Cleo
CLEO
Maxym doubts his abilities. Even when he had been wanting some additional muscle, the reappearance of Klynn hasn’t given him the confidence he had hoped for.
The swirl of emotions from him is almost overwhelming. The return of his memory would have been something to be celebrated had it not taken place at this particular moment. He’s struggling to process everything, and what’s flowing down the bond is a male on the edge.
We could certainly do with Klynn. We could, however, definitely do with fewer males which is driving Maxym to distraction.
And, frankly, at the moment, we could do with a lot less distraction.
Maxym hands Klynn a sword and a pulsar pistol. The second Gryn’s hands shake slightly as he takes them, and I feel Maxym’s concern. Klynn looks very different to when we saw him last, his muscles highly defined and his cheekbones sharper than ever.
I scramble in the pack I have at my belt to find a ration bar, which I hand to him. I already know Maxym won’t like it, and I do my level best to shove something calming down the bond at him.
“When did you last eat?” I ask, quietly. “Have this.”
Klynn stares at the bar for a beat, then gives Maxym a feral look, tearing it open and swallowing it whole as he glares at my mate.
Thank the stars for the thoughtbond. Maxym gives him a dead eye before turning his back and shaking out his feathers.
Dirk is looking like he wants to do something unpleasant to both Gryn, and Nate is grinning like he’s got a ringside seat.
I can see why Maxym is concerned.
But while no one knows exactly why we’re here, we still have a chance to get to the info vault before Szek finds it.
“We’re going to the vault,” Maxym growls over his shoulder at Klynn. “Nothing is to stop us.”
It appears this is all the information the dark Gryn needs. He squares his shoulders, shakes a cloud of dust from his wings, and stalks off.
“I guess we’re going that way,” I say to Maxym.
“Vrexer,” he mutters, but there’s a softness to him which has me slipping my hand into his as we follow the direction Klynn took.
“He probably knows the way better than I do,” Maxym says as we come out into a strange vaulted area, the light dim but enough I can see the huge drop below us. “Take care where you step,” he says, gripping my hand harder as I peer over the edge.
Maxym snorts as we head for a rickety looking staircase, which turns out, fortunately, to be sturdier than it looks. He’s thinking how he normally flies through here and for a second, I’m flying with him.
A long way in the distance, there’s a low grumble. It reverberates through the space, growing louder until a warm wind hits us. Maxym and Klynn lift their heads and scent the air.
“It sounds like the Varangy have found what I’ve left for them,” Dirk says.
“Then we haven’t much time,” Maxym says. “Klynn, go ahead and secure the vault.”
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.