Page 84 of Bind Me

“No, Eryx, don’t—” his brothers simultaneously shout.

A crackling energy surges through the room, and in seconds, Eryx bursts out of his clothes. I try to look away, but my eyes are glued to the transformation. Kaden instantly places his hand over my eyes just as Eryx’s pants shred away, but I push his hand aside, unable to look away from the spectacle.

Now, in front of us stands a massive gryffin whose head almost rubs the ceiling. His body is that of a lion, golden and powerful, while his head is that of a majestic eagle, fierce and noble. His enormous black wings stretch wide, and when he beats them once, a flurry of wind rushes against us. His talons scratch the wooden floorboards, clenching and unclenching on the spot.

My mouth might have fallen open in awe. I’m speechless, and even Chowder is pressed up against my side as if he wasn’t expecting him to be so huge.

Eryx steps away from the fireplace and bumps into a small table, knocking my drink over and sending it tumbling, the glass smashing.

“Oh, shit, I’m so sorry.” I move to get up, but Billie has my hand, pulling me back.

“We’ll clean it later. Better to just let Eryx do his thing first.”

Back in my seat, we all turn around, following him strutting toward the windows.

“Wow,” I breathe, unable to take my eyes off him.

Tallis rolls his eyes, a familiar exasperation in his voice. “He’s going to break everything in here. Again.”

Beside me, Billie watches with admiration but resignation. “He always does,” she says. “His gryffin side has a mind of its own and isn’t always controllable. But I adore him, and things can be replaced and fixed.”

Chowder’s eyes are huge, and he makes excited chirping sounds. “So pretty! He can fly? Who doesn’t want to fly?”

As if hearing him, Eryx unleashes a sharp birdlike screech with a growl, then stretches his wings out, reaching the walls. He eyes the large floor-to-ceiling window with a curtain drawn across it.

“Fuck, Eryx, don’t do it,” Khaos warns, getting to his feet, but it’s too late. Eryx charges the window. The room erupts in chaos as he smashes through the glass, shattering it with a deafening crash. Glass sprays outward, and a cold breeze rushes into the room.

Eryx soars out into the night, his wings catching the air effortlessly. The moonlight glints off his feathers as he flies upward, powerful and free. He disappears into the sky, a dark silhouette against the stars, leaving us in stunned silence.

Adrenaline rushes through me, my heart racing as I watch him vanish into the night sky. It’s a breathtaking sight.

Chowder claps his hands, bouncing with excitement in my lap. Kaden stands nearby, ready to act if needed, but Billie just smiles.

“It’s okay. He’ll be fine, and we have a whole team in the mansion who fix up all the breakages he causes.” She laughs, a fondness in her eyes. “As much trouble as he causes, I adore him to bits.”

Her words resonate with me, reminding me of the acceptance and love she has for Eryx, despite his wild nature.

Tallis stands with a deadpan expression, staring at the now-broken window, letting in a cool breeze. Khaos turns back to us.

“Well, he’ll be back in his own time. Let’s move the party to the parlor.”

They’re all so casual about it, showing how much they respect Eryx just as he is.

“I like Eryx,” Chowder chants, and I giggle at him, wondering if he sees a part of himself in Eryx—the wild, untamed side that refuses to be caged.

Kaden approaches Khaos, asking, “What can I do to help?”

He shakes his head, grinning. “Nothing at all, my friend. Just enjoy yourself.”

That’s when Kaden catches my eye once more, and I realize that he’s my chaos, just like Eryx is to his mate. He’s grown on me so much that I’m obsessed with him just as much as he is with me, and I don’t think I’d have it any other way.

It’s past two o’clock, and I’m snuggled up in bed when Kaden crawls in behind me because he won’t take no for an answer. “You can share the other bed with Chowder,” I say to him sarcastically, knowing he won’t do that. I glance up at him in the blue darkness of the room, lit up only by the moonlight pouring into the bedroom and onto the large four-poster bed.

“You think I’m not sharing a bed with you?” he chuckles. “You haven’t been listening to me.”

He climbs under the covers, causing the whole mattress to jump around. As I try to pull away, mostly because I’m only wearing my underwear, his large hand loops around my middle and scoops me across the bed and up against him. My back and ass collide with his chest, and I let out an oomph.

“Kaden, geez.”

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