Fated Mates

by ML Guida

  His lower lip trembled. “Yes, yes, I know. What do you intend to do with me?”

  Fergus suddenly realized he was stronger than Marduk. No Zalarian had the strength to defeat a Kamtrinian before. No wonder why Ian wanted his power.

  “Come on.” He dragged Marduk and forced him to walk in front of him.

  Marduk stumbled, but didn’t fall. They walked in silence to the others with Marduk, holding his wound with both of his hands.

  Lauchlan, Rory, and Fergus led Marduk down into the dungeon.

  “Are you going to kill me?” he asked.

  “Not unless you force us,” Fergus said as he opened the door to Lauchlan’s laboratory. An examination table was in the middle of the room with overhead lights. Sparkling clean counters had microscopes, burners, test tubes, and Petri-dishes. He had a freezer and refrigerator to keep specimens. Another bed was underneath a medical board that could read vitals, including the level of pain someone was experiencing. Cabinets were over the counters. “Bandage up his wound, Lauchlan.”

  “I don’t see why,” he mumbled, but he brought out bandages out of one cabinet.

  Rory forced Marduk to sit on the table. “Now, what about Captain Topaz?”

  Marduk licked his lips. “He’s not on Ocrion.”

  Fergus folded his arms. “Then where is he?”

  “If I tell you, you’ll kill me.”

  “No, we won’t,” Fergus said. “We’re not Kamtrinians. Now, tell us where he is.”

  “He’s…He’s with my master on his private ship.”

  Rory unleashed his sword and put it underneath Marduk’s throat. “Who is your master and what ship?”

  Marduk clamped his mouth shut.

  Fergus rubbed his chin. “Rory, put your sword down. We’ll use the Telsa Sifter.” The Telsa Sifter was a truth analyzer and not even a Kamtrinian could withstand it. Their allies the Arians had given them one.

  “No, he’ll kill me if I talk.”

  Rory pressed his sword deeper into his throat. “And we will if you don’t talk.”

  Fergus clasped his brother’s arm. “Put your sword down now.”

  Rory broke free of Fergus’s clasp but did as he ask.

  Lauchlan opened a door to a chamber with a metal chair. Fergus clasped Marduk’s arm. “Now, get in.”

  He shook his head. “No, please. He’ll kill me.”

  Fergus ignored him and shoved him into the chamber. Marduk pounded on the door, but he was too weak to break through.

  Lauchlan punched on the control panel. “I have to use a different level than I would anyone else. Otherwise, it won’t work on a Kamtrinian.” A yellow beam rolled across Marduk who covered his ears. “No, no, no.”

  Lauchlan spoke into a microphone. “Tell me who your master is and the name of his ship?”

  Marduk screamed as if he were in pain.

  Fergus frowned. “Something’s wrong.”

  Lauchlan turned up the power on the Telsa Sifter. The yellow light turned brighter. Marduk fell onto his knees. “Odi. My master’s name is Odi.”

  Lauchlan spoke into the microphone. “The name of the ship.”

  Marduk screamed and scratched at his head. “Stop, please stop.”

  “The ship,” Lauchlan insisted.

  Marduk clawed at his head as if he were trying to get something out. Blood spurted from his mouth. He tilted his head back and fell.

  Fergus reopened the door and rushed over to him. He touched his neck. “He’s dead.”

  Rory came up behind him. “Can you heal him?”

  “I could, but I don’t think I should.”

  Rory knelt next to him. “Why?”

  “He was clawing at head. I think something’s inside of him. Something I think that could hurt us.”

  “We’ve got to get him out of here.” They lifted him out of the chamber and then placed him on the examination table.

  Lauchlan brought out some chains from a cabinet. “These are strong to hold a Kamtrinian.” He looked up at Fergus. “Are you sure he’s dead?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “We need to know what killed him.” Lauchlan chained Marduk’s wrists and legs to the table. Deep scratches marred his face. It looked like a wild animal tried to attack him.

  Fergus walked around Marduk. “I think we need to be careful. We need to call the ship Orion and speak to Hoss. Something isn’t right.”

  They all three stepped away from the table and headed toward the door.

  Boom

  Blood, flesh, and tissue exploded around the room. Rory, Lauchlan, and Fergus went flying. Fergus smashed into a counter and banged his head on a counter.

  “Geez.” Rory pulled himself off the floor. “What the hell happened?”

  Lauchlan pushed himself off the floor. “I think someone didn’t want me or anyone to do an autopsy on our friend.”

  Nothing was left of Marduk. It was as if a bomb had gone off inside him.

  Fergus scowled. “Whoever Odi is, he isn’t playing any games. We’ve got a new enemy.”

  Dread filled him. He looked at each of his brothers. He wasn’t sure if Captain Topaz was even alive. Or what was worse, should he even bring him back from the dead? What if he came back a monster?

  Epilogue

  Despite the death of Marduk and a new enemy on the horizon, Elspeth had never been so happy. She lie next to Fergus in his bed and ran her leg over his. Her skin was chaffed from his love-making, but she still hadn’t had enough of him.

  The sun had set long ago and the moonlight bathed the room in a soft glow.

  Ian and his two enslaved dragons hadn’t met another appearance, but Elspeth knew Ian was just waiting for the right time to attack. She ran her fingers lightly over Fergus’s back and he shivered.

  “You’re liable to get me to take you again.” Fergus lifted his head off her shoulder.

  “I wouldna complain.” She twirled her finger in his hair. “What do we next?”

  “Nothing until Hoss, the head of security from the Orion, gets here. He’s second in command under Captain Topaz. Their medical equipment is far superior to ours.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I think it’s gross we’re just leaving Marduk splattered all over Lauchlan’s lab.”

  He kissed her neck, sending chills down her spine.

  “But Hoss feels like we might miss something or something else could have been embedded inside of Marduk.” He kissed her frowning lips. “But let’s think of other pleasant activities then the Kamtrinians.”

  She laughed. “Such as..”

  He cupped her between her legs. “Like bringing you another orgasm.”

  She stroked his balls. “I like that idea.”

  He gasped. She silenced his protest with a demanding kiss and widened her legs. He slipped his magnificent cock inside her and rocked his hips. She matched his rhythm, flapping her hips against his harder and faster. His hands roamed over her body, discovering new sensitive spots that brought her more and pleasure.

  “I love you. You’re mine forever.” He planted kisses down her throat.

  His words were magic to her ears. Her blood soared down between her inner thighs. She wrapped her legs around his thrusting hips and clutched his shoulders. Passion filled her, blinding her, and she screamed once again.

  “I’ll never get tired of hearing you call out my name,” he murmured.

  Fergus’s aura turned to a bright white and stars floated around them. He was so powerful, but he was still her dragon. He was still humble.

  “And yer mine. My little green dragon with a heart of gold.”

  Do you want to read about space dragons? Madness Unleashed was the first book to launch both Dragon Warriors and Dragons of Zalara! Would you do if a hot dragon shifter kidnapped you?

  Dear Reader

  I hope you enjoyed Fated Mates. Healers have always been a passion of mine. This past year has been difficult, because of my mom. She has a serious illness, and I wish someone like Fergus could to
uch and heal her.

  If you’ve read many of my series, I usually have at least one character who has healing abilities. Whether it’s my mother or someone else, I always wish someone could heal them, so they don’t have to experience the pain.

  This is the last book in the Dragon Warriors. However, I will be writing more books in the Dragons of Zalara and the three brothers will be making appearances.

  If you haven’t read Madness Unleashed, it’s the first book that launches Dragons of Zalara and Dragon Warriors.

  Until next time…

  ML Guida

  Madness Unleashed

  King Greum raised his arms. “My people, I have summoned you today, because there might be a way for us to survive as a race.”

  Someone yelled, “How can this be? Our women and daughters are dead. No one can replace them!”

  Greum lowered his hands. “Listen, please. The Fates have spoken to my lovely mate.”

  Damon gritted his teeth, his throat tensing tighter and tighter. She was the object of his desire.

  Gasps and mumblings filled the chapel as the queen, Cosima, approached the king.

  The sunlight shone through Angarth Citadel’s stained glass window and flickered off Cosima’s tiara, making her look like she had a halo around her. Her big green eyes shimmered as bright as the emeralds in her crown. Her silky blond hair flowed over her slender shoulders, and he ached to run his fingers through those silky strands.

  But she belonged to the King. Greum was in sharp contrast to her with his black hair and brooding face. He was the most powerful dragon on Zalara, and any attempt to seduce his mate would mean a certain painful death.

  “Do not despair. There is still hope for us. Listen.” Cosima motioned toward the bubbling pool. The slight motion made her white glossy gown glimmer, reminding Damon of a sparkling star. “I bring us hope. True, our beautiful women are gone, but the Fates have shown me that the Earth women are compatible. We may still survive as a race. However, the process of finding a mate is a difficult one. The Fates must choose them, because only the chosen ones can mate with us. Their destinies must align.”

  She took Greum’s hand and gave him a loving glance. Damon tensed as old jealousies tightened his skin. He wanted to be the one to receive those adoring glances. He gripped the pew in front of him so hard it cracked.

  His best friend, Anonghos, who everyone called Hoss, cast him a warning look. He was the chief of security for the Orion. Damon immediately stuck his hands at his side, clenching his fists.

  The queen led the king toward the baptismal pool, and together, they knelt in front of it. A large stained glass window of two dragons winding around each other was at the back of the altar. He wished he was the one at her side, but she was in love with the king. His only recourse was to be her personal guard, so he could look at her every day and protect her with his life.

  Suddenly, the pool bubbled softly.

  Cosima kissed Greum’s hand. “A mate has been chosen.”

  Damon hissed louder than a pissed off noke.

  Hoss elbowed him in the ribs. “Control yourself, or Greum will rip you to pieces.”

  He was right. Greum was extremely possessive of Cosima and wouldn’t take kindly to knowing her personal guard was secretly lusting over her.

  Cosmia turned to the congregation. “We will soon learn who will be the first person to save our race.”

  Damon thought the queen was looking at him. Every muscle tensed inside him, his anger twisting and twisting them into threadbare cords. It better not be him. He had no intention of mating with some damn alien. His heart lay with Cosima, and no Earthling would change his devotion.

  Out of the pool rose two ghostly women dressed in white robes. They were the original mothers of their race and had been the last female shape-shifters. When they had perished, the gods had granted them sight-seeing powers. Only when there was a great need could they be called upon.

  Obviously, all the women being slaughtered met that urgency.

  But what good were the Fates? They had been useless against the Kamitrinians’ deadly weapon.

  “Greetings, King Greum and Queen Cosima,” Rillo, the smaller of the two, bowed slightly.

  Although she was the smaller, she was also the more powerful of the Fates. Her dark eyes sparkled, and Damon winced at the brightness of her white robe.

  The king and queen bowed. “Greetings,” they both answered.

  “We have found an Earthly mate worthy of a Zalarian.” She gestured toward the voluptuous redhead. “Ythei, the Mate stone, please.”

  Ythei opened her palm, and a simple, shiny, smooth white stone appeared. “I call forth Damon of the Royal Guard.”

  Shock cut into his heart, as sharp as a laser. Damon grimaced. No, no, no, this couldn’t be right. The Fates had to be wrong.

  A loud gasp echoed around him.

  Hoss gripped his tense shoulder. “Don’t make them mad, Damon. Go.”

  Damon reluctantly left the pew and slowly dragged his feet to the altar. He avoided Cosima, who looked at him with pity. She knew how he felt and had told him more than once he needed to find another. She belonged to Greum, and the King was her soulmate.

  Rillo smiled. “Be glad, guard. You will be the first to give hope to your people.”

  Damon bit his tongue to keep from arguing. Defying a Fate warranted death. But although his heart lay with the queen, he would not betray his people. Mated didn’t equal love.

  “Stretch out your hand,” Rillo said.

  He forced himself to obey. Ythei dropped the smooth stone into his hand, and immediately, a surge of energy torpedoed up his arm to his wary heart. He shook uncontrollably as if a jackhammer had fallen down his pants. An image of a redheaded woman with brown eyes formed in his mind. Unlike Cosima, strands of her hair fell out of a tight bun, and she had stains on what looked like some kind of uniform. Just as suddenly as it formed, the image vanished.

  He stopped shaking but was left with bitter disappointment. How could he mate with such a disheveled female when he adored the gift of perfection on the altar?

  Rillo put her hand on his chest. “You will go with Captain Topaz and the crew on the Orion to fetch your mate.”

  Scorching heat shot through him, hotter than dragon fire. Sweat soaked his skin, and passion fever melted his stubborn heart. His dragon was aroused and demanded its mate.

  When she lowered her hand, it was gone.

  “It shall be done.” Greum put his firm hand on Damon’s shoulder.

  He hung his head, knowing love would always be out of his grasp. And now, he would be saddled with a mate he hadn’t chosen and hadn’t wanted.

  About the Author

  Award Winning Author M.L. Guida loves science fiction and the paranormal. From Star Trek to Dark Shadows to Supernatural, she fell in love with things that go bump in the night. But it was the heroes, she loved the best. No matter what happened, those characters never gave up. Now, her heroes are following their footsteps. Whether it's a shape shifter from outer space or a vampire from the past, her wounded heroes always find a way to conquer battles and win the heart of the feisty heroine. Because even in a world of darkness, true love survive.

  Also by ML Guida

  Dragon Warriors (Dragon Romance)

  Captive Mates

  Primal Mates

  Dragons of Zalara (Scifi Romance)

  Madness Unleashed

  Madness Unhinged

  Madness Unmasked

  Madness Unbalanced

  Bears of Aria (Scifi Romance)

  Vaughn

  Tash

  Walfea

  Magic, New Mexico (Paranormal Romance)

  Touch of Madness

  Touch of Darkness

  The Touch of the Dragon

  Touch of Curiosity

  Blood Brotherhood (Vampire Romance)

  Sin of the Vampire

  Shadows of the Vampire

  Heart of the Vampire

  Mate o
f the Vampire

  Claim of the Vampire

  Destiny of the Vampire

  Bite of the Vampire

  Blood Brotherhood Box Set

  Vampires on Holiday (Vampire Romance)

  A Vampire’s Wish

  A Vampire’s Gift

  A Vampire’s Vow

  Dark Angels

  Immortal

  Rapture

  Fallen

  Paranormal Dating Agency (Paranormal Romance)

  Eye of the Tiger

  Another Tiger Bites the Dust