Madness Unmasked

by ML Guida

  The thought of losing her forever sent the sound of his thrashing between his ears. In a desperate attempt, he called her name over and over, hoping to bind her to him. He should claim her with the Mating Stone, but the pain of losing her pounded into his chest. He could feel his body, his dragon, gathering itself, channeling all his heat, all his fear, all his power into a feverish push.

  As Kathy rocked her hips, taking him deeper and deeper, he thrust his head back and braced himself, holding her close, in the throes of an orgasm so bright and brilliant, that he roared, announcing his pleasure. He spent himself in a white-hot release, silently saying the mating words to himself, claiming her as his.

  They clung to each other, neither speaking, the water lapping over their heated bodies. Ysam couldn’t stop trembling and rested his head on her shoulder. She stroked his head. Fates, he wanted this to last forever.

  “I heard something over here,” someone cried.

  Ysam tensed, recognizing Tash’s voice. A bitter taste formed in the back of his throat. He lifted his head and softly whispered in her ear, “Hurry. The Arians are coming.”

  Kathy pushed back from him. Her flushed cheeks turned white. “Oh, God.” She unwound her shaking legs, and he carefully pulled out of her.

  They swam quickly to shore. Ysam got out first and pulled her out quickly. Neither of them spoke as they quietly got dressed. He was wondering if she was as shaken as he was of their experience. Her skin was chafed where he’d kissed her, but other than that, he couldn’t read what she thought.

  “Ysam, Kath!” Tash called. “Where are you?”

  “We’re over here,” Ysam answered, not taking his gaze off Kathy’s wet hair that slowly curled around her face. He opened his mouth to tell her how much she meant to him, but he was too tongue-tied to say anything and stared at her like a love-sick youth. Where was that self-assuredness that she brought out of him now?

  Tash and Vaughn burst through the jungle. They had cuts and bruises on their faces and one of Vaughn’s arms was bleeding.

  “Are you two all right?” Tash demanded. His harsh voice, leaving little doubt he’d suspected what they had been doing.

  Ysam stepped in front of Kathy and cast him an angry glare.

  “We just needed to wash off the soot,” Kathy mumbled behind him.

  Vaughn raised his eye brow, then a slow smile spread across his face. He rubbed the top of his forehead. “After the tower fell, we found the Gogs dead in a clearing.”

  “How many Arians did you lose?” Kathy stepped around Ysam and glanced nervously at him.

  He clasped her hand, brushing his thumb over her flesh.

  “Only one,” Tash said quietly.

  Kathy stood closer. “Who?”

  “Nucl,” Tash said in a low voice. “We found him in bear form. His right paw had been blown off, and he bled to death.”

  “I told you, Tash.” Vaughn glared. “He wanted to murder you.” He motioned with his arm. “He nearly had your whole crew murdered.”

  Tash ran his hand through his hair. “Don’t look at me that way. It’s my job as captain of the Intrepid to hand him over to the Confederation. We needed to know how deep his betrayal went.”

  Ysam looked at all their pinched faces. “We’ve got a bigger problem. Before I killed him, Yagok, Captain of the Executor, said that the Kamtrinians were sending more creatures to man their prison. I contacted the Orion, and they’re two hours away. But if they don’t get in here in time, we’ve got to defend ourselves.”

  A vein trembled in Vaughn’s cheek, and Tash grumbled a curse under his breath.

  The back of Ysam’s neck broke in chills. Kathy bit her lip. He gripped her hand tighter. He had to get her out of here before all hell broke out.

  Chapter 15

  The beautiful waterfall turned eerie. Clouds covered the hot sun and Kathy stood closer to Ysam, clutching his hand tightly. His words struck terror inside her thumping heart. The Kamtrinians were sending more creatures here, more terrifying than the Gogs? She couldn’t imagine and didn’t want to imagine.

  Tears formed behind her eyelids, but she blinked them away. “What do we do now?”

  “We make a stand on the Intrepid,” Tash said. “It’s the only place we can be safe. We’ll repair her weapons first.”

  Ysam frowned. “The Gogs are no longer guarding it?”

  Vaughn shook his head. “No. We also discovered that Nulc, the low bastard, had been making repairs on her with the Gogs’ help.”

  “You’re kidding?” Kathy gasped.

  “No.” Tash’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Just another one of his many treacherous acts.”

  “Our people have started making more repairs on her,” Vaughn said. “We left the Intrepid guarded when we came and looked for both of you.” His eyes twinkled and his mouth curved up into a teasing smile.

  Tash scowled. “We need to get back to the Intrepid now.”

  Heat swelled inside Kathy, and she lowered her head. Obviously, both of them knew what they’d been doing. Vaughn was amused, but Tash’s anger made her want to pull her shirt over her head.

  Vaughn motioned with his arm. “This way.” He led them deeper in the jungle and thick debris, cutting away branches and leaves and knocking down vines.

  The jungle was untouched from the fire and the smoke, but the leafy trees blocked out the sun and wind and Kathy panted, her clothes sticking to her sensitive flesh. The juncture between her legs throbbed and her skin tingled from Ysam’s chafed skin and wicked tongue. When she’d steal a glance at him or he squeezed her hand or touched her lower back to maneuver her through the path, hot tingles swept over her, and her heart hammered wildly. She pushed her hair off her slick forehead, still no closer to making a decision regarding her dragon.

  Suddenly, broken branches twisted overhead and trampled underbrush signaled they must be getting close. When Vaughn pushed back thick vines, Kathy gasped.

  “Welcome to the Intrepid,” he grinned.

  A huge disc spaceship was tipped on to one side. Vines and cables with what looked like grappling hooks were strapped over her, and the hooks were threaded through several bending trees as if the Arians were going to pull her down on one side. Kathy shook her head. Men would never have the strength to complete such a feat, but these were bears. She squeezed Ysam’s hand–and one dragon.

  Arians were going up and down a ramp, carrying supplies. One of them had white hair––Walfea! He’d survived.

  Walfea walked down the ramp and his eyes widened when he saw them, then he broke out in a wide grin. He ran over.

  “Kathy! I’m glad to see you.” He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground squeezing her tight.

  She laughed and hugged him. “I’m glad to see you too, Walfea.”

  At a low growl, Walfea lowered her and bowed slightly. “Sorry, dragon, but your woman saved my life. It’s not something I’ll ever forget.”

  “No offense taken, bear.” Ysam quietly stepped in between them.

  Kathy covered her mouth to hide a smile. Ysam’s jealousy was no different than any man’s, which used to make her angry and defensive, but with Ysam, her heart melted.

  “Tash, I’d like ask permission to take Kathy inside,” Ysam said.

  The captain nodded. “Request granted.”

  “I’d also like to offer my services to help repair the ship.”

  “Gladly accepted,” Vaughn chimed in.

  Tash nodded. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find Ryruc to see what progress has been made on the weapons and engines.” He quickly left, his stiff arms gliding back and forth.

  “Walfea,” Vaughn said. “Will you take Ysam and Kathy to suitable quarters?”

  “Of course.”

  “Ysam, I’d like you to join me on the engineering deck and help me repair our eruptors.”

  “I will.” Ysam clasped her hand protectively. “But first I need to talk with Kathy.”

  The hairs on the back of her nec
k stood up and she frowned. His dark and heavy tone reminded her of her high school sweetheart’s when he decided to break-up with her right before home-coming.

  She looked at him, but he stared straight ahead.

  They followed Walfea into the Intrepid, and Kathy sucked in a quick breath. Smooth walls and a moving carpet greeted her. Emergency lights lined the based boards. She had to brace her legs to keep from sliding into one wall since the ship was tilted on one side. Ysam slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

  “She’s not at full power yet,” Walfea said. “So, we’re conserving energy. It’s going to take everything she has to break out of the atmosphere. As soon as Ryruc gives us the word, we’re going to straighten her.”

  Ysam smiled. “Need some help with it?”

  “Dragon strength would definitely be welcomed.” Walfea pushed a white button.

  Kathy blinked. Like magic, a door slid opened to a leaning elevator.

  “The elevators are working but are moving sluggishly.” He motioned with his arm. “Our living quarters are below.”

  With Walfea’s and Ysam’s large build, she was squished to the side. No more than three Arians could fit in such a tight space. The elevator creaked and wobbled, moving at a snail’s pace. Kathy thought they could have walked faster, but she wasn’t sure the spaceship had stairs.

  The door glided open to reveal an empty corridor with dull lights. “We haven’t been in our quarters much,” Walfea said. “So, there’s not much lighting here.”

  “Nobody’s down here?” Kathy asked.

  Walfea shook his head. “No, most of us are helping. With the majority of the crew gone, there’s much work to do.”

  “I can help do something.” The last thing she wanted was to be squirreled away and hide like a frightened princess.

  Ysam clasped her shoulders gently. “We know, but first I need to talk with you…Alone.”

  His eyes glowed darker.

  Walfea shrugged. “Sure.” He stopped in front of a wall and once again, a door magically slid open. “You can stay here.” His shoulders drooped, and he hung his head. “The Arian couple who lived here didn’t make it.”

  Kathy ran her hand down his thick arm. “I’m sorry, Walfea.”

  He looked up, his eyes glistening. “They were my friends. If you’ll excuse me.” He quickly left them, his spine stiff.

  Ysam led her inside the cabin. It was a little bigger than a hotel room with a queen bed, two white dressers, and an armoire, but what made her heart sick was the picture of a smiling couple staring into each other’s eyes hanging on the wall. They were obviously in love.

  “I feel like we’re invaders. We shouldn’t be here.”

  Ysam took her into his arms. “I know, but they’re not coming back.” He kissed her fiercely, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, then pressed her body against his, weathering the upcoming storm between them.

  Their breaths were hard and passionate. He planted hungry kisses down her throat. “Do you know…how much I care for you? How much I need you? Ever since I danced with you, you became a part of me.”

  His husky voice touched her soul.

  “And you me. I’ve never danced with anyone like you. Do you always dance that way?”

  His eyes darkened. “Only with you.”

  She gasped, her heart swelling at those words. His hard flesh pushed against hers. “Take me, one more time.”

  He lifted his head, passion filled those tiger-eyes. Without saying a word, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. His pounding heart promised passion and fervor that made her smile. When he put her down on her feet, she ripped off her shirt and clothes then tossed them on to the floor. They fell onto the bed together, their mouths and hands exploring each other slowly, stroking, licking, kissing.

  She moved her hands over his delicious hard muscles that rippled underneath her palm. She sucked and licked the salt off his pulsing throat.

  But he wasn’t idle. He squeezed her breasts and pulled on her nipples until they budded into hard buds. One hand stroked and cupped her curls. He edged down her hot body, sucking and nipping, worshipping each breasts until she was a withering mess.

  She threaded her fingers in his hair, pressing him to her chest. Heat sweltered inside her and she thought her dragon was deliberately, sending her up in smoke. He wakened deep-protected feelings inside her that she’d had kept locked away in her heart.

  She couldn’t deny them anymore. He’d turned her world upside down, dancing with her, kidnapping her, rescuing her. All of her excuses of wanting a normal life with ball games and movies and grocery stores paled. She didn’t want the ordinary. She wanted the extraordinary.

  His mouth found her womanly curls, and he speared his tongue inside. She arched her back and her hands clawed the blankets, gripping them tightly. He tortured her with his tongue, feasting on her leisurely, driving her mad. Another pulsing building orgasm shook her. Blood roared through her, and she gasped for breath.

  The rumbling orgasms slammed into her and she screamed his name. He looked up at her with hooded eyes.

  “I like hearing you scream my name, and I want to hear it again and again.”

  Her throat dried up at his velvety voice.

  He climbed up the bed like a panther and then arched his hips, thrusting his cock deep into her core. The same hot friction raged between them each time he slid his cock back and forth. Their hips danced and pounded to a fervent crescendo.

  She parted her mouth, and he filled it with his demanding tongue that dominated her every cry. The tension between them built rose higher and higher and Kathy clung to him until she came in a fury, her breath squeezing shut and the room spinning around.

  His hips rocked to a furious pace, slamming against her, filling her and filling her and filling her. With one final thrust, he spilled his hot seed inside her and collapsed on top of her trembling.

  She gently traced her fingers over his back. “Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  He tensed. “No.” He stared down at her with such intensity, she squirmed.

  “Ysam, what’s wrong?”

  “I have to tell you something.”

  She stroked his hair. “I’m listening.”

  “First know, I love you.”

  “You do?” She stopped, her heart stilled. A flock of flickering butterflies fluttered in her belly.

  “You’re my mate, my life. I’d do anything for you.”

  No man had ever said such passionate words.

  “I––“

  He put his finger on her mouth. “Wait. I have to get this out. You’re my mate. I can’t lie to you any longer.”

  Time stood still. His aura was bright blue and anything he told her would be the truth. The butterflies in her stomach turned chaotic, pounding against her gut.

  She lifted her chin. “Lie to me? You mean you don’t love me?”

  He shook his head vehemently. “No, that’s not it at all.”

  The butterflies quieted and the tension in her muscles relaxed. “Then, what is it?”

  He lowered his head and gulped for breath. He lifted himself off her and her body immediately ran cold, goosebumps racing over her flesh. He sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulders slumped.

  “Ysam.” She caressed his stiff back that had turned suddenly cold. “You’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s my brother.”

  “What about him?” She crawled over to him and pressed her body against his back, trying to send him warmth.

  He didn’t speak.

  “I didn’t even know you had a brother.”

  He raised his head and sighed deeply. “You’ve met him.”

  His dead voice killed the butterflies, replacing them with an icy emptiness.

  “I have? But I have only met two aliens. You and Anonghos.”

  He turned around, his face turning to a sickly complexion, and he clasped her cold hands. He was trembli
ng. “That’s not true, is it?”

  “What? I don’t…” The truth slammed into her like a rocket, knocking the breath out of her lungs. She put her hand on her chest. Her eyes widened and her lower lip trembled. She jerked her hands free. “No, tell me, it’s not true.”

  “On Zalarian, a Mistonian, a bounty hunter hired by the Kamtrinians, possessed Daidhl. His mission was to wipe out all the Zalarians’ designated mates.”

  “This can’t be happening.” She scooted away from him and put her hands over her ears.

  He seized her wrists and looked at her with pleading eyes. “He wasn’t evil before Kathy, I swear. He was kind and gentle and fearless. He was my big brother and my hero.”

  She jerked her wrists free and narrowed her eyes. “Your hero murdered my sister.”

  She hyperventilated into a frenzy. Venom surged through her veins and she balled her fists to keep from scratching his face.

  “I know,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.” He reached for her, his hand shaking.

  “Sorry? Sorry doesn’t even begin to cut it.” She jumped off the bed and jerked on her underwear, cussing herself for being so stupid.

  “There’s more.”

  She shoved her unruly hair out of her face. “More?”

  He sat on the bed like a beautiful marble statue. She had to hardened herself to not fall for his his sad tiger-eyes that pulled at her heart strings.

  “It’s about your sister and Daidhl.”

  She crossed her arms under her naked breasts. “What about them?”

  “They’re…uh…mates.”

  She frowned and then burst out into a hysterical laugh. “You’re kidding, right? That’s what mates do on your despicable planet? Slice each other into ribbons?”

  He winced. “The Fates said that Daidhl and Lisa were destined to be with each other. I’m supposed to put the Mating Stone in Lisa’s ashes, so they can be together.”