Page 118 of Tears of Gold

Even if Erritt’s sweaty skin and frequent winces didn’t tell us he was in pain, the fact that his stuttering has returned says enough. Since he’s already kissed the guys several times, I’m pretty sure Harper’s reluctance is due to Vanrey’s presence rather than outright disgust, but it’s still a big ask.

With a pleading look I ask, “Please, Harper?”

He huffs. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t.” A flush rises on his neck as he glances between Vanrey and Erritt.

Vanrey lifts one shoulder. “I’d like to offer privacy, but if you’re examining my lord’s qi unqualified, I need to witness.”

“Fine!” Harper stalks toward the bed. He straddles the lump of Erritt’s lap under the blankets. “Kiss and what?”

“Don’t tell,” I say, trying to keep a straight face.

Harper pokes his tongue at me.

“Just l-look for my essence, then push . . . some of your own into it. Do what feels n-natural.” Erritt wheezes for breath.

Looking at Skye and me, turned away from Vanrey, Harper’s face expands into a ‘what the hell?’ expression. Then he shakes his head and leans into Erritt.

The Elite elemental rests his hand on Erritt’s bare arm, green eyes locked on his lord.

For a moment, it looks just like a kiss, then Erritt’s body spasms. When Harper tries to pull away, Erritt latches onto his face and holds him close. A pink glow builds around them, mixed with flashes of pale blue, and warmth roars to life in my core. They’re sexy as hell together, one pale and lean, the other muscled and brown, now locked together in a deep kiss that has both of them pulsating. My core heats up as I can’t help remembering how I’ve been gripped between their writhing bodies during the week.

Vanrey’s eyes widen, and Skye rests a hand on Harper’s arm. Something must be happening, but I have no idea what. I grind my teeth together, wishing for the hundredth time I could sense what they can.

Suddenly, Harper whips out of Erritt’s grip and jumps off the bed.

“Fuck!” He shakes out his hands as if they sting. With a final wild-eyed look at Erritt, he stalks out of the room.

Erritt leans back with a happy sigh. “I thought so.” He sounds better already.

“He healed you?” I ask. Realizing I’m gripping Skye’s shoulder tightly, I drop my hand. The bed vibrates faintly as a minor earthquake rattles the window panes and we brace against the bed, waiting for it to die away before continuing. The quake season is almost over, but I think the real earthquake just happened in Erritt’s body, and judging from the shocked look on Vanrey’s face, he felt it too.

“Yeah. A decent job for a n-novice.” Erritt grins. “I finally feel like I can breathe again.”

“So, ah, Vanrey,” Skye says slowly, eying the frozen aide. “What Fadozian beings have you heard of on the fire spectrum that can heal and possibly steal qi?”

“Steal?” I echo.

Vanrey’s deep green eyes snap to focus on Skye. “He’s Fadozian?”

Skye nods. “Says he’s one quarter, but I think he’s half or more.”

“Excuse me.” I wave my hand to draw their gazes, interrupting the conversation. “What’s this about stealing?” The last thing I need is for Harper to get into some sort of trouble related to his history as a rogue.

Erritt smiles at me, clearly every bit delighted with his discovery as he is about the reduced pain. “When Harper uses his qi in contact with others, he channels their qi instead of his.” He holds up one hand. “Just now, he used my own qi to heal me.”

Erritt turns his head and peers into his aide’s face, which is furrowed in confusion. “Vanrey?”

“Heal and steal qi?” Vanrey mutters, looking toward the door. “But—”

“But what?” I ask, not liking his tone.

Vanrey brushes a polished knuckle against his forehead. “Absorbing qi and distributing it through healing should be completely impossible, for anyone. The ability to draw qi out of a being and the ability to heal by inserting your qi are fundamentally opposing skills.”

We trade puzzled looks. If we’re confused, Harper’s probably more so.

“Plausible or not, it’s seriously cool.” Skye looks at me and grins. “Well, we warned him you’re a muse for discovering hidden powers.”

I stare at him. “Say what now?”