All of it was a show to flaunt to Vytln what he didn’t have. And it was working. Vytln felt his rage building, burning, growing.
He wanted to break that little smug smile off Kldyn’s face. He wanted to show him the Brute Rik-Vane had forged him into. He wanted to destroy all of them and remind them why Vytln had been the power in this family far before Kldyn and his trickery.
Then, Haven’s hand was on his shoulder.
He moved at the slight pressure she applied. Automatically making room for her to climb all over him, as she was wont to do. He didn’t even think about it. Or about the fact that, in this tense meeting that was obviously a trap, Haven was choosing to sit on his lap. He just made space for her.
Space for all that he gained since he lost everything Kldyn was flaunting. Things he didn’t even want anymore. He’d barely glanced at Yl’ln. He never liked wearing fancy suits like that. He didn’t get along with or respect anyone in this room outside of his crew. And all the credz in the universe couldn’t make up for the simple trust he held in those around him.
For all that Grace nattered him, for all that Goldie annoyed him, for all that Garnet bothered him, for all that Trove irritated him – they were more his family than the blood he shared with everyone else at this table.
He put a hand to Haven’s back, holding her tight. Making sure she was safe and secure on his lap. And he was angry when Kldyn glanced her way and dared to look appreciative.
“Is there something you wanted to talk about?” Tanin asked, his calm, unimpressed voice cutting through the tension in the room like it wasn’t even there. There was nothing that phased Tanin. He’d seen the worst the universe had to offer, had grown up in it. Kldyn and all his flaunted power must look so childish to him.
“I wanted to greet my brother,” Kldyn smiled, not even glancing Tanin’s way. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”
“Hardly seems worthy of all this trouble,” Tanin continued. “But if it makes you feel better, I’m glad for you. Now, you’ve said your greetings, can we go?”
Kldyn laughed. “Surely, you won’t separate estranged brothers so soon. You want to stay, don’t you, J’tll?”
Vytln didn’t respond. He glared at him. He held onto Haven. He let his captain talk. Tanin was in control of what they did. Vytln would kill them all right now, but Tanin wouldn’t let him. At least, not in a place with so many witnesses.
Doubtlessly, that’s what was holding Kldyn back as well. All of this show was just that – a show. He couldn’t harm them without being caught any more than they could. The peacekeepers were too numerous here. The area was too public. He was just proving to himself that Vytln was J’tll and proving to them that he knew it.
Performative. Dramatic. Meaningless.
That’s why Tanin wasn’t reacting. He wouldn’t waste his energy on a show. If Kldyn wanted to bring it that far, he’d defend himself first so they’d get to claim right of self-protection. But neither of them were willing to start it here.
“We’re very busy,” Tanin answered. “We have other deliveries to make. I’m sure you understand, being a delivery company yourself.”
Kldyn snickered. “Too scared to answer me yourself, J’tll?”
Vytln still didn’t respond. Not just because he wasn’t dumb enough to answer such an obvious provocation. Not even because he wasn’t J’tll anymore and wasn’t responding to that name. Mostly, it was because Haven’s fingers were tracing nonsense shapes along his neck, and he was suddenly distracted by her touch.
Little pest. He should be focusing, and she was making it difficult.
He pinched her side. A tiny punishment that made her grin out of the corner of his eye. Oh, he was going to rip those clothes from her body later and take her to task her for her cheek. There were so many ways to torment such a soft, sensitive body.
“Ctch!” Kldyn snapped, slamming his hand onto the table. The old, familiar call was a very disrespectful way to address someone.
Vytln turned his eyes back to him. Annoyed now that he was getting in the way of all the fantasies he had of binding Haven and making her come until she cried. But he wasn’t surprised. Kldyn never tolerated being ignored or dismissed.
Tanin, once again, spoke, “Vytln is a very busy person too. And if you’ve not got anything to say, we’re going to leave.”
“You’re not going anywhere!” Kldyn snarled, eyes flashing, as he glared at Tanin. His equanimity was, no doubt, just as infuriating as Vytln’s distraction. “You lied to me. That is mybrother, and he was sent away to serve his family. If he’s here, then he’s betrayed the family, and there is a cost for that.”
“I’ll be sure to let J’tll know you said so if we ever run across him. But as I said, that’s Vytln. He’s a valuable member of my crew, and we don’t owe you anything.”
Kldyn laughed, throwing his head back, holding his stomach. “You really think that will satisfy me? Do you even know who he is? Where I sent him? He was banished to Rik-Vane! What do you think aboutthat?”
Everyone fell silent. Looking at them. Vytln’s family watching. Waiting for their reaction. No doubt, expecting shock and horror and disgust. Claiming that someone was from Rik-Vane was accusing him of being the worst kind of person. The kind normal people would be afraid to associate with. The kind they would immediately turn against.
Haven wasn’t able to completely stifle her snicker at the expectant silence. Vytln pinched her again, but it just made her laugh harder. She struggled to smother it behind her hand.
Kldyn snarled, infuriated. “You don’t believe me?!”
“Vytln has no record of ever having been to Rik-Vane.” Tanin said simply.
