Page 52 of Caged

I rather like it.

I do not like the idea of going to Ryle.

Alex climbs back into the nest and shoves her hands into my wing feathers, stroking and scratching as I groan out loud.

“It’ll be fine, Sylas. If they were looking for us, we’d have heard by now.”

As usual, I can’t exactly think straight when she has her fingers in my feathers, but given Boran occasionally checks in on us, bringing basic supplies despite my attempts to scare him away, he would have told me if there were any strangers in the area asking about us.

I don’t want to accept we might finally be free, not yet.

Not until a nova-year or two has passed. Not a couple of nova-months. After a few nova-years, we could risk a space port, leave this place, and find the other Gryn. It’s a plan I haven’t mentioned to Alex, not while I am content here, with her. I have no doubt she would agree.

“Then we will go, on one condition.” I force the words past lips which only want to moan in pleasure at her touch.

“What?”

“I get to help you choose.”

“Will your talents never cease, gladiator?” She goes to kiss me on the cheek, but I turn my head and make sure I capture her lips with mine instead.

“I am no gladiator, little feather. I am a mate, your mate, and it’s all I ever want to be.”

Ryle is busy.

I dislike it intensely. We haven’t been among this many people since we left Tatatunga, and they make my feathers itch.

“You probably need to stop growling,” Alex says, squeezing my hand. “I think they’d look less if they thought you weren’t going to eat them.”

“They need reminding who I am.” I snarl at one of the Tref who takes a swift sidestep away. “And what will happen if they challenge me.”

“Oh, I think they know, Sylas.” Alex sighs.

She is not content. She is on edge. It is my duty to protect her, to keep her safe from anyone who might look in her direction. It is my duty to ensure she is content. I dislike the proximity of others as much as she does.

“Sylas, Alex!” Boran bustles towards us, all buzzing wings and twisting antennae in excitement as always

My stomach twists as he approaches, and I push Alex behind my wings. She insisted I leave my sword at our dwelling, and I wish I hadn’t given in to her.

“Hi, Boran,” Alex says, popping her head around me. “We’ve come to do some shopping,” she adds with a note of excitement to her voice.

I look at her in surprise. Alexwantsto be here? She wants to purchase things? I stop holding her back with my wing, and she smiles up at me, once again slipping her hand in mine. The tiny warmth is reassuring.

“Ryle has many choices.” Boran sweeps his arms at the three permanent stalls and the three which have set up for the day. “Whatever you want, I can get.” He gives me a wink.

I bristle for an instant. “My mate requires clothing.”

I didn’t think Boran could get any happier, but he positively levitates. “Then you need to visit my cousin, Uron,” he says. “She has everything a beautiful female could possibly need.”

Whilst I very much doubt his words, given the remoteness of this settlement, I allow him to guide us along to a small shop set back from the main thoroughfare. Its slightly concealed location eases my desire for violence, and also, I’m being pulled quite hard towards the door. It slides open and we’re inside.

Alex’s eyes are wide as she takes in the interior.

“Wow! What an Aladdin’s cave,” she whispers reverently.

“What can I help you with, my dear?” A female Lepke slides out from behind a rack of fabrics.

Her eyes narrow when she sees me. My stomach squirms with an emotion I’m not entirely sure about. I think Alex is about to find out where I got the material from to make our nest.

---