Page 84 of Chained

He glares at Dirk and Nate. “Get moving and find somewhere to hide,” he growls. “We’ll come find you when this is all over.”

Dirk opens his mouth to protest, but it’s too late. I’m tipped into Maxym’s arms and in the air before I can even squeak in alarm.

“We’re flying!” I say, the wind taking my words.

Do you like it, little scrap?Maxym uses the thoughtbond to its best advantage, the thoughts dropping into my head easily.

I bury my head into his hard chest armor as we swing around, flipping and spinning between struts which criss-cross the void like sinew. I want to look, but I also want to hang on. I choose hanging on and concentrating on the reassurances I get from my big male beamed directly into my head.

For my part, I’m trying not to worry about what’s coming next.

All our enemies will be ended.Maxym points out.And I will nest for you.

Given his thoughts, when I catch him unawares, are mostly about nesting, I want it for both of us, although especially for him, and especially after what he did for me in the basement of Retah’s dwelling.

His utter seriousness, his delight, the way my chest contracted when I saw what he had made for me. Nesting is something I want him to be able to do over and over again.

This time there are no thoughts, just Maxym’s joy at my pleasure.

We swing suddenly to the side, and I lift my head to see we’re coming in to land. We bump down, and Maxym’s wings kick up dust and debris as they row at gravity.

“Where are we?” I stare around because this place is like no other. The walls are shiny, but not from any metal. These walls are crystal. A dark striated crystal. As is the floor.

“We’re close to the vault.” Maxym pulls out his sword, and I pluck my pulsar from my holster.

“No,” he says, handing me his. “Use this one.”

I give the pulsar a quick glance. It’s new and not one I’ve seen in Retah’s inventory. It fits snugly in my hand, the weight reassuring.

Maxym tucks me behind him. He’s doing his best to hide his concern, but he doesn’t want his pregnant mate here any more than he would like to lose his wings.

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t want to be here either, but we have a job to do,” I respond, trying not to let my teeth chatter.

“I will protect you, little scrap. You don’t need to fear,” he rasps.

It’s you I fear for.

I can’t stop the thought slipping through my defenses. For an instant, Maxym tenses, then his wings shiver.

Then I will need to show you there is no reason to fear.

MAXYM

I was a gladiator. I am now a mated male. I thought there was no difference but there is. I am the keeper of my mate’s heart as well as her body, and her heart means more to me than anything in the entire universe.

I will protect it with everything I have, which means ensuring I live.

Even after all the games I’ve fought in, living was never the aim. Surviving was. With Cleo in my life, it is so much more.

The crystal walls cause sound to echo as we move forward, weapons drawn. Even the slightest sound echoes back and forth, meaning any approach to the vault cannot be stealthy. We reach the final curve, and ahead, I see a reflection of Klynn. He’s staring up at the pulsar cannon.

The cannon are still live, I tell my sweet Cleo down the bond, to avoid any additional sound.

I can disable them, she tells me. I furrow my brow, twisting to look at her.

Her stance is perfection, the weapon in her hand gripped in exactly the right way. My heart swells with love for my little warrior.

No time for that, Maxym! We need to get closer.

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