She understood why Yl’ln chose his brother? Wouldshechoose his brother?
Haven gave him a snickering grin. “She can controlling him.”
“What?” He glanced at her, the hurt blinding him to what she said for a moment.
“She can controlling him,” she repeated, whispering like it was a salacious secret. “She picking him because he does what she saying. You wouldn’t being letting her controlling you like that. That’s why she not picking you.”
Yl’ln chose Kldyn not because he was better but because he was weaker…
Easily led.
Controlled.
She had eased his temper with a word. Something Vytln never let her get away with. If he made a decision, no sweetness she poured in his ear would change his mind. He’d listen to her opinions, but he wouldn’t let himself be bound by her wiles.
And that’s why he lost her to Kldyn.
A single snicker broke through his lips. Then another. And another. Until he was throwing back his head, laughing at the hilarity of it all.
It was ridiculous. His brother, for all the bravado and pretention he had at control, was led about by his female so easily. Yl’ln controlledhim, and through him, she probably controlled the family. Yes, that was exactly the sort of thing Yl’ln would want and choose in a male.
And Vytln simply wasn’t the sort to be led about by his cock like that.
It was an answer to a question he didn’t even realize had been festering in his head. A sense of hurt and confusion about why he was so inferior to his brother. What he lacked that Yl’ln saw instead in the emotional and labile Kldyn.
And it was just simplythat. The fact that hewasemotional and labile. She took advantage of that and made a space for herself of power and control. Which was both exactly like her to do, and exactly like Kldyn to fall for.
Still laughing, feeling that last tie to his old life snapping in the answering of that final question, Vytln returned to his workroom. To the trap that Haven made her home. The place she belonged. Where he would keep her safe and warm, well fucked and well fed.
Haven never fought him when he put her in the trap. Though she hadn’t climbed in under her own power since that first time, she didn’t resist when he returned her, even if she was complaining about going back too soon.
This time, when he lifted her to slide her in, feet first, he noticed that she not only didn’t fight it, she looked excited, relieved even, to be going back inside. She laughed, a happy little giggle, as she slid down through the ramp into her nest. It was a bed of silk and pillows that wasn’t nearly as well organized as it had been when he first put it together. He was no female; he knew nothing about proper nest building. But he could admit that there was something rather comfy and cozy about the disorganized mess she had made.
And the way she fell into it, dramatically flopping forward before rolling over, locs flying so they spread across the pillows, looking back up at him with a laughing smile…
Vytln didn’t hesitate. He didn’t think about it. That tempting look, that playful sparkle in her eyes, urged him forward and, this time, he didn’t try to fight his own instincts.
Putting his hand on the edge, he lifted himself up and dropped into the nest with her. She laughed as she bounced. Laughed harder when he snatched her up and yanked her back against his chest. His nose immediately went to her hair, taking a deep breath of her scent. Oil, smoke, female, and something inexplicably enticing. He would never be able to compare that scent to anything. It was neither sweet nor floral, but it filled his brain with fog and his body with heat.
Haven moved and he struck without thinking. Grabbing her with his teeth, right there at the juncture between her neck and shoulder. And, of course, she laughed. Unhurt, unafraid. Still wiggling against him.
“Vytln, my hands…”
His eyes focused, looking down as she wiggled her fingers. He didn’t realize he had grasped her by the wrists, but he was holding them tight. Keeping her arms still. Binding her.
Yes. She needed to be bound. Unmoving. Completely at his mercy. Mercy that he wouldn’t grant until her laughs turned to desperate cries, until she was shaking and weak. Until she was so full of him, she could never escape. No one would ever be able to take her away. No other male would ever take place her thoughts again. Only him. Tainting her endless curiosity until he infested her mind beyond its incredible ability to function.
Yes. She was his. She would always be his.
Releasing the grip his teeth had on her, he let her lean to the side so she could look at him. She was still smiling. Still willing.She hadn’t actually asked him to remove the grip he had on her hands. She’d just brought his attention to it.
Because she didn’t want him to stop. She’d never asked him to stop. He was the one who had been hesitating. Haven knew what she wanted. She knew what she desired. And just like everything else, she’d gone for it without holding back.
“You will never get away from me,” he promised, the threat obvious and sincere.
“Yay,” she beamed, wiggling her feet.
So excited to be his. Yes, that’s how she should be.
