by S. E. Smith
With a heavy sigh, he knew he wasn’t going to be able to do it which is why he finally ordered Jarak to take the creatures to his mountain home. He contacted his long-time friend, Asim, who managed his home there and explained the situation. He needed him to care for and protect the tasty little treats, not eat them. Asim had looked at him with amusement as he assured him that he would protect the creatures with his life. Now that was taken care of, Mandra could focus on repairing his living quarters and claiming his mate, not necessarily in that order.
He was walking through the garden area back to the main part of the palace where the living quarters were when his symbiot sent a wave of distress to him. Mandra jerked to a stop looking around him trying to discover what had upset it. His eyes followed it as it suddenly transformed into one of their largest flying birds. It launched itself upwards just as a scream pierced the air.
Mandra looked up and actually felt a brief flash of dizziness even as his dragon roared out in fear and denial. He transformed between one heartbeat and the next, pushing upward as fast as his huge wings could take him. He watched as his symbiot swooped up catching his mate’s falling body around her upper arms in midair. Even though he knew she was safe from falling to her death, he needed to hold her in his arms and feel for himself she was alright.
Give her to me! Mandra demanded reaching out his front claws to gently take her from his symbiot.
Mandra twisted his head down to stare into the pale, still face of his mate. She was unconscious. Her soft lashes like dark crescents against her pale cheeks. The tiny dots that caressed her across her nose stood out against her white face and her breathing was erratic. Mandra flew back up to the balcony of his living quarters landing on it gently as he transformed back into his two-legged form. He pushed through the opening where the broken doors had been removed. His living quarters had been cleaned of the destruction and all the destroyed furniture had been taken away leaving it bare. He moved toward his sleeping quarters only to stop with a curse when he remembered his destroyed bed which had not been removed yet. He turned moving down the hall to one of the guest bedrooms with his symbiot following closely beside him.
“What am I to do with you, little one?” Mandra asked in a shaky voice. “You have caused me more terror in one day than I have ever felt before.”
Mandra laid Ariel’s limp body down on the bed in his guest room. He ran a shaky hand down along her cheek until it rested over the dragon's mark he had given her just hours before. Sitting down next to her on legs suddenly too weak to support his body, Mandra picked up one of her tiny hands in his larger one and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“What have you done to yourself?” Mandra asked in dismay as he looked at the bloody tips of her fingers. “Am I so repulsive you would rather die than remain with me?”
“No,” a horrified voice said behind him. “No, you are not repulsive and you must never think that!” Morian said moving swiftly into the room.
Mandra turned to look at his mother with unshed tears glittering in his eyes. “She almost died trying to get away from me. How can I believe any different, Dola?”
“Mandra, you have to be patient,” Morian said gently touching her son’s cheek as she stood beside him. “She is frightened. This is a strange world to her. She told me so earlier. She does not understand the feelings she has when she is around you.”
Mandra looked into his mother’s eyes. “Did she say this to you as well?” He asked hesitantly.
Morian smiled and nodded. “Yes. This is what frightens her the most, I think. She does not understand how strong the feelings are between true mates. She will need to be reassured. I have talked to your brother Zoran. He has told me much about what he has learned from his mate and he is still learning. The females do not understand what it means when you claim them. Their males do not do this,” Morian explained as she looked down at Ariel’s pale, relaxed features.
“I think she is afraid to trust me, Dola. I did not handle her as I should have. She cared for the little creatures she had and I took them from her when she begged me not to,” Mandra said brushing a strand of pale golden hair away from Ariel’s face with tender fingers. “I sent them to my home in the mountains. They will be cared for and protected there. I was on my way back to tell her that,” Mandra whispered.
Morian smiled down at her son and nodded. “Then, she will forgive you. Just accept her and guide her. She is like the wild creatures she cares about. It will not be easy,” Morian said with a glimmer of humor lacing her voice. “I think you have already discovered that.”
Mandra felt a sharp bark of laughter escape at that understatement. “Yes. I just hope it does not get too difficult. I am not sure I can survive any more frights such as I have had today,” Mandra said.
“You have survived the first day and so has she. Tomorrow will be better,” Morian said kissing Mandra on his forehead before moving away. “Though, if I were you I think I would not leave her alone.”
Mandra nodded absently. “I won't. Thank you, Dola,” Mandra murmured as his mother left the room.
Come heal our mate, Mandra whispered to his symbiot who was curled up next to him on the floor. I fear it will take all three of us to protect this one, my friends.
..*
Ariel moaned softly as she slowly came awake. She looked around in confusion trying to remember where she was and how she had gotten here. Her head jerked around when she felt a pair of strong arms pulling her close to a hard, warm body. Ariel frowned as she tried to remember how she could have ended up in Mandra’s bed and in his arms but her mind seemed to be filled with cotton.
“Where am I?” Ariel asked confused. “What happened?”
“You fell off the ledge outside my living quarters,” Mandra replied gruffly as he ran his hand over her hair tenderly.
She bit back a terrified cry as she remembered the awful feeling of weightlessness and terror as she lost her balance. Her heart sped up and felt like it was about to explode out of her chest as she fought the memory. Ariel struggled to sit up but Mandra just pulled her tighter against his hard length.
“Let me go!” Ariel whispered fiercely as she also remembered why she had been on the ledge. She had been trying to get away from him.
“I cannot,” Mandra whispered back sadly. “I cannot let you go, Ariel. You are my true mate. You belong with me.”
Ariel turned her head until she was looking into Mandra’s sad, dark gold eyes. “What does that mean? Why do you think I belong to you?” Ariel asked confused.
“It means I would give my life for you. Without you, I will die and possibly you will too. A Valdier warrior can only find his true mate when the three parts of who he is accepts the female making them whole. You do that for us, Ariel. My symbiot, my dragon, and I all want you, accept you.”
“No you don’t. Not really,” Ariel whispered with a slight catch in her voice. “You don’t understand,” she said as she turned her head away from him
Mandra reached up and gently turned Ariel’s head back toward him. “I had your pets taken to my mountain home where they will be cared for and protected until I can take you to them. I know they mean a lot to you. My dragon feels bad for upsetting you when he tried to eat them. He promises to behave around the creatures that are in your care for now on,” Mandra promised quietly.
Ariel looked into the solemn eyes gazing at her and saw only reassurance that he was speaking the truth. At that moment, Ariel knew that Mandra was slipping under all the defenses she had set up to protect her heart.
How could I not love…, Ariel stopped the sudden thought floating through her head and frowned before chastising herself. Just stop right there, Ariel! You don’t even know the guy! Why on Earth, or wherever in the hell you are, makes you think you could fall in love with him? He isn’t even human! No, her heart argued back, he is an alien who can turn into one sexy ass dragon. Ariel groaned in frustration as her brain and her heart argued back and forth. Shit, now she was pissed o
ff with herself!
Mandra, seeing Ariel’s dark frown, reluctantly released her. She had not forgiven him. She did not want to be with him. His mother must have been wrong about the human female feeling anything toward him. Mandra quickly got up off the bed and moved toward the door leading out into the hallway.
He paused at the door not turning around. “There is a dinner tonight to welcome you and your friends to our world. My mother has made arrangements to have the dressmaker come. I will leave you until later,” Mandra said quietly before he walked out the door.
Chapter 11
It had been over a week since she fell off the ledge and woken in Mandra's arms. So much had happened since then. Ariel was still having a hard time understanding everything that was going on both around her and inside her. Ariel’s mind floated as she remembered what her stubbornness almost cost her. She flushed as she thought about the consequences of that incident. Since waking up in Mandra’s arms amazed at still being alive, she had shared a bed with him each night at his insistence. She had protested but Mandra was adamant. He would not do anything she did not wish but she would be at his side.
Ariel sighed as she looked out over the mountains where Mandra had brought her the morning after the dinner. His home was only about an hour from the palace but it seemed like another world. It was so beautiful here she never wanted to leave.
Mandra's mountain home was breathtaking both inside and out, Ariel thought as she moved to sit down on the terrace, just like him.
It was small in comparison to his living quarters at the palace but still huge compared to what Ariel was used to. Massive mountains with snow on the peaks surrounded the home which was located on the higher end of a long meadow. At the end of the meadow was a large lake with a small island in the center of it. Several natural waterfalls fed into the lake on one side while a small river cut through the mountains to the west. Enormous, dark red trees covered the south side of the lake and up each mountain until they couldn’t go any further because of the steep rock face. The meadow itself had an ocean of knee-high purple grass that seemed to change color as it rocked back and forth with the gentle breeze cutting through the mountain pass.
Mandra’s home was made from the thick trees and rocks surrounding them. It reminded Ariel of Mandra, strong and solid. It was a single story structure with an open floor plan that revolved around a large living area. There were huge windows from floor to ceiling that let in an abundance of light while giving a view of the mountains, lake, and forest surrounding it. The floors were a polished wood and there was a large stone fireplace in each of the eight main rooms, including the large, airy kitchen.
Ariel turned her head toward the sun and closed her eyes enjoying the warmth. She had stolen the long-sleeve shirt Mandra had draped over the railing of the terrace as he worked and put it on when she first came out earlier. While she had been slightly chilled, the real reason was she liked the way his scent clung to the soft material.
She opened her eyes and sought out the man that was causing all the confusion inside her. He was building an enclosure for her so she would have a place to care for all the animals that somehow seemed to be showing up every day since she arrived.
Some of the animals had minor injuries, some more severe. For those with severe wounds, Mandra brought in one of the healers from the palace. The healer looked at Ariel's wide, pleading eyes and shook his head with a sympathetic glance at Mandra who stood glaring at him with his arms crossed daring him to deny his help. The healer showed Ariel how to care for the wounded deer-like creature. The problem was where to keep it until it could be returned to the wild. Asim suggested building a small fenced in area and shelter for it not far from the house. Ariel's cry of delight and the huge kiss she gave Asim was enough of an incentive for Mandra. When he agreed with Asim, Ariel turned a shy smile on him before giving him a kiss too. The kiss she gave him still sent shivers through her. It wasn't a deep, passionate one. In fact, she barely brushed her lips against his but it was enough that she hungered for more.
Ariel bent down to pick up one of the little Maratts who was still with them. Most of them had been released back into the wild. Ariel found out the Maratts and Grombots that she had confiscated on the warship were considered a delicacy to Valdier dragons. Because of this, over time they had become almost extinct. They were usually found on the Earth's equivalent of the black market where they were sold illegally. Mandra assured Ariel that the region to the north where they transported them three days ago was remote enough they should be safe. It was also filled with their natural food source, a type of flowering plant, so they would do well. He and Ariel were the only ones to know where the location was since he did not want to take a chance of them being captured again.
Ariel looked at the one in her arms. It had a small wound on its leg from the fight in Mandra's living quarters so Ariel kept it along with four other Maratts who were also recovering. She rocked it gently against her as it burrowed closer and closed its eyes.
..*
Ariel’s eyes followed Mandra as he moved around the newly formed structure. She studied his strong, proud features as he talked to Asim who was pointing to something on the shelter they were building. Today he had his hair tied back at the nape and without his shirt on she could see the light glow of sweat across his wide, bare shoulders. Her eyes followed the path down his back to wear his pants hung low on his hips. Ariel couldn’t resist licking her lips at the way they hugged his ass and thighs. A pair of dark brown boots finished off what he was wearing. All Ariel could think about was how much she wanted to take each piece off of him one at a time.
She was puzzled about why he was so distant to her. He held her tightly each night but during the day it was almost like it pained him to be near her or touch her. It wasn’t like he wanted anyone else near her either. She had spent some time with Abby and Trisha before she attended the dinner. At the dinner, though, Mandra had thrown dark warning looks at any male who tried to come near her. She had spent most of the night people-watching.
What really confused her was he never touched her except at night when he thought she was asleep. At first, Ariel thought he regretted being stuck with her. That was until she caught the look of hunger and longing in his eyes on several occasions before he covered it with a blank mask. If she didn’t know better, she would think the big lug was afraid of her breaking his heart.
A nudge on her elbow shook Ariel out of her deep thoughts. She grinned when she saw the huge golden symbiot was in the shape of a bear-like creature today. She loved it when it changed shapes. She never knew what to expect.
“So, you like me too, huh?” Ariel asked letting her fingers brush over the thick, golden head. “Well, I like you even more. You know what? We need to give you a name. How about Precious?” Ariel asked with a small laugh. “You can be my Precious.” The creature sent a wave of warmth through her before sending additional small threads of gold up her arms.
Ariel laughed and shook her head. “It’s a good thing all the gold you put on me doesn’t weigh that much because I wouldn’t be able to stand much less walk with all the necklaces, bracelets, and armbands you’ve covered me in.”
Ariel talked nonsense to the golden symbiot for another half hour before she moved into the house to make lunch. She knew the men would be hungry from all the work they were doing. She liked the fact that she could still see them even from the kitchen area. She didn’t know why Mandra didn’t just live here all the time. She would never tire of the view, especially if Mandra was a part of it.
Ariel finally gave up kidding herself that she what she felt wasn’t love. Over the past week he had shown her how sensitive and caring he could be. He was also protective and attentive and sexy and… Oh, hell. He was just sexy and he turned her on in a way Eric never did. The fact was Mandra was nothing like Eric in any way, shape or form. There was nothing to compare between the two so she didn’t even attempt to try. Mandra had her heart in the palm of his hands. Maybe
it was time she showed him.
..*
“Why do you not tell her how you feel?” Asim asked holding the board in place for Mandra to attach.
Mandra glanced at Asim before shooting a glance at where Ariel was sitting on the terrace. “She does not want me,” Mandra replied gruffly nailing the board into place.
Asim chuckled. “That is not what I see. She never takes her eyes off you. She reminds me of the creatures you sent here. At first they stared at me in fear waiting for me to pounce on them and gobble them up. But, within a few days I had to practically beat them off of me. Once they knew I would not hurt them, they wanted to be with me.”
Mandra looked at the man who was like a second father to him. Asim had been his father’s personal guard when he was young. When his father was killed, Asim approached Mandra to see if he would accept his services. Mandra knew Asim looked on him as the son he never had. Mandra suggested Asim could help him here. Together, they built the main house that Mandra used and a smaller one for Asim. Asim guarded this area, protecting those living in the small village not far away and reporting any suspicious activities to Mandra.
“You are mistaken,” Mandra said looking back at Ariel again.
