Page 21 of Bound

“There’s only us.” Rych’s face is in darkness. All I can see is a glitter of light reflected in his eyes. “But this is for you.”

He reaches past me, gently pushing at the door, a wooden structure which opens inwards to reveal something I wasn’t expecting at all.

“It’s beautiful!” I exclaim, and for a second, my excitement echoes into the vaulted outer cave. Because what’s within the much smaller, cozier one is like something out of a dream.

Instead of carved rock, the walls are covered in fabrics, swathes of them in dark reds and greens. The entire place is lit with the bioluminescence from earlier—it sparkles in jars hung from the ceiling and dotted around everywhere like fireflies. Dotted around the walls are carved wooden pieces of furniture, tables and chests, all painted in swirling symbols like those on the walls. In the center is a large platform, strewn with rich throws, that looks as comfortable as can be.

“How did you know this was here?” My voice is hoarse as I walk inside, running my hands over the fabrics, marveling at how soft and clean everything is.

In the doorway, Rych shifts from foot to foot, looking oddly uncomfortable.

“I…didn’t know…” he says, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I wanted to make it nice for you.”

“Youdid this?” I stare at him.

“A nest,” he states, as if in a trance. “For my mate.”

“You made a nest, for me?”

Rych nods slowly, the light blazing in his eyes once again. “Do you…like it?” he asks.

“It’s cozy and warm. Of course I like it,” I say.

As if he’s a wraith, Rych goes from near the door to right next to me, a towering wall of heat and feathers.

“Chrissie,” he breathes. “I cannot deny it any longer. You are my mate.”

I look at the floor, my heart pounding. In this galaxy, being mated means something. It means everything. But Rych has to be mistaken.

“No, Rych, I can’t be. I’m wrong, I’m sick. I’m a human who is so out of place here it’s not even funny. I can’t be your mate.”

A clawed finger slips under my chin, and my head is lifted until I have no option but to look into his handsome face.

“The mate instinct never lies. I’ve seen it enough. I might not remember where I came from, but I know this is entirely real. You are mine, Chrissie.”

CHRISSIE

I hardly dare to breathe as I look up into Rych’s sombre face. He says he wants me. My heart believes him. It drums at my chest, battering there, wanting to get out, wanting to see this moment for itself.

Rych’s hands move to my waist, and he lifts me up, setting me on a table where he trails a hand up my throat, tilting my head to him, moving so, so close. My body pulses and his nostrils flare. His hard, muscular form presses between my legs, pushing my thighs apart.

“I knew from the first moment I saw you that you belonged to me, myeregri,” he murmurs. “The entire galaxy, and here you are, my perfection, in this moment.” He studies my face. “I need you like I need the air under my wings, my claws, and my sword, little spark.”

My heart stops, flips, and for a moment, I don’t think it’s going to restart. Rych waits, one clawed finger stroking at my cheek. He’s waiting for my answer.

“I…want you too.” I exhale the words.

His lips hit mine in a kiss like I’ve never experienced before. He kisses as if I’m the only creature in the universe, demanding,controlling, wanting, and needing. His hands are in my hair, my back arched so I can take even more, let him give me more.

When he finally releases me, it’s as if I’ve lost everything, left in a daze, my body on fire…for him.

“I’m going to mate you, little spark. I’m going to taste you first, make you ready, then I’m going to breed you over and over until our pleasure brings new life into this galaxy.” He growls, dipping his head to nibble at the skin on my neck, making me gasp in delight. “Then I’m going to do it all again, so you are always filled with young.”

This should not be sexy, it should not be turning my pussy to jelly, making me shake with desire, but I want him. I want everything he has to offer.

“Are you going to be my goodgirland let me strip you bare?” Rych says.

It’s not a suggestion, it’s an order, and my mind goes strangely limp. I want to say no, I want to tell him I can do it myself, but also, I want him to do it for me.

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