Page 39 of Tears of Gold

She runs a hand through her limp blond curls and wrinkles her nose at the dust she finds on her fingers. “Fine.” She points a finger at Skye. “But if she so much as scrapes her knee, I’ll have your head. I’ve had enough heart attacks for one day.”

Skye grins. “Understood. I’ll behave myself.”

Rita grumbles as she leaves, and I have to wonder if she and Skye struck a truce while I wasn’t watching.

Harper stands a moment longer, watching us with a dark look on his face, then his fists clench, and he stalks away. My heart squeezes, but I can’t figure out if it’s because I feel betrayed or because maybe I want to sort things out with him.

“Harper?” I call just before he turns a corner.

He stiffens and swings back.

“Remember to get your cut stitched.” I pat my shoulder to indicate where his shoulder got gouged.

His head lifts in acknowledgment, and then he’s gone.

Finally, we’re alone.

“You remember me.” Skye holds me at arm’s length, and his wide smile lights up his eyes and pops his dimples. “But I smell blood. Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, gripping his arms to make sure he’s real. “The Davinas attacked the capital, and there was a bombing near us. Everyone panicked, and we got separated. It was madness, Skye!”

His lips tighten. “I heard. I was so worried about you, beloved!”

A tremor runs through my chest as I process that I’m finally safe, and hot tears work their way through my lashes. As I cling to Skye’s neck and let the sob loose, he lifts my legs, cradling me against him like a toddler. I bounce gently against him as he walks, but I don’t care where we’re going; I only care that I have my Skye back.

I squeeze my arms around his neck as tight as I can and bawl into his collar, letting out all the pain and confusion. Skye clings to me just as much, his fresh rain scent wrapping around me, as tangible as his grip.

Crazed emotions swirl through me like a whirlpool. I’m mad our night was ruined, and I’m grateful my memories returned, but I’m so shocked by what happened with Harper that I’m having trouble processing it all. I’m ashamed of myself for forgetting what Skye and Erritt mean to me and making out with someone else—even if that someone is the guy who followed me from Earth to make sure I was safe.

Whatever feelings Harper has for me, he shouldn’t have ignored the fact I’m with Skye and Erritt, yet I feel awful for pulling away from him so abruptly, even if he was wrong. I guess that shows I care for him too.

When my sobs finally subside into hiccups, Skye wipes my face with his shirt. “You’ve had a difficult night, little butterfly,” he murmurs in my ear. “I can’t describe how happy I am to see you safe.” His loving tone tells me everything I need to know about his feelings.

“Sorry,” I say hoarsely, finding I’ve left a soggy mess against his collar.

“Why?” Skye bounces me enthusiastically. “This is the best moment of my last four weeks. You remember me!”

I laugh wetly, finding his joy contagious. “I do. How could I ever forget you? I’m so, so sorry.” I stroke his smooth jaw, marveling at the strong but silky touch under my fingers. As far as I can remember, he never has even a hint of stubble on he cheek—maybe it’s because his other form has scales.

This is my dragon.

He stops my lips with his hand. “Sweet one, you did the bravest thing imaginable by forgetting us.”

I lean my chin on his shoulder, watching the sun rise through mauve clouds over his shoulder. “What do you mean?”

“We believe your memory was wiped on purpose.”

I pull away from him to look into his dark brown eyes. “Didn’t I break when they forced my mind? Why can’t I remember what happened?”

“That may have happened too, but the way your memory loss was targeted to just me, Erritt, and Harper means you did something to protect the three of us. By the time they poked around in your mind, you’d already forgotten us.” He kisses my forehead. “It’s the bravest and most loyal thing I’ve ever heard of.”

His sweet smile melts the pack-ice built up inside my heart, and I relax, a heavy burden of fear disintegrating from my chest. I didn’t cave? A smile spreads across my face. I thought I had betrayed their secret, but if I found another way to protect my mind, then I did good.

Skye shoulders open the second boys’ dormitory door and trots up the steps as if I weigh nothing. “Of course, I’d very much like to meet the person who could pull off such a thing. Psychics are rare enough, but memory tampering?” He whistles. “Well, I’d thank him, or her, for not making it permanent. Do you remember who it was that freed you from the camp?”

I frown and shake my head. “It’s all a blank except for Hua talking about being bait.”

Skye nods thoughtfully, adjusting his grip on me to fish a door key from his pocket.