Page 76 of Silver & Gold

Tarjan said, “Raider interests me.”

“I bet he fucking does.”

“Seth, I swear, I’m about three seconds from jabbing my elbow into your ribs so damn hard—”

Tarjan laughed. “He is staking his claim.”

“He’s being an asshole.” Raider glared at Seth to emphasize his point. “And he knows it.”

Tarjan unfolded from his floating seated position to stand. “He is anxious and covers it with anger. I will leave you now so you may eat in your human way. You will see the path of return to your room. We will speak again when there is more trust.”

Tarjan vanished. Literally vanished. Into thin air.

Seth blinked.

“You were such a dick,” Raider said irritably. “I can’t believe how you talked to him.”

“Why are you so concerned about him?”

“Because he saved your life, Seth! Why do you not understand that, without him, I wouldn’t have you right now? Why can’t you understand what that would’ve done—”

Raider broke off like he couldn’t go on. Like the words were too hard. He looked away.

“You’re right,” Seth said. “I’m sorry.”

Raider looked at him, anger in his eyes. “Admit you’re being an asshole.”

“I’m being an asshole.”

Slowly, Raider’s expression softened. He took a breath. He held out a hand to Seth.

Seth took it. Instantly. He drew Raider’s fingers to his lips and kissed them. “I mean it, Raider. I’m sorry.”

Raider’s lips tugged at one side. “Okay.”

“You’re too forgiving, you know.”

“I know. But you’re going to make it up to me.”

“How?”

Raider’s grin turned wicked. “Take a wild guess.”

CHAPTER 24

RAIDER LOVED IT HERE. It was beautiful. More than that, it felt right somehow.

Seth didn’t seem to feel the same way. He wasn’t easy here. He was on alert. Suspicious.

Eating in the pergola, he’d picked through his food like there would be something in it. There hadn’t been of course.

Everything was fine. This was paradise.

They were walking now along a grassy path that had appeared as they’d left the pergola. As Tarjan had promised, it led back to their room. When the familiar steps appeared, they didn’t go in. They detoured along another path to a reclining couch softened by plump cushions and overhung with sweet-scented jasmine.

Seth sat first, leaning back against the high back. The couch was wide enough for Raider to sit between his legs and lean back against him.

“How can you not like it here?” Raider asked. “Look at it.”