Page 68 of Tears of Gold

Although I’m aching, sweating and nauseous, I still don’t want to return to my chambers. Between being brought back to life a few weeks ago and the run-in with my brother, I’ve been an invalid for months. I’m used to pressure from keeping up with classes and royal responsibilities while simultaneously handling my social life.

What I’m not used to is feeling weak.

Before now, Anik was the only reason I’ve ever felt weak. And maybe the occasional spar with a stronger warrior, usually as part of my training. But relying on others for help, being saved by others, and lying around in bed is not my style.

And except for Skye, I’ve never had to worry about handling close friends or lovers. I told Ava I’m okay with anything as long as she is safe, but her fears are unsettling. Whoever and whatever helped her is more powerful than me, and probably Vanrey and Skye as well. Maybe all of us combined. And that’s the kind of being the Davinas believe is hunting Ava. I have a lot of work to do.

Taking the back stairs to slip away from Vanrey, who would protest vehemently, my feet unconsciously lead me to the library. I pull out my pager and message Skye. With Vanrey here running my qi technology needs, I’ve felt secure enough to exchange simple messages with Skye.

The device vibrates against my palms, telling me he’ll come in a few minutes, so I stretch out on our couch. A few months ago, our meetings were my only solace in a dreary and confined world. So much has changed now. How much more will it change in another few months? I lift my hand and slowly form a shard of ice. My qi stings, and I wince. Yeah, a shard might be pushing things. I try again with just a few tiny flakes of ice.

Skye arrives to catch me growling in frustration a few minutes later. “Hey,” he growls. “That better not be ice I see!”

“You can’t call a few pathetic shavings ice,” I grumble.

He purses his lips tightly but doesn’t scold me. Instead, he slides himself under my head and takes my hand. We sit in silence, exploring each other’s essence. Reaching up, I run my fingers over the scab on his neck. If Harper landed a blow on him, maybe we’re all losing our touch. When my pager vibrates, I ignore it, but soon after Skye’s starts up. I groan.

“It’s Vanrey. He’s worried about you.”

Swearing under my breath, I pull out my device and tap back a firm message for my nursemaid to stand down.

“He’s just looking out for you,” Skye says with a chuckle, reading over my shoulder.

“Maybe people need to stop looking out for me,” I mutter.

“Are you sure about that?” he asks as he gently brushes hair off my forehead.

I lean back on his knee and look into his questioning dark eyes. No, I don’t want to be without any of these people who care about me, so all I can do is shake my head. He runs his fingers across my scalp, and I feel some tension drain away.

“I’m luck . . . y to have people caring for me. Otherwise . . . I’d be dead.”

“I’m delighted you’re not.” His face contorts with concern as he says it.

I rest my hand on his arm. As we lie there in contentment, I tell him everything that happened today with Ava and Harper. I feel his surge of gladness at Harper’s agreement. Skye also hadn’t considered the amount of Earth time that's passed. While I could probably arrange for a message to be sent through royal resources, that wouldn’t be a great option for a rogue.

Still, I do owe him. A lot.

Skye’s fingers move to caress my neck and his love for me flows through the touch. My earlier moments with Ava that were cut short rise to the front of my mind. I reach behind me and slip my hand under Skye’s shirt to touch his ribs. My aches fade away as his essence fills me. His body stills at my touch, and his thoughts quiver faintly, telling me he’s shielding something.

“Skye?”

“Yeah?” His reply comes softly.

“Dragons have s-sex a lot . . . with anyone, right?”

His eyes narrow in confusion. “Is that the question you’re really trying to ask?”

I close my eyes to block out the intensity of his look. I’m finding it difficult to breathe staring into those endless brown depths. Darker than Harper’s.

“No. I’m a-asking if you’ve been with . . . guys before. And if you’ve m-made love in groups.”

His hand stills on my neck, but he doesn’t move it away. “To your first question, yes. To your second question, I’ve had sex in a group. I don’t think I’ve ever been in love and made love to anyone before you and Ava.”

I run my fingers gently along the line of his ribs, and his breath catches. “Did you . . . want to with me? Before Ava, I m-mean?”

His fingers move again, rubbing the line of my collarbone. “Yes, Erritt, I wanted you in that way.” The whispery rawness of his voice sends trickles of steam through my intestines.

My eyes pop open. “Why didn’t you . . . tell me?” And how in the Qi Lords’ names did he manage to shield the desire from me?