Page 32 of Caged

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, Sylas,” 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.

ALEX

Ieat quickly, watching as Ginka shoves more food into a bag. There’s plenty but then I saw how much both Sylas and Maxym ate last night.

“It’s going to be okay,” I say quietly.

“I just want everything to be good for you, Alex,” Ginka says, concentrating on her task. “The Gryn should protect you but…”

“I’m a runaway?” I query.

She nods.

“I’ve looked after myself for a long time.” I take the bag from her to stop her stuffing even more in. “Ixor doesn’t frighten me. He doesn’t own me either, not really.”

“It depends on where you are.”

“No, it doesn’t, it depends on how I feel in here.” I point to my head. “And here.” I point to my heart.

“And how do you feel—here?” Ginka puts her hand over mine on my chest.

“Like going with Sylas is the right thing.”

“He is a troubled male.” She sighs. “You have picked a difficult one to tame.”

I mock huff. “I think you’ll find he picked me.”

Ginka breaks into a sad smile, her head shaking as she puts a tray of fresh baked goods to one side. As she looks up, Sylas enters, and the room suddenly becomes too small. He’s wearing a leather strap over his chest which runs down to his waist, where there is a vicious looking sword.

He follows my gaze.

“Maxym left it for me,” he says sheepishly.

There’s a siren-like wail, and he goes from passive to aggressive in an instant, every feather standing on end and the sword in his hand.

“Stand down, gladiator.” Ginka snorts. “That’ll be your ride.”

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