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Daven said nothing.

“Milanov approved it,” Ryneth said quietly. “Didn’t he?”

Daven exhaled through his nose. “Yeah.”

The answer sat between them.

Daven clicked his tongue. “Whatever you’re thinking in that big head of yours, baby, stop. It’s not what’s happening.”

“Maybe not,” Ryneth said. “But I know what they want.”

Daven’s hand tightened around the slate. “You are not walking into a trap because they demand it.”

“It’s not like it’s legal,” Ryneth said softly. “But people like that don’t care. If they paid for me, they’ll still come to collect. Hiding in your bed won’t change that.”

Daven looked at him like he wanted to argue. Like he wanted to lock every door in Helion.

Ryneth held his gaze. “Tell them I’m coming.”

His voice didn’t shake. He wouldn’t give them that. If they wanted a body, they could take his before they took another.

Daven stared at him for a beat too long, furious and helpless all at once.

Ryneth pushed back the sheets and got out of bed before the other man could stop him. His legs felt weak. His body still remembered Daven’s hands.

The room still felt thick with sex and heat. The bed behind him was rumpled, the sheets twisted where they’d been tangled together.

For one stupid second, Ryneth looked at it and his chest tightened. Daven had just had him for the first time, and now he might have to walk out of it.

Then he reached for his clothes.

If he died, they’d never know what happened to him.

Would they bring him back to Düren at least?

Would he get to see Mara and the others one last time?

15

DAVEN

“How many of you were in one cage?” Kylix sat directly across from them in the hover car.

“You already interrogated him,” Daven grumbled. He squeezed Ryneth’s hand until pain sparked up Daven’s arm too. Ever since they’d gotten ready for pickup and left his penthouse, Ryneth hadn’t spoken, clearly too occupied in his own head.

“That was before we understood what happened on that shuttle,” Kylix added, not even turning to him. “They didn’t expect to find someone like you. Once you started fighting back, they knew you weren’t ordinary. And Bekn was on board. He recognized you were a Dariux even before you did. He knew you were leverage.”

Ryneth’s expression hardened. “First I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now I’m valuable?”

“You were always worth protecting,” Kylix said. “The problem is that now they know it too. Perhaps that’s why someone was so intent on buying you.”

“You told him?” Ryneth snapped, looking at Daven.

Daven didn’t blink. “I told him before we left. He needed to know.”

Kylix cocked his head. “Why didn’t you tell us you were in trouble?”

“Who cares why?” Ryneth shot back. “If you want to get rid of me, just say it.”