Page 29 of Essa

"I need to," Adam says, his words holding more vulnerability than I think I've ever heard from him.

I keep my expression neutral so he doesn't get self-conscious. I want to tell him I'm proud of him for doing something that makes him uncomfortable and that he's amazing for doing this because it's what he wants, even if it scares him. Now's not the time. There'll be plenty of time for Essa and me to lavish him with praise once we tell her our plan.

"You need to do nothing," Essa says, her hand moving up to cup his chin, forcing his eyes into hers. I wonder if she doesn't get off on the fact that she's stronger than us and couldmanhandle us into doing whatever she wants. Not to mention the venom that makes us compliant.

"He actually does." I clear my throat, hoping not to startle them out of this moment together. "Our ride to Haven III will be here in less than an hour. If he's to look like the collar is wanted, he should get used to it while we're in the comfort of our ship."

Essa stands, her hand on Adam's chain loosening so she doesn't jerk him. She attaches it to her belt on the other side of where mine is connected, but Adam's chain isn't shortened. No, she allows him to move around with the entire length of the chain. He uses it to stumble over to the couch to sit down, his face a mixture of panic and anger as he lets me do the talking.

"How do you know about Haven III?" Essa asks, her pupils constricting as she looks at me, causing me to lower my head in submission. She should point that look over at Adam. It'd get him hard and maybe get his mind off the collar.

"It doesn't matter how we know. It just matters that we do," I tell her, trying not to let the fear tickling my spine worry me more than necessary.

Essa won't hurt me. No, she's just upset right now because we went from asking her to claim us to telling her we're going with her to her planet, where she's going to stop her sister from marrying some male by marrying him herself.

"We've secured a ship to take us to Haven III. This way, you aren't going alone."

Essa takes a deep breath and tugs on my chain until I'm standing right in front of her. My eyes are still cast down, but she fixes that with her hand under my chin. When I look up, her scariness is gone, replaced by a look of admiration.

"You did this for me?"

Adam makes an unhappy sound from the couch, and we both turn to face him. "Now's not the time to decipher what we wouldor wouldn't do for you, Essa. Bite him so your venom is in his system."

Essa's hold on my chin falls to my neck, tilting my head to the side as she lowers her mouth to the leather collar, tracing it with her nose. I groan, my cock twitching in my pants.

Adam's off the couch as soon as he hears it, his chain clinking softly as he grabs Essa's neck and pulls her off me. There's a challenge on both of their faces, and it's easily the hottest thing I've ever seen in my life.

Adam's fingers tighten on the back of her neck as he moves her from my neck to my shoulder and urges her mouth to it. Essa's lips kick up in a smile, her fangs pressing harshly into her lower lip. Adam watches those fangs with lust, but it's not his turn to get bitten.

Essa waits only a moment longer before sinking her teeth into my shoulder. There's a minor pinch before my whole body relaxes, the world grows fuzzy, and I melt into Essa's hold.

eleven

Essa

This is, without a doubt, the most realistic and best dream I've ever had. That's what this is. It has to be. At some point, I'll wake up because there's no way this is happening. But as my teeth sink into Seth's shoulder and Adam's hand tightens almost painfully on my neck, I'm starting to believe this is all really happening.

"Get off him," Adam growls as he pulls at my neck.

I only let him drag me off Seth because he needs this now. He's territorial and possessive. He'll learn I am, too, especially now that they're both mine. All mine. I'm giddy at just the thought of it.

Seth stumbles forward, his body nuzzling close to me as my venom works through him. He'll stay close to me while he's like this, just like Adam does. The only issue will be whether Adam allows him to find comfort in me or if he's going to force us away because of his jealousy. I wrap my tail around Seth's ankle, myarm going over his shoulders to help keep him steady. I press my lips to his temple and start murmuring praises to him.

Adam snaps his teeth at that, so I turn my attention to him.

In the voice I know he loves when he's drugged with my venom, I tell him, "Be good, and I'll take care of you next."

He must not expect that to be my reaction because his expression turns confused before he remembers he's upset with me. Before he can try to start more issues, I walk out of the entertainment room with Seth under my arm. If they were telling the truth about our ride to Haven III getting here soon, we need to be ready.

"We should prepare."

Adam doesn't let the chain snap tight between us. I don't think he can mentally handle that right now. It's also why I gave him as much length as I could.

Once we're on Haven III, my concubines will be expected to be attached to me when we go out. I meant what I said about Adam never needing to wear the collar if he doesn't want to, though. I'd end any cultural norm if it would make him more comfortable. If anyone has an issue with that, well, they'd be having an issue with the rightful heir of the Bylath family, and no one wants that.

"There will be certain clothing you'll need to wear on Haven III," I tell Adam as we walk back through the halls of my room.

As we enter, I'm embarrassed by its size, but Adam moves to the bed to sit down and tugs Seth to follow him. I unfurl some of his chains to give him the extra space. Thankfully, my room is small, so I can reach everything I need while still attached to them.

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