Sylas

SYLAS

G ray light creeps into my nest, and I stretch my wings up over my head, shaking the feathers gently as I watch over my little mate, sleeping soundly in the nest I couldn't stop myself from building for her. A nest which could do with some tweaking, given it's not quite right yet.

I rearrange a few items and admire my work, the now familiar warmth settling in my stomach. A part of my soul I disconnected a long time ago pricks at me. This is how it's supposed to be.

It seems unlikely. I have too much blood between my claws.

"Hey." Her soft voice jerks me out of my thoughts. A pair of bright eyes are laser-focused on me.

"Little feather," I rasp, my voice rough with the night.

My cocks are already hard with her proximity. They have been for nova-hours, tenting the blanket I have over my lap.

"Looks like it's a good morning." Alex stretches her arms above her head, her eyes on where I'm showing my desire for her. "For you."

She rolls over until she's next to my position on the edge of the nest, where I have stayed on guard. Her slim arm slides under the blanket, her tiny hand partially encircling my members, and she gives me a slow stroke.

My hips fire up involuntarily along with a groan she rips from my mouth.

"If it wasn't good before, it is now." I thrust gently into her grip, luxuriating in the feel of her skin against mine.

If I thought her touching my wings was extreme pleasure, I was very much mistaken.

Someone bangs on the door, her hand is gone before I can speak, and she's out of my nest before I can stop her, winding a piece of fabric around her body. She opens the door to the Remek female while I growl to myself, pulling on some pants over my still hard cocks because my female needs protecting.

"I've heard there are some bots out from the dome," the Remek says. "They may be looking for your Gryn. Or they may be out looking for the culprits."

"The attack on the dome will not go unpunished, not given the level of credits it brings in to Tatatunga and the amount the procurator pays the council," I reply.

"I've arranged for some transport to get you to the outskirts," Ginka says to Alex. "Do you know where you're going to go?"

She looks at me. We haven't discussed anything. I took her to my nest, and she fell asleep. I wanted to see if she'd mate with me again, but listening to her soft snores meant I drifted off too. The best night's sleep I've had in a long time.

"We're going to Choban," I say.

"Good choice." The Remek inclines her horns in agreement.

"What's in Choban?" Alex asks.

"Not a lot other than vegetation," the Remek says. "You should feel at home there, Gryn."

I lift my lips to reveal a couple of sharp teeth, but otherwise I ignore her comment, which most likely refers to my wings.

"What is the transport?" I ask.

"It's the trader who provides me with my supplies," she says. "He can be trusted, providing you pay him well."

I refrain from saying anyone who wants paying probably can't be trusted, but it's pointless. Once we get out of Tatatunga, none of this will matter.

"He'll be here in half a nova-hour. I have food for your journey."

She takes hold of Alex's arms and pulls her in for a hug. My internal organs go haywire. I can't be jealous of this female and mine, but somehow anyone touching my mate makes me want to kill.

"I'm going to miss you, Alex."

"You won't miss all of your stock I eat." Alex laughs, but there is water in her eyes, and her voice sounds choked.

I dislike it intensely. I do not want her to be sad. Not now, not ever. She is mine to protect, from everything including sadness.

"I won't miss you bringing a Gryn into my home either." The Remek laughs. "His ideas of decoration leave something to be desired."

I bristle.

"My nest is for my mate."

"And I love it, ," Alex says, releasing the Remek and taking my hand.

Her touch, the sweet scent of her in my nostrils, is enough to stop me wanting to do some form of violence. It's been over a day since I was in the dome, and my claws were getting twitchy. Even when we were not called on for the games, most of my day was taken up with sparring with the other Gryn or occasionally teaching a challenger a lesson, if he ended up in the wrong part of the competitors' area.

But my sweet mate does not need to know any of this. She needs to know I am here, for her.

"Go and eat, little feather. I'll deal with the nest," I tell her.

Alex looks at me carefully, then nods in agreement. The Remek gives me a long stare and closes the door. I look around at my nest, take a deep breath, and start my training moves before I dismantle my work.

The last thing I need today is a fight I didn't mean to start. Not while I have a little female in my care, and we must get out of Tatatunga before nightfall.

If not, I do not believe I can last a further day without discovery, and if discovered, I will forfeit my Alex.

I'd rather die than give her up. Although only after those who take me on die first.