Page 111 of Tears of Gold

Reaching into him, I find the same pain I’m feeling. Perhaps for Skye it’s worse because during battle his body is dealing the fatal blow more often than his qi. There’s a small level of distancing from the act of snuffing a life when it’s by blade and qi, but teeth and claws, and physical touch, record the sensations far more strongly, and despite his hunting instincts, Skye hasn’t killed people before. Shockingly, I also learn that Farax is Skye’s distant relative. Grief tinges every fiber within Skye.

“Stop crying,” Skye orders, his fingers stroking my face.

Harper’s hand rests on my shoulder, and his essence docks in my awareness. Finding my way back to my body, I discover I’m leaking ice tears. They plink as they roll down Ava’s back and bounce on the hardwood floors.

“Is he in shock?” Harper asks.

Skye’s body jerks. “He’s torn his qi scars open.”

I drag in a shaky breath. “Just one of them,” I correct.

Wind blows in my face. Surprised, I open my eyes to find Harper blowing on me. He reads my wide-eyed look and offers me a half smile.

“Pa told me this helps tears stop. He did it last time I cried.” A cheeky smile tugs on his lips. “Course, I was five at the time.”

I open my mouth to retort, but I can’t come up with anything. I can’t recall ever seeing Harper cry. Ava nuzzles into my neck, and I feel just enough strength return to see this horrific day through.

An explosion outside makes us all twitch and something big shrieks in agony. A light buzz in my awareness registers other elementals teleporting. Twenty-four highly trained elementals teleporting through the battlefield under Vanrey’s command spells death for any enemy. Skye shudders, and I know he’s thinking the same thing.

We sit on the bed together in a huddle for what feels like an eternity, but I know it’s only a couple of minutes. When a knock sounds at the door, Harper and Skye spring away from me.

“My lord?” Vanrey calls.

I muster my lungs with effort. “Enter.”

He steps through the door, his light brown hair blown awry. Blood flecks his casual clothes, the same kind of messy as the rest of us. My aide has his pleasant face on, as if he hasn’t just shut down a small army.

“I’d like to escort your companions to the gate immediately. My lord, it would mean a lot to the men if you would stay a little longer.” He eyes me. “If you’re up for it?”

I nod, not sure I can walk right now anyway.

“Good. Let’s make a quick exit through the back door then.” He waves his hands at Skye, Ava and Harper.

I kiss Ava quickly, and Vanrey bundles them out. Their presences fade as he teleports all three of them and our bags to the nearest portal. I feel cold and alone for the first time in weeks.

I jerk awake from a microsleep, still sitting upright, as the door clicks shut behind Vanrey.

His face tightens, and his green eyes narrow as he stalks toward me, reaching out to touch my arm. With a small sigh, I let him examine my qi. I probably couldn’t stop him even if I wanted to right now.

He hisses. “Why didn’t you summon me sooner? You’ve torn yourself open again.”

“If I knew y-you were going to . . . turn up in c-cute reading glasses, I would . . . have,” I answer with a tiny chuckle. I swear my very proper aide blushes before scowling.

“What was your plan? Just kill them quickly and burn the bodies? I’m here to help you, foolish prince.”

I lie down on the bed, disengaging from his touch, storing away his impropriety to use against him later, when I have the energy. “Well, p-pretty sure we . . . took care of the advance team on our o-own. And you’re . . . taking liberties, y-you know.” Qi Lords! One qi wound and I’m back to being a completely stuttering mess.

His frustrated puff of breath sounds loudly.

I’d smile if I didn’t feel like my insides were being dragged through broken glass. “Oh, and d-don’t blame . . . Skye. He tried to keep me inside . . . too. Truth be t-told, I wanted to test myself. And I got a little . . . mad at having our lovely h-holiday interrupted.”

“And what did your little test prove?”

I groan. “That I w-wasn’t quite . . . ready.”

He makes a frustrated noise in the back of his throat. “Well, I hope you’ve learned a lesson.”

I’m reminded how lucky I am to have Vanrey. I reach out my hand, and he clasps it immediately. “Thanks f-for coming . . . and dealing with all that. You’re n-not hurt, are you?”