Alex

ALEX

S ylas smooths his thumb over my forehead, rubbing a gentle circle on my temple, his other hand running through my hair, claws pricking at my scalp. As always, he's beautifully hot and in absolutely no time at all, I'm being woken with a kiss.

"We're at the port, little feather, time to go," he says, his delicious deep voice swirling around me.

I yawn and stretch, leaning against his hard abs and enjoying them immensely. Enjoying the fact we are both free, forever.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

Sylas gazes down at me, his face radiating love as he leans in to kiss me, but his wings get stuck in the transport door, and he swears in his language which doesn't exactly translate but the meaning is oh-so-clear.

"I'm getting out." I laugh, feeling so free, so light, I almost fall into his arms.

The ground transport we're next to looks very familiar. As does the pilot standing next to the entrance.

"Haxrix!" I have my arms around her, even though her furry body goes stiff. "Why are you here? I thought the resistance was too busy, now the council is talking to them."

"I was never any good at diplomacy ." She makes a face. "Something I share with your mate." Haxrix looks up at Sylas who is towering over us, casting an impressive shadow as his feathers bristle with impatience.

"Are we going?" Sylas asks.

"We are, just as long as you can get your great Gryn ass into my ship in the next nova-minute." Haxrix fluffs her tail at him.

He just grins and extends his hand to me. "As you wish, mistress," he says, and I'm helped aboard with amazing speed by a very happy Sylas.

Once we're inside, through the pseudo cabin, Haxrix joins us.

"I got some more of the things you like, Gryn," she says offhand. "I left your cabin like it was, but you never know with the nesting types."

Sylas hops from foot to foot, his claws extending and retracting. His feathers rouse in a violent shake.

"Nest," he growls, his piercing gaze fixed on me.

"Is he drooling?" Haxrix asks.

Sylas wipes the back of his hand over his mouth, and without a word, he turns in a swish of feathers and dives into the rear of the transport.

Haxrix is already lifting the ship off the ground and rising over the port.

"Did Sylas give you a destination?" I ask her, checking over my shoulder for any sign of the big scarred gladiator.

"He said somewhere safe," she replies, paw-like hands flying over the controls. She's entirely concentrated on the job before her.

I wander back to the living area, where we sometimes ate meals together, although I smile as I remember how much time Sylas and I spent in his nest and all the things we did together.

My hand goes subconsciously to my stomach. All that activity is probably the reason I'm in this state right now.

"I can't wait for you to be ripe with young," Sylas murmurs in my ear from behind, folding me into him and covering my hand with his huge ones. "I'm going to mate you all nova-day, every nova-day, delicious little snack."

A thrill of lust rolls through me, luxurious and needy.

"Have you made your nest?" I ask, pressing myself into him.

Sylas stiffens, and I feel his breath quickening.

"I have made it for you, little feather," he says with a pant.

"Then I need to see it, don't I?"

His entire body is vibrating against me. I can tell he doesn't want to let me go, but he very much wants to get me in his nest, to obtain my approval, and then to do things to me which will have me screaming his name.

"Nest," he rasps, the war apparently won as I'm released to sashay my way through to the back of the transport.

The door slides open, and I'm greeted by the most opulent nest ever. Velvet like fabric in jewel colors is draped everywhere. The bed in the center has the sides built up into a deep cup which is lined with furs. This time, Sylas has gone all out with the twinkles, and they're no longer small, metal discs and other items (some of which look suspiciously like they're from a kitchen) which twirl and tinkle in the slight breeze caused by our presence.

"Do you…like it?" he asks hesitantly when I haven't said anything for a while.

I throw my arms around him.

"Sylas, I love it. It's perfect," I tell him, putting kisses all up his neck and shoving my hands into the feathery depths of his wings.

"Are you sure…" He groans as I touch skin, any concerns whipped away as he nuzzles his face into the skin of my neck and nips at me.

"I'm sure," I reply. "Now take me to your nest and have your wicked way with me."

"Your word, my eregri , is my every command."

I'm lifted up in a pair of strong arms, and as I gaze into his stunning eyes, filled with desire and calm, Sylas plants a kiss on my forehead.

"I thought I was alive, but I did not live until the moment fate found you for me, ."

"And I thought it was all over, until you captured me," I reply. "Now mate me as if tomorrow will never come."

"I can assure you, little feather"—Sylas grins at me, his mouth filled with sharp, white, gorgeous fangs—"even if tomorrow never comes, you will, multiple times."

His mouth hits mine and time stands still. The universe has placed us here, and I am in love with my big bad gladiator who can't help but nest for me and who knows how to make my body sing.

Sylas might have been caged when I found him, but he has set me free.