Tanin was smaller in stature and musculature compared to Vytln, but he was powerful, he was lethal, and he was skilled. Vytln couldn’t even claim that he landed a blow. Tanin had taken him down so effortlessly, he had no choice but to give him respect.
He still thought Tanin was a madmale, but he’d agreed to work on whatever engine he wanted. He’d lost the fight, yet Tanin let him live. In that way, in the culture of Rik-Vane, Vytln owedhim. It was as he continued to work for him that he realized that Tanin wasn’t just a madmale, he was dedicated and connected enough to make his delusions come true.
And now, years later, Tanin still had his respect. He still had his loyalty. Not just for sparing his life, but for giving him a much better one. He didn’t miss what he once had. The happy memories of the past were all tainted by the actions of his brother and once lover. He barely remembered those days. He didn’t dwell on them, think about them, or mourn what was gone.
Instead, he prized what he had. What he had been given. The defeat he had suffered that led him to this new life.
And most of all, he yearned.
He looked up.
Haven was in his trap, smiling despite the fact that he had her imprisoned, and was humming softly as she played with his horns.
“I’m not being vicious,” she said. “Sorry. I’m not being manipulating either.”
“I know,” he breathed softly. “I don’t want that anymore. That was a different male who appreciated those traits.”
“What do you appreciating now?”
He was silent for a long minute. He hadn’t thought about it because there was no point. Dreaming in what he desired from a female was for young males with hope.
Except she asked, so he was thinking about it now.
And he thought, more than viciousness and wickedness, he found it more admirable to be a hard worker. To be someone who was passionate about something. Someone who was soft and warm and, most importantly, trustworthy.
Someone more like Haven.
He couldn’t admit it. Not out loud. So, he asked instead-
“Want to help me repair the engine?”
“Yes!” Haven yelled excitedly, as he figured she would. Completely distracted from her questions. Her joy made his heart jump.
Chapter 10
Haven
“Looking at this. It’s amazing,” Haven breathed, staring with stunned adoration at the movement of the ship’s engine. She’d never been this close to one. Would never have had the chance before. Not just because engines were usually carefully watched by engineers, especially Vytln watching over his, but because it was too dangerous. Starship engines put off a lot of heat, noise, and radiation. Enough to kill her if exposed to it too long.
But that was before she got her envirosuit.
Vytln said this thing was an older model, but as far as she could tell, this was the best, coolest, most advanced thing she’d ever worn. She had to leave her letter jacket back in her nest since it didn't fit inside comfortably – it could, but it was easier to wear without it. But the suit fit over the rest of her clothes just fine. And it protected her completely from the heat, noise, and radiation even far past the shielding line. Like she was in a protective bubble of comfort and safety.
Vytln – busy running from his emotional issues – was giving her a tour of the engine. And she was letting it happen, because she had her own thinking to do.
To her surprise, hearing that he’d once had another woman in mind as a mate hurt. Not a lot. She wasn’t going to curl up in a ball and weep about it. But there was an uncomfortable twinge in her chest that she couldn’t shake off. It was either her being jealous over someone or some kind of early sign of heart disease – and she didn't really know which was worse.
So, she was doing a bit of her own emotional distancing. Except not really, because she was still all over him. Quite literally.
Vytln didn’t have a ladder. He climbed up the engine if he needed access to something high up. But most of the time, he was tall enough to reach whatever he needed without issue. There was therefore nothing for her to climb.
Except for him.
Which she did. Shamelessly. As he showed her around, pointing at this thing and that, she grabbed his arm and used it to climb up onto his back to get a better view.
He stilled from surprise, which just made it easier for her to do. He then gave her a look – like he was stunned she did that.
But he didn’t stop her. He didn’t complain or tell her no. He let it happen. And when she did it again later, he just held still and let her do what she wanted.
