Page 20 of Tears of Gold

“Are you alright?” Erritt has his head close to mine so I can hear above the noise. His breath grazes my face, and I feel something twist deep in my belly. Holding his bright blue gaze, I nod, and his lips part in a smile.

Damn! He’s that melt-your-insides type of handsome when he smiles. I look away. All this party atmosphere must be getting to me. Harper catches my eye and winks, and the happy fizz in my stomach turns into a steaming boil. The curly-haired rogue is just as good-looking, in a buff, bad-boy way.

“Let’s make our way to . . . the river,” Erritt calls more loudly so the others can hear and we wind our way through the crowd, the ground underfoot sloping down gently.

Suddenly, a gust of hot wind hits my back, and Erritt pushes me away roughly.

“Hey! What’s—?” My words cut off as Harper crushes my upper arm in a vice grip and turns me to face one of the light sculptures in the plaza.

“Ssh!” Harper glances over my shoulder. Angling my body, I watch three military-looking men approach Erritt. They carry staffs topped with sparkling gems, and rows of silver chains line the sleeves of their crimson and white uniforms.

They bow low as one of the guards speaks. “We welcome you back to the capital, Your Highness.”

His voice rings through a momentary gap in the fireworks noise, and everyone in the vicinity draws back with a gasp, immediately dropping to one knee. Rita tugs on my hand, and we kneel too. Erritt’s warm smile vanishes, his face blanking into his usual mask.

Vanrey steps to Erritt’s side. “At ease. His Highness is not here on official business.”

The soldier looks up. “His Imperial Majesty, the emperor, requests Prince Erritt’s presence immediately.”

If Erritt has any response to the news, he doesn’t show it, simply nodding his head and saying, “Very well.” Without even glancing in our direction, Erritt and his aide disappear in a flash of purple qi. The guards vanish a second later.

A cold shiver runs down my spine at the steely precision of it all. I hadn’t understood how much confidence Erritt’s presence gave me in a foreign city, especially among a race that doesn’t think much of humans, but now two of us without papers are stranded with one hot-tempered elemental. Anxiety threads a cold path down my back. I tub my arm out of Harper’s grip.

“Fuck!” he hisses. “I’m sorry, Ava.” He rubs my arm where he held too tightly.

“Well, that happened,” Rita pouts, seeming nothing more than mildly put out. “I would have loved to see the palace, but—” She glances at Harper and me. “Guess I’m on babysitting duties.” She lifts one shoulder in an apologetic shrug. “The palace is no place for humans, especially not as the prince’s companions, and I don’t have enough standing to protect you there.”

That answers why Erritt pushed me away when he sensed them arriving, but it doesn’t feel good.

“So, he just abandons us here?” I wrap my hands across my body, goosebumps dotting my arms as the air suddenly feels colder. He’s a prince who can do whatever he wants, so I don’t know why I feel disappointed.

“He’s doing you a favor. You humans do not want to end up in the royal palace.” She tips her head to Harper. “Especially you, rogue.”

He grimaces. “Trust me; I’m in no hurry to go.” Harper winks at me. “Don’t worry, we’re here for you, Aves.”

I do feel safe with Harper, but I know how strong the prejudice is for humans and half bloods in this society. “Should we head back to the academy?”

Harper shrugs. “I’m not keen on going through the checkpoint without Erritt or Vanrey, so let’s enjoy the festival.”

Rita throws Harper a disgusted look. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree. We might as well go see the riverfront.” Rita locks her fingers together and stretches out her arms. “They’ll come find us when they’re done.”

I fiddle with the silver bracelet on my wrist that always feels cold. I hope Erritt and Vanrey don’t take too long.

Chapter Eight

Erritt

I suppress a silent scream as we warp into the teleport zone in front of the palace gates. The guards lining the walkway bow immediately, and my stomach sinks to my toes. So much for my low-profile night out.

I stare at the looming palace walls with the royal banners lit up by the draping festival lights and swallow my sigh. I should have known the staff at the city entry would report the use of a royal authority seal.

It’s been a year since I was last here—not long enough. Clenching my teeth, I walk out of the low ring of stones that designate one of the four permitted warp points in the city. I’d prefer a private entrance, but we’re close to the front gate here, and the crowds stir as the guards announce my presence. The masses of citizens within sight dip as they kneel to the realm's second prince.

As my feet carry me through the rows of bowing and kneeling bodies and under the shadowed gateway, I mentally build up the protections around my mind. My father will ask questions, my mother will want a hug at least, and if by chance I run into Anik—well, that is probably unavoidable. A shiver runs down my spine.

All the nobles gather for the celebrations, so the palace will teem with people I don’t wish to converse with. Regardless of who I see, it will be miserable because my fucking tongue still can’t form sentences correctly.

I want to get back to Ava as fast as possible, but I have to forget everything about her for the moment; not even a whisper-thought of her name can slip through my mental wards. My family are aware of her presence at the academy but not how close my relationship with her is—or was, before she lost her memory. I curl my fingers into a fist.