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“Ryneth!”

The way he said his name was all warning.

Daven dragged him toward the outer rail, already putting his own body between him and the line of fire. “Get back on the transport.”

Ryneth ripped his arm free. “No.”

Gunfire cracked behind them.

Daven swore and grabbed for him again. “I don’t know how the fuck you got here, and I don’t have time to care.” His hand tightened on Ryneth’s arm, hard enough to hurt. “You’re here now. Fine. Stay where I can see you.”

Ryneth stepped closer instead. “I’m not leaving you.”

Daven’s eyes flashed. “You are if I have to throw you over my shoulder and drag you out myself. You⁠—”

A rebel broke through the smoke at Daven’s side, too close now for a clean shot, weapon half raised.

Ryneth reacted before Daven did. Static ripped from his palm in a bright blue lash. The man convulsed mid-strike and slammed into the production rail hard enough to buckle it.

Daven froze.

His gaze dropped to the body, then snapped back to Ryneth.

Another Attica fighter lunged from behind a tank.

Ryneth sent a second burst through the wet floor. The man screamed and dropped to his knees.

Daven’s eyes widened. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Ryneth was breathing hard now, static still crawling over his fingers. He grinned, because he couldn’t help himself. “You were saying?”

Daven stared at him like he’d never seen him before. Then he muttered, “For fuck’s sake.”

Another rebel rushed the line.

Daven snapped back into motion, slammed the man into the steel wall with a concentrated burst of air, then turned right back to Ryneth.

“I leave you alone for five minutes,” he muttered. “You really want to get yourself killed?”

“No.” Ryneth stepped closer. “But I felt you. I thought I was too late.”

Daven’s mouth parted. His hand came up, caught the side of Ryneth’s neck, thumb pressing just below his ear like he needed the contact.

The bond hit so hard it stole the air from Ryneth’s lungs.

Daven made a sound low in his throat, halfway between a curse and surrender.

Then he kissed Ryneth. Hard. Like he needed Ryneth’s mouth under his just to believe he’d made it there alive. One hand wrapped around Ryneth’s neck, the other braced at his waist, hauling him in without mercy.

Rain soaked them both while blood and static clung to the air between them, and the kiss hit like relief turned vicious. Ryneth grabbed his vest and kissed him back just as hard.

Blue sparks snapped between them, racing over their soaked sleeves as the bond surged hot and violent, turning Ryneth’s knees weak.

Daven tore his mouth away first, forehead dropping to Ryneth’s.

“Still want me gone?” Ryneth asked, breathless.

Daven laughed once under his breath, disbelieving. “No,” he said. “Now I want to kill everyone who looks at you.”