ALLEX

I woke and watched Priya sleeping. Her dark eyelashes lying against her cheeks were the most beautiful sight I had ever seen, as were her pert, perfect breasts. I felt myself getting hard again already.

I wasn’t sure I could ever get enough of her. The bonding had been an incredible experience. I felt closer to Priya than ever before. We were linked through our hearts and bodies alike.

I hadn’t imagined two people could have a relationship like this. I understood Arnon and Ayrie better now that I was bonded with Priya. Why they always wanted to spend so much time with their wives had never made much sense to me. They were sweet and lovely, but weren’t there other things in life?

I got it now.

My wings fluttered, startling me. I had never slept without retracting my wings. I was required to have my wings out the second time we mated. I wondered if Priya might be ready to go again already. I shifted and began gently sucking one of her nipples. She took a deeper breath, which encouraged me. I moved to the other soft peak and helped it grow into a tight bud. Her hips twitched as I continued tasting the sweetness of her breasts.

I slid my hand down between her legs. My finger parted her folds — she was so slippery and wet that I couldn’t believe it. I rubbed softly and lightly on her clit the way I had already learned she liked it.

Priya’s breathing began to quicken. She twisted and wriggled under my touch. “Allex.” She still didn’t seem fully awake.

I moved on top of her and pressed my cock against her wet opening. When I slid inside, her eyes flew open, and she gasped before spreading her legs as wide as she could. I gave a solid thrust, sheathing myself to the hilt.

“Just like that. Fuck me hard, Allex.”

Her commands were unexpected, but I wasn’t going to complain. As I began to move inside her, she wrapped her legs around me and tilted her pelvis, taking me deeper into her heat. I thought I would lose my mind. I covered her body with mine and enjoyed her complete and total surrender.

“Do it faster, Allex. I’m close.”

I pounded into her as she whimpered and moaned, her fingers tangling in my hair as she clung to me. She lost control, her body shuddered and clenched as she convulsed tightly around me. I pinned her down with my entire body, emptying myself deep inside her and filling her with my warm seed as an exuberant groan escaped my throat.

The bliss was overwhelming. I thought I might pass out. She was still trembling beneath me with her climax, hips bucking and shaking with the power of ecstasy.

When we both lay still, I took my weight on my forearms to look down without crushing her. I gazed at Priya, feeling all the strength of my love. I pressed sweet, soft kisses all over her face and she smiled lazily, keeping her eyes closed.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Allex.” She brushed her hand along my wings as we fell back into a deep sleep.

* * *

The hours passed in a haze of sensual pleasure. I don’t remember how many times we fucked. We couldn’t get enough of each other. Her hunger matched my own, and when we finally stopped, I had never felt better.

We made a quick run to the shower to clean up after all the lovemaking. Predictably, it devolved into sex. We were insatiable.

Hours later, unwilling to venture out to the greenhouse, we ate some of the dried food Priya had stored.

“So. We’re bonded now?” A light shone in Priya’s black eyes. She leaned over and kissed me.

I popped a bite of dried fruit into my mouth and gazed at her. When I finished chewing, I spoke. “Do you have to ask?” I knew she had felt the power of our mating. I certainly had.

“I wanted confirmation from someone with experience, I guess.”

“Yes. We really did it. You’re mine, and I am yours.” I put my finger under her chin. “You shouldn’t have to ask any questions.”

“All mine.” Priya picked up her cup and took a sip of water. “Shhh.” She put her finger to her lips.

I listened intently.

“Someone’s out there.” She stood up and grabbed her pipe, running to the door. “Stay here, Allex. The prince can’t get captured, but it doesn’t matter if they catch me.”

Priya vanished.

I heard the sounds of fighting as I scrambled and made it over to the door. I threw it open and rushed out, stopping in my tracks at what I saw in the corridor before me. A pirate lay motionless on the floor. Priya’s arm looked injured. She had one hand over it and was moaning in pain. A fierce, red-haired woman wielded Priya’s pipe and looked ready to fight.

The woman’s voice sounded like she was prepared to do anything. “Stay back.”

“Don’t hit her again.” I had to stop myself from running to check on Priya. “She’s hurt. Let me help her.”

“Fine, but you have to help my friend.”

I nodded. “I’ll bring in Priya first, then come out for your friend.”

“Okay, but I’m watching you.” Her voice sounded threatening. I didn’t care what she wanted as long as I could examine Priya. I helped my bond mate up and brought her inside. The pirate was a lot heavier than Priya, but I managed to lift him under his arms and drag him through the doorway. When I saw the man’s face, I nearly dropped him in shock before glaring at the red-haired woman.

“Who are you, exactly?” I set my brother, Anders, down as gently as I could.

“Why does it matter?” I knew she was suspicious of me.

“I asked you a question.” I lunged toward her and twisted the pipe out of her hands, preparing to swing it if I had to. She looked confused. I realized she didn’t have a scar on her face.

“I feel like I’ve seen you before. You must be Allex.”

* * *

Anders and Gwen explained what they wanted us to do. Their plan sounded unorthodox, but I expected it when the two of them formed an idea together, and it was certainly better than doing nothing. Gwen and Priya would be separating from us and bringing all the women to the Fifth Wing. Anders and I would bring the men to a hidden section of the same wing, giving them a chance to fly. After everyone had assembled together, we would mass transport the pirates off our ship. Anders had a friend in charge of security in the sector and would provide a prison ship to accept all the pirates.

It was a million-to-one chance, but it just might work. We had gathered the men and were already bringing them to safety.

Anders beckoned to me in the dark passageway. We had spent a lot of time here as children. “Allex, stay here and count everyone. Make sure all of them come through.”

I nodded, then realized he might not see the movement of my head. “Okay.”

“And make sure you’re part of the first group. When was the last time you flew?”

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “I don’t know for sure.” It had been twenty-seven hours.

He saw through my deception immediately. Anders and I were close, and he knew me better than any of my brothers, except for Avren.

“You’re going in there first.” His tone of voice didn’t allow for any argument, and I wasn’t going to fight him. What little flying I had done in the elevator shaft hadn’t been enough. I needed to get up there and stretch my wings. But I felt irritated. We had only been together for an hour, and he was already telling me what to do.

I never wanted to go through an infection in my wing pockets again. I was meticulous about keeping track of my flights and making sure I flew on a regular basis. I didn’t usually use my wings except for the scheduled flights to prevent infection. I suppose pain tempered my love of the air.

“I’m not going to argue with you.” I held up my hands, palms out. “You know I don’t want to get an infection again.”

His gaze went dark. “None of us do. We care about you.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’ll take care of myself, and I’ll stay healthy.” I wanted to make him feel better. “I’m not a child anymore, Anders.”

“I know, you’re right.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “After we make sure these guys are safe, I’ll check with the women.”

I nodded. All my brothers held themselves responsible for the infection because none of them had noticed I hadn’t been flying. At the time, I didn’t want to deal with the pain. I had let six days pass without flying, but there were so many of us that no one had noticed.

When I started complaining, no one had believed me. By the time my family brought me before a healer, I was running a burning fever. I only survived thanks to the skill of the doctor. It had been motivation for my career.

All four of my brothers felt guilty about the infection and its consequences for me. No matter how many times I forgave them, I always saw a shadow cross over their eyes whenever the topic of flying came up.

I had never blamed them. It was my fault and my responsibility, not theirs. I had been reckless, I accepted it, and I still paid the price.

Actions had consequences, and they could be permanent ones. I had learned the lesson at an early age, and it was why I was one of the youngest trained healers on Auxem.

In general, I always thought I made good choices, so having them boss me around all the time was a little annoying. Ayrie and Anders shouldn’t tell me what to do just because they were a couple of years older than me. At times, it was downright maddening.

The men caught up to us. I started counting as they passed into the flying chamber. As the last ones filed through, I approached Anders.

“Allex, my head still hurts.” He unconsciously moved his hand to touch the injury. “Priya either has quite an arm, or her pipe has mystical properties.”

“Tell me about it.” I rubbed my own bump.

“Did she hit you too?”

“It was in self-defense. Everyone’s here now except the one the pirates killed.” I dropped my eyes, ashamed that we had lost even a single man.

“I’m going to check on the women now.”

“Anders, you don’t need to worry. Gwen and Priya can handle it.”

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Give them a chance. Fly for an hour before you start checking on them. They’re more capable than you think.”

“I’m not questioning their abilities.” Anders’ face looked grave. “What if something happens to them?”

“Come get me after my turn. If the girls aren’t here already, we’ll go check together.”

Anders glanced at me. “Allex, make sure you get enough time and fly as long as you need to. I’m not going to have your wings on my conscience ever again.”

I sighed. “I wish everyone would stop talking about it.”

“We can’t help it.” He put an arm around me. “You’re our baby brother. If it had been one of us and you could have prevented it, you would feel the same way.”

“I know, but you need to get past it. I don’t hold it against you.”

Anders shrugged helplessly.

I hugged him. “Do you promise you’ll wait before you run off to save the world?”

“I promise. Have a safe flight, brother.”

It was a standard farewell on Auxem, even if neither party was about to fly. The phrase had always meant something more to our family. Whenever one of my brothers said it, I knew he was trying to tell me how much he loved me.

I turned without another word and headed for the changing rooms. My heart was starting to ache. I was sorry my brothers still felt guilty about me, and I was already missing Priya like I’d lost an arm. Was this what it felt like to be apart from your bond mate? I could understand why my father was such an asshole if he felt like this all the time.

I had never experienced sympathy for the king before. I had never liked him much, and I often wished he had been more of a father to me. Arnon had wound up filling that role in my life. If my father had done a better job, he would have made sure my wings didn’t get infected. If I blamed anyone in my family for the incident, it was him.

As a result, I had always tried to control myself and minimize interaction with him whenever possible. The older brothers talked to him often, working out policy and giving their opinions. Avren and I hardly knew him.

I had a different perspective. I could see our family would have fallen apart without Arnon. As it was, I had practically grown up without a mother and father too.

For most of my life, I remember wishing my father would love me and take care of me. Even noticing me would have been enough, but he never did, and I stopped expecting things from him that he couldn’t provide. The anger never went away.

I realized it was also my father’s fault I couldn’t openly be with my bond mate. I suppose I had issues. Even though my brothers wanted me to forgive him, it was never going to happen.

I shut the door to the changing room and immediately pulled out my wings. I had learned that putting off the transformation didn’t make it any easier. All it did was add a horrible anticipation to the agony.

After the pain had faded, I made my way to the huge flying area and jumped. I pumped my wings hard and flew toward the high, distant ceiling. I smiled as I soared. When I flew, I forgot all my troubles and felt truly free.

It was a shame the rest of my life couldn’t be like flying.