Page 55

Ryneth’s breath caught. “Daven.”

“You’re mine to protect.”

The words hit Daven hard. Something in his chest locked tight. Possession. Need. His air stirred without permission, crowding closer around them.

Ryneth went still for half a second, like he felt it too. Then fear flashed across his face. “No.” His voice sharpened. “Don’t do that. Don’t say things like that. I don’t know what this is, what’s going on between us, but I’m not letting it happen.”

He shoved at Daven’s chest. Static cracked between them, deliberate this time. Blue light lashed toward Daven’s collar.

Daven’s air snapped tight around him before it landed. The fear in Ryneth’s face hit him almost as hard as the static. It was sharp. Real. And it only made the need worse.

He leaned in and kissed him, driving him back until the rear window caught the back of Ryneth’s head. Daven’s hand stayed locked on his jaw while his air sealed around them, muting the world beyond the glass.

Ryneth’s mouth opened under his. Soft, wet, trembling, and Daven wanted more the second he tasted him.

“Daven—”

“Shut up.” He bit Ryneth’s lower lip, not hard enough to hurt, just enough to feel him react. “You don’t get to keep secrets in my bed, aethera. You don’t get to walk into danger like that. Not without me.”

Ryneth made a broken sound and grabbed at Daven’s coat, like he still wanted to fight it even as he kissed him back. Daven’s tongue slid into his mouth, and his pulse kicked harder when Ryneth met him halfway.

Good Light, Ryneth felt good. Even in his defiance. Especially in his defiance.

Daven kissed him harder, swallowing every soft sound he made. He dragged his mouth over the bite he’d left, then deepened the kiss again until they were both breathing hard into the tight space between them.

When he finally pulled back, he stole one last kiss. “I know, baby. We’re nearly home. Then I’ll give you all the pleasure you need, and more.”

“What if someone just comes and takes me?”

“They won’t. You’re one of us.”

“Dariux,” Ryneth murmured. “I always thought I was weird.”

“That too.” Daven smiled, then pulled his air back with one ringed gesture of his hand. “Come on now, we’re here. Let’s get you inside.”

Vandor opened the back door.

“I can walk myself,” Ryneth began, nearly crashing to the floor.

“No, you cannot. C’mere.” Daven’s hand caught the front of Ryneth’s jacket and hauled him forward until their faces were inches apart. “Now, do I need to carry you or are you going to be a good boy and hold on to me?”

Ryneth’s eyes flashed, and then his hands tentatively grabbed for Daven.

“There you go. That wasn’t so hard. Vandor, open the door. Have someone bring us some food, then get the fuck out of my penthouse.”

He ignored the guard when they stumbled over the threshold, too focused on taking Ryneth straight for the bedroom. The lights switched on where they passed, bringing the place in a warm dim light.

He laid Ryneth back on the bed and started by taking off his boots. “So you don’t know who purchased you?”

“No,” Ryneth rasped. “Only that it was a private buyer. I thought—” His voice faltered when Daven put both their boots to the door, then came back and started with his pants. His erection was beautifully visible through the slacks.

“You thought what?” Daven asked, rolling them all the way down to his feet.

“That it was over. That you⁠—”

“What, you thought I bought you?” Daven wanted to laugh, but the situation really wasn’t funny. “I don’t need a contract to have you exactly where I want you. Right now, I control the air you’re breathing.”

Ryneth turned his head to the window and stared outside. “They said Helion was made of glass and green. They said…”