyes were vortexes of fury and they erupted into life again, hitting the monster straight in the face. The monster screamed in pain and the muscles of Storm Kar’s body tightened as he grabbed the creature by the throat and wrestled with it like a mad man.
Though the brute was larger and more powerful than Storm Kar, it was cowed by the onslaught and pulled away. Badly burned by Storm Kar’s shock attack and its fur matted with blood, it bounded away across the rocks.
Storm Kar let out a savage battle cry as he pulled himself to his feet. His eyes burned with fire and his face was a snarling mask of fury. He looked ready to go after it, when he suddenly remembered Simone.
She cowered in terror, paralysed with fear at the sight of him to move. Instantly, the wild savagery that had overcome him vanished. He rushed to her side, his face full of concern.
“Simone,” he said breathlessly, “are you hurt? Do not be afraid, the Tragger is gone. It won’t come back. Curse the Sky Spirit! I knew we shouldn’t have come here! All of this is my fault!”
Simone couldn’t speak. She trembled like a newborn faun, too shocked to know what was going on. On a primal impulse, she clung to Storm Kar’s wet body and floods of tears cascaded down her face. Storm Kar embraced her in his powerful arms and nuzzled her hair.
“It’s all right now,” he whispered gently. “You’re safe now.”
She held him fiercely, desperate to possess every inch of him and knew that she’d never be safe again, but that didn’t matter now. She didn’t want to feel safe any longer. She wanted to feel alive again.
* * *