Madness Unbalanced

by ML Guida

  “Just know”––she licked her cracked lips––“I love…you. Don’t…forget…me.”

  The last thing she remembered was Drake tossing his head, shrieking.

  13

  Drake hugged Chloe’s limp, feverish body. Her head slumped to the side and her arms were limp. Pain balled up in the back of his throat. “I’ll get you to Tryker. I promise he’ll heal you.” His voice cracked. Even as he said those words, doubt crept into his mind.

  He gently unwound his arms from Chloe. He put his hand over her mouth. A faint brush of air flickered over his shaking palm, but it was too weak. Time was against him.

  If she died, he’d come back for Zuyyer. He didn’t care if it was futile.

  “Topaz, come in, this is Drake. Do you read me?” He couldn’t hide the panic in his voice. Chloe was getting paler and paler and her breath shallower and shallower. She was dying.

  “Topaz, here. Drake, where the devil have you been?”

  “In the Centaurus Star System on an unknown planet.”

  “I gave strict orders that none of our ships were to enter that system.” His voice left little doubt that Drake would have to answer to him. Disobeying the captain of the Orion might have just killed his ability to be reinstated as an officer.

  “Captain, listen to me. I’m in route to Zalara. I need Tryker. My mate…” He clamped his jaw tight.

  “Your mate what?”

  “She’s burned, Captain. I don’t know if she’s going to make it.” His voice wavered, and he tensed, trying not to lose it, but he was one step away.

  “How far out are you?”

  Drake swallowed back the sorrow, the guilt, and the terror, threatening to drive him mad. “I’ll be there in less than two hours.”

  “Tryker will be ready.” His voice softened, but he still wouldn’t forget that Drake had violated a direct order.

  Drake put in a course for Zalara and warped into ultra-drive seven. The Leo rattled in protest, her engines screamed, but he ignored the warning signs popping on his console. If he could have, he would have pushed to ten, but seven was the highest she could go. All that mattered was getting Chloe to Tryker.

  “Stay with me, Chloe.”

  The next two hours were the longest in Drake’s life. Chloe wouldn’t answer him. She’d cough, then gasp for breath as if each one were her last. Why did she have to be so brave? Why hadn’t she stayed in the cave like he’d asked?

  Finally, Zalara’s two suns, Blostos and Clostos, welcomed him home. He whizzed past them to Zalara, a blue and green planet.

  He contacted the captain.

  “Topaz, I’m in the final approach.”

  “Tryker and his emergency crew will await you at the landing pad.”

  “Thank you.” Drake glanced at Chloe who hadn’t made a sound for the last thirty minutes. “We’re here. You’re going to make it. Do you hear me? You’re going to make it.”

  But she didn’t argue or agree. Her head was slumped to the side like it had been for the flight, and her arms hung limp on either side of her.

  The blackness of space dissipated to light blue. The Leo crashed into the atmosphere, whining and screaming in protest. Clouds and sky greeted her. She shook uncontrollably and fire shimmered at her wings. Drake steered her toward the landing pad.

  Flying dragons cruised out of his path. Angarth Citadel’s turrets beaconed to him. Right behind her was the space station and the landing pad. Emergency equipment waited for him along with Tryker, his doctors, even Topaz was there. Tears formed on the back of his eyelids, but he clamped his jaw tight, not wanting to break down. He had to stay strong for Chloe.

  His hands shook as he landed the Leo. He punched open the spaceport doors. Not waiting for Tryker and his team, he lifted Chloe’s limp body and bolted out of the bridge.

  Tryker met him with a gurney. “Put her on here, Drake.”

  Drake did as he asked and gently laid his mate down.

  “Fates,” Tryker mumbled. He opened up each of Chloe’s beautiful silver eyes. “What the hell happened? She has third-degree burns. Her skin is blistered and charred. The burns have gone through the dermis and into her other organs. Humans usually don’t survive those.”

  Blood pounded between Drake’s temples and his vision clouded.

  “No!” Drake grabbed Tryker’s shirt. “Don’t say that. You have to save her.” He shook him hard. “It’s your job.”

  “Drake. Let go of my ship’s doctor.” Topaz’s stern voice broke through Drake’s rage.

  Tryker was a couple of inches shorter than Drake, but no fear shone in his eyes. He broke loose. “Get a hold of yourself, man. I can’t work miracles. I’ll do my best.”

  Drake ran his shaking hand through his hair. “I can’t lose her.”

  Tryker put his hand on his shoulder. “I’ll do what I can.” His face grim, he glanced at Chloe’s blackened and blistered body. “But I suggest you prepare for the worst.”

  Drake rubbed his forehead and nodded, unable to answer.

  “If anyone can save her, Drake, Tryker can,” Topaz said. His faith gave Drake some hope.

  Tryker loaded Chloe into an ambulance that whizzed to the nearby hospital, which was only a mile away from the space port. Drake and Topaz transformed into dragons and flew alongside them. They quickly transformed back into humanoid forms at the hospital entrance and entered.

  Tryker took Chloe into surgery.

  In the waiting area, both Drake and Topaz took a seat.

  “I’m honored you’re with me,” Drake mumbled. Not exactly the truth, but it was the polite thing to say. Topaz had a million things to do astride from sitting in a waiting room. Drake wasn’t even a member of his crew.

  “It’s just not over concern for your mate that I’m here, Drake. I want to know why you disobeyed my order.”

  The last thing he wanted to do was relive the whole ordeal, but Topaz was a stern captain and wouldn’t leave until he got his answers.

  “I didn’t have a choice, Captain. A small Kamtrinian ship was pursuing us. If I didn’t try and lose them, then both myself and my mate would have been dead. I tried to contact you, but interference blocked out communication.”

  “From the Kamtrinian ship?”

  “No, from the Seps.”

  “Who are the Seps?”

  Drake caught the captain up on what had happened, sparing no details. Topaz didn’t ask any questions until he was finished.

  He lifted an eyebrow. “So, you’ve done what no other Confederation officer has been able to do with that star system.”

  “Excuse me, sir?”

  “You’ve established communications with aliens who have repeatedly ignored the Confederation’s attempt to establish relations.”

  Drake frowned. “I didn’t know the Confederation had attempted to establish communications in that solar system.”

  “You were no longer a member of my crew and certain information is kept from civilians, as you know. The Centaurus Star System is key in helping us defeat the Kamtrinians, since it is between our two galaxies.” He gripped his shoulder. “Thanks to you, we may be one step closer in keeping the Kamtrinians in their own system.”

  Normally, Drake would be jumping for joy at Topaz’s praise, but his thoughts were focused on Chloe. He couldn’t ignore the compliment, either. Drake cleared his throat. “Thank you, Captain.”

  Topaz dropped his arm. “When you’re ready, and if you so choose, you have a position back on my ship. You’ve proven that you can control your anger.”

  Drake put his elbows on his knees and rested his forehead in his palms. “Only because of my mate. I’m lost without her.”

  Topaz didn’t answer but stayed with him. Neither of them spoke as they waited for news from Tryker. A couple of times, Topaz was contacted and would go off to answer questions or give orders, but he didn’t leave Drake––something Drake wouldn’t forget. It was one of the reasons Topaz’s crew was loyal to him. Topaz always stood behind his cre
w, no matter their position.

  A few hours later, Tryker came out of the operation room. He had his mask pulled down and his scrubs on, but his grim face was all Drake needed to see.

  “I’m sorry, Drake. She’s stabilized for now, but I’m afraid it won’t last long. She’s too badly burned.”

  Adrenaline pumped through Drake’s body, breaking every restraint. He clenched his fists and roared.

  Topaz grabbed both his arms. “Listen to me.”

  Drake broke loose. He picked up a chair, then smashed into the wall. “Why! She’s dying captain. My mate.”

  “Have you claimed her yet?”

  “I love her,” he growled.

  “That’s not what I asked you.”

  He slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a hole. “No, there wasn’t time. And now, it’s too late.”

  Topaz glared. “Hoss’s mate was dying, but when he used the Mating Stone, she was healed.”

  Drake looked at Tryker. “Is that true? Is there a chance it could work?” He held his breath.

  “I don’t know. Agnes’s throat had been ripped out, and she’d lost a lot of blood. But this is different. Burns are a whole different animal.”

  Drake crashed two more fists into the wall.

  “Will you stop destroying my hospital?” Tryker growled.

  Drake panted, trying to regain his composure, but a sensation of strength pulsed through him. He was one step away from ripping apart the doctors and building for not saving his mate.

  “Drake.” A soft female voice stopped him.

  He turned around. Queen Cosima gazed at him with sorrow. Her blond hair glimmered under the overhead light and her blue gown glittered. “I came as soon as I could.”

  “She’s dying,” he blurted. “No one can save her!” His voice echoed off the walls.

  “You can,” she said gently.

  He glared at the good doctor who had his head bent as if in shame. “Tryker said the Mating Stone wouldn’t be enough.”

  “There are other stones besides the Mating Stone.”

  He stopped. His body overheated with exhaustion. “What?” He glanced at Topaz and Tryker who both shook their heads like this was news to them.

  “The Fates have other stones, but you must ask them. Go to Angarth Citadel and pray.” She walked over to the damaged wall and ran her hand over the break. “I’d lose your temper along the way. They don’t take kindly to being yelled at.”

  Not waiting another moment, Drake rushed out of the hospital, then transformed into a dragon. He flew as fast as he could to Angarth Citadel. He transformed back into a humanoid then whipped open the huge oak doors. He gasped for breath. The Citadel was quiet except for the bubbling pool, and the only light came from the glass window above the altar.

  Sweat dripped down his face. Fates, he was desperate. He’d do anything to save Chloe, even pray. He walked down the aisle to the pool. He knelt down on one knee and lowered his head. He wasn’t sure what to say but decided to speak from his heart.

  “Fates, I kneel before you a broken dragon.” His voice was barely a whisper. “My mate is dying. She risked her life to save me.”

  Unwanted tears fell down his cheeks. “Tryker…can’t save her. She’s badly burned. Help me.”

  The pool frothed, but no one appeared.

  His heart severing in two, Drake got on his hands and knees, then prostrated himself. “I’ll do anything…Please hear me, great Fates. It’s my fault she’s dying. I beg you.” His voice trailed off as he wept bitterly.

  “Stand, Angry One.”

  Drake lifted his eyes. Ythei stood next to the pool, her image reflecting in the water. Her two sisters weren’t with her.

  He scrambled to his feet and bowed his head. “My mate…”

  “I know of your mate. So, you’ve pledged to do anything to save your mate.”

  He lifted his eyes. “Yes.”

  A silver dagger formed in her hand. “Blood for blood. Heart for heart.”

  He looked at her questioningly.

  “You must stab yourself in the heart to save your mate. Are you willing to do this?”

  The chapel darkened and the pool bubbled violently. Ythei’s golden eyes darkened. Her blond hair and teeth glowed. Her skin turned very pale. She looked like an avenging demon, rather than a goddess.

  Heaviness weighed his body down, and his heart shrunk. More than anything he wanted to be with his mate. He didn’t want to die, but he couldn’t let Chloe die, either.

  “Yes.” He snatched the blade out of her hand.

  She held his gaze. “Now, stab yourself in the heart, and I will heal your mate.”

  Without taking his eyes off Ythei, he held the blade to his beating heart. He lifted his head up and in loud voice, he cried, “I love you, Chloe!”

  He shoved the blade deep into his heart. Sharp, blinding pain slashed into him. His breath died, and he fell onto his knees. He dropped his arms to the side and tilted his head back. The Citadel floated around him. At least, Chloe would live.

  Ythei pulled the blade out of his chest, and he cried out. He coughed up blood and his vision blurred.

  “You’ll not die. Trust me,” she said. “Rise.”

  He spit up more blood, which spilled down his face and onto his chest.

  “Rise, Angry One. I command you.”

  Tingles rippled through him, his strength increasing. He forced his wobbly legs to move and swayed on his feet.

  Ythei put her hand on his chest and the pain faded, but it wasn’t completely gone. “You’ll carry a scar, which will show that you were willing to give your life for your mate.” She moved her fingers along the bloodied dagger, then rubbed her fingers. Where the blood used to be, a glowing white stone formed. “This is the Healing Stone.” She placed it into his shaking hand. “Only true love can heal your mate, Angry One. In order to save her, you must give her both stones at once. If she loves you as you do her, she’ll live.” She pointed. “The Healing Stone’s power is time limited. Go, before it’s too late.”

  With that, Ythei changed into white smoke and swooshed back into the bubbling pool. She hadn’t even given him time to thank her.

  He clutched the Stone in his hand tightly. Tears falling down his cheeks, he murmured, “Thank you, Ythei.”

  He rushed out of the Citadel and immediately transformed into a dragon. Drawing on dragon speed, he flew as fast as he could to the hospital.

  Topaz and Queen Cosima were still in the waiting room.

  “Fates!” Queen Cosima put her hand to her mouth. “What happened?”

  Drake ignored her. “Where’s Tryker? I have to see Chloe now!”

  Topaz stood. “He’s taken Chloe to ICU. Are you…”

  Not waiting for him to finish his question, Drake drew on dragon speed and raced up to the intensive care unit.

  “You can’t be here.” A male nurse tried to stop him, but Drake pushed past him.

  In the quiet ICU, Chloe lay on a bed with a medical board overhead. Tryker was at her side. He glanced up. “Damn it, Drake, what did you do to yourself?”

  “I pleaded for my mate to the Fates.”

  “I’m afraid you’re too late.” Tryker shook his head. “She’s very weak, Drake. I suggest you say your good-byes. I’m afraid she’ll be dead by sundown.”

  Drake panted. “No, she won’t.” He opened his palm to reveal the Healing Stone. “Ythei gave this to me. I need to give Chloe both the Healing and Mating Stones.”

  Tryker nodded. “May the Fates be with you.” He stepped back, giving Drake room to move to Chloe’s still body.

  Her face had blistered and her skin had turned an ugly black. Her chest was barely rising.

  Drake’s breath stopped briefly. Numbness swept over him that he was too late. Not sure if Ythei’s stone would work, he reached into his pocket for the silver Mating Stone. They were almost the same color. He didn’t know if them matching was significant or mere coincidence.

  He slowly approach
ed Chloe, his strength diminishing in his shaking legs. Beads of sweat formed on his upper lip. He remembered his failure with Delias and how she’d pleaded with him to save her, only to die in his arms. What if he failed again? What if his and Chloe’s love wasn’t strong enough?

  He stretched out her stiff cold hand. It was so black he thought it should be hot.

  Please let this work.

  He knelt on one knee. “By the Fates, I claim you as mine for now and forever. You’re my mate. Never let us be parted.” His words shook, but they came deep within him. “I love you, Chloe Pitt. Come back to me.”

  He rested his head on her icy cheek as his tears fell on her cold flesh. Adrenaline beat through him and swept through his fingers, making them tingle. He squeezed Chloe’s hand, willing her to live.

  But so far, he hadn’t felt a tremor move. He’d failed again like he had with Delias. Another woman he loved had died. Why hadn’t Ythei let the dagger kill him? Angry tears fell down his cheeks. The wound on his chest burned as if all the hope he’d had went up in flames.

  14

  Tingles swept up Chloe’s burning right arm as if someone were brushing cool, ice over her burnt flesh. Chills fluttered through her body, easing her sensitive nerves. Her beating heart stopped sending fiery pain throughout her ravaged body. Her lungs were stronger, taking in more air. It didn’t hurt to breathe.

  She inhaled the smell of antiseptics and cleaning fluid. She slowly opened her eyes and realized someone held her hand. Wetness brushed over her skin. Whoever held her, was crying.

  Drake’s dark head was bent over, his hair flaring out on the sheets. Drake was crying.

  She moistened her lips. “Drake?” she croaked.

  Her voice was so soft she didn’t think he heard. She took a deep breath and in loud voice, she said, “Drake?”

  He lifted his head. His eyes were bloodshot and blood stained his chin as if he’d gulped down fifteen Bloody Marys.

  “Why do you have blood on your chin?”

  He kissed her hand. “Thank the Fates, you’re alive.”

  “So, what happened?”