Page 127 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
My handsome brunette playfully swats his friend’s shoulder.
“Oops, my bad! But don’t worry, bro, I’ve got your back. Sam, gorgeous, you need to know—Ayden’s been head over heels for you since the dawn of time. So if you could throw the guy a bone, his poor heart might finally catch a break…”
I chuckle, a little embarrassed but touched by Vlad’s clumsy honesty.
Everyone’s looking at me. Even Ayden—usually so confident—looks like he’s holding his breath.
“Well… if we’re putting it all out there, might as well go all in, right? I’m in love with Ayden too. But he already knows that… don’t you?” I say, locking eyes with the obsidian gaze of the man who’s haunted me for so long.
The fact that he came to get me out of that hellhole, the Red Arena, proves once again what kind of man he is. Steady. Loyal. Strong. I can’t help but think of Noviosk. If I’d said this in front of him, he would’ve heard the truth—that caring about someone isn’t weakness. On the contrary, love is strength.
Stunned silence falls. Vlad opens his mouth, shuts it, then throws his hands in the air.
“Hallelujah! Finally! My buddy took the leap with his blonde! About time! Okay, mission complete—let’s go home!”
Ayden stares at me, wide-eyed, like he can’t believe it.
“You… you mean it?”
I step toward him with a sly smile.
“You had doubts?”
“I hoped!” he says, breaking into a relieved laugh.
He wraps me in his arms and kisses me, deep and hungry.
“All right, that’s enough mushy stuff,” Pherebos chimes in. “I’ve got a ship to fly! And heads-up—the SIL’s a two-seater. Which means there are only two sleeping compartments. They’re spacious, though—can easily fit two. Don’t ask how I know.”
“So I’m your copilot, huh?” Vlad asks. “Why isn’t Ayden taking the shift? He’s been on vacation for days!”
“Vacation?” Ayden scoffs. “Right. Between death matches, a whipping session, and a suicidal escape attempt, I even had time to work on my tan. Thanks for the spa retreat, Vlad. Happy to swap roles anytime!”
“A whipping session? You never told me you were into bondage!” Vlad gasps. “I thought we shared everything!”
“Sam?” Pherebos cuts in smoothly. “Your outfit is stunning, but if you’d like to change, Ileana has a few things in the closet in the washroom, back of the ship.”
“Ileana?” I ask.
“My partner. She stayed home with our Wingo.”
I nod in thanks, genuinely touched by his kindness.
“But her dress is perfect as it is!” Vlad protests, still stuck on the idea.
“You better keep your eyes off my girl,” Ayden growls, dark gaze sharp. “We’re out. Sam needs to get changed.”
He leads me toward the back of the ship, to a tiny washroom no bigger than the one at my place in Gekkar Creek. The space is small but clean, bathed in a soft light.
“Want me to give you a minute?” Ayden asks, his voice a little hoarse.
I meet his eyes, still shaken by everything we’ve been through.
“I just want to feel clean… and alive.”
He nods, understanding, then brushes my cheek with his fingers.
“You’re alive, Sam. And stronger than ever. We’re alive. Together. That’s all that matters.”
