Page 64 of Captured By the Dragon Warlord (Fated Mates of the Sarkarnii Warlords #2)

I f I thought things couldn’t get more raucous from what they were before Dexx danced for Scarlett, I was wrong.

It feels like the entire sector we’re in is lifting off the surface as the Sarkarnii continue with their carousing. The ale-wine they love is flowing like water. I already know to avoid the stuff, unless I want a three-day hangover.

Kerra has already been claimed by her great big Sarkarnii warrior, who has her in his lap and is feeding her some of her favorite sweets, something they call deigt and which has a bite like Turkish delight and a taste sort of like chocolate.

I love things which taste of home. I very much dislike the growing cacophony of sound the Sarkarnii are producing and wonder if there is any way I might be able to get back to Darax’s sector, back to our quarters, and just sit quietly.

But the Sarkarnii appear to be in full flow and any chance of a quiet night is looking slimmer and slimmer.

Especially as the host and hostess have disappeared…

and I’m pretty sure I know what they are up to and I’m also sure they’re more than happy there is enough noise to drown out an elephant stampede.

“Here,” Maggie bellows in my ear. “I found you some of that weird hot drink you like.”

She has a goblet of the ale-wine in her hand and takes a gulp.

“How the hell can you drink that stuff?” I shout back.

“What can I say? I have an iron constitution.”

“An iron stomach maybe.”

Maggie grins at me. Like Kerra, she’s taken all of the alien abduction stuff in her stride. I’ve done my best to be supportive, to keep it calm and carry on, but in truth, if it wasn’t for my human friends, I don’t know what I’d have done.

I certainly couldn’t have stood to be in the midst of a hundred partying males, each one over seven foot, most with tails, some with wings, and some which are dragons and clearly determined to stay that way.

The air is full of smoke and flame. The floor is bouncing to a crazy beat, drummed out by the aliens themselves.

I take a sip of the drink the Sarkarnii call fee and which tastes a little like earl grey tea.

Before long, I’ve drunk the lot, and Maggie has got me another.

There’s food on offer too, but given it’s a feast for the Sarkarnii, it mostly consists of meat and sweet things. They do like their sweet things!

I admit, the Sarkarnii are intriguing. Like big scaly puppies, they seem to find the joy in almost everything they do.

Providing it involves fighting or eating.

At least all the Sarkarnii I’ve met so far seem to be like this, although given we’ve spent limited time in sectors other than Darax’s, I’m not sure I can reasonably draw an opinion.

I’ve drunk too much of the fee, which means, inevitably, I need to use the facilities. Maggie is currently dancing with a couple of the Sarkarnii who are basically ignoring her, and Lydia too, despite her meek demeanor is tapping her toe along to the beat with a smile on her face.

I get the feeling Lydia is the darkest horse among us.

And I’m sure no one is going to miss me as I slip away from the party, my need increasing.

“Where are the aquiums?” I ask a pair of worse for wear warriors. They wave their hands behind them and weave away from me.

Not a great help.

However, with no other options, I make my way in the direction they indicated and finally catch the scent of water. I nip through the opening and find myself in the aquium, which means there are facilities I can use, so I do.

Only as I come out into the pool area, the lights go out. I can’t hear the party anymore and my blood runs cold.

I wanted to be alone, but not like this. Not when the Sarkarnii have recently been fighting an unseen enemy.

“Hello, female.” A deep voice, somewhat familiar, rumbles through me from my right ear to my left.

I practically levitate in surprise and fear, tumbling backwards against something hard and warm.

Lights suddenly switch on, and I can see who my would be assailant is.

“Dante? What’s going on?”

And he sinks his fangs into my neck.

Book 3: Dante and Rosalie’s story is Mated to the Dragon Warlord