Page 32 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

Liria didn't want to land. Not ever. But Thax had been through a lot.

He was probably exhausted from carrying her back to the fortress after fighting.

So she didn't protest when he landed on the road, several yards off from the main gates.

Aethari weren't permitted to fly directly into the fortress complex.

Everyone had to pass through the gate on foot. Or they'd be shot down.

The gate guards didn't say anything about the blood on Thax or the feathers Liria held.

But they stared. Hard. Especially the Aethari guards.

Thax kept his chin lifted and his hand woven with hers.

When the Aethari gaped at him, he grinned back.

And they drew back. It was the strangest date ever—feathers instead of flowers, blood instead of cologne.

It was also the best night of her life.

Liria couldn't help smiling. Seeing him beat those Aethari shouldn't have pleased her.

It was wrong. He had hurt them so badly, they'd probably be hospitalized for months.

They certainly wouldn't be flying anytime soon.

But their intentions had been evil, truly evil.

They had come at Thax and her with greater numbers, anticipating violence and rape.

Not just physical harm, but also mental.

They wanted to make Thax watch them hurt her.

Instead, he had fucked them up and then plucked them. The thought made her want to laugh.

Liria finally gave in to the urge.

Thax lifted his eyebrows as he looked over at her. Liria laughed harder. He frowned.

“You plucked them!” Liria waved her bouquet at him. “They tried to hurt us, and you fucking plucked them like a bunch of chickens!”

He chuckled. “Liri, what I did to them was both brutal and insulting. They won't be able to fly properly until they grow their feathers back. That I gave you trophies makes it even more humiliating for them.”

“Grow back their feathers? Thax, you broke their wings. They'll need to heal bones, not just regrow feathers.”

His smile turned smug. “As I said, it was brutal, but they deserved it. I want everyone to know what happens to assholes who try to hurt you.”

You, he said. Not us. It confirmed what Liria already knew. That fight had been about her. And it was a big deal, whatever it was. But she was still processing it. So, she tried to hold on to the lighthearted feeling.

“And don't think I didn't notice you doing some ass-kicking of your own.” He kissed her forehead. “I was so proud of you. The way you pulled lightning from that streetlamp and burned that bitch. It was spectacular.”

“You saw that, eh?”

“Liri, even when I was overcome with bloodlust, I knew exactly where you were and what you were doing.”

Another theory confirmed. She stared at him, trying to process what the fuck was happening between them. It was so much more than she'd thought.

“Well, as a soldier, I appreciate the trophy.” Liria clutched the feathers to her chest. “Thank you, Thax.”

He lost his smirk as he pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you for reminding me that I'm not a murderer. Great magic, I might have killed them, Liri. I was so far gone into my rage.” Then he muttered, “Plucked like chickens.” And he snorted.

They laughed together, looking insane—their faces lifted to the moon, Thax covered in blood, and those damn feathers clutched between them. But oh, it was wondrous. Liria felt strong, free, and loved.

At last, mirth retreated, and Thax looked down into Liria's eyes. “Say it again. I couldn't fully appreciate it before. Not with the anger still riding my blood.”

Liria didn't have to ask what he wanted repeated. She just cupped his cheek, kissed him tenderly, and then eased back to say, “I love you, Thax.”

His expression went blissful. “I love you, my Liri. My brave, beautiful Liri.”

Liria took his hand, and they headed to her—no, their—room, smiling like idiots. Medeans stopped to gape at them as they passed by. Liria waved her bouquet of feathers at them.

After locking the door, Liria laid the feathers on her desk and then drew Thax into the bathroom. He had taken care of her, and it was time for her to take care of him.

She undressed Thax while he watched her, his expression full of adoration.

Liria unwound his shirt, taking the ties under and over each wing.

She unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down his legs.

She even unlaced his boots and pulled them off his feet.

Once he was naked, Liria turned on the water in the shower stall, getting it warm.

Then she disrobed. Her disrobing was much faster since she was dressed for an evening out.

All Liria had on was a dress, some underwear, and a pair of heels. They were gone in seconds.

And then they were under the spray together, Thax's wings folded back, out of the way.

Liria soaped up a cloth and scrubbed his shoulders, working her way up to his face.

Cleaning off the blood and other things she didn't want to identify.

Thax leaned under the water to rinse and then swept a hand over his eyes.

Meanwhile, Liria moved on, cleaning his arms, scrubbing the blood from between his fingers.

She washed his back, leaning into his chest to slide her hands up, between his wings.

She carefully cleaned the few feathers that had been splattered.

At last, she went to her knees to wash his belly.

His thighs. His calves. Liria saved the best for last. By the time Thax's shaft was clean, it was also hard.

Liria stayed on her knees, staring up at him.

“Liri,” Thax whispered.

She took him into her mouth.

His hand slapped the glossy tiles on the wall. “Oh, great magic!”

Liria worked her lover until he was nearly there, sucking down his length, tightening her lips as she went back up.

She flicked her tongue over his tip and massaged the heavy sacs beneath.

The male scent of him was both refreshing and seductive, enhancing his salty taste.

She moaned, needing more. So much more. Soon, he gave it to her.

Thax's thighs tensed, and his hands clutched at her head. Liria worked him faster.

“Liria!” Thax shouted, his body arching—hips jerking forward and torso bending back.

Her mouth filled with hot liquid. Drinking it down, Liria moaned and clutched at his hips.

Thax locked up, gave and gave of himself, and then went weak.

His arms shot out to brace himself as she sucked her way off him and then stared up at him.

Water sluiced over his broad shoulders, running in rivulets over his sculpted chest and rippled belly.

Liria slid her hands up, going against the flow as she stood—gathering the water, spreading it into thicker rivulets as she spread her fingers.

“You are the most amazing woman I've ever met,” Thax whispered.

“Aw, you're just saying that because I gave you the best blowjob of your life.”

Thax gaped at her, and then he burst out laughing. Clutching her to his chest, he nuzzled her cheek, sending water running down her back. “I love you, Liri. Forever.”

“I love you too.” Liria paused to feel the truth inside her before she spoke the next word, “Forever.”