Page 58 of Hooded (Gladiators of the Gryn #5)

FERN

Yeah, birth. It’s a damn good thing you end up with a cutie like the one I have in my arms, fast asleep with her little fists balled up near her face, or no one would ever do it more than once.

Klynn snores next to me, then huffs, and his eyes open as he wakes himself. His serious face breaks into a smile instantly when he sees me and the baby.

“How are you, eregri ?” he asks, leaning in to kiss me and to look at our daughter.

“Sore, tired, the usual,” I say. “But you’ve outdone yourself this time.”

I look around at the nest he has created. He’s somehow created outside inside, with the walls featuring sticks woven into intricate patterns, bright pieces of material cleverly hung so they create balloons, and swirls filled with pinpricks of light. Everywhere I see bits and pieces I recognize. Parts of bots, motherboards glittering with precious metals. Klynn has a thing for spoons and the things are everywhere, arranged in patterns, forming hooks, and creating a nest which is fit for a princess.

Which is what our little daughter is, of course.

He’s spent the last twenty-four nova-hours working on this place since I was able to leave the maternity suite of the sick bay where I was alternatively treated by a grizzled, gruff Gryn who ordered Klynn about like he was a young boy and a calm, competent woman, Freya, who made dealing with a mate who was beside himself at my pain and tears a whole lot easier.

It seems Klynn may have worked out some of his pent-up emotion on the nest. No sooner had he shown it to me, he dropped face first onto the bed and has been snoring for the last half an hour.

Until now, until I have a set of dark eyes, lights reflected in them, fixed on me and the child in my arms.

“Look what you did.” His voice is hoarse.

“ We did,” I say. “She wouldn’t be here without you.”

“I wouldn’t be here without you either, little fury,” Klynn says, sliding his arm around my shoulders and gently lifting me, with considerable ease, onto his muscular body. “I’d still be stalking the undercroft of the dome.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure some bounty hunter in shining armor would have come for you eventually.” I laugh.

“I wasn’t going to save myself.” Klynn brushes a claw through my hair. “I was prepared to rot where I was, until you.”

“And I was already the galaxy’s worst bounty hunter when I accidentally picked up the wrong mark.”

“You were the best bounty hunter,” he responds. “You cared about what you captured.”

“Is that your way of telling me fate brought us together?”

“Fate is more powerful than even I imagined, if it can take a forgotten, lonely gladiator…”

“You missed out feral,” I interrupt him, and he grins.

“If it can take a forgotten, lonely, feral gladiator and turn him into a mate and a father and a warrior,” he finishes. “Jyr and the szent of Ustokos have agreed with Maxym to release all the data obtained from the Council to the rest of the galaxy,” he adds. “It means all species bound by their corruption will be free, and those who seek to control and destroy will have to run and hide.”

“Basically, you’ve freed an entire galaxy,” I say as the baby stirs in my arms. “But you haven’t helped me name our daughter.”

Klynn snorts a swift laugh. “I’m no good with words and names. What do you think we should call her?”

“I think we should name her Hope.” I look into his eyes. “Because hope is what every galaxy turns on, and even with the Council gone, there will still be those who seek to steal hope and repress others.”

“The Gryn won’t allow it,” Klynn growls as Hope opens her eyes. “I will see to it. I want a universe for Hope which will be hers for the taking.”

She stares at him, and he offers her his clawed finger. With the solemnest of expressions, she curls her hand around it, holding him tightly. Klynn looks at me, back at her, and his bottom lip trembles.

“You have given me more than fate could have ever provided, my eregri ,” he rasps. “I could give you all the stars, all the jewels, all the worlds in the universe and not match your gift to me.”

“Life finds a way,” I say, swallowing at the lump in my throat as it will very much be emotion overload for Klynn. “It finds a way for us all.”

“You and Hope are my life, now and forever, my . I will always nest for you, worship you, and protect you, even when I know you can protect yourself. This is my vow, my blood, and my bond.”

“And I love you too, Klynn.” I press my lips to his. “You have fought bravely, gladiator, and our love has set you free.”