by S. E. Smith
“Come child, walk with me,” Morian said as she carefully pulled her apron off and laid it down on one of the benches lining the corridor. “I could use some refreshments.”
Morian nodded to the symbiot before saying, “Go play for a while. I will keep your mate safe until you return.”
Ariel watched the huge gold creature change form to something that looked like a cross between a lion and an eagle. She watched until it disappeared around the corner before she turned to follow Morian like an obedient puppy, feeling lost and lonely. She walked beside Morian down the corridor a little ways until the older woman opened a door and walked in.
Ariel gave a cry of joy when she saw all the cages filled with the little creatures from the V’ager neatly stacked on one side of the room. She rushed past Morian and began opening them. She pulled several of the little, white-haired rabbit looking creatures into her arms cradling them against her chest. One of the dark-haired six-legged creatures reached out and clung to her shoulders burrowing down in her hair. Ariel rubbed her cheek against it and whispered soothingly.
Morian had a pained look for a brief moment before she let a reassuring smile replace it. “I assume you know what these are?” Morian asked with a chuckle as another six-legged creature started climbing Ariel’s leg while little Maratts scattered in all directions looking for a hiding place.
“They are my babies,” Ariel murmured as she cuddled several of the little creatures to her chest. “Yes, you are. You are my precious little babies. You are so beautiful. No one will hurt you here. I promise.”
Morian shook her head trying not to laugh. Ariel’s tender heart was open for all to see as she cuddled a creature that was considered a tantalizing treat for a Valdier dragon. The Maratts and Grombots Ariel referred to as her babies were prized on any dinner table. Even Morian was having a hard time keeping her dragon from chasing down and gobbling up the delicious little treats. Her son was going to have his hands full with this female. She only hoped he survived it. If what she had been told so far was to be believed all of her sons had found their true mates but not all of them had claimed them. As far as she knew, only Zoran seemed to have achieved that honor. She would have to see what she could do to help the others. From the looks of it, it was not going to be an easy task.
Morian walked over to a serving tray set up with refreshments. “Would you care for something to eat or drink?” Morian asked pouring herself a strong cup of tea.
“Yes, thank you. I’m starving. There wasn’t a lot to eat on the ship,” Ariel said moving toward the tray eagerly.
Morian looked up sharply with a disapproving frown. “They did not feed you?” She growled out in a soft, dangerous voice.
“Oh no, they fed me plenty of fruit but it didn’t fill me up very well,” Ariel said reaching for a type of bread roll. She sniffed it before practically devouring it in one bite. “I’m a vegetarian and they didn’t know what else to feed me,” she said as she grabbed several more.
Morian sat down in one of the chairs. She winced when she heard a small squeak and reached behind her to remove a Maratt who had burrowed down into it. She gently dropped it down onto the floor with a look of longing.
“What is a vegetarian?” Morian asked as she wrapped her hands around her cup wishing it was around one of the Grombots’ necks. She would love to sink her teeth into its sweet flesh.
“A vegetarian?” Ariel asked as she swallowed another bite of roll before offering a small piece to the Maratt in her lap. “A vegetarian doesn’t eat meat. I’m not a Vegan. I eat eggs and other stuff, just not meat,” Ariel said smoothing her hand over the small creature huddled in her lap.
Morian paled. “Oh,” she replied not sure what to make of this new information.
Since Valdierians were dragon-shifters they all ate meat. It was the main part of their diet. She had never heard of a Valdierian who did not eat meat. She didn’t even know if a dragon could survive without it. This was definitely going to be interesting.
Ariel looked up. “Carmen eats meat but I never could. I mean I could but never wanted to. You see, I have this thing about animals, any type of animal. I’ve always loved them and wished I could have been a vet but unfortunately I turned green and passed out when I helped with surgery one summer when I was a teenager at the local vet’s office. Instead, I followed my second choice as a career and became a pilot. I’ve been working at a volunteer animal shelter for the past several years when I wasn't flying. I bathe and care for the animals that are brought in. I was planning on opening my own shelter back home,” Ariel said sadly.
“You turn green?” Morian said raising a hand to her throat. One of the little Maratts was rubbing against her leg. Morian felt her dragon moving around in aggravation trying to get out.
Hush, you cannot eat them. They belong to the little human, Morian whispered fiercely.
They taste good. Just one, her dragon whined.
No! We need to make her feel safe here. Eating her… her… oh, dear, Morian practically groaned out loud as a Grombot wrapped its arms around her neck and pressed against her neck.
“Are you alright?” Ariel asked curiously. “You look like you are in pain.”
“I am fine,” Morian whispered hoarsely. “Please explain how you turn green.”
Ariel laughed lightly. “I don’t really turn green. It is an expression that means when I see guts and lots of blood I get sick to my stomach. That is why I don’t eat meat. Just the thought of biting into something that was alive, that has bones and guts and blood is just repulsive to me,” Ariel explained as she put the Maratt in her lap down and picked up another Grombot to cuddle.
Morian stood up as the overwhelming desire to taste just one small tidbit hit her. “There is a dinner to welcome you tomorrow night. I have taken the liberty of having several outfits delivered to your living quarters in the meantime as I was not sure if you had anything to wear. You are scheduled to meet with the dressmaker tomorrow. You should find everything you need. I am afraid I must be going. I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow,” Morian said setting the cup of tea down and gently removing the Grombot from her shoulders.
“But… where are my living quarters?” Ariel asked puzzled by the woman’s sudden need to leave. Maybe she really wasn’t feeling well.
“These are you living quarters. I hope you will be comfortable,” Morian responded hurriedly as she moved toward the door. “Until later, my dear.”
..*
Morian leaned back against the closed door and drew in deep, calming breaths before she opened her eyes again. Shaking her head, she could not stop the chuckle which turned to peals of laughter. Poor Mandra! He was never going to be the same. He was meticulous about his living quarters. There was never a thing out of place, no animals were allowed in, his symbiot even had a specific sleeping place. Ariel, on the other hand, seemed unaware of her disheveled appearance or cared that there were creatures crawling all over Mandra’s prized furniture he purchased from a renowned carver in the Curizan system. Even she had a problem not scooping the little creatures up and gobbling them down as fast as she could. Morian put her hand over her mouth to stifle another laugh. Ariel was a vegetarian! Morian could not wait to see how her son was going to handle that.
Shaking her head, Morian moved down the corridor away from Mandra’s living quarters. It had taken hours for her to finally get Mandra’s symbiot to guide the small human female to the right corridor. The female kept going a different way. She was a stubborn one. Morian was still giggling as she made her way toward the kitchens. She needed to find something that Ariel could eat for tonight and plan for tomorrow’s dinner.
..*
Ariel looked in confusion at the closed door before shrugging her shoulders. She might as well explore her new living quarters. She had to admit, she had never seen a more beautiful set of rooms.
Everything was so neat and clean. It was almost as if it was a showcase. That wouldn’t last long with her in them, Ariel t
hought with a grin thinking of her little apartment crammed full of pet supplies and mementoes. If she were to stay, she would need to find a place with lots of land. Her house was going to be filled to the brim with all kinds of animals and love… lots of love.
The room was a little on the masculine side but Ariel figured that was because of there being so many men. The living room area was light and airy with huge French doors all along one wall. No curtains blocked the view. There was a long balcony that overlooked the thick forest and mountains surrounding the city outside the palace walls. Ariel guessed the rooms were probably five or six stories up. An extra-long plush couch and several beautifully carved chairs adorned the room. There were several displays of weapons lining the walls, as well as, paintings depicting different scenes. Some were of dragons in flight over the city, others were of battle, and one was of a huge man wearing some type of leather vest and pants with gold arm bands. He reminded Ariel of Mandra but slightly older.
Ariel walked around the room smiling as the little Maratts and Grombots followed her. They darted from one spot to another, staying close enough to keep her in their sight at all times. Ariel let one of her hands run over the rich, marble-like counter in the kitchen area. There was some type of device in the wall and the cabinets were a dark polished wood. Ariel continued her explorations and discovered the living quarters contained three guest bedrooms each with their own bathrooms which were bigger than her apartment back home. The master bedroom contained the biggest bed Ariel had ever seen. She didn’t even think they made mattresses that big back on Earth. It was a massive four-poster bed with heavy curtains surrounding it. The curtains were embroidered with intricate patterns of gold symbiots and dragons in varying shades of sapphire and silver. Ariel let the heavy material slide through her fingers before she walked over to another door that led to the bathroom.
All thought deserted her as she gazed around. It wasn’t a bathroom, it was heaven. Huge windows let in natural light over an indoor garden area. A blue and silver light fixture hung over the garden casting a glow over the multicolored flowers. A shower big enough to fit Mandra in his dragon form was against one wall. Double sinks carved out of stone were along another wall with clear shelving holding thick, lush dark sapphire and silver towels on them. Ariel touched one before grabbing it. She slowly moved closer to the largest bathtub she had ever seen in her life. It filled the center of the room. It was more like a miniature swimming pool. It was filled to the top with hot, steaming water that flowed with an unseen current. Ariel crowed like a rooster in delight. She set the Grombot down and quickly began shedding her clothes uncaring of where they landed. She was going to enjoy every second of a bath fit for a queen.
Chapter 9
Mandra walked into his living quarters in a foul mood. He had spent the last six hours searching the palace from top to bottom. He found where the female had fallen asleep but after that he lost her. He ground his teeth in frustration. He was halfway across his living quarters when he froze. He sniffed the air cautiously. He smelled…
Food! I smell food! His dragon snarled. Maratts and Grombots. Mine! All mine.
What the… Mandra started to say before his head jerked around to the stacked cages against a far wall. Who in the galactic balls but those in my living quarters?! Mandra growled out dangerously.
He would never let something like that in his private living quarters. Food was for the table or kitchens. Not to be running around in his living quarters.
His head jerked around when he saw a flash of white out of the corner of his eye. Following it into his sleeping quarters, he let a low growl of warning escape as the little Maratt disappeared under his bed. He was moving toward it when the soft sound of a feminine voice reached him. Mandra turned and stared in disbelief at his bathing room. He had searched the whole palace for hours only to find the missing female in his living quarters? Oh, Gods no! Someone was going to pay for this and pay dearly!
Mandra moved silently, afraid the female would either attack him or bolt again. He stopped in the doorway frozen as he watched the beautiful creature he was going to claim no matter what stand up in the shallow end of his bathing pool. Water coursed down her body and small drops glistened from the darker tips of her breasts making his mouth water at the idea of licking them off. She was turned slightly with her back mostly to him so she was unaware she was being observed. Mandra’s eyes darkened with desire and determination. He wanted, needed to taste her. His fingers moved to the ties on his shirt without him even being aware of it until his shirt was lying on the floor. His boots and pants followed just as quickly. He waited until Ariel disappeared under the water before moving to the edge and slipping in. If the only way to catch her was by ambushing her then that was what he would do. They would not be leaving his quarters until she was marked by him. He wanted there to be no doubt as to who she belonged to.
..*
Ariel loved the feel of the hot water on her body. She could feel the tension melting away as she moved through it. She had to admit so far getting kidnapped by aliens wasn't so bad, especially with living accommodations like this.
Heaven, she thought, this must be heaven.
Ariel made it to the deep end amazed that a bathtub could be deep enough that she couldn’t touch the bottom. She let her head fall back and closed her eyes as she treaded water. She could live here. At least for a little while. Ariel felt a small smile curve her lips. She wondered where Mandra was at this moment.
Was he looking for her or had he finally given up? After everything I’ve done to him, he probably hopes he never has the misfortune of seeing me again, she thought with a chuckle even as a part of her hoped he did want to find her.
She didn’t realize she had actually whispered the words aloud until a set of strong arms circled her waist pulling her against a wall of hot flesh. Ariel released a startled scream and began thrashing around trying to break free of the arms holding her. It was impossible as she couldn’t stand in the deeper water.
“You are mine! I claim you, Ariel Hamm,” a deep, rich voice said right before Ariel felt a sharp shaft of pain followed by intense heat rushing through her.
Ariel froze as she felt Mandra’s hot mouth on the curve between her shoulder and neck. She could feel it when his teeth pierced her skin but the pain was insignificant compared to the rush of hot, flaming desire that flooded her. Ariel bit back a scream as her body arched into his in answer to his claim on her.
Mandra felt the first sweet taste of Ariel wash over his tongue and closed his eyes at the intense pleasure that coursed through him. He let a small amount of the fiery heat of the dragon’s breath flow from him to her in an exchange so erotic and sensual he never wanted it to end. His deep groan wrapped around Ariel’s as he let it pulse through them. He was shocked at the savage need in his soul to possess and protect this tiny female with everything in him.
Mandra reluctantly pulled back, not letting the full breath of the dragon’s fire have its way. He merely wanted to ensure Ariel was marked as his. He knew deep down that he could not claim her fully without her meeting him halfway. He fought his dragon’s desire to just take her whether she was ready or not, but something deep inside Mandra told him to do so with this female would not be the right thing to do. He would need to tame her much like the wild creatures he saw in the forest. He saw the way Palto handled the wild creatures that were hurt or frightened. Ariel was like one of those creatures. He finally recognized the look he saw earlier but didn’t understand what it was. She had been hurt… deeply. The look was one of being afraid to trust. He would never win her trust if he did not earn it.
Mandra slowly withdrew his teeth and gently licked the mark he left. The clear mark of his dragon was plain for all to see. He would have time to capture this wild creature’s heart now without fear of another male trying to take what was his. Mandra pulled Ariel tighter into his arms making sure she could not fight him. The feel of her silky skin pressed tightly against his was agony.
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“I am claiming you, little human. You are my true mate,” Mandra whispered against her silky shoulder. He continued to press hot kisses against her skin as he moved his mouth up along her throat, nipping the tip of her delicate ear.
Ariel shuddered as a hot wave of desire swept through her. “What did you do?” She whispered closing her eyes as the wave of heat surged through her. “What is going on?” Ariel asked moving restlessly.
Mandra sighed heavily as he stroked her belly. He liked that it was not thin like the other females. She had some flesh on her and he liked the feel of it under his hands. He moved one of his hands down to her hip and pulled her tight against his arousal.
“I want you,” Mandra admitted with a moan as she wound a foot around his calf. “But you are not ready.”
Ariel looked over her shoulder at him in confusion. She wanted to turn around and rub herself all over him and that was pissing her off. Whatever he did turn the heat she was feeling earlier up to an almost unbearable temperature. She thought she had it under control until he did his little bite thing on her. Now, she was on fire and achy in places she didn’t want to ache in.
“Then let me go,” Ariel growled out through her teeth beginning to get upset.
“I cannot,” Mandra muttered.
“Why not?” Ariel snapped looking up at him again in frustration.
“Because every time I let you anywhere near me it is usually a very painful experience. I am at a distinct disadvantage here and the look in your eyes’ promises more pain,” Mandra muttered ruefully.
Ariel stopped struggling for a moment as she stared up into Mandra’s dark golden eyes that suddenly looked like a puppy that had bitten off more than it could chew and didn’t know what to do with it. A small snort escaped before she could control it. She tried to stop herself but it was impossible to control the giggle as what he said sunk in. This huge-ass dragon shifting warrior was afraid she was going to hurt him? The giggles turned to laughter and before Ariel realized it she was laying back in Mandra’s arms holding on to him so she wouldn’t drown.