Ambushing Ariel (12 page)

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.

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.

“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.

“You are just so…” Ariel looked up into his confused face and burst out laughing again. “… cute,” Ariel said turning in his arms and holding on to his broad shoulders.

“Cute?” Mandra repeated in shock and dismay. “You think I am cute?” He whispered in horror.

Ariel pulled herself up just far enough until she could look him in the eyes. “Yes,” she whispered before brushing her lips tentatively against his. “I do.”

Before Mandra could respond, Ariel pushed herself out of his arms and swam quickly to the side of the bathing pool. She grabbed the towel she had laid out and pulled it around her as she stepped out of the water. Without looking back, she hurried into the other room leaving a very large Valdier warrior staring after her in confusion and horror.

Mandra had been called many things in his long, long life but cute was not one of them. How was he supposed to be looked at as her protector, a man of great strength, if she saw him as cute? He definitely knew one thing, he would never be allowed to live it down if his brothers found out the little human thought he was cute.

Mandra’s eyes narrowed as several white fluffs of fur raced out from under the shelving into the other room after Ariel. He let his head fall back only to find himself staring into the black eyes of a Grombot that was hanging from the blue crystal lighting over the plants he had planted in the alcove of the cleansing room to make it seem as if it was outdoors. He felt his dragon let out a low menacing growl at the creature which scurried down on all six legs and move toward his sleeping quarters as fast as its legs could carry it.

Where did all these damn creatures come from and what were they doing in his living quarters?
Mandra wondered in confusion just as his dragon took over in a bid to catch the tasty treat.

Ariel moved toward the bed where several outfits were laid out. She quickly picked one up and found it was a type of wrap around dress. The silky, dark sapphire material had threads of silver through it that caught in the sunlight still coming in through the huge windows. Ariel slipped her arms through the sleeves and pulled it around her. She was worried as big breasted as she was that she would look ridiculous without a bra on but the top had a natural one built into it. Ariel felt a shiver go through her as the delicate fabric rubbed against her nipples that were still sensitive from her encounter in the bathroom. It was sleeveless and wrapped around her waist where it hooked with a silver clasp in the shape of a dragon. It reminded Ariel of the Grecian gowns she used to see in her history books.

Ariel laughed under her breath as several Maratts came up to sniff at her bare toes which were sticking out from under the long hem. She wiggled her toes and chuckled as they scampered to hide under the bed. Ariel turned when she heard a scared squeal coming from the bathroom. She bent down and scooped up the trembling Grombot which had raced out of it as fast as its six little legs could carry it.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Ariel asked. “Did you get scared with mommy not being in the room with you?”

Ariel pressed a kiss to the top of its head, holding it close to her and rocking back and forth. She placed it on the bed so she could brush out her hair which was still wet and tangled from her bath. She had no sooner picked up the brush when a low, menacing growl came from behind her. The Grombot squeaked again and dove for the pillows where it buried itself in the pile.

Ariel swung around startled to find herself looking once again into the flaming gold eyes of the huge sapphire and silver dragon. Her eyes darted over the huge figure as it worked to get its large body through the doorway of the bathroom. She winced when she heard the sound of wood cracking just before it wiggled through. Ariel looked around the massive body to see how much damage had been done and wished she hadn’t. Both sides of the door frame were ripped out. It was going to be a bitch to repair.