Page 78 of Bound

“Fenek? How did you know where we were?”

He looks around at Rych. “I have my ways, although I know you are not supposed to have survived the blast at the Drahonbase.” Risking a limb, he puts a hand on my arm. “As it should be. What you have can’t ever fall into the wrong hands.”

I gape for a second before I remember myself.

“Izzy, this is my boss, Fenek. Fenek, this is Izzy, another human, like me. She is also mated to a Gryn.”

“The Gryn are a very lucky species,” Fenek says with a smile. “It is a joy to meet you, Izzy, and your mate. But my visit here isn’t just for pleasure.” Fenek takes some more fruit and smacks his lips. “I came to say the resistance is pleased with the information they obtained in the dome. It’s likely they now have some influence with the procurator and potentially the council.”

“What about you? Your ambitions for the council?” I ask.

“I still have hope, even if I don’t have my songstress to help me,” Fenek says fondly. “And you have your Gryn to protect you.”

“Did you plan all of this, Fenek?” I ask. My boss has always been a wily one.

His eyes glitter, his scales flushing a slightly darker color. “Notallof it.”

Rych jumps onto the seating next to me and glares at Fenek. “Fate had plans for both of us, myeregri, and I believe in fate,” he says, taking my hand and kissing me gently. “I am at your service for as long as you want me.”

“I’m always going to want you, Rych. Always. I love you,” I respond as I’m consumed with another long kiss.

“Then it’s time to start living, together,” he murmurs as he releases me for a brief moment. “It’s time for the rest of our lives.”

EPILOGUE

CHRISSIE

I run my hand over my rounded stomach as I settle back into the co-pilot’s chair. Gryn pregnancies progress quickly, and I feel like I have a bowling ball inside of me.

“Is my mate hungry?” Rych calls out from somewhere in the rear of our sleek spaceship.

“Are the stars shining?” I sing back at him.

The pilot and co-pilot’s chairs are largely redundant in this ship, given I can control the ship from anywhere, but they give the best view, so we use them often.

“How long until we get to Haalux?” Rych asks, handing me a platter groaning with all my favorite food.

“About half a nova-hour, same length of time when you last asked me.” I take the platter. “I’m never going to be able to eat all of this,” I complain.

“You will,” Rych growls.

In a fluid movement, and possibly to prove yet again he will fit, he slides into the seat, displacing me to his lap and all without disturbing the plate of food in my hand.

“Oh, will I?”

He rubs my belly and deep within his chest is a groan of pleasure. “You will or you will be punished.”

Punishment, as the thoughtbond tells me, is very much something we’ll both enjoy.

“You might have to save it for later. The Haalux are very strict.” I take a bite out of a large piece of what looks like melon but tastes like ginger.

“I like strict.” Rych chuckles. “I think I’ll like the Haalux.”

“I mean they play by the rules. You don’t want to upset them.”

“Why? Because I don’t like rules?”

“Yes!” I laugh. “Since we left Trefa, you’ve been nothing but trouble.”

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