Page 79 of Bound

“I have not. I have protected my mate and my young,” Rych says with fake affront.

“Then you need to be well behaved on Haalux, especially if you think they might have information about other Gryn.”

Rych settles under me, watching me like a hawk as I eat.

“We can go find somewhere, settle down. You can have our young and we can make more, if you want,” he says, carefully shielding his thoughts.

“We started this search because it was what you wanted. With Earth being off limits, I want you to find your species.” I put the empty platter to one side and cover his hand with mine. “It’s important to you and it’s important to me.”

The thoughtbond fills with uncertainty for a second.

“I know I need to find them, but that’s it. It’s hardly a reason to drag my pregnant mate all around the galaxy.”

“Perhaps this mate wants to see the galaxy, given she didn’t think she’d ever leave Trefa?” I suggest with a kiss to his cheek.

A kiss which is followed by another on my lips from my gorgeous dominating male.

It’s not like the virus has gone anywhere, and potentially I’m as much at risk from it now as I ever was, given the abilities it has given me, but providing we live quietly, there is no danger.

“I have heard the Haalux have many hot springs on their planet inside caves which look like nests,” Rych says dreamily.

The thoughtbond fills with a myriad of nests, all the ones he’s thinking of building.

“More nests?” I query.

“I can never build a nest to match your beauty,eregri,” Rych says. “But I’m not going to stop trying until I get one perfect and where I can worship you every nova-day.”

He’s loved my pregnant body from the moment we found out during our preparations to leave Trefa. The dome medic confirmed the baby was unaffected by the virus, which was a huge weight lifted and then the next day we left.

I can’t say I miss it. I’m absolutely sure Rych doesn’t, even if he remains concerned about the Gryn left in the dome, thoughts which echo down the bond.

“Klynn can look after himself and Maxym is better,” I respond, feeling his thoughts.

“Better but not how he used to be. He joins Klynn in the undercroft now, and he has little care for himself in the arena,” Rych says darkly. “He was always a brooding vrexer, but now he’s even worse.”

“The resistance and Fenek will get them released soon.” I rub my hand on his wing soothingly.

“Attention, unidentified craft, transmit your identity!”a voice barks through the comm.

“I guess we’re near enough to Haalux.” I laugh as Rych presses kisses down my neck, his hands descending lower and lower until my knickers are toast.

I tell the ship to transmit the identity confirming we are not a threat to the Empire and we have an audience with one of their ambassadors.

Haalux space control responds with the coordinates for our landing, and the ship swings around the large planet.

“Looks like we’ll have a little more time,” Rych says, mouth on my collar bone and his finger buried deep within me, thumb caressing my clit. “And I suggest we spend it wisely.”

The thoughtbond tells me exactly how he intends to make best use of our time. And I couldn’t imagine spending it any other way either.