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 neck 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 trembling. “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.”

“Well, that’s not happening.” She furiously put on her bra.

“If this doesn’t happen, another mate won’t be revealed and we’ll die as a race.”

She walked over to him and shoved him back hard on the bed. He fell backward and his eyes widened. She shook her finger at him. “I don’t give a damn about your planet. And if you ever touch me again, I’ll kill you.”

The hurt in his eyes immediately made her regret her threat, but she bit back an apology. She’d never forgive him for keeping this secret from her. The same ball of overwhelming grief and guilt roosted in her stomach. She’d betrayed Lisa again––this time, sleeping with the enemy.

She quickly gathered her clothes and dressed in the bathroom where she could quietly shed her tears. When she opened the door, Ysam was gone.

The smell of their lovemaking made her stomach clench. She couldn’t stay here. She wanted to go back home, go back to her practice, go back to ordinary.

The door opened and she was relieved the corridor was empty. She didn’t know where Ysam went and didn’t care. She got into the elevator and pushed the buttons like Walfea had.

She hurried through the spaceship, needing to gasp fresh air. When she stepped outside, men and women were holding the thick vines, but she didn’t see Ysam.

Tash was inspecting the vines. She hurried over to him.

He glanced at her and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

She braced her shoulders and met his hard stare. “Tash, when this is over, will you take me back to Earth?”

“What happened? Where’s Ysam?”

“I don’t know and I don’t care.”

He lifted his eyebrow as if he didn’t believe her. She knew he must have suspected what she and Ysam had been doing with her disheveled hair, bruised lips, and scratched skin, but she wanted to go home, even if she had to steal a shuttle craft.

“I helped save your people. You owe me this. Will you take me home?”

“Is that what you really want?” he asked softly.

“Yes.” Her voice sounded like her old attorney tone, but her heart was breaking.

“You’re right and if this is what you really want, I give you my word that I’ll return you to Earth.”

“Thank you.”

Chills scurried down her back. She glanced over her shoulder. Ysam was watching her with a possessive gaze, but she wasn’t his––not anymore. She headed over to the women with her back straight and her head held up high. If she felt so strongly, then why did an empty pit form in her gut of never seeing him again or feeling his touch?

She blocked out those thoughts as she approached the women who held the vines. Her muscles bunched into heavy knots. Ollae watched her warily. Kathy wasn’t sure what to say to her or even if she knew that Kathy had killed her mate. Her aura beamed orange and she didn’t detect any malice. Kathy’s muscles slackened. Maybe Ollae was in the dark as everyone else.

She gripped a slippery vine and realized it wasn’t just one. Six vines had been wound around each into a thick chain, but even with this, she wasn’t sure it was strong enough to pull up a starship. Men were on the other two vines.

Ysam headed toward her, and she lowered her gaze. She held on tightly to the vine, afraid of what she might do if he spoke or touched her.

But he brushed past her without a word. At the back of the men’s line, he transformed into a dragon. Walfea draped a thick vine over his stocky neck.

“Ready!” Tash yelled. His telicator beeped. He answered, his face paled, and he stared at them grimly. “A Kamtrinian ship is approaching. We have to get the Intrepid off her side or we’ll never make it out of here alive.”

Kathy bit her lip, her arms and legs shaking. Her palms turned clammy, and she tightened her grip on the thick vine. She refused to die on this damn planet.

“Pull!” Tash ordered.

Kathy yanked with all of her strength, her muscles bulging and straining, her shoes digging into the wet dirt. She skidded and fell on to her buttocks, but clamored back on to her feet.

The Intrepid stubbornly refused to move as if frozen in cement.

Moans and groans echoed around her.

“Come on,” someone growled. “Put your backs into it.”

Kathy gritted her teeth and pulled harder, pain seizing her arms, but she refused to give up.

“We can do this,” a woman gasped.

Kathy recognized Ollae’s voice and pulled, her feet slowly inching backward and arching her back.

Gasps grew louder. Something creaked. Kathy’s chest tightened. The side of the Intrepid cricked and creaked and groaned, lowering painfully slow as if it had all the time in the world.

Tash ran in front of the women’s vine and clasped it. “Now, pull!”

Kathy panted hard and yanked, her muscles straining. The pointy leaves on the vine dug into her palms. She grunted and edged back like the others. Their vine seemed to move some easier because of Tash’s amazing strength.

She looked over her shoulder. Ysam had crept deeper into the jungle, his wide girth knocking down trees and trampling brushes. His power and tenacity never failed to amaze her, but he’d lied to her, destroying any trust budding between them.

Tears built up on the back of her eyelids. She blinked and the vine slipped through her palms, tearing into her flesh. She bit back a cry and rubbed her throbbing palms onto her thighs. Her tender heart threatened to break, but she was strong. She was an attorney. She’d overcome his betrayal.

Ryruc ran down the ramp, slipped, and fell. “Tash!” He pointed toward the sky. “The Kamtrinians are here.” He scrambled off the ground, leaves sticking in his hair and dirt smudging his face. He limped over to stand in front of Tash.

Eruptors fired overhead and trees caught fire close to the Intrepid.

“Pull!” Tash screamed.

The vine moved easier, then the side of the Intrepid embedded in the ground scraped and lifted off the ground. Adrenaline spiked through Kathy. She gritted her teeth.

One more good pull. That’s all they needed.

Something green moved through the clouds. A long cigar-looking ship headed straight for them. She stopped and her mouth fell open. Goosebumps rolled up her arms. On one of those crazy science fiction shows, cigar-shape spaceships had been photographed.

The ship’s eruptors opened fire. Red-hot beams hit the ground. Kathy shielded her eyes and turned away. She broke into a sweltering sweat and gasped to breathe. The beams left long blackened cracks in the soil. Smoke curled above the dark marks. If one hit her, she wouldn’t have a chance. Her legs trembled and she fought the thought of running to Ysam.

She held her ground and dig her heels into the dirt, and crept backward, her muscles stretching to breaking point.

“Come on…” She gritted her teeth. “Move.”

The Kamtrinian ship made another turn around, their weapons aimed at them, ready to pluck them off like sitting ducks. Kathy closed her eyes, hyperventilating.

Something crashed. The thick vines jerked. Kathy flew, landing flat on her back, slamming the breath out of her. A loud shriek stilled her heart. Ysam was next to her in dragon form, blocking her view of the spaceship, protecting her again. Panting hard, she stared at him. Even after her threat, he still wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

She struggled to her feet and came alongside Ysam, who set back on his haunches, snarling. Kathy winced, shielding her eyes. He blew out a stream of fire that hit the green cigar full blast, slowing down its path. The ship veered and flew out of the flames, the outside red-hot.

“Everyone inside!” Tash yelled, moving his arm frantically.

Another phaser beam hit the ground. Dirt and debris flew into the air, tossing Tash as if he were a teddy bear.

“No!” Kathy screamed.

He laid motionless on the ground, the wind blowing his long hair over his face.

She ran toward him, but Ysam blocked her with his large body. He tilted his head toward his back. Tears blinding her, Kathy scrambled on top of Ysam’s back and hung on tight. He bounded into the trees.

She held her breath, waiting for the defenseless Arian ship to explode. She held on to Ysam’s thick neck. His wings were out wide as if to protect the bears.

The Arians suddenly cheered.

“The Zalarians are here! The Zalarians are here!”

A gigantic silver star ship burst out of the skies like a meteor, firing repeatedly at the Kamtrinian ship. The Kamtrinian ship spun around helplessly. Ysam jumped up, forcing her to fall off his back. He ran out of the trees and blasted another blaze of flames at the spinning, sparking Kamtrinian ship. The ship stalled and fell, whinnying, tumbling over and over and crashed onto the mountain.

The force shook the ground, then the ship exploded. Kathy turned her head. Heat whooshed over the back of her. All that was left of the Kamtrinian ship was an angry fiery ball of green and yellow flames and twisted metals.

More cheers broke out among the Arians.

“Yes!”

“We’re safe!”

Vaughn and Ryruc were at Tash’s side. He had a gash on his forehead, but was sitting up.

Ysam transformed and stood in front of her. Dirt and leaves cluttered his torn shirt that revealed his glistening chest. She was about to throw her arms around his neck for joy, but his stoney expression kept her arms close to her side.

“You’re safe now. I’ll see that you go back to Earth and you’ll never have to see me again.”

He walked away, his back stiff, his fists clenched. Kathy wrung her hands, emptiness spreading through her like the cold flu. She now fully understood the saying––be careful what you want, you might get it.