Page 37

“Mara,” Ryneth wheezed, and his head lolled back, the opium weakening his defenses. “She’s my… f-foster mother. She kept us alive when nobody else would. And my foster siblings.”

Daven’s hands slid over him slowly, learning the shape of him. “Did you live behind the Ward?”

“Yes,” Ryneth moaned, his fingers catching in Daven’s hair. “We took turns at the Ward before dawn. Everyone had their shift, and it paid better than most work in the Ward, so you did it whether you wanted to or not. I wanted to… p-protect my family. I needed more money for Tavi.”

Daven paused, his mouth hovering over Ryneth’s pulse. “Who is Tavi?”

“My baby b-brother,” Ryneth choked out. “He has the lung-rot. The Kassa job would barely have been enough to pay for food and Helion promised… the money we needed. Enough to get him breathing through winter.”

Daven’s grip on Ryneth’s jaw tightened. “You’ll get your money. I told you, if you’re sweet…”

Ryneth let out an annoyed growl that morphed into a mewl when Daven pressed his thigh against his erection.

“What? You don’t want to be good?” He moved lower and circled one nipple with his tongue, working the peak until it hardened under his mouth. Nipping at the bud, he tugged at the flesh, pulling until Ryneth’s back arched off the bed.

“You fucking… asshole,” Ryneth gritted out. He tried to shove Daven’s head away, but the movement was clumsy, his hands sliding uselessly over Daven’s shoulders before his fingers finally fisted into Daven’s hair. Daven felt the static flare, a weak pulse of white light that died against his skin. “Get off me.”

Daven ignored the insult. He moved to the other side and gave the second nipple the same slow attention, licking around it before closing his mouth over the hard peak. Ryneth’s breath came in short, jagged gasps. His hips rocked against Daven’s.

Holding them still, Daven trailed his mouth down over Ryneth’s hollowed stomach, teased that hot, flushed erection with his lips as he made his way down, smiling when Ryneth made a choking sound and nearly arched off the bed.

“Tell me what you wanted to become when you were little.”

“F-fuck you.”

Tracing the inside of Ryneth’s inner thigh, he squeezed, chuckling when Ryneth let out a cry and a curse at the pain.

“Fine. Civil engineer, asshole.” He tried to roll to the side, his hip knocking into Daven’s chest as he fought to reach the edge of the mattress. Daven simply shifted his weight, pinning Ryneth’s legs flat.

“A civil engineer?” Daven laughed under his breath and splayed his hands over Ryneth’s hips, pulling him closer. “Good. Then you can tell me if this bed is built to survive me.”

“You are obnoxious, Daven Caelith.” Ryneth followed Daven’s movement through silver lashes. The drugs had stripped his defenses. All that stayed was that stubborn tongue.

“I know.”

Daven drove his knee between Ryneth’s thighs to keep them spread. He leaned over him and buried his face in the crook of Ryneth’s neck. He smelled like rain and static. Daven’s tongue traced the curve of his throat. He bit down hard enough to bruise. A startled cry left Ryneth’s lungs. A violet bloom rose against the pale skin, a brand that would stay visible above the Academy collar.

“You bastard,” Ryneth moaned, rocking their groins together. “You’re a freak.” He gasped, clawing at Daven’s shoulders. His nails left red tracks Daven hoped would stay forever. “You’re a freak, just like me.”

“That’s right, baby.” Ryneth’s hips jerked as Daven reached down, freeing the thick length from his underwear. It stood proud against his stomach, wet with precum. “A beautiful freak.”

Daven wrapped his hand around the base and spread the slickness over the head with his thumb. With his free hand, he reached lower, rolling Ryneth’s balls in his palm.

“No—”

Daven’s mouth closed around the wet slit. He licked the ridge, his hand exploring the gorged veins.

“Good Light,” Ryneth groaned. He tried to kick Daven off, but his legs fell wider, his body surrendering to the suction.

Daven moaned into him, tasting, learning. His tongue swirled around the flushed head. He licked the underside, drinking the salty bead at the slit, before drawing the entire length deep into his throat.

He lifted his head.

“You don’t even know why you want this.” Daven kissed him, tasting salt on his mouth. “I can feel your static climbing. You’re terrified and still opening for me. Your body already wants what I’m not giving you.”

“I hate you,” Ryneth sobbed, but he’d stopped pushing.

“But you don’t want me to stop.” Daven grinned, his smile widening when he saw Ryneth’s gaze drop to his jeweled incisors. “You want me to keep going. You want me to make you come like this, pinned under me. Be good and take it.”