Page 75 of Tears of Gold

Erritt inspects the box, lines it with a barrier and then fills the bottom with ice. I start packing in the meat and dairy and Erritt tops it off with more ice.

“Will it melt?” I ask, curious.

He shakes his head. “Not for a couple of days.”

I hover my hand over the ice. “Will the stuff freeze? I’m not sure frozen eggs are ideal.”

His brows jump. “You seriously underestimate me,” he grizzles.

I hold up my hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Fuck, grumpy cat! Just asking.”

He stares at me, and I find it hard to look away. Thankfully, we’re interrupted by Skye and Vanrey returning.

“So, what’s for supper?” Skye asks with a wicked grin. “Shall I go hunting?”

Vanrey cracks a smile, and I stare at him in surprise, wondering if I’ve ever seen the uptight Elite smile. Strangely, I think it suits him more than his courtly indifference, although I’m pretty sure he’s a calm and serious person in general—which is probably a good thing since the rest of us can be hot-headed.

“I’ll cook,” Ava volunteers. Vanrey gives her a hand, and I find myself standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. I watch with interest as Ava rinses rice, wondering what it will be like to eat her cooking.

“Hey, you, sit!” Skye orders, snapping his fingers toward the lounge area.

I think he’s enjoying having us on his territory a little too much. I sit on one of the other couches and freeze when Skye sprawls next to me, head on my knee.

“Shit, I’m beat,” he declares.

I glance up. Erritt seems to be asleep, and Vanrey and Ava are occupied sorting through groceries. I keep my hands well clear of the dragon.

He grins at me. “Loosen up. I won’t bite.”

I snort. “Yeah, right! I have a scar that says otherwise.” I shake my head. “And you expect me to believe you’re tired after just a few hours? I’ve seen you run two thousand miles in a day, Sir Dragon.”

“Oh yeah.” He quivers with a silent laugh. “But it’s so hot now. I’m a river dragon, you know. Not made for this heat.”

He wriggles around, looking for a more comfortable position and throws his arm under his head, leaving his fingers trailing against my shirt. I think he’s trying to torture me. Still, I haven’t thrown him off yet, and I could. The realization makes me frown. Why doesn’t it bother me?

He stiffens. “Oh shit, I forgot about Ava’s room.”

“I’ll share with Erritt,” she says firmly, not looking up as she chops onions.

Skye grins. “Okay then. But we should still make a private space. Come help me, rogue!” He bounces up and drags me to my feet with far more energy than he claims to have. Skye brings in a sapling as a corner post which we wedge between the floor and roof. I find a hammer and some nails in the cellar storeroom and between the two of us, we rig up a couple of blankets hung on rope which passes for a curtain. We bring in the rest of the linen, make the giant bed and fold the towels.

The sun sets, sending slanting orange light through the windows, and I take a quiet moment on the front steps to watch the sky burn down. I feel more relaxed than I have in months. Is it because we’re away from the school? It’s like we’ve left all the titles and politics behind, and we’re just a bunch of close friends hanging out. Assuming one can overlook the alien species.

Well, not like I can talk. I never thought much about my mother’s heritage, but being around these guys reminds me I’m not as human as I’d like to think. I bring qi to life in my palms, expanding and collapsing the ball more easily than ever before. Maybe not being human is a good thing.

Skye calls me in to eat Ava and Vanrey’s stir-fried rice. As we take our places, Skye forms a ball of silver light and hangs it over the table. Vanrey adds two purple ones, and a moment later, a large pale blue orb appears. Vanrey and Skye both turn on Erritt, but he ignores their frowns, studiously passing out plates.

While they focus on scolding the prince, I slip up a couple of tiny pink orbs of light. Hanging them is a harder, but eventually, they stay where I command. The qi flickers gently over the table in a mosaic of shed light.

“It’s beautiful!” Ava exclaims as she sets out the food, and I feel well rewarded. “I wish I could do that too,” she says with a quiet sigh. Skye takes her hand and massages it gently with his thumb since there’s nothing anyone can say to that.

We spend the evening calmly, none of us feeling too energetic after a long hike and full stomachs. With no electricity in the house, we only have our magic to see by and we sprawl on the couches, chatting about school and our pasts. Vanrey sets a fire in the hearth that doesn’t release much heat, and I watch the flames dance in their brick bed.

The way these guys can control their powers is so incredible, I can’t help feeling a bit small. And yet, at the same time, I feel powerful hanging with them, especially with Skye working to increase my power. I never really thought hard about my limits before, simply accepting that my half blood means my powers are diluted. But Skye thinks differently, that limits are for pushing.

When Ava yawns, Skye declares bedtime. I drag a pillow and blanket to the couch, but Skye clucks his tongue.

“Nah, uh. My house, my rules.” He points to the giant bed.