by S. E. Smith
Mandra shifted back into his two-legged form with a growl of frustration. He was just about to demand why the female was not afraid of him when spots appeared before his eyes as pain shot through him. His growl of frustration turned to a moan as he fell over onto his side. He let his head drop back as he clutched his throbbing manhood and drew in shuddering breaths.
“Why did you do that?” Mandra gritted out in a hoarse whisper.
“Who the hell are you and what did you do with my dragon?” Ariel demanded rolling over onto her knees and putting her hands on her hips in anger.
Mandra looked up at the female kneeling within touching distance and shuddered. Every time he got within touching distance of her, some type of pain seemed to follow. He laid there breathing deeply and just looked at her instead. Her hair was blowing about her in wild abandon, curling and flying as free as the tiny bits of gold from his symbiot. She had a smudge of dirt across one cheek and her clothes were rumbled with little bits of grass and leaves stuck to them. His eyes widened at the thin threads of gold woven around her neck and wrists. His dragon was right. His symbiot had claimed her! She was his true mate. Now, all he had to do was figure out how to claim her without ending up in medical.
“Why weren’t you frightened?” Mandra asked lying still and watching Ariel closely as the waves of pain began to recede a little.
He let out a sigh of relief when some of the soft golden symbiot that was flying around landed on him. He felt it moving over him, healing him before it moved down his arms to form thick wrist bands. He felt some of it move up to his forearms, where additional bands formed. He assured it that he could handle the pain in his manhood without its help. The last thing he wanted to do was have the damn thing moving around in his pants, if it could even fit considering every time he got near the female his cock seemed to have a mind of its own. The damn thing ignored his pain and began to swell as the scent of his true mate being so close called to him.
Ariel looked down at the huge man lying on the purple grass no more than a couple of feet from her and felt a stirring deep inside her. It was pissing her off! She was through with any kind of stirrings when it came to men. They weren’t to be trusted. The dragon, she could handle. The big gold kitty with all the little thingy’s flying around she could give her heart to. But, the huge male was a different story. She learned her lesson the hard way and she was a fast learner. She didn’t need to go down heartbreak road again.
Now, all the different critters were a different story. She could handle the creatures like the ones on the ship. They needed her to protect them, love them, and they accepted her just the way she was. They didn't try to change someone into something different.
Ariel sat back down on the grass and looked at the man warily. “Why should I be frightened?” Ariel asked confused.
Mandra curled one arm under his head while he thought about how to answer her. “Most warriors who see me in my dragon-form fear me. Why would you not?” He asked enjoying listening to her husky voice.
“I guess I’m not like most warriors,” Ariel said tilting her head to the side. “Who are you?”
“I am called Mandra Reykill, of the Royal House of Valdier,” Mandra said sitting up with a wince. He made sure to keep a safe distance from Ariel as he did. “What are you called and are you always so…painful to be around?” Mandra asked as a twist of amusement curved his lips at her eye-roll and snort.
Ariel couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped as she crossed her legs so she was sitting criss-cross applesauce as her teachers long along used to say. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand while she motioned with the other one for the gold creature to come to her. She sat contemplating Mandra Reykill for a few minutes before she answered him. Ariel let her fingers stroke the gold symbiot absently. Her eyes narrowed as Mandra’s eyelids dropped to a drowsy half-closed position the minute she started doing it.
“I am ‘called’, as you put it, Ariel Hamm. I’m assuming the guy who took off with Cara is your brother?” Ariel asked.
Mandra grimaced. “Yes, he is my younger brother Trelon. You probably met my older brother, Zoran, who has claimed your friend Abby and my other younger brother, Kelan, who has claimed your friend, Trisha,” Mandra said huskily.
Mandra was having a hard time concentrating on anything but the feelings of driving need coursing through him at Ariel’s touch on his symbiot. Every stroke she made seemed to be like having her fingers on him. He could feel the need pulsing through him. He felt a fine sheen of sweat coat his skin as he fought the urge to just pounce her again and to hell with the consequences. His hands curled into tight fists as he fought for control of both himself and his dragon.
“You never answered my question,” Mandra murmured.
Ariel looked up frowning at the change in Mandra’s voice. It was deeper than before, more sensuous. Ariel’s fingers on the symbiot stilled for a moment and she saw Mandra’s eyes flash in frustration. Curious, she stroked gently and watched as the flames flared in his eyes again. Ariel stopped and the flash of irritation happened again. She bit her lower lip trying not to giggle as she gently ran a finger along the golden creature’s back letting her nails scrap it. As soon as she did it, she saw a shiver run through his huge frame in response. Ariel lowered her eyelids peeking at him through her lashes as she continued her systematic attack of stroke, scratch, still, and petting until she thought he was going to burst into flames.
Mandra’s deep growl was the only warning Ariel got before she found herself pinned under his huge frame again. This time, he made sure he kept one leg thrown over both of hers to prevent her from kneeing him again. Ariel’s laughter of delight was cut short as she stared into eyes flaming with desire and need.
“You are playing a very dangerous game, little one,” Mandra breathed out as he pinned Ariel’s arms above her head.
“It’s the sucker sign on my forehead…the answer to your question. Animals have always known I was a sucker for them,” Ariel whispered staring up into the burning gold flames. “I’ve never been afraid of animals and they seem to know I would never hurt them. I could see it in your eyes. I mean your…,” Ariel shook her head as if to clear it. “…in the dragon’s eyes. He would never hurt me.”
Mandra stared down into the deep, dark brown eyes staring up at him in a combination of confusion and something else. He felt a deep growl rumble in his chest in response to her. She was so beautiful lying under him. Her hair was almost white with flakes of gold running through it. It was spread out all around her in wild abandon.
Much like her, Mandra thought.
She was like the wild creatures he often came across in the forest as he flew. Her features were so delicate and soft. Her nose was long and narrow and her lips were a pale rose color, full and begging for him to taste her. He liked the feel of her full, plump breasts pressed against his chest. He enjoyed the feel of her rounded hips in his hands. He could not wait to taste the sweet buds that were clearly defined against her top. He pressed his hips down to let her know exactly what was about to happen. He would claim her – right here, right now.
Yes! Claim mate, his dragon roared deep inside him in glee.
Ariel’s eyes widened as she recognized the look in Mandra’s eyes. It was a look of total possession, of triumph, of determination to brand her as his. Ariel could feel the panic welled up inside her; Eric’s mocking voice coming back to her.
Never, Ariel thought, never again.
Ariel reacted out of self-preservation and fear when she realized Mandra was going to kiss her and possibly more. She brought her head up sharply into Mandra’s nose as hard as she could. She could hear the bone crunch and felt a moment of disorientation as she saw spots but she didn’t let it slow her down. Using her body and her hands that were suddenly freed as he grabbed his nose, Ariel pushed Mandra off her and scrambled to her feet. She touched her forehead which was throbbing. Her eyes flew to where Mandra was groaning on the ground and a small stream of blood
was seeping through his fingers.
Mandra pushed up into a sitting position with one hand while the other still held his quickly swelling nose. A small squeak escaped Ariel when she saw the heated look of reprisal in them. Turning, she bolted back toward the palace determined to hide until she could figure a way to get off this blasted planet and away from the huge male warrior who was confusing her so much.
Chapter 8
Mandra slammed into the conference room where three of his brothers were sitting around a huge, rosewood color table with a holovid screen in the center. His nose was back to normal but his temper was not. He couldn’t find the damn female. He was about ready to order every last warrior in the palace to stop what they were doing and search for her. He couldn’t even depend on his symbiot to help him. It seemed the female realized that there was a connection between them. Oh, it was with her. The female had threatened to remove every bit of it from her and not have anything to do with it again if it gave away where she was hiding. His symbiot refused to take a chance until it knew the female would not follow through with her threat.
“What is the matter?” Zoran asked standing up when he saw the murderous expression on his brother’s normally impassive face.
“You!” Mandra growled out moving toward Zoran. He pushed him back until he had him pinned up against the wall. “You are responsible for all this mess!”
Zoran locked arms with his brother in surprise. Both men’s arms strained as they locked into a battle of wills. Zoran grunted and pushed Mandra back a couple of steps. He found his brother must have been working out a lot more or his time in captivity had made him weaker than he thought because Mandra was not moving any further.
“And what, pray to the Gods and Goddesses, did I do?” Zoran asked looking into his brother’s frustrated eyes.
“You brought those females here! I should kick your ass good for that,” Mandra growled out low.
“I second that!” Creon said walking into the room. “I’ll help you, Mandra, with total enjoyment.”
“I’ll third that!” Trelon muttered under his breath.
“I guess it is unanimous,” Kelan called out from where he was sitting at the table rubbing his throbbing brow. “I wanted to do it while we were still on the V’ager.”
Zoran frowned as he looked at all his brothers. “What the hell is going on? What is wrong with the females?” Zoran asked.
“I can’t keep up with mine,” Trelon said tiredly. “She keeps disappearing on me.”
“Mine keeps pressing me to take her back to her planet,” Kelan said angrily. “I will not let her return. What if she doesn’t want to come back?”
Zoran looked at Mandra who had released him and turned away to walk over to the small recess where refreshments were served. “What about you two? I thought you were going to find mates for the other two? Surely there are males who will take them,” Zoran said in confusion.
Mandra was shocked as he lost control at the idea of another male claiming Ariel. Zoran barely ducked in time to miss the glass Mandra threw at him. Creon was on his feet growling dangerously at Zoran at the mention of giving Carmen away to another male. Zoran looked back and forth between his brothers who were both fighting for control. It took a moment before he realized what had happened.
“You too?” Zoran asked quietly looking at Creon and Mandra. “Both of you have claimed the females?”
Mandra glanced at Creon who had returned to his seat and was staring moodily out the window with his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned back against the counter and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at his brothers and wondered if they were going through the same confusion, fear, rage, and uncontrollable desire he was.
“Yes,” Mandra replied finally. “The problem is every time I get near her she attacks me! Now, I can’t even find her. She broke my nose and took off. She is hiding somewhere and I haven’t been able to locate her yet.”
Creon’s head jerked up. “She broke your nose? When did she do that? I just thought she knocked you out,” Creon said with a frown. “Your nose didn’t look broken.”
Mandra grunted as he turned to pour himself another drink. “She did it later when I caught up with her in the garden,” Mandra turned back around and pointed his drink at Zoran. “These females do not behave the way they are supposed to. I thought they were weak, fragile…delicate! You never said anything about them being dangerous, vicious, seductive little savages who do not fight fair. I thought they were going to be crying.”
Zoran shook his head. “I never said they were weak or fragile.”
“No, you did not,” Mandra said with a sigh. “But, from the way the three of you looked so stressed and worried, I assumed it must have been because of the females. You know how Clarmisa is. I just assumed they were like that only weaker. How was I to know that these females are about as delicate and fragile as a Sarafin warrior set for battle?”
All the men shuddered at the mention of Clarmisa. “Gods, no! None of them are like that. Abby is the strongest female I have ever met. She lived alone on her mountain and cared for me while I was injured,” Zoran said moving to sit back down at the large conference table.
“Well, how was I to know that? Anyway, the female called Ariel will not be claimed by any other male but me. My symbiot, dragon and I have all claimed her. I just have to find a way to capture her without ending up in medical or dead,” Mandra muttered fiercely as he moved to sit down.
..*
Ariel moved through the maze of corridors totally lost – again. She had been walking for what seemed like hours, well except for when she found a small room that had obviously not been used in eons where she had fallen asleep. She didn’t realize just how exhausted she was until she finally stopped for a few minutes. The next thing she knew, she was passed out. Now, she was feeling refreshed except for the fact she needed a shower and a fresh change of clothes. She was also worried about all her little babies Jarak promised to have transported down. She really hoped he kept his promise. She had no idea where he would put them but she hoped it was someplace safe until she could be with them.
The huge golden creature next to her seemed to understand her as it began nudging her whenever she got near an intersection in a corridor. Before long, she found herself in a huge corridor with tall arching columns. The ceiling had elaborate paintings on it depicting everything from flowers to warriors to dragons battling. Large planters filled with all types of beautiful plants lined the corridor in between the huge, arched windows that let in streams of bright, golden light that reflected off the white marble floors and walls. Ariel walked over to one and gazed in wonder at the huge flowers that seemed to glow. When she reached to touch one, it closed up suddenly causing her to squeak in surprise. Ariel jerked around when she heard a soft, feminine chuckle coming from behind her.
“You must be one of the females brought back on the V’ager,” the woman said softly before nodding to the plant. “They close as a defense. If you wait a few moments, it will open again. The longer it is open the more it will glow. They are very beautiful at night,” the woman said walking forward.
Ariel watched as the woman removed a pair of dirty gloves from her slender hands. She tucked them in the front of the apron she was wearing. Ariel thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen before. She moved with a grace that was almost mesmerizing. Ariel’s eyes swiveled back to the flower that was slowly opening again.
“It’s so beautiful,” Ariel breathed out. “This whole world is so strange.”
The woman tilted her head and studied Ariel for a moment before replying. “Do you think it is strange in a good way or a bad way?” She asked.
Ariel looked at the woman with troubled eyes. “I’m not sure yet. Everything I see is so different from what I’ve ever seen before. It is very confusing,” Ariel replied hesitantly. “My name is Ariel… Ariel Hamm, by the way. It is a pleasure to meet you,” Ariel added with a wave of honesty. This woman was the fi
rst female she had seen except from Carmen, Trisha, Cara, and Abby.
The woman chuckled. “I am called Morian. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you,” Morian’s eyes flickered to Mandra’s symbiot that was pressed protectively near Ariel. “What do you find confusing about our world?”
Ariel bit her lip and ducked her head unsure how much she could say without mentioning the only really confusing part was her reaction to the huge male who tried to catch her. She touched her fingers to the golden creature next to her seeking comfort. A wave of warmth flowed through her and she relaxed a little. She looked up at the woman who was waiting patiently for her to respond.
“We don’t have plants like this on our world or dragons or space travel like you have or purple grass,” Ariel said in a rush.
“Or males that make you feel things you do not wish to?” Morian asked gently.
Ariel’s eyes jerked up to meet Morian’s soft warm gold eyes and saw understanding in them. She nodded without realizing she was even doing it. When she did, she jerked her head back around to stare out the windows with a frown. She just wanted to go home. She knew what was there. She knew what was waiting for her. What she was going to do. Here…here she was lost, on unfamiliar ground, unsure of what or where she fit in.
“I want to go home,” Ariel whispered hesitantly. “Trisha, Cara, my sister and I have things to take care of back home. It is important that we return as soon as possible.”
