Ariel's eyes jerked up when she felt a shaft of warmth flood her from the bands. It was as if the creature was trying to communicate with her through them. Ariel looked into the dark golden eyes for a moment before she buried her face against the creature holding it tightly against her.

"I'll never let anything hurt you. I'll protect you. I promise," Ariel muttered against the golden body as wave after wave of warmth filled every part of her, chasing away the fear.

Mandra watched as his brother strode down the corridor. After Creon made sure Mandra was only seeing one of him, he muttered he had a white-haired barbarian to find. Mandra shook his head and grimaced as shafts of pain flared from the movement. Where in the name of the G.o.ds was his symbiot? He had been trying to communicate with it for the past half hour since he first regained consciousness. He needed to find the savage female who did this to him but he needed his head cleared before he found her. Because when he did, he was going to...

Claim her! My female! I want my mate. You claim so I get my mate, Mandra's dragon snarled pacing back and forth.

I can't very well claim her unless our symbiot accepts her. You know that, Mandra snapped back impatiently. We cannot know if our symbiot accepts her if we cannot find the d.a.m.n thing.

It accept. I feel it accept. You open. Feel it. It find her. It claim her, Mandra's dragon crowed in glee, bouncing inside him until his head felt like it was bouncing right along with it.

Please stop, Mandra groaned holding his head.

Maybe he should just go to see the healer. The only reason he had refused to go so far was because he didn't want the other warriors to know he had been beaten by a small alien female. Not even Creon's a.s.surance that he was not the only warrior to have met such a fate could persuade him to go. Mandra had only to look at Creon's own battered face to know the truth behind his words but it still stung his pride. Creon a.s.sured him the females had not been whining or crying on the V'ager according to what he had learned so far but had been sending the warriors to medical on a daily basis instead.

Mandra groaned as he stood up, muttering a vivid curse as he clenched his sore jaw. He refused to call that devious little alien female delicate or fragile ever again. Between his chin, his head, and his ego all three were feeling the pain of just how un-delicate and un-fragile she really was. He just wanted to find her so he could wrap his hands around her scrawny little neck and...kiss her until she melted in his arms, he thought in frustration. He had to admit, her resourcefulness fired his blood unlike anything he had ever encountered before. It was difficult for him to believe something so small could cause so much damage.

Mandra grimaced as he bit back another curse. These females his brother Zoran found were nothing like he thought. Mandra moved down the corridor toward a side exit. It led into the garden where the window the female obviously escaped through opened into. He needed to find her. He also needed to talk with his brothers. He thought they were bringing back delicate females who were weak and needy. He had never encountered a species of females who fought like a warrior three-times their size. Valdier, Sarafin, and even Curizan females were raised to be gentle and attentive to the needs of the males. It was the male's place to provide protection and care. None learned how to fight. There was no need.

Mandra felt his dragon finally calm down enough so he could reach out again to his symbiot. He let his senses connect with the tiny gold that pierced his right ear. It was the only bit of symbiot on him and not large enough to heal him. It was able to communicate with its mother symbiot, though.

Mandra was stunned when he felt the connection, as small as it was, to his symbiot. Never before had he felt the amount of warmth or peace coming from it as he felt now. Each Valdier warrior is taken when he is an infant to the hive, the birth place of all symbiots. The Valdier warrior and his dragon have a symbiotic relationship with the gold creatures that last a lifetime. Each imprint on the other and each are interdependent for their survival. If the Valdier warrior dies, so does his dragon and vice versa. While the warrior's symbiot will survive, it returns to the hive where it is absorbed back into the Queen. Eventually, it will reform and imprint on a new warrior. It is the warrior and his dragon's essence that give the symbiot its energy and life while it is away from the hive. The Valdier people believe the symbiot is the actual blood of the G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses who ruled Valdier long ago. The Book of Knowledge says it was the G.o.ds' way of helping the Valdier to continue to survive.

But, deep inside each Valdier warrior is a constant hunger that grows as he gets older. It eats at him and his dragon. The G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses, in an effort to ensure that their gift was not abused, made it so only the true mate of a warrior could satisfy this hunger. A true mate that was accepted by the three parts of the warrior: the man, the dragon, and his symbiot. Only when a true mate sated the hunger could a warrior's seed be strong enough to grow inside her.

The G.o.ds seemed to understand there needs to be hope elsewhere and on rare occasions a match could be made between two mates who were not true mates. This was the case of Mandra's parents. They joined together in a union to bring the clans together to form a united front when their world was at war. His mother's family was thought to be a direct descendant of the G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses. Mandra did not doubt it for his mother seemed to be able to communicate with any symbiot. As far as he knew none of his brothers or he had inherited her gift to be able to communicate with other symbiots. His parents found love between their two-legged form while his father's dragon and symbiot accepted the union as being necessary for the survival of their species since the combining of the two largest clans on the planet made them stronger as a whole.

The problem of finding a true mate for most of the males came with the decline of females being born during and after the Great Wars. This decline forced the warriors to learn patience and acceptance of others as they sought ways to find possible mates among other species after the war ended. It was the hope they could find a species that could be accepted by their dragons and symbiot that kept them going. All warriors wished to find the fulfillment known only to those chosen to be lucky enough to find the one female accepted by all three parts. Mandra had waited hundreds of years, search almost as many worlds and never found one until now.

Mandra moved down the steps leading into the garden wincing as the bright light hit his eyes. He followed the faint images he was receiving from his symbiot. He recognized the huge tree as being one he played in often as a child. It had seemed impossibly large even then. Now, as he moved silently down the path he wondered what he would find. The female scared of his symbiot and of being found? Would she beg his forgiveness for daring to strike him? Would she quiver in fear of what could happen to any species who dared to attack a Valdier warrior much less one of royal blood? It would be interesting to see how she reacted to being face to face with him! Mandra could think of a hundred ways to have her begging for his forgiveness before he took her as his mate. She would learn that he was the warrior and the one who would protect her. A devious smile curved his lips. Perhaps the female should see just what a Valdier warrior could do! He wondered just how fierce she would be when confronted by his dragon form. If that didn't scare her, nothing would!

Ariel was giggling softly as the huge gold creature rolled on the ground next to her with its feet in the air. It was letting her scratch it on its belly while little bits of gold changed into tiny little creatures with delicate wings. They reminded Ariel a little of the fairies from the fairy tales she used to read when she was little. She watched them with a delighted smile of wonder lighting up her face. She was so focused on them that when the huge dragon pounced into the small opening of purple gra.s.s and growled in a low deep voice it startled her so much she fell backwards onto her back in surprise.

The huge, dark sapphire dragon had slivers of silver tipped at the edge of its scales and swirling through the long ridges over its eyes. It moved over her, trapping her on her back in the soft gra.s.s. Ariel's eyes widened as she stared up into its deep, gold eyes. Tiny flames seemed to be dancing in them making them shimmer with color and warmth. Ariel lay back as the huge head lowered until the snout of the giant beast was pushing against her gently. A low rumble was coming from its broad chest, almost as if it was purring. Ariel gasped when a huge tongue came out of its mouth and flicked along her neck, tickling her.

"Oh my," Ariel giggled. "I thought the gold kitty cat was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen but I think you are tied with it," Ariel murmured softly as she reached up to gently outline a scale along the elongated jaw with the tips of her fingers.

"You can bet your a.s.s I'm keeping you! I can't wait to show Carmen, Trisha, and Cara," Ariel breathed in awe.

Mandra pulled back puzzled and stared down at the tiny figure trapped under him. A shiver went through his huge body as he felt her fingers tracing the patterns of his scales. In all his life, every adversary he ever encountered quaked in fear of him in his dragon form. He was large even by Valdier standards in this form. When he first saw the female gently rubbing on his symbiot, he had reservations about scaring her. That was until he clenched his jaw and was reminded of the pain this female had caused him. He expected her to cry out in fear, at the very least, scream in terror. The last thing he expected was her claiming his dragon as her own. This female was confusing him until he didn't know which end was up and which was down.

Mandra shifted back into his two-legged form with a growl of frustration. He was just about to demand why the female was not afraid of him when spots appeared before his eyes as pain shot through him. His growl of frustration turned to a moan as he fell over onto his side. He let his head drop back as he clutched his throbbing manhood and drew in shuddering breaths.

"Why did you do that?" Mandra gritted out in a hoa.r.s.e whisper.

"Who the h.e.l.l are you and what did you do with my dragon?" Ariel demanded rolling over onto her knees and putting her hands on her hips in anger.

Mandra looked up at the female kneeling within touching distance and shuddered. Every time he got within touching distance of her, some type of pain seemed to follow. He laid there breathing deeply and just looked at her instead. Her hair was blowing about her in wild abandon, curling and flying as free as the tiny bits of gold from his symbiot. She had a smudge of dirt across one cheek and her clothes were rumbled with little bits of gra.s.s and leaves stuck to them. His eyes widened at the thin threads of gold woven around her neck and wrists. His dragon was right. His symbiot had claimed her! She was his true mate. Now, all he had to do was figure out how to claim her without ending up in medical.

"Why weren't you frightened?" Mandra asked lying still and watching Ariel closely as the waves of pain began to recede a little.

He let out a sigh of relief when some of the soft golden symbiot that was flying around landed on him. He felt it moving over him, healing him before it moved down his arms to form thick wrist bands. He felt some of it move up to his forearms, where additional bands formed. He a.s.sured it that he could handle the pain in his manhood without its help. The last thing he wanted to do was have the d.a.m.n thing moving around in his pants, if it could even fit considering every time he got near the female his c.o.c.k seemed to have a mind of its own. The d.a.m.n thing ignored his pain and began to swell as the scent of his true mate being so close called to him.

Ariel looked down at the huge man lying on the purple gra.s.s no more than a couple of feet from her and felt a stirring deep inside her. It was p.i.s.sing her off! She was through with any kind of stirrings when it came to men. They weren't to be trusted. The dragon, she could handle. The big gold kitty with all the little thingy's flying around she could give her heart to. But, the huge male was a different story. She learned her lesson the hard way and she was a fast learner. She didn't need to go down heartbreak road again.

Now, all the different critters were a different story. She could handle the creatures like the ones on the ship. They needed her to protect them, love them, and they accepted her just the way she was. They didn't try to change someone into something different.

Ariel sat back down on the gra.s.s and looked at the man warily. "Why should I be frightened?" Ariel asked confused.

Mandra curled one arm under his head while he thought about how to answer her. "Most warriors who see me in my dragon-form fear me. Why would you not?" He asked enjoying listening to her husky voice.

"I guess I'm not like most warriors," Ariel said tilting her head to the side. "Who are you?"

"I am called Mandra Reykill, of the Royal House of Valdier," Mandra said sitting up with a wince. He made sure to keep a safe distance from Ariel as he did. "What are you called and are you always so...painful to be around?" Mandra asked as a twist of amus.e.m.e.nt curved his lips at her eye-roll and snort.

Ariel couldn't help the chuckle that escaped as she crossed her legs so she was sitting criss-cross applesauce as her teachers long along used to say. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand while she motioned with the other one for the gold creature to come to her. She sat contemplating Mandra Reykill for a few minutes before she answered him. Ariel let her fingers stroke the gold symbiot absently. Her eyes narrowed as Mandra's eyelids dropped to a drowsy half-closed position the minute she started doing it.

"I am 'called', as you put it, Ariel Hamm. I'm a.s.suming the guy who took off with Cara is your brother?" Ariel asked.

Mandra grimaced. "Yes, he is my younger brother Trelon. You probably met my older brother, Zoran, who has claimed your friend Abby and my other younger brother, Kelan, who has claimed your friend, Trisha," Mandra said huskily.

Mandra was having a hard time concentrating on anything but the feelings of driving need coursing through him at Ariel's touch on his symbiot. Every stroke she made seemed to be like having her fingers on him. He could feel the need pulsing through him. He felt a fine sheen of sweat coat his skin as he fought the urge to just pounce her again and to h.e.l.l with the consequences. His hands curled into tight fists as he fought for control of both himself and his dragon.

"You never answered my question," Mandra murmured.

Ariel looked up frowning at the change in Mandra's voice. It was deeper than before, more sensuous. Ariel's fingers on the symbiot stilled for a moment and she saw Mandra's eyes flash in frustration. Curious, she stroked gently and watched as the flames flared in his eyes again. Ariel stopped and the flash of irritation happened again. She bit her lower lip trying not to giggle as she gently ran a finger along the golden creature's back letting her nails sc.r.a.p it. As soon as she did it, she saw a shiver run through his huge frame in response. Ariel lowered her eyelids peeking at him through her lashes as she continued her systematic attack of stroke, scratch, still, and petting until she thought he was going to burst into flames.

Mandra's deep growl was the only warning Ariel got before she found herself pinned under his huge frame again. This time, he made sure he kept one leg thrown over both of hers to prevent her from kneeing him again. Ariel's laughter of delight was cut short as she stared into eyes flaming with desire and need.

"You are playing a very dangerous game, little one," Mandra breathed out as he pinned Ariel's arms above her head.

"It's the sucker sign on my forehead...the answer to your question. Animals have always known I was a sucker for them," Ariel whispered staring up into the burning gold flames. "I've never been afraid of animals and they seem to know I would never hurt them. I could see it in your eyes. I mean your...," Ariel shook her head as if to clear it. "...in the dragon's eyes. He would never hurt me."

Mandra stared down into the deep, dark brown eyes staring up at him in a combination of confusion and something else. He felt a deep growl rumble in his chest in response to her. She was so beautiful lying under him. Her hair was almost white with flakes of gold running through it. It was spread out all around her in wild abandon.

Much like her, Mandra thought.

She was like the wild creatures he often came across in the forest as he flew. Her features were so delicate and soft. Her nose was long and narrow and her lips were a pale rose color, full and begging for him to taste her. He liked the feel of her full, plump b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed against his chest. He enjoyed the feel of her rounded hips in his hands. He could not wait to taste the sweet buds that were clearly defined against her top. He pressed his hips down to let her know exactly what was about to happen. He would claim her right here, right now.

Yes! Claim mate, his dragon roared deep inside him in glee.

Ariel's eyes widened as she recognized the look in Mandra's eyes. It was a look of total possession, of triumph, of determination to brand her as his. Ariel could feel the panic welled up inside her; Eric's mocking voice coming back to her.

Never, Ariel thought, never again.

Ariel reacted out of self-preservation and fear when she realized Mandra was going to kiss her and possibly more. She brought her head up sharply into Mandra's nose as hard as she could. She could hear the bone crunch and felt a moment of disorientation as she saw spots but she didn't let it slow her down. Using her body and her hands that were suddenly freed as he grabbed his nose, Ariel pushed Mandra off her and scrambled to her feet. She touched her forehead which was throbbing. Her eyes flew to where Mandra was groaning on the ground and a small stream of blood was seeping through his fingers.

Mandra pushed up into a sitting position with one hand while the other still held his quickly swelling nose. A small squeak escaped Ariel when she saw the heated look of reprisal in them. Turning, she bolted back toward the palace determined to hide until she could figure a way to get off this blasted planet and away from the huge male warrior who was confusing her so much.

Chapter 8.

Mandra slammed into the conference room where three of his brothers were sitting around a huge, rosewood color table with a holovid screen in the center. His nose was back to normal but his temper was not. He couldn't find the d.a.m.n female. He was about ready to order every last warrior in the palace to stop what they were doing and search for her. He couldn't even depend on his symbiot to help him. It seemed the female realized that there was a connection between them. Oh, it was with her. The female had threatened to remove every bit of it from her and not have anything to do with it again if it gave away where she was hiding. His symbiot refused to take a chance until it knew the female would not follow through with her threat.

"What is the matter?" Zoran asked standing up when he saw the murderous expression on his brother's normally impa.s.sive face.

"You!" Mandra growled out moving toward Zoran. He pushed him back until he had him pinned up against the wall. "You are responsible for all this mess!"

Zoran locked arms with his brother in surprise. Both men's arms strained as they locked into a battle of wills. Zoran grunted and pushed Mandra back a couple of steps. He found his brother must have been working out a lot more or his time in captivity had made him weaker than he thought because Mandra was not moving any further.

"And what, pray to the G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses, did I do?" Zoran asked looking into his brother's frustrated eyes.

"You brought those females here! I should kick your a.s.s good for that," Mandra growled out low.

"I second that!" Creon said walking into the room. "I'll help you, Mandra, with total enjoyment."

"I'll third that!" Trelon muttered under his breath.

"I guess it is unanimous," Kelan called out from where he was sitting at the table rubbing his throbbing brow. "I wanted to do it while we were still on the V'ager."

Zoran frowned as he looked at all his brothers. "What the h.e.l.l is going on? What is wrong with the females?" Zoran asked.

"I can't keep up with mine," Trelon said tiredly. "She keeps disappearing on me."

"Mine keeps pressing me to take her back to her planet," Kelan said angrily. "I will not let her return. What if she doesn't want to come back?"

Zoran looked at Mandra who had released him and turned away to walk over to the small recess where refreshments were served. "What about you two? I thought you were going to find mates for the other two? Surely there are males who will take them," Zoran said in confusion.

Mandra was shocked as he lost control at the idea of another male claiming Ariel. Zoran barely ducked in time to miss the gla.s.s Mandra threw at him. Creon was on his feet growling dangerously at Zoran at the mention of giving Carmen away to another male. Zoran looked back and forth between his brothers who were both fighting for control. It took a moment before he realized what had happened.

"You too?" Zoran asked quietly looking at Creon and Mandra. "Both of you have claimed the females?"

Mandra glanced at Creon who had returned to his seat and was staring moodily out the window with his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned back against the counter and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at his brothers and wondered if they were going through the same confusion, fear, rage, and uncontrollable desire he was.

"Yes," Mandra replied finally. "The problem is every time I get near her she attacks me! Now, I can't even find her. She broke my nose and took off. She is hiding somewhere and I haven't been able to locate her yet."

Creon's head jerked up. "She broke your nose? When did she do that? I just thought she knocked you out," Creon said with a frown. "Your nose didn't look broken."

Mandra grunted as he turned to pour himself another drink. "She did it later when I caught up with her in the garden," Mandra turned back around and pointed his drink at Zoran. "These females do not behave the way they are supposed to. I thought they were weak, fragile...delicate! You never said anything about them being dangerous, vicious, seductive little savages who do not fight fair. I thought they were going to be crying."

Zoran shook his head. "I never said they were weak or fragile."

"No, you did not," Mandra said with a sigh. "But, from the way the three of you looked so stressed and worried, I a.s.sumed it must have been because of the females. You know how Clarmisa is. I just a.s.sumed they were like that only weaker. How was I to know that these females are about as delicate and fragile as a Sarafin warrior set for battle?"

All the men shuddered at the mention of Clarmisa. "G.o.ds, no! None of them are like that. Abby is the strongest female I have ever met. She lived alone on her mountain and cared for me while I was injured," Zoran said moving to sit back down at the large conference table.

"Well, how was I to know that? Anyway, the female called Ariel will not be claimed by any other male but me. My symbiot, dragon and I have all claimed her. I just have to find a way to capture her without ending up in medical or dead," Mandra muttered fiercely as he moved to sit down.

Ariel moved through the maze of corridors totally lost again. She had been walking for what seemed like hours, well except for when she found a small room that had obviously not been used in eons where she had fallen asleep. She didn't realize just how exhausted she was until she finally stopped for a few minutes. The next thing she knew, she was pa.s.sed out. Now, she was feeling refreshed except for the fact she needed a shower and a fresh change of clothes. She was also worried about all her little babies Jarak promised to have transported down. She really hoped he kept his promise. She had no idea where he would put them but she hoped it was someplace safe until she could be with them.

The huge golden creature next to her seemed to understand her as it began nudging her whenever she got near an intersection in a corridor. Before long, she found herself in a huge corridor with tall arching columns. The ceiling had elaborate paintings on it depicting everything from flowers to warriors to dragons battling. Large planters filled with all types of beautiful plants lined the corridor in between the huge, arched windows that let in streams of bright, golden light that reflected off the white marble floors and walls. Ariel walked over to one and gazed in wonder at the huge flowers that seemed to glow. When she reached to touch one, it closed up suddenly causing her to squeak in surprise. Ariel jerked around when she heard a soft, feminine chuckle coming from behind her.

"You must be one of the females brought back on the V'ager," the woman said softly before nodding to the plant. "They close as a defense. If you wait a few moments, it will open again. The longer it is open the more it will glow. They are very beautiful at night," the woman said walking forward.

Ariel watched as the woman removed a pair of dirty gloves from her slender hands. She tucked them in the front of the ap.r.o.n she was wearing. Ariel thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen before. She moved with a grace that was almost mesmerizing. Ariel's eyes swiveled back to the flower that was slowly opening again.

"It's so beautiful," Ariel breathed out. "This whole world is so strange."

The woman tilted her head and studied Ariel for a moment before replying. "Do you think it is strange in a good way or a bad way?" She asked.

Ariel looked at the woman with troubled eyes. "I'm not sure yet. Everything I see is so different from what I've ever seen before. It is very confusing," Ariel replied hesitantly. "My name is Ariel... Ariel Hamm, by the way. It is a pleasure to meet you," Ariel added with a wave of honesty. This woman was the first female she had seen except from Carmen, Trisha, Cara, and Abby.

The woman chuckled. "I am called Morian. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you," Morian's eyes flickered to Mandra's symbiot that was pressed protectively near Ariel. "What do you find confusing about our world?"

Ariel bit her lip and ducked her head unsure how much she could say without mentioning the only really confusing part was her reaction to the huge male who tried to catch her. She touched her fingers to the golden creature next to her seeking comfort. A wave of warmth flowed through her and she relaxed a little. She looked up at the woman who was waiting patiently for her to respond.

"We don't have plants like this on our world or dragons or s.p.a.ce travel like you have or purple gra.s.s," Ariel said in a rush.

"Or males that make you feel things you do not wish to?" Morian asked gently.

Ariel's eyes jerked up to meet Morian's soft warm gold eyes and saw understanding in them. She nodded without realizing she was even doing it. When she did, she jerked her head back around to stare out the windows with a frown. She just wanted to go home. She knew what was there. She knew what was waiting for her. What she was going to do. Here...here she was lost, on unfamiliar ground, unsure of what or where she fit in.

"I want to go home," Ariel whispered hesitantly. "Trisha, Cara, my sister and I have things to take care of back home. It is important that we return as soon as possible."

"Come child, walk with me," Morian said as she carefully pulled her ap.r.o.n 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 rea.s.suring smile replace it. "I a.s.sume 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.