Page 15 of Bound (Gladiators of the Gryn #3)

CHRISSIE

All the air is sucked out of the cave as the explosion of Fenek’s ship takes place with a tremendous ‘crump’ and a fireball which lights up the interior.

Rych is thrown forwards by the blast and somersaults farther inside, coming to a halt in a tangle of limbs and wings.

“Fuck!” I rush towards him, but my eye is caught by what has been revealed by the rapidly dying light.

This place isn’t just a cave, it’s been a dwelling. It’s carved…everywhere.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I reach him and the light outside dims to almost nothing.

Rych groans. I feel over him for the canister of supplies and delve inside, hoping to find something which can be a source of light. My hand closes around a small square, which illuminates at my touch. I pull it out and set it to one side.

“Vrexing ship,” Rych mutters. “It shouldn’t have done that unless the fuel cells were compromised, and even then, star fuel doesn’t usually combust.”

“For a gladiator, you sure know a lot about transport ships.”

Rych shakes his head gently, putting one hand to his temple. “I do, don’t I?” He grins at me, back to his usual self, cocky and assured.

“So, do you know where we are?” I pull out another square which lights up again and get to my feet.

The cave is incredible. It must go two stories high, and as my light hits the walls, they start to glow.

“What is it?”

“Bioluminescence.” Rych is on his feet beside me, combing through his feathers before he shakes them violently and then settles them back into place. “This place…it reminds me of somewhere.” He gazes up.

“Where?”

“I don’t remember,” he says, his voice far away. “But I do know I have to do something.”

With a swift, easy downbeat, he’s in the air and melting into the shadows high above. I go to call after him, but something comfortable in my stomach, something warm, tells me he isn’t leaving.

Instead, I inspect the carvings which flow over the walls. They’re glyphs, but my translator isn’t able to translate them. I trace my fingers over them, marveling at the delicate, intricate patterns.

With a thump, Rych lands behind me.

“Who do you think made these? They’re so beautiful, but I thought this place was a wasteland.”

“Maybe it wasn’t always so barren,” Rych says thoughtfully. “I have something for you, if you’ll come with me.”

In the glow of the light source, his great wings are almost white. He could be an angel, albeit one with the wickedest grin.

“Flying again?” I ask as he holds out a hand.

“Just a short hop.” He looks up. “Not far,” he says as I take it.

I’m scooped up into his arms, and within three beats, we’re over a storey up from the original cave floor, and the ledge I thought I could see is, in fact, a platform leading into yet another high-ceilinged cave.

Rych lands, striding forward deeper into the darkness, illuminated by my light source, the shadows of us flickering over the carved walls.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe.”

I don’t want to say it out loud, but I already feel safe.

Rych comes to an almost abrupt halt.

“Here,” he says, lowering me to the ground.

A soft light comes from what looks like a doorway in the solid rock.

“What is it? Is there someone in there?” I whisper, my imagination running riot.

“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.”

“ You did 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.

“,” 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, .”