JAY WRAPPED HIS HAND around his cock and stifled a moan as he imagined that is was Alice’s hands that gripped him so tight. That it was Alice’s lips, he was pumping into, as his hips moved back and forth with the rhythm of his fist.

The last thing he wanted to be doing was beating off in the middle of the night in a dark corner on the high deck. But sharing a bed with Alice had been enough to send him into the darkness to try and get some relief.

The sight and smell of her were enough to have him hard, but that curvy body rubbing up against him was more than he could stand. Jay had a feeling that Alice was just as affected as he was. But he wasn’t going to attack her in her sleep.

When they finally fucked it would be with her gorgeous eyes wide open. And she will have full knowledge that whatever it was between them would finally be laid to rest.

He cleaned himself up and zipped his jeans, planning to return to the shared cabin when Jay heard a rustling beside him.

“Who’s there?”

There was a squawking noise, followed by a Jubjub coming up from the lower decks. The small creature immediately bowed to Jay knowing his superior species. With his wings tucked in bashfully the Jubjub looked up through thick lashes.

“Beg pardon, Wocky, I didn’t think anyone else was awake.”

Jay motioned for the little bird man to rise and approach him, “What is your name?”

The Jubjub flushed, “It’s Jolly, sir. On account of how friendly I am, I suppose.”

Jay nodded, “I heard that there were three of you aboard. It was surprising since I had thought Jubjub’s didn’t leave Snark Island, and yet here you are.”

Jolly hung his head, “Isn’t fit to serve the Wocky’s any longer, sir.”

Jay quirked a brow, “Why is that? I don’t remember giving any orders to that effect.”

“I was banished, along with Ringwart and Clover. We were told never to return.”

“What did you do?” Jay found himself being interested in the little Jubjub’s plight.

“It’s what we wouldn’t do, sir,” Jolly sighed, “We were sent to kill a warren of Bandersnatch’s, but you see when we got there they were just babies. Couldn’t kill a baby, sir wasn’t right. So, we got tossed off of The Snatch and came to the mainland. Luckily enough Dame Mary Ann needed a crew.”

Jolly winced and looked up at Jay, “There are mechanicals aboard the ship.”

Jay sighed, “I am aware. Do they know that I am here?”

Since Jabberwocky’s and mechanicals tended not to get along, Jay was aware that this could pose a problem.

Jolly shook his head, “No, sir. They usually stay in the engine room. Only the Jubjub’s come above deck. Maybe they won’t find out and bother you, sir.”

Jay wasn’t so optimistic. He had been attacked numerous times over the years by different automatons. Their make-up seemed to be distrustful of great bouts of magic. And being a Jabberwocky meant that he had hordes of it.

“What are you doing up so late, Jolly?”

They both turned at when Dame Mary Ann spoke.

“Just checking the riggings, Capt. Won’t be but a moment!”

Mary Ann smiled, “Not to worry, Jolly. Go about your business. I should like to speak with the Jabberwocky anyhow.”

Jolly bowed no less than seven times to each of them before he scrambled away to do this task. Mary Ann shook her head in amusement as the small creature departed.

“Faithful little blighter, the three of them are good as gold. They are not the brightest tools in the shed, however.”

Jay felt a corner of his mouth twitch, “Why are you up so late, Dame Mary Ann?”

A comfortable smile settled on her freckled face, “We are going to be friends you and I, I have decided that.”

He couldn’t help an answering smile, “You have, have you?”

“I can’t miss the opportunity to befriend a Jabberwocky. There aren’t many of you to begin with and that pretty number you call a brother doesn’t strike me as friendship material. I can’t imagine him not wanting into my bloomers if you catch my drift.”

Jay’s eyes twinkled, “Are you calling my brother a man whore?”

“Walks like a duck, talks like a duck,” she grinned, “So, what do you say Jabberwocky?”

Jay stuck his hand out, “I should be delighted to have you as a friend. But I must insist on you call me Jay.”

Mary Ann dimpled, “I should be honored, Jay. And you shall call me Mary Ann. Well, now that we are friends. I feel the need to give you some advice.”

The more Jay spoke with the peculiar woman, the more she amused him.

“By all means,” he gestured her to the rail of the airship, and they both took their places staring out at the night sky.

“It is hard to believe that there is trouble and strife in Wonderland when all the world is sleeping, and the stars are out to protect us. One would imagine that nothing bad could ever happen in the milky moonlight.”

Jay glanced her way, and she sighed.

“Alice is a dear friend of mine. I had no one and nothing before she took me on as the captain of this airship. I feel that in the interest of friendship I must warn you. If you hurt her in any way, I will have my knife in your gullet before the day is through.”

Jay looked at the smaller woman in astonishment. It was true that Mary Ann wasn’t as tiny as Alice nor as tall as Lory. But she resided somewhere in the middle. She was certainly nothing to his large muscular frame, and that was not even considering that he turned into a deadly beast on frequent occasions.

“You are threatening my life?” Jay said cautiously.

“No sir,” Mary Ann looked him dead in the eye. “I am not offering threats of any kind. What I say to you will be a reality of you so much as step out of line.”

Jay couldn’t help himself, he laughed.

“This isn’t a laughing matter, Jabberwocky!”

Jay muffled his laughter, “It is Jay, remember? We are to be friends, you, and me. And to be clear, I would not harm a hair on that woman’s head. I have gone to great lengths to ensure that I wouldn’t bring danger to Alice. But I am thankful that she has a friend who is as stalwart as yourself.”

Mary Ann blushed, her freckles sticking out in comparison, “Right, well, just so we are clear.”

Jay nodded, keeping his grin in check, “Perfectly. We haven’t many hours until daybreak. You should get some rest.”

Mary Ann looked back to the stairs that led below to the cabins.

“I believe I will get a few hours. You should as well Friend Jay. Tomorrow will be another full day of sailing until we can question the Red Knight.”

He agreed, and they made their way down below. Mary Ann headed into her cabin without another word. But Jay waited a moment trying to contain himself before joining the lovely Alice once again.

He opened the door and was immediately met with her scent. That sweet perfume that lingered in the air when she was near. Shutting the wooden door, Jay removed his shoes, shirt, and pants so that he was once again in his boxers.

There Alice lay, sprawled out across the bed taking as much space as possible. Her head was turned to the side, and she had one hand under her cheek. Her dark hair was splayed wantonly across the sheets.

Jay wasn’t sure how long he stood there watching her. He had dreamed about having her in his bed, but this wasn’t quite how he imagined it.

Eventually, his exhaustion took over, and he slipped into the bed turning her onto her side and gathering her close. His cock was hard, but that was nothing new around the little beauty. She didn’t rouse as he moved her but settled back against him with a contented sigh.

Jay figured he would never sleep again, and that perhaps it was worth it just to be near her.