Page 8 of Elemental Hope
“I was waiting for you.” Dominic’s creamy skin was very pale.
“Idiot. Channeling is hard work for you as well as me. You must look after yourself.” Evrain manhandled him into a chair then tousled his copper locks. “I’ll make sandwiches.” He paused, grinning. “Think I’d better get some new butter out, though.” Dominic twisted his head to see and laughed at the deep gouge marks in the softening pat. Evrain shrugged. “It was the closest thing to hand.”
Chapter three
Dominic had a gardening job to go to the following morning. His internal alarm clock woke him, though the dawn chorus was so loud he wondered how Evrain could possibly stay asleep. He gave him a fond glance while he dressed, pulling on black cargoes and a dark green polo shirt, which formed a uniform of sorts. Dominic was still exhausted, the fatigue that came from channeling for Evrain deep within his bones. He could only imagine how much worse it must be for his lover. Evrain seemed younger, more innocent in sleep but tiny frown lines marred his forehead as if his dreams disturbed him.
Crawling back into bed seemed like a very good idea, but Dominic didn’t want to let his customers down. He had to make a conscious effort to move, descending the stairs to the kitchen as quietly as possible. Mindful of Evrain’s advice to look after himself better, he went to the trouble of putting together a filling breakfast of oatmeal and sliced banana, the drizzle of honey on the top an illicit indulgence. After that, and a couple of slicesof whole-wheat toast thickly spread with butter, he felt much better. A steaming mug of peppermint tea washed it all down and he was ready to go.
He sensed rather than heard Evrain’s approach, so didn’t jump when Evrain hugged him from behind. He hummed his pleasure as Evrain nuzzled his neck.
“Hey, you. I tried to be quiet so you could carry on sleeping,” Dominic said.
“You think I can sleep when you’re not there next to me?” Evrain sniffed the air. “Is there coffee?”
“Sorry, no.” Dominic lifted his mug. “I had tea.”
“That is not tea,” Evrain complained. “Tea is brown. You put milk in it. Not creamer. Milk. God, I miss decent tea. But now I need coffee.” He ambled toward the shiny chrome machine on the worktop. His shorts hugged his ass in a very appealing manner. Dominic only got a glimpse because Evrain had a baggy T-shirt on over the top.
“Well, I have to leave you to your love affair with caffeine. I have customers waiting. Lawns to mow.” He pushed his chair back.
“I have to work too, especially as we have visitors later today. You will be back, won’t you?”
“Of course,” Dominic said. “Where would I rather be than in a room full of warlocks?”
“Sarcasm equals spankings. Once I’ve had coffee.”
Dominic edged toward the door. There was no way he was letting Evrain near him or he’d never leave.
“Wait!” Evrain grinned. “Don’t worry, your ass is safe. For now. I have something for you. I meant to give it to you yesterday, but you distracted me.” He ran up the stairs.
Dominic waited by the door, listening to random thumps from above. Evrain thudded back down the stairs. He had something dangling from his fingers. He crossed the room then held out hishand so that Dominic could see what was in it. It was a pendant of sorts, a small black star hanging from a narrow cord. Dominic took it. He’d thought the star was fashioned from metal because it was shiny, but it was actually made from polished stone. It was tactile and strangely warm.
“What kind of material is this?” he asked.
“It’s called schorl.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s more commonly known as black tourmaline. Gregory gave it to me. Coryn has one too.”
“Why? What’s it for?”
“Protection.”
Evrain took the pendant back then fastened the cord around Dominic’s neck. The star lay in the hollow at the base of his throat.
“I want you to wear this at all times. It will protect you outside the gates. Promise me that you won’t go out without it on.”
Dominic looked at him, saw the resolve in his eyes and nodded. “I promise.”
“You’re not going to argue with me?” Evrain blinked.
“No. I can recognize a stubborn, immoveable object when I see one.” Dominic touched the star. “It’s warm. It will make me think of you when I’m working.”
“You should be thinking of me anyway!” Evrain protested.
Dominic decided to make his escape while he still could, before Evrain got a caffeine boost and shrugged off the sleepiness that softened some of his hard edges. His work boots were just inside the door so he pulled them on, keeping one eye on Evrain, who was inhaling the aroma of fresh coffee beans.
