Page 38 of Enchanted By the Birdman

Ami collapsed onto the railing as her walls stopped gripping my length.

I glanced down at my hands and winced at the blood from the marks my claws left. Slowly, I pulled out of her and lifted her off the railing, her eyelids closed, and her head lolling when I cradled her body against my chest.

The scents from our mating flooded the area.

Opening the side entrance, I carried Ami inside and placed her in the middle of the nest.

Leaving her side, I walked to the refresher and grabbed a wet cloth and stepped onto the bed, feeling its softness under my talons as I carefully walked over to the clearing beside her.

As I cleaned our combined essences from her skin with care, I couldn’t help but stare at my stunning mate in my nest and be in awe of the good fortune that had brought us together.

Ami was officially mine—finally.

I would never let anyone take her away from me—for all eternity.

Chapter Epilogue:

Naomi

“They call this a cosmic sunset.”

I inhaled deeply as I handed Axel the five-layered drink.

Sutol, my teacher, watched us from her projection with a focused expression on her face, studying my mate for his reaction.

He gingerly picked up the flute and raised it to the window, his amber gaze fixed on the coloring, before tossing the entire drink back.

“What are your thoughts?” I asked softly, hoping I’d gotten the drink right.

“It tasted sweet first, then tart, then sour.” He smacked his beak, rolling his tongue along its edges. “And it has a fruity aftertaste.”

“Did it feel bubbly on your tongue or down your throat?” Sutol inquired, her lips pinched in an attempt to maintain a neutral expression.

“Yes to both.” Axel nodded to my teacher and then looked at me. “Is that what it’s supposed to do?”

“I am the teacher, councilor,” Sutol yelled, grabbing his attention. “Please direct your inquiries to me, not my student.”

“Understood.” Axel ruffled his wings and made a clicking sound with the tip of his beak. “Was the cosmic sunset supposed to have a bubbly sensation?”

“You are correct.” Sutol smiled and bowed her head toward me. “Congratulations, Naomi, you’ve passed the last Chusezri. We’ll start Makezu classes in a few days.”

“Thank you!”

I jumped into Axel’s wings, and he spun me around, filling the room with his loud trills.

“I’m so proud of you!” he cooed.