Page 87 of Chained

Maxym places his finger on my lips.

“I’m not letting you go anywhere on your own.” His huge hand encircles my stomach, gently cradling my bump. “You and our young are with me at all times. We can leave the fighting to Klynn and the others.”

Sounds of bickering have us both turning to see Dirk and Nate rushing towards us, just as Klynn emerges from the crystal cavern and there is a loud explosion.

It knocks poor Nate over completely and Dirk simply frowns at us.

Maxym looks at me before helping Nate up.

“Dirk, our friend Retah was injured. We think he’s with the Cirmos getting treatment. Can you find him? Let him know we have the…weapon.”

“I know you’ve penetrated the info vault,” Dirk huffs. “I don’t care what’s in it. I just want to get to my family.”

“Then you need to find Retah. He knows how to get to the Bogarok and their prisoners as he’s the one in contact with the force coming to liberate Tatatunga,” I say quickly. “We need to deal with the comms.”

Maxym looks down at Nate. “Something you can help with, little warrior.”

“Anything, Maxym,” he says.

Nate gives him a huge smile. The young Oykig is clearly star struck by the huge gladiator, and it’s infinitely cute to see how my big male treats him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dirk make a sour face. He’s clearly less enamored with the Gryn, but he has no other option but to assist.

“Klynn will go with you,” Maxym says to Dirk.

“I’m not going anywhere with that…that…creature!” Dirk splutters.

Klynn wipes his hand down his face. Already dirty, he adds a number of long black streaks which make him look positively unhinged.

“You’re as safe with Klynn as you are with me,” Maxym rasps. “He’ll make sure you get to Retah.” He looks at Klynn. “I believe he was taken to the Cirmos, who are presumably in the second medi-bay.”

Klynn gives him a nod. The thoughtbond doesn’t help with knowing what has passed between the two of them, and I guessthere are some things which don’t need such a bond, not when you’ve fought together for nova-years.

“This way,” he growls at Dirk, whose skin flushes a lime green.

“Please,” I exhort. “Retah was like a father to me. I need to know he’s okay, and you’re the only one who can help.”

Dirk’s skin returns to its usual blue.

“Very well, given you’re the ones who are supposed to be saving us all,” he grumbles and stalks off ahead of Klynn.

“Try to keep him alive.” Maxym sighs at his compatriot. “Even if he is a vrex-bag.”

I watch them hurry away, Dirk blotted out in the dim light by Klynn's huge, dark wings.

An arm snakes around my shoulder. “Retah will be fine, little scrap. I’m sure of it.”

I curl my hand into Maxym’s feathers and feel down the thoughtbond. He believes it as much as he is telling me because he thinks Retah is a grizzled old warrior who could survive a direct hit even better than he could.

“Really?” I laugh at him, a laugh which is tinged with sadness.

“It takes a fighter to know one,” Maxym says before he looks down at Nate. “Now, little warrior, are you going to ride on my back?”

I think Nate is about to swoon again, but Maxym lifts him onto his shoulders and then holds out his arms for me.

“Both of us?” I query. “Are you sure?”

“All three of you.” He grins. “And I will always lift you up, my little scrap. It is my honor and my privilege as your mate.”

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