24. Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

B ecca

As Pyne’s phaeton shuttle docks with the Devil’s Playground , I try to control my rising panic. It’s one thing to leave slavery behind for a shot at a better life, and quite another to meet a crew of gladiators who might treat me like most of the other aliens I’ve encountered since my abduction—like more of a thing than a sentient being.

I glance at Pyne, who sees my fear and tucks me closer against his muscular body.

“They’ll love you, sugarplum. There are a million things to worry about in this galaxy, but not the Playground’s crew.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head as the airlock hisses open.

Stepping onto the ship, we’re greeted by a swell of noise—cheers and applause. The crew of the Devil’s Playground surrounds us, their faces alight with welcome and camaraderie.

“Pyne, you old space dog!” A huge, scarred gladiator with flaming red skin claps Pyne on the back, nearly knocking him over. “About time you made it back. And with a pretty little mate, too!”

Mate? I swallow, my eyes widening in shock. Funny, no one else on board bats an eye at his statement. After a moment to think, I decide being Pyne’s mate sounds wonderful, though we’ll have to talk about it.

“Watch it, Stryker,” Pyne laughs, shoving him playfully. “Becca hasn’t agreed yet.”

This statement is met with a dozen questions, so Pyne interrupts the barrage by adding, “Because I haven’t asked her.”

“Do you have eyes, Pyne?” This is said with a scoff by an almost-human-looking male with a cyborg arm. “What the drack are you waiting for?”

“Give me a moment, Shadow,” Pyne scolds. “Things happened faster than a shooting star.”

“Sure. I get it. When we get back in our cabin, my mate Petra will probably make me pay for making our new guest uncomfortable. That’s okay. There are certain times a male doesn’t argue about being tied up.”

My face is probably flaming at that blatantly sexual remark, as I realize living with a bunch of straight-talking gladiators is going to be like living in a whole new world.

“Welcome aboard, Becca. Any friend of Pyne’s is a friend of ours.” A petite human woman with long blond hair slips her arm around Shadow as she smiles at me. “I’m Petra, and after years together, I’m still trying to tame this handsome male and that uncensored mouth of his.”

A tall, regal-looking feline humanoid steps forward, his golden eyes warm and assessing, his mane groomed so beautifully you’d think he just stepped out of a barber’s chair. “Indeed. Welcome, Becca. I’m Captain Zar-Rynn, and it’s an honor to have you join our crew.”

“Thank you, Captain.” I incline my head respectfully, awed by his commanding presence. “I’m grateful for the chance to start a new life here, with all of you.” My heart is hammering. What if I do something wrong? What if I don’t pull my weight? What if I accidentally offend someone? Will they kick me off the ship?

Zar-Rynn smiles, the expression softening his fierce features. “We’re not just a crew, Becca. We’re a family. And family looks out for each other, no matter what.”

His sincere gaze not only banishes all my fears but warms me from the inside out. Earlier today I was near tears out of hopelessness. Now I’m close to crying because I’m being welcomed by a new family.

Beside him, a pretty human woman with brown curls grins at me. “Damn straight! You’re one of us now. I’m Anya, Zar’s mate.”

He interrupts her to say, “My beloved,” and my insides melt at how much this pair loves each other.

“You came on the right day. We’re celebrating Blessed Peace Day.”

“Oh?”

“Yep. There are over a dozen species represented on this ship, and even more religions. We rolled them all up into a neat package, call it Blessed Peace Day, and everyone is welcome to bring their own customs to the mix.”

“That sounds amazing!”

“Yep. While we were waiting for you, we decorated the dining room. Follow me.”

Our footsteps echo as we walk down metal hallways.

Anya continues, “We’ve been singing carols, although I don’t know why Dax insists that ‘Lay Her Down and Roll Her Over’ is a holiday song.”

She elbows Pyne out of the way and leans close to stage whisper, “It may take you a while to get used to living with a bunch of heathen gladiators. Between the nudity, the fart jokes, and the way some of them still don’t believe there will be enough food so they elbow each other out of the way for second helpings, you’ll see why these guys need a firm and loving woman at their side.”

“I assume you’ll show me the ropes.”

“Happily.” She tosses me a vibrant smile, making me feel right at home.

Pyne leans close and whispers, “By the way you ordered me around in the shower, I don’t think you’ll need any pointers on having a firm hand.”

I’m sure my face is flaming as I enter the dining room, which is decorated in an eclectic mishmash of ornaments and tree branches and candles and stars—clearly giving a nod to a dozen religions.

My eyes tear up as I realize this is what I landed in—a group of wildly distinctive people from all around the galaxy who embrace each other’s differences. I squeeze Pyne’s hand and make sure he’s looking at me when I mouth, I’m going to be fine here.

“Hey, is anyone else starving, or is it just me?” A shaggy-haired gladiator who seems about seven feet tall booms, his deep voice echoing off the metal walls. “I heard Maddie was whipping up a feast fit for kings!”

“You’re always starving, Dax,” Stryker snorts. “But for once, I agree. My mate Maddie’s cooking could make a grown male weep.”

As if summoned, a curvy human woman with a wild mane of curls pops her head out from a doorway, brandishing a spoon. “Did someone say feast? Because I’ve got a spread that’ll make your taste buds sing!” She points her spoon at me and commands, “And for the next holiday feast, I expect you two to make the desserts. We’ve been watching the Cosmic Confections Bake Off on vid.”

Pyne chuckles, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “That’s Maddie, Stryker’s mate and our resident chef extraordinaire. She used to work for some big-shot restaurant back on Earth before she got abducted.”

Maddie's eyes sparkle with mischief as she continues, "Oh, you should have seen us all glued to the vidscreen! We were on our way to rescue you, thinking you'd been kidnapped or something, when suddenly there you were, covered in flour and wielding a whisk like it was your gladius!"

Stryker chimes in, his scarred face split in a grin. "Never thought I'd see the day when our fierce gladiator would be fretting over the perfect consistency of frosting. Gotta say, though, you've got some hidden talents, my friend."

"Hidden talents?" Dax booms, slapping Pyne on the back. "More like hidden muscles! Who knew baking could be such a workout? I swear I saw biceps I didn't even know existed when you were kneading that dough!"

Anya leans in, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "And don't even get me started on that showdown with the Iridian. We were all on the edge of our seats, ready to storm the arena if things went south. But you handled it like a true champion, Pyne. Showing mercy and standing up to that awful Arisha? That took real courage."

Captain Zar-Rynn nods solemnly, though there's a twinkle in his golden eyes. "Indeed. We're proud of you, Pyne. Not just for your unexpected baking prowess, but for staying true to yourself in the face of such adversity. And for finding this delightful human who seems to have stolen your heart along with the show."

The crew's laughter and teasing fill the air, a perfect expression of the family Pyne and I have found among the stars. Their words paint a vivid picture of their worry, excitement, and ultimate pride as they watched our baking adventures unfold. It's a testament to the bonds we've forged, stronger than any cosmic recipe could ever be.

My mouth waters at the tantalizing scents wafting from what I assume is the kitchen. Except for my brief stint in the Cosmic Confections competition, I haven’t been served in a long time. Although I’ll be part of the cooking rotation once I settle in, today, I’ll enjoy Maddie’s Blessed Peace Day feast.

We’re seated and dig into platters of human food plus delicacies from across the galaxy. It seems Maddie’s given a nod to everyone’s traditions. When dessert comes, I plead, “No more, please. They look amazing, Maddie, but I think I’ll have to pass for now. After all those sweets in the baking competition, I don’t know if I can even look at dessert for a while.”

Maddie laughs, her eyes sparkling with understanding. “No worries, honey. If things were different, I would say I’d set some aside for you for tomorrow, but that would be a lie. Between Stryker and Dax, it will all disappear before midnight. Some of these males are bottomless pits!”

“Hey, I resent that!” Dax protests, even as he eyes the kitchen eagerly. “I’m a growing boy!”

“Growing outward maybe,” Stryker quips, poking Dax’s muscular gut.

As the good-natured ribbing continues, the human women surround me, their faces open and welcoming.

“We’re so happy to have you here, Becca,” Dax’s mate says warmly. “I’m Dahlia, and I’ve already got the perfect cabin picked out for you and Pyne. It’s cozy and private, with a view of the stars that’ll take your breath away.”

“And don’t you worry about clothes,” a statuesque blonde chimes in. “I’m Savannah, and my closet is your closet until I can whip you up some threads of your own. I know my way around a sewing machine!”

As I blink back sudden tears, I’m overwhelmed by the generosity and acceptance radiating from these women who were strangers mere moments ago. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you, all of you. This means more than I can express.”

Pyne pulls me closer, dropping a kiss on my temple. “I told you, sugarplum. This is your home now, and these people are your family. We take care of our own.”

Just then, a massive, furred feline slinks into the room, his lithe form rippling with barely leashed power. I can’t help but tense, my instincts screaming to run from this apex predator.

But Pyne just laughs, reaching out to scratch the beast behind his tufted ears. “There you are, King! Becca, meet the ship’s mascot and resident sweetheart. Don’t let his size fool you—he’s a gentle giant.”

Warily, I extend a hand, and King sniffs it delicately before butting his huge head against my palm, a rumbling purr vibrating through his chest.

My fears melt away as I pet him, enjoying the softness of his fur and the contented sounds he makes. Perhaps things aren’t always as they appear on the Devil’s Playground . It’s clear there are depths of compassion and courage lurking beneath even the fiercest facades.

As the introductions continue and the laughter flows freely, I lean into Pyne’s solid warmth, letting the joy and belonging wash over me.

This is real. This incredible male beside me, these wonderful people surrounding us, welcoming us. This is our future, bright and limitless and filled with possibilities.

I catch Pyne’s eye, seeing my own elation mirrored there. He leans down, his lips brushing my ear as he murmurs, “What do you say we slip away for a bit, sugarplum? I seem to recall Savannah mentioning something about a private cabin with a view…”

My pulse leaps at the suggestion, anticipation coiling low in my belly. “Lead the way, gladiator. We have so much to discover about each other.”

Hand in hand, hearts full to bursting, we navigate the twists and turns of the Devil’s Playground, our pace increasing until we’re at a run, on our way to address some unfinished business.

As we reach our cabin, Pyne suddenly stops, his eyes widening with realization. "Becca, I… I'm sorry. With everything that happened, I didn't have a chance to get you a proper Blessed Peace Day gift."

A soft laugh escapes me. "Oh, Pyne. I was just thinking the same thing. Some bakers we are, forgetting the most important ingredient—the gift!"

He pulls me close, his forehead resting against mine. "I promise, as soon as we're settled, I'll make you the most spectacular cake you've ever seen. It will be a tribute to you, for all you’ve taught me. It will have sugar flowers that change colors, looking as though they bloom when you touch them, and icing as smooth as stardust."

"Mmm," I hum, imagining it. "And I'll design a new gladiator outfit for you. One that shows off all your… assets, while keeping you safe in the arena. With hidden pockets for your favorite snacks, of course."

Pyne's laugh rumbles through his chest. "Now that's a gift worth waiting for, sugarplum."

We stand there for a moment, grinning at each other like lovesick fools. Then, with a playful growl, Pyne scoops me up in his arms. "For now, though, I think we can find other ways to celebrate, don't you?"

Giggling, I wrap my arms around his neck as he carries me into our cabin. "I couldn't agree more, my love. Happy Blessed Peace Day."