Page 24

He wasn’t about to start now.

“No. You don’t understand.” He tried to push at Daven’s chest, but it was like shoving a stone wall.

Daven’s smirk returned. He didn't move his hands from Ryneth's shoulders. “I think you’re the one who didn’t get the memo.”

“Oh, I did. I have a contract waiting for me.” Ryneth gritted his teeth, his pulse thrumming against the skin Daven was pinning down. If he had his multi-slate, he could prove it. “I need to get to work.”

Daven clicked his tongue. “Wrong. Your placement is right here. Under the protection of an Imperial prince. If you’re sweet to me, I’ll pay you far better than any contract job.” He grinned, flashing those horrifying teeth again. “Consider it easier work.”

Ryneth was in trouble. This wasn’t just a man, but a prince.

It didn’t stop him from fighting. The least he could do was try. That was all he’d ever been good at, anyway. “I’m not a pet. I don’t want your credits. I want my freedom back.”

“Your freedom?” Daven shifted his weight, his thigh pressing against Ryneth’s hip. His hands moved from the harsh grip on Ryneth’s shoulders, sliding down the length of his arms. The pressure lightened, turning into slow, soothing circles around Ryneth’s forearms. Daven’s thumb brushed his wrist, right over the pulsing blue veins. “This is your life now. Say thank you.”

“Thank you?” Ryneth’s hackles rose. The static swelled under his skin, but he still felt weak and breathless. He spat the words anyway. “I say, fuck you.”

He released the crackle, but it was met by a sudden cloud of air. It surrounded the spark and held it.

Ryneth stared with horror. He had never felt a power that could consume his own. “What is that?”

“That’s you misbehaving, Ryneth. Do you remember meeting the Imperial of Helion?”

“Yes? No?” The turning air stung Ryneth’s eyes until a tear slipped down his cheek, but he did remember. Fractured flashes from the ship. Karo’s warning. Lysa’s too.

And now he was here, where he shouldn’t be.

“Well, you did. And after you went back to sleep, he gave you to me.”

Ryneth froze. “I think you’re lying.”

The anger flared, and he lashed out with his other hand, static surging in a violent arc that snapped against the bedframe. He wanted to tear that smirk off the other man’s face.

Daven’s smirk only widened. “You’re delicious when you’re angry, you know that? But keep your energy for better use, such as getting better so you can go home with me.”

“I’m not going home with you.”

Daven just looked at him, still smiling like Ryneth had said something ridiculous. That was even worse.

He opened his mouth to say something, but air wrapped around his throat, tightening just enough to make his breath hitch.

Ryneth jerked back and raised his free hand, but the air only pulled tighter. Daven met him with a force that left him stunned.

What the hell was happening to him?

“Stop it,” he choked out. “Stop, stop, stop.”

He hated the other man. Hated that part of him wanted the pressure back, even though they’d only just met. His body jerked toward the empty air before he could stop it.

“Now, now. That’s not the way to talk to your new friend.” Daven used the weight of his power to press Ryneth’s static back into his skin.

“Friend? You’re not my friend.”

Daven forced Ryneth’s sparks down until they were nothing but a dull ache. He was too strong. Too much. And the air he commanded… What was that? Was he the same as Ryneth? Ryneth could barely breathe around it.

“That’s it,” Daven whispered, his face inches from Ryneth’s.

Ryneth shivered when Daven’s thumbs traced his cheek and smeared the tears on his skin.