Page 76 of Tears of Gold

I blink at him. “You’re kidding, right?” Is this him flirting or messing with me again?

He shakes his head. “Look at the size of it! We can top and tail without ever touching feet. Don’t worry, I won’t feel you up . . . tonight.” He winks, and my neck burns with heat. “You too, Vanrey.”

“No.” The absolute refusal in his tone stops me cold. If he’s allowed to protest, then so am I.

Skye’s brows arch dangerously. “There’s no elemental supremacy crap here, my friend,” Skye warns, his voice low and rumbly.

Vanrey shakes his head. “It’s not that. I can’t share with my lord.”

Erritt turns to him, glaring, and the temperature in the room drops perceptibly. “I’ve tried sleeping on that couch, and it’s brutal. Get your ass in bed, and if I hear any more complaints, I’ll cut your tongue out.”

Vanrey’s mouth opens, then snaps shut. He peers closely at Erritt, and I do the same. The prince’s face creases with pain and he’s swaying again, pain and fatigue no doubt shortening his temper. I might be willing to go toe to toe with either a bossy dragon or a grumpy prince, but I don’t think today’s a good day for a showdown with both of them.

I risk a glance at Vanrey, and he meets my gaze. He looks distressed, but Erritt is the one passing orders to him and since it doesn’t look like he’s getting out of it, I suppose I can’t either. I give a half-hearted shrug and move my pillow to the foot of the bed.

After we’ve all changed, Ava and Erritt climb in one side, and Skye rolls in the other. I try not to think about Ava and Erritt spooning as I settle with my head at the foot and wrap a separate blanket around myself. The mattress bounces as Vanrey lies down near me. Although, given the size of the bed, two people could fit in the space between us. I’m sure Skye’s feet and mine overlap, but his are under the main blanket.

It's kind of cosy, but they sure better not attempt sneaky sex with us all in the same bed!

The last of the silvery light overhead vanishes, leaving us with the faint orange glow and crackle from the fireplace. I expect to lie awake, but my full stomach and used muscles soon lull me to sleep. I fade away with the soft breathing of the others whispering across my ears, like days spent bunking with my crew.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Harper

My senses tell me I’ve slept unusually late as consciousness seeps in. Low voices and the smell of cooked eggs filter into my awareness as I stretch and sit up to find everyone except Ava is up. Erritt and his aide stand outside the front door, discussing something that seems important judging by Vanrey’s waving hands and serious expression.

Skye sees me and grins. “No bedbug bites, right?”

I stick my tongue out at him. “They alright?” I jerk my head toward the two outside.

“Yeah, they already ate. Vanrey’s getting ready to leave.”

I blink at the dragon. “Erritt’s ditching his bodyguard?” The idea of the four of us alone for two weeks fills me with a buzz of something I can't define.

“Yep. Guess we’re on duty.”

“Shit.”

Skye chuckles. “Go say seeya.”

I throw on yesterday’s shirt and slip into my pants. I glance at Ava, still asleep, her head resting on her hand and her braid splayed on the pillow. At least there was no funny business, but their inhibitions will come crashing down when Vanrey leaves.

I suppress a shudder, thinking I shouldn’t have agreed to come. I’ll have to do a lot of hiking while I’m here.

As I push the creaky door open, I hear Vanrey asking, “And you’ve got the summoning spell?”

“Yes,” Erritt says.

“Don’t be shy to use it. Call me at the first hint of trouble.”

“Of course.”

“And please, don’t push your powers. If you get another tear in your essence—”

“F-Fuck! Stop nursing me and get . . . going a-already,” Erritt grumbles. I can tell from his tone he’s not really angry.

I sling my arm over his shoulder. “I’ll keep an eye on him, Vanrey.”