Madness Unbalanced Read online

  Rillo gestured toward the voluptuous redhead. “Ythei, do you have a Mating Stone?”

  “Yes, I do.” She clutched her fist tight. “But there is much anger in this one.”

  Rillo frowned. “What do you mean?”

  Avenor stepped forward. Her long blond hair glittered in the sunlight. “Before these two can mate, the anger and hate must dissipate or the mating will not be successful.”

  The king ran his fingers through his dark hair. “Another riddle, Fates?”

  “Matings are never easy, my lord.” Rillo bowed. “They must be earned.”

  “I’m beginning to see that,” the king rumbled. The queen clasped his hand and his frown slowly turned into a smile.

  Drake turned his head, swallowing the bitterness running up his throat. He wished he’d have a woman look at him the same way, but all was lost for him, thanks to Ysam’s fool brother.

  Ythei lifted her arm. “I call forth Drake––the Angry One.”

  Drake gasped and his belly fluttered. All eyes stared at him as if he were death.

  “Go.” Isto pushed him.

  His heart hastened. Drake slowly climbed out of the pew, his legs trembling. The Angry One? What the hell did that mean?

  He broke out in a hot sweat and squared his shoulders, hoping to look calm. The king and queen cast him a disapproving look. He didn’t bother looking at the crew of the Orion, since Ysam was now a part of their team.

  On the altar, Ythei took his hand in hers. She rubbed her thumb over his flesh. “I feel so much anger and hate in you.”

  “Losing one’s family tends to do that.”

  “You’re not the only one who lost a family.” She squeezed his hand so hard, he winced.

  He hung his head. “I know. But I can’t get my little sister’s screams out of my head. She was so terrified, clinging to me…and…I…I…could do nothing.”

  “To find love again,” she said. “You must free your anger and your hate. Otherwise, your mating will not be successful and another stone will not be released. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “Yes, I understand.” He clenched his fists, trying to hide the sarcasm from his voice.

  “Good.” She placed a silver stone in his other hand.

  Immediately, warmth rushed up his arm and his skin tingled. The faces on the altar faded as if he’d fallen into a spinning tunnel. Another face formed in the tunnel––a curvy woman with blue-black hair and silver eyes. His breath and heart quickened. Wearing a low-cut black swimsuit, she was beautiful, exotic. She walked on a beach, holding a board under one arm. Waves swirled around her feet. The wind blew her hair behind her shoulder, and above her right breast, she had a silver dragon tattoo–the same color as his dragon and the Mating Stone.

  The beach and girl slowly dissipated. He swayed and had to brace his legs to keep from falling over.

  Ythei clasped his arm. “Are you all right?”

  “The vision…she was so beautiful. I can’t believe she’s mine.”

  She lifted a slender eyebrow. “Yours? Not yet. She has suffered much, and if you try to force yourself on her, you’ll lose her.”

  Her overwhelming lack of faith was staggering. His reputation must be sorely tainted with the Fates.

  “I wish you luck.” She leaned close. “You’re going to need it.”

  He stiffened and forced himself to smile. “Thank you.”

  King Greum motioned toward the row with Ysam and his crewmen. “The Orion will take you to Earth and provide you with the coordinates of your mate.”

  Drake’s gut tightened–not exactly what he wanted to hear. He bowed slightly. “Yes, my lord.” He returned to his seat, clutching the warm stone tightly.

  The King raised his hands. “The ceremony has concluded.”

  The three Fate sisters dissipated into smoke that disappeared into the baptismal pool.

  “Let’s see the stone,” Isto asked.

  Drake slowly opened his palm.

  “That’s the same color as your dragon.” He frowned. “I don’t think anyone else’s stone matched the color of their dragon.”

  Drake put the ball in between his thumb and finger. “I know.” The light shone off the ball, matching the woman’s eyes.

  Isto frowned. “What do you think it means?”

  Drake shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  Isto clapped him on the back. “All of this time you’ve been bellyaching that Ysam’s brother killed your mate, only to find out you were dead wrong.”

  His chest tightened. “Yes, I’m aware of that, but I really thought…”

  Isto shook his head. “You thought wrong.” He scratched his temple. “And now you have to go on the Orion after all the grief you gave Ysam.”

  Drake glared but didn’t argue. Isto was right. He’d jumped Ysam, furious over what his brother had done. He really thought he’d never have a mate, and now he had to eat his damn words.

  The crew of the Orion slowly got out of their pew and headed toward the back of the church. Captain Topaz stopped. “The Orion leaves tomorrow at eight. Be ready.”

  Drake met his sour gaze. “I will, Captain.”

  Ysam walked past with Anonghos whom everyone called Hoss. Hoss was the head of the security team. Swallowing his stubborn pride, Drake said, “Ysam.”

  Ysam stopped and turned around. Hoss stood at his side with an angry look.

  Drake ignored Hoss and concentrated on Ysam. “May I talk to you alone?”

  Ysam glanced at Hoss and tilted his head. “I’ll catch up.”

  Drake led Ysam away from the crowd, ignoring the curious and angry stares. Isto waited for him at the back of the church. The crew of the Orion, except for Topaz, were at the back talking, but Drake could feel their presence––like a heavy brick, ready to slam into his head if he made a false move toward Ysam.

  He braced his shoulders. “I owe you an apology.”

  “Yeah, I expect you do.”

  Drake’s anger prickled, but he shoved it back, not willing to take on the crew of the Orion. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I really thought Daidhl had murdered my mate.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “It was a feeling I had.”

  Ysam studied him before he answered. “Or maybe it’s something else. You’ve been angry as long as I’ve known you, Drake.”

  Drake frowned. “That’s not true. Why the hell would you say that?”

  Ysam cast a small smile. “Even right now, it’s taking all of your energy not to lose your temper.”

  Drake turned away. “I was trying to apologize.”

  “I know you were, but unless you get your anger under control, there’s liable to be more assumptions. You’re a powerful dragon, Drake, but that doesn’t give you the right to be a bully.”

  Heat flushed through Drake’s body, and he gritted his teeth. Ysam turned and left. Drake inhaled and exhaled ten deep breaths, trying to control the rage threatening to break loose like a thunder storm, but his dragon howled and gnashed its teeth.

  He thrust his fingers into his hair. Every day he fought not to unleash the violence, always one step away from erupting. But each day, it became harder and harder and harder. How could one woman help him control something that had been a problem his whole life?

  3

  Chloe leaned on the rental counter at Breezy’s, mentally going over her finances in her head and sighed heavily. This month, she’d be a hundred dollars short on her mortgage. She twisted her finger around a lock of hair. Being a paddle board instructor in Mexico was a huge cut in pay compared to being a copy editor at Denver’s Westworld newspaper. How was she going to pay for her beloved home?

  After the Romantic Love Conference, she had quit her job. Her picture, Tom’s, and his lies, had gone viral. She thought of denying his accusations, but who would believe her? She had been naked at the pool. Luckily, no photos of her being naked had surfaced, but that didn’t mean they weren’t out there. She suspected Tom
had taken some and would threaten her if she tried to tarnish his reputation.

  She wiped a hated tear from underneath her sunglasses. Tom was a well-respected agent, while she was a nobody. It felt like every newspaper, magazine, and blog, had picked the story up. She took a quivering breath. At least down here, no one knew her, or Tom, or the Romantic Love Conference.

  But money was becoming a dreaded issue. Maybe she should sell her beloved home, but then where would she go? Her throat turned scratchy, and she took a sip of water to keep from bursting into tears.

  She looked up and jammed her worries back. A customer was approaching, but not just any customer. A Greek God headed toward her. His incredible bulk of solid muscle glistened in the sun, and the wind blew his jet-black hair across his face. But she could see his golden eyes––lion’s eyes.

  Since the Romantic Love conference, she’d sworn off all men––no matter how handsome, but there was something about him that chipped away at her vow.

  Ridiculous!

  “Hello,” he said huskily.

  She smiled, her heart beating wildly. “How can I help you?”

  “I’d like to rent a paddle-board.”

  She glanced at his wrist that had a purple band. “You’re a guest, so you don’t need to rent it.” She handed him a ten-foot board along with a paddle. “Have you ever paddle boarded before?”

  His fingers brushed over hers and a shiver of excitement rushed over her. Heat flushed over her. Her mouth fell open and she stood perfectly still. For a minute, the same dreaded tingles rushed over her trembling fingers.

  Please, no.

  She clenched her fists and braced herself to be shoved into his consciousness, but she remained in her own body. She blinked and gasped. For the first time ever, she was able to control her gift. That had never, ever happened before.

  “No.” He winked. “But I’ll manage.”

  She shut her mouth and managed to find her voice. “If you need help, let me know.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I will.”

  She wondered how she was able to control her scrying. Usually, the power just took over whether she wanted it or not. She scratched her head. It must have just been a fluke.

  As he walked away, her gazed was glued to him like a moth to a flame. His backside was as heart-stopping as his front. Muscles strained and flexed with each step. Water splashed onto him. He easily moved the board into the sloshing ocean, then put the paddle on top of it. He swung one chiseled leg onto the board and sat astride.

  In a quick movement, he was on all fours on the board. When he stood, his thick thighs tightened. A pesky wave smashed into him, and he flew off the board, landing head first into the water. Chloe covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

  He came out of the water like a nymph, swinging his thick hair out of his eyes. “Fates!” His voice was more of a growl than a curse.

  He clutched the board again and grabbed the floating paddle. Once again, he climbed onto the board and stood. This time, it was a little bit longer, but he shifted his weight and fell to the side, head first.

  The man burst out of the water with his lips pinched together tightly.

  “Sergio?” She turned to her co-worker who was busy cleaning a board. “I think there’s a guest out there who needs my help.”

  “Si, I saw that one. Muy guapo.” He flashed her a teasing smile that usually set the younger women’s libido into overdrive. His blue eyes were a sharp contrast to his dark skin that left women falling all over him.

  “I’m the instructor. Nothing more.”

  “I could go teach him, no?”

  She frowned and he burst out laughing, shaking his head.

  Ignoring him, she snagged a board and trekked down the beach. The cool water lapped over her feet. She slowly waded into the ocean, then easily paddled over to where the man had gotten back on the board for the third time.

  “Hi, I’m Chloe, and one of the instructors here,” she said. “It looks like you’re having some trouble. Would you like some help?”

  “Yes, I would.” He flashed her a smile that made her heart beat faster.

  She cleared her throat. “What’s your name?”

  “Drake.” He put his massive arms on the board.

  “Interesting name. That was actually the name of my junior high school.” She cringed inside. What a stupid statement.

  He shrugged. “My parents were interesting people. How much for the lesson?”

  “No charge.” She spread out her fingers on her tummy. “You need to suck in your core and spread you weight evenly between your feet.”

  “Care to show me?” His voice was like a caress.

  She tried to ignore it, but her curiosity was piqued, which was never a good thing. Look what had happened at the damn conference.

  Drake edged closer and his golden lion-eyes, promised desire. She inhaled the smell of ash as if he’d been sitting near one of the resort’s fire pits. Strange––because no pits were lit at this time of the day.

  “Sure.” She hoped her voice sounded like an instructor’s and not a love-sick girl’s. Despite her curvy size, she easily got onto the board and distributed her weight evenly between her legs. She immediately sucked in her core. “Now, you take your paddle and alternate between each side. Nice easy strokes.”

  He climbed on his board and wobbled but managed to put his oar in the water. “Like this.”

  “Very good. Distribute your balance evenly.”

  He quickly aimed the board toward her, but he went too fast. A wave struck him, he wavered, then went dove to the side, almost hitting her. Water whooshed over the back of her board, making it tilt. Chloe paddled hard, her arms moving as fast as they could and sucking in her gut.

  He exploded out of the water, steam sizzling around him as if he were on fire. “Fates!”

  Her eyes widened and her limbs shook. His scowl turned her insides to jelly, and he slammed his fists into the water, splashing droplets high into the air.

  She glanced over at Sergio, who was busy handing out boards. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  She whipped her head around.

  He was back on the board with his legs straggling it. “Just embarrassing to be a complete failure in front of you.”

  She frowned. “You’re embarrassed?”

  His ears turned bright red. “Yes. Wouldn’t you be if you were trying to impress someone?”

  Her chest tightened and her throat dried up. She looked down, not sure if she should believe him. Taking a deep breath, she took the coward’s way out and went back to being an instructor. “Do you want to try again?”

  “Fourth times a charm.” He hopped up on the board and got on all fours. His hair hung on either side, hiding his face.

  “Now, take your time to stand.”

  He nodded wordlessly. He stuck his arms out and slowly stood, sucking in those magnificent abs. Lordly, he’d could be a romance book cover model.

  She held her breath as he steadied himself, then picked up the paddle.

  “Good. Now, just dip the paddle on one side then other. Now come parallel to me.”

  “Okay.” He followed her advice, but was so close, she could reach out and touch him.

  “Let’s move slow.”

  “Anything you say, beautiful.”

  She shivered, remembering Tom’s comments. “Don’t call me that.”

  Concern filled his lion eyes. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  The same tingles raced up her arms––goosebumps popping out everywhere.

  Oh, God, not again.

  This time, she couldn’t control it. She thrust her head back and descended into Drake’s body. She shoved his soul and saw herself sitting on the paddle board staring up into the sun. But something was strange. His skin felt weird––heavy, thick, as if she were wearing two coats.

  Suddenly, she was back into her body, breathing hard.
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br />   He shook his head. “Fates, what just happened? I felt like I went into a trance.”

  She blinked. People didn’t usually even notice when she took possession. Another strange thing about this man, but she played innocent. “What are you talking about?”

  “Never mind.” He stared at her as if he knew she was lying.

  She forced herself to go into instructor mode, even though her heart beat wildly. She avoided his gaze and paddled away. “Let me go first, and watch what I do.” She didn’t turn around to see if he followed, but she could feel him watching her, tracking her as if she were prey.

  For the next hour, she helped him. He was respectful and didn’t make any more brazen comments. But she couldn’t shake what it had been like when she was inside him. No one had ever felt like that before. Besides being the hottest guy on the beach, there was something different about him.

  Luckily, Sergio waved to her from the beach with two guests, holding their boards.

  “I think I have to more guests to help.”

  He followed her gaze, then flashed her a heart-stopping smile that made his eyes crinkle. “Chloe, thank you for helping me.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Wait. Do you do private lessons?”

  She stopped. “What?”

  “I asked if you do private lessons?”

  “Um, yes. But…”

  “Let’s talk about it over dinner tonight. Please.”

  “I don’t know.”

  He held up a finger. “At least one drink. Wait, don’t answer. I’ll be at Jose’s at seven.” Before she answered, he paddled away, lost his balance, and flew off the board. This time, he came up and flashed her another handsome grin.

  She couldn’t help but smile. She’d been inside him. No malice had lurked there, but he wasn’t completely normal, either. One drink wouldn’t be a problem. Besides, she needed the money. One private lesson would pay a lot more than she received as an instructor.

  Just to be sure there was no monkey business, she’d ask Sergio to be at the bar to watch for anything funny, like Drake putting something in her drink.

  Chloe arrived at Jose’s and spotted Drake right away. He leaned against the bar. His dark hair flowed freely around his shoulders, and an opened shirt revealed rock-hard abs. He was looking around the bar and when his gaze fell on her, a wide grin spread across his handsome face.