12. Georgiana

After dinner and an hour trying to figure out Fox’s puzzle jug, Axl escorts me back to our quarters. On the way, I say to him, “I think you owe me for getting us out of the tattoos.”

“That was a stroke of genius,” he tells me quietly and this makes me smile. “People rarely surprise me, but you Georgiana, you’re something else.”

“I’m glad you took me to the shrine beforehand, it set the stage,” I’m conscious to watch what I say.

“But this is not a game. This is real.”

“Okay,” I reply. I assume it’s part of his task here, to confuse me to make this more interesting to watch for the viewers. To make me question these decisions, otherwise it would be really boring if I just went along with everything because I knew it was all fake. So I call this ‘level two.’ Because it all makes sense. That’s a lot of money waiting for me in that cabin and obviously I need to earn it.

We reach our quarters and enter. Once inside I notice the wardrobes are open. “What’s this?”

“I had clothing made for our journey.”

“What about my things at the hotel?”

“I called the hotel and had them put into storage. Don’t worry I paid for it in advance and they assured me your belongings would be kept safe.”

“What did you tell the hotel?”

“I told them that you’d been called away home for an emergency, but would return to get your luggage later.”

“They didn’t think that was odd?” I ask, thinking about the little family-owned hotel in Brocken.

“I don’t know if they thought it was peculiar. They complied easily enough when I transferred money to them.”

“For how long did you say I would be away?”

“A year.”

“A year!? I’m not going to be away for a year.”

“No, but I wanted to be on the safe side. Now let’s look through these clothes and make sure everything we need is here. I don’t think the ship we are traveling on is going to be first class.”

I watch Axl as he begins to look through his clothing. All I see are black shirts and trousers. And there are no tags so I’m not sure what he’s checking for exactly, but I don’t ask. Then he moves over to my side of the wardrobe which has more long black and blue dresses. I don’t mind these dresses, they are comfortable, loose, and warm. But they lack any kind of style. At first, I thought a man must have developed this science fiction role play up because the costumes lacks fashion, but then I realized no man has ever dreamed up women wearing long comfortable dresses so there must be a female costume designer somewhere behind the scenes.

“I’ve never bought women’s clothing before,” he says. “In the Empire, only a married man has that right. But I believe everything I bought now will be suitable for you as my wife.” Then he checks the drawers and finally a small black box on the table. From the box he pulls out two bracelets.

“What are those?”

“Marriage bracelets. They’re genetically coded to us courtesy of the Alliance Force.”

“What for?”

“So that we are always aware of the other person. But don’t worry, it’s not like binding tattoos. We can take them off at our discretion.”

Axl shows me the bracelets and I take the smaller one from his grey palm. It’s silver and black and has both of our names on it with other little icons. “What do these symbols mean?”

Using his bracelet as an example, he shows me what each symbol means. “This one means children, this one means health, this one means sex.”

“Wait, what? Sex? If we’ve had sex recently? That’s going to show up there for everyone to see?”

“Yes.”

“But, I’ve never had sex with you.”

“Shhh…” he quiets me. “Of course we have.” Then he takes me into the bathroom and turns on the shower and says in my ear, “No one is going to look closely and it could very well be we are waiting until we get back to the Empire.”

“I don’t want to be on a sex show. I don’t want a video of me having sex to be put on a porn site. I’m not playing anymore if this is part of the game.”

“Georgiana, this is not a game.”

“I’m not making a sex tape.”

“I’m not asking you to. I told you I wouldn’t have sex with you under a false pretense. As long as you insist this is a game then it’s a lie. And as I told you before the evening meal, if anyone were to have a video of us together or you alone, I swear to you, I would kill them.”

It’s irrational, but him saying he wouldn’t have sex with me under false pretenses makes me disappointed. I feel my nipples tighten under the loose dress thinking about him touching me. Remembering how his mouth sucked at my breasts while we were in the shower just a few hours ago.

As if reading my thoughts, he runs a finger over my bottom lip and I open my mouth for him.

“That’s not to say, I’ll leave you unsatisfied. I am an attentive husband, even if that status is only temporary.” Then he replaces his finger with his lips and tongue. I embrace him and revel in the feel of his body against mine. The way he makes me feel when I’m with him is mind-blowing. Is it because he’s dressed up like an alien and I can completely let myself go?

Axl begins kissing me down my neck and caressing my breasts through the silky fabric of the dress. The extra layer between his fingers and skin brings an unexpected longing for him to put his hands and mouth under my dress. As if reading my mind his mouth finds a nipple over my dress and sucks hard. I can hardly breathe from the pleasure of it. Then the other nipple. By the time he gets on his knees and is kissing my ankles, I look at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, my lips plumb, and my nipples hard through the soaked fabric. I look like a sex goddess from a glossy magazine. And even more so when Axl kisses the inside of my thigh, I gasp and put my head back from the exquisite bliss of his touch.

“Are you watching yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Watch me on my knees. My head moving up and down over you, sucking all the essence from your sweet core until you say my name.”

“You want me to say your name?”

“Yes.”

“As payment?”

“As a compliment,” he says and then begins kissing my inner thigh.

I lean back against the stone wall as his hot tongue licks the length of my labia. I want to guide him with my hands but at the same time I don’t want to change anything about what he’s doing because it feels so perfect. I put my fingers in my mouth and the other hand against the wall behind me.

“Are you watching?”

I forgot. I open my eyes and look at myself. I feel like a sexual goddess being pleasured by a god. And I think I look like it too.

“Describe it what you see.”

“A god-like man is moving under my dress, up and down, bringing me so much pleasure I can hardly speak while I wantonly lean against the stone wall, my legs open for him, my nipples wet through my dress. Every part of my body is begging this god to continue, but he’s stopped and I don’t know why.”

Axl runs a finger from the top of my vulva down to my needy entrance and circles it. I jump from the sensation. No man has ever touched me there.

He doesn’t stop circling the entrance to my core with his finger, so I add, “I see a woman ready for sex with a man. No, an alien.”

Axl doesn’t reply with words, but with his hungry mouth and skilled fingers. His finger massaging my clitoris forces me to close my eyes again to appreciate all this pleasure. I hold my breath and my body tenses waiting for the anticipated release of satisfaction he is going to produce from me. He keeps me in this breath-taking erotic plateau for so long I’m able to open my eyes, again, and see myself, my desire as I see his hand moving quickly under the fabric of my dress and it’s so erotic watching him touch me and so right I close my eyes and orgasm hard with the image of it. Of him on his knees pleasing me. He holds me and doesn’t stop until all the waves of passion have subsided.

I’ve never felt more cared for in my entire life. Perhaps it doesn’t matter if we don’t know each other.

I feel wetness running down my thighs and as he rises to stand in front of me, he takes his hand and some of the voluminous fabric of the dress and wipes me between my legs. Now my dress is wet between my legs and at my nipples. And he’s looking at me in an animalistic way and I want it.

“I want you inside of me, Axl. I don’t want our bracelets to be a lie,” I say, completely going along with this science fiction cosplay now.

Axl leans down and kisses me passionately. I can taste myself on his tongue. Then he pulls back, our eyes so close our eyelashes are touching. “I know you want this now. But I’ll not enter you like this.” His hand comes between my legs again and I’m surprised by my body. I’m already wanting his touch again. He continues to kiss me as he rubs another orgasm over the fabric of the wet dress. As I come again he says, “It makes me insane with desire that you orgasm so easily for me. But I’m an honorable man, Georgiana. I will not pump myself inside of your core until you know what is real and what is fake.”

“It’s not a game.”

He laughs loudly.

“It’s all real,” I touch him between his legs. He’s completely aroused and the size of his penis makes me push my thighs together. I quickly undo his trousers. Of course he isn’t wearing any underwear either and his large erect penis with the ridges along the top springs out to greet my waiting hand. He doesn’t stop me so I curiously run my hands up and down his length lightly. I look up and see indecision in his eyes. Then he puts a hand over mine. I think he’s going to stop me from touching him, but instead, he guides my hand from the top to the bottom, adjusting my pressure. “I’ve never touched a man’s penis before.”

He inhales like it’s the last breath of his life. “Then don’t stop. I don’t care if this goes against the gods. Don’t stop, Georgiana.”

“Like this?” I ask, watching him, his eyes closed and mouth open.

“Yes. Men are much easier creatures than women in this regard.”

I continue pumping him but his hand comes back to guide me which is good because otherwise I would have never held him so tightly. Finally, hot semen shoots from his penis all over my hands and dress.

He looks down at me and then brings my hand, covered in his semen to my lips. His pupils are so dark, I can hardly see the green of his eyes.

“Taste me.”

I hesitate only for a second, then I drag my tongue over my fingers, tasting his salty semen. I don’t close my eyes but hold eye contact with him the whole time.

“What do I taste like to you?”

“I think you’d taste better with me on you.”

“Once you understand what’s really going on, I promise, you won’t be able to keep me from coming inside of you every chance I get.”

“This is real,” I say again in a last ditch effect for sex. Watching him orgasm all over my hands and dress made me aroused all over again.

Now we have body fluids all over our clothing. He helps me take off my clothing and then his own. He just leaves them all in a pile on the bathroom floor. A man after my own heart, then he leads me naked into the bedroom.

“This is real,” I say, thinking maybe we are going to have sex.

“We are absolutely not having sex. I know you still think this is a game,” Axl says as he pulls down the black silky blankets and motions for me to get into bed. “Now,” he says. “We should try and get some sleep. We’re leaving on the Hio tomorrow. I have all of our documents and everything we need.”

“Aren’t you going to sleep in pajamas?”

“No.”

“Did you think about getting me pajamas?”

“Night clothing is unhealthy, come here,” he pats the large bed. “I promise I won’t touch you anymore tonight.”

“What if I can’t make the same promise?”

He smiles. “Well, I guess I’ll have to take my chances, but let me warn you, I’m a light sleeper especially when I’m sharing a bed.”

With the thought of possibly being able to seduce him, I strip off my thigh high stockings and join him in the bed. The sheets feel like satin and the bed is firm. He pulls me against his body and I find his erect penis distracting. He doesn’t say anything though. But I can’t help thinking about it and what it would feel like inside of me. My body begins to desire him so much. I try to angle myself for entry but his only response to my action is to put one of his large hands over the entrance to my vagina, strongly cupping my whole sex.

“Good night Georgiana.”

The next morning Axl wakes me up with a kiss on my forehead and then my cheeks followed by my lips. “I missed you in my dreams.”

I open my eyes and meet his green ones. “I’m sure you say that to all your wives.”

“I do. I say it to my only wife.”

I sit up and see that he’s already dressed. I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. I still haven’t figured out how the toilet works but I figure I’ll ask if I haven’t figured it out by the time I really need to. At the moment, I’m letting it do its thing and hoping that’s the way it’s meant to work. It sprays me with water as there’s no sign of toilet paper anywhere I assume that’s how it’s done. Then there’s a little dryer. However, that little spray isn’t going to do anything for solids, I think.

Once I’m finished in the bathroom and Axl has shown me how to brush my teeth or rather clean my teeth, it’s not a brush. “Do I have time to shower?”

“I want you smelling of me.”

A wave of arousal washes over me. I smile and go back into the room. Then I put on the black dress he’s set out for me with some stockings and boots. When I’m finished, he braids my hair how he wants it, which makes me feel like a well-cared for doll. “I’ll learn how to do it myself.”

“Why would you deny me?”

I realize I don’t’ know why I would. If he enjoys it what’s wrong with letting him do it? But for some reason it’s different. “I can’t explain. It’s fine.”

When he’s finished with my hair he puts a silver necklace over my head. It has a familiar shaped pendant on it and I recognize it as an ID necklace they all seem to wear. I pick up the pendent. It reads, ‘Madame Georgiana of Imperial House Zu.’ And before I can ask him any questions, he also presents me with my marriage bracelet.

“We must wear these. Hold out your left hand, please.”

His voice is serious. I hold out my left hand. He slips the bracelet onto my wrist. Then he hands me his bracelet and I do the same.

“I’m worried it’s going to fall off.” Holding on to the loose bracelet with my other hand.

“We must say the sacred words to tighten them.”

“What are the words?”

Axl looks down at me and takes both of my hands in his. My hands in his strong ones feel good. “Madame Georgiana Smith from Earth, I pledge my life, passion, and honor to you in wedlock,” he says and then adds, “Now you say the same for me.”

I straighten my shoulders. “Imperial Fleet Reserve Commander Axl of Imperial House Zu,” then I pause, not being able to remember the rest. I don’t know why I’m nervous, this isn’t real, is it? Do I want it to be real? Is this real for him? It’s morning and I can’t think. My mind is fuzzy from all the alcohol last night. Why are we doing this before even having coffee?

Axl, unaware of my mental turmoil, says, “I accept your pledge and promise you my life, passion, and honor in wedlock.”

“I accept your pledge and promise you my life, love and honor in wedlock.”

The marriage bracelets tighten, and I jump at the small pinprick of electric shock. Immediately I investigate my bracelet. “You’d think for something so technologically advanced it wouldn’t shock you. Wasn’t it supposed to do that or is mine broken?”

“It marks a new life together for the couple. A new beginning. The bracelets are purposefully designed to prick you so you don’t forget it.”

I want to ask Axl if that was legal, if we are really married now in this sci-fi cosplay, his reality, but at the same time, I don’t want to know. Because knowing one way or the other might ruin the romance of this. And what this is, I don’t exactly know, but I know I don’t want it to end, not yet. I’m enjoying myself. And maybe this is what he wants, a sci-fi cosplay wife for the rest of his life.

We leave our quarters and Axl is carrying a bag with our belongings in it. I have nothing but the feel of my new jewelry reminding me of my new alien status between my breasts and on my wrist.

The moving holographic arrows on the wall guide us to the docking bay where we will be boarding our ship to the Empire. When we enter the docking bay, I’m surprised by how large the Hio is. But then again, supposedly it’s going across the galaxy. I see some grey men, not in the uniforms but in what I suppose is galactic men’s wear, waiting outside the ship. They see us and give us a hand gesture I assume means, ‘This way.’

Axl confirms this, “That’s the ship. They’re waiting for us.”

We walk towards it and I’m greeted by one of the men. I expect him to say his name but he doesn’t. “Welcome onboard the Hio. We’ve made special arrangements for you both. Please follow me.”

I follow the tall grey man into the large ship. I’ve never been on a spaceship before, nor do I watch a lot of science fiction, so I don’t have much to compare it to. But it does remind me of a mixture between a futuristic submarine and a tacky cruise ship. The man explains that they have one private room for imperial guests and that they’ve moved around shipments to accommodate us. Once we are shown the room, I’m surprised it’s so small given it’s kept for imperial guests. The bed is long but barely wide enough for Axl let alone me too. The bathroom is even tinier. I’m not used to the finer things in life, but I find these accommodations a little funny being referred to as ‘imperial’ after the luxury on the base.

“Is this how all starships are?” I ask.

“The Hio is more of a supply ship. It’s run by middling class men delivering goods from one end of the galaxy to the other. It isn’t meant to be a passenger ship. The High Council doesn’t want any official passenger ships going between Earth and the Empire.”

“Why not?”

“Politics. The government doesn’t want to advertise what’s going on.”

“Oh, and what’s going on?”

“Men coming back to Earth to retrieve their human wives. Or men coming to Earth to find a wife.”

“But Fox makes everyone get binding tattoos…”

“Yes, he does. But if the difference between you never marrying or always being devoted to your wife, which one would you choose?”

“Why can’t they find a wife in the Empire?”

“There’s a serious demographics issue. There are too many men and it’s only getting worse.”

“But why? You must have the medical technology.”

Axl looks away.

“Why?” I ask again. I wonder if he’s hit a block with his sci-fi world building.

He comes over and takes my hands. This can’t be good. “There’s been some trouble between men and women. It’s mostly settled now. But I don’t want to lie to you in case you do end up in the Empire, a lot of women were murdered by men a few years ago.”

All the blood has drains from my head and I feel dizzy. I have to ask him the question, “Did you kill any women?”

“No I was not a part of any of it,” he says. His eyes meet mine unwavering and I’m convinced he’s telling the truth.

“And how do Alliance women feel about humans coming back with men who killed their mothers, sisters, and daughters? That can’t be good.”

“No, it’s all very messy and it’s all difficult, but I don’t think they blame human women.”

I try to imagine the situation, but I can’t.

There’s a loud chime throughout the ship. Axl leads me out of our quarters. “We must get strapped in. The Hio will jump from the solar system shortly.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means that you are going to fly around the ship if you’re not strapped in and the seats are in the corridor.”

I follow him into the hallway where we take some seats with other passengers. There’s another human woman onboard. We make eye contact but she doesn’t smile at me, nor I at her. I feel like I should say something like, ‘You’re human too, are you also playing this game?’ but that sounds ridiculous to my ears, so I keep it to myself and sit in the seat Axl points to. As usual, he helps me secure my seat belt. There are no windows, so I don’t know what’s happening outside, but I listen to the crew over the intercom. I feel like I’m an actor in a movie. The crew is preparing to jump. Whatever that means.

“Standby to jump.”

“Execute jump.”

“Five, four, three, two, one.”

Suddenly the ship is shaking and I become really worried. Am I going to die? I look over at Axl.

He takes my hand. “This is normal.”

I squeeze his hand. The shaking of the ship and the feeling that I can’t breathe seems to go on forever. I close my eyes and try to center myself. I try to think about the money waiting for me at the cabin, paying off my debts, buying a bakery, but it’s no good. I can’t shift the feeling that I’m dying in this small steel room. Again I question myself. Is this real or is this all a game for some billionaires’ pleasure? Or Axl’s pleasure alone? I don’t know. But I’m almost there I remind myself. I must continue to do this and then I get the money and can go home. But I feel so scared. Maybe all of this is going to change into a horror show? When he mentioned all of those women being killed it didn’t feel good. Maybe I am going to die here too.

After an eternity, the ship stops trembling and I let go of Axl’s hand. My hand is covered in sweat and so am I. He unstraps me and I try to stand but almost fall. He catches me and holds me by the elbow.

“It can be disorientating the first time. Maybe it’s best you lay down.”

I allow Axl to lead me to our imperial quarters and I lie down on the thin, long bed. There’s really nowhere for him to lay down and I feel bad if he’s disorientated too, but I don’t even have the strength to apologize. I close my eyes still wondering if this is a dream or reality.

I wake up and I’m alone in our small quarters onboard the Hio. I sit up and am not dizzy anymore. I get up to use the bathroom and then sit on the bed. I have nothing to do and if I stay in this room alone, I’m going to make myself crazy.

Besides, whoever abducted me or is paying for this game, would not want me to just sit around and do nothing. And maybe there’s the possibility that this is all over now. That the game has ended and I can just walk out. Axl and I have accomplished what we needed to do. We passed border control; they think we are married. Now I can go home and collect the money, right?

I open the door and look down the hallway. I don’t see anyone, but I hear people talking. I walk towards the sound but I stop before I round the corner, because I also hear what sounds like people throwing something or fighting. I think I hear Axl. Quietly I walk toward the sounds and I hazard a peek.

I see Axl and another man with grey skin, maybe from the crew, both with swords. They aren’t talking about anything that makes any sense, but they are attacking each other with the ancient weapons. When I realize that either they can’t see me or don’t care if I’m watching, I stand at the little window of the room they are in. I know nothing about fencing. I don’t even know if this is a real fight or just sparring. However when it looks like Axl might actually hurt the other man, I can’t help myself and yell, “No!”

Both men stop and look at me.

Axl puts his sword to the side and helps the other man up. I enter the room. “I didn’t know if you were fighting for real or not. I didn’t want to see you kill anyone.”

“Thank you for indulging me. May you walk in the gods light,” Axl dismisses all the men in the room which now I can see looks like a little gymnasium.

Five men pick up their swords and walk out of the room.

Then Axl walks over to me, “Did I frighten you?”

“Yes, you told me men killed women and then I wake up and find you attacking a man with a sword.”

He puts his hands around me and rubs the back of my neck with his thumbs. “We were sparring for exercise. Georgiana, I’ve never killed anyone without just cause.” He moves his hands down my back and pulls me against his sweaty hard half naked body. “I swear I will never hurt you and I would kill anyone that ever did.”

Axl’s words resonate with me. I never thought I ever wanted to hear something like that from a man, but now I know that’s what I’ve always wanted. Someone who is loyal to me, who is on my side. Not someone who just puts up with me out of obligation. And even if this is all temporary, now I also want to live out this fantasy for as long as it lasts.

Axl pulls me against him even tighter and I can feel his erect penis through the fabric of his trousers. And then he puts a hand in my braided hair and brings his mouth to mine. His tongue enters my mouth and any fear I had of him vanishes. His hands explore my body and bring up the hem of my dress as his hands snake under it, caressing my nipples then one hand between my legs. This is the advantage of a loose dress and not wearing any bra or underwear.

His large hand feels so good between my legs I start moving my hips to create more friction and I kiss his neck and chest, tasting the saltness there from his exercise. He increases his movements and I orgasm against his hand in this small gymnasium in front of the little window where anyone in the hallway can see us. When he brings his hand out from underneath my dress, he puts it in his mouth and sucks his fingers seductively in front of me. “You taste divine.”

“You can have more.”

“This will have to do for now, it’s time for the evening meal.”