Page 74 of Tears of Gold

A kitchen runs along one wall behind a long plank table near the middle of the room. A massive fireplace I doubt we’ll need in this warm weather presides over the opposite wall, kept company by several low-back couches. At the back end of the room lies a dragon-sized bed beside a wardrobe with one door hanging off. It’s basic and smells musty but has a homely feel.

As I scan the one bed, I can’t help but recall what Skye said about how dragons solve their problems.

Skye catches me eyeing the oversized bed. “I like to stretch out,” he says with a waggle of his brows. “Let’s clean up. Then we’ll build Ava some privacy and set up some boundary alarms. Reckon you can help with that, Vanrey?”

While Vanrey and Skye consult, I take a second look at the bed and swallow hard. Is Skye expecting us guys to all share a bed? I shake my head and dump my kit on the couch. No, this is where I’ll be, but only one room complicates things. By the rogue code, they better not try to have sneaky sex while I’m in the same room!

Knowing Skye, it wouldn’t be all that sneaky.

The air in the cabin feels hotter than outside. “Fucking goblin stench!” Skye growls. “We’ll have to wash the whole place out.”

We drag the luggage back outside as he conjures a huge stream of water. It splashes and gurgles through the house, soaking into the grass out the back door.

“A regular power washing unit,” I smirk to myself. Ava hears me and giggles, the sound soothing the uneasiness I feel being here. She’s happy, and that’s most important.

When Skye finishes, Vanrey uses heat and flame to dry the house. I’ve never seen him use his element, only raw purple qi, and I watch the hot flames with interest—not that I’ve forgiven him for fetching me like a dog with a stick when I ran away, but I can admire his power.

The house immediately looks and smells better and Skye opens a magically sealed cellar out the back and shows us the outhouse toilet.

Erritt sways on his feet as we file back inside, sweat glistening on his pale brow. “You should rest,” I suggest quietly.

He shakes his head, but Vanrey presses his shoulder, guiding him to the couch.

“My lord, Harper is correct. Rest here while we set up the perimeter alerts.”

The prince doesn’t look happy about it, but he lies down, covering his eyes with one arm as if the light bothers him.

Skye points his finger at me. “Don’t burn anything.” He chucks his head to Vanrey, and they disappear out the door.

I rest my hands on my hips. “He seems even bossier in his own house,” I mutter.

“And here I thought it was confidence.” Ava grins, tipping her head to study me, and I melt inside.

Fuck, I’ve got it bad!

“I saw dishes and chairs out in the storeroom,” she says, brows lifting with questioning, and I nod.

In a couple of trips, we carry in half a dozen creaky dining chairs and a crate of kitchen dishes, along with some preserves in dusty glass jars. We hang the blankets and towels out on rope strung between the trees to finish drying. It’s nice working with Ava again. At least there are no secrets between us, no lost memories.

Digging in the other packs, I find one full of food.

When I show Ava, her lips purse. “How are we going to keep this stuff cold for a week?”

Erritt waves a hand over the top of the couch. “Literal ice prince here, remember?”

She shakes her head. “But you’re—”

Erritt cuts her off. “I swear if you tell me I can’t, I’ll toss you in the creek out there.” He mutters something under his breath.

I press my hands to my face and trade a fake look of shock with Ava, mouthing the word ‘grumpy’.

She giggles. “I wasn’t going to say can’t; I was saying you’re being careful.”

He scoffs. “Is there a crate or something in the storeroom?”

I go out to check and drag in a lidded wooden box. Erritt groans as he drags himself off the couch, and Ava and I exchange a worried look, but we both conclude that silence is golden right now.

I can only guess the great prince hates feeling weak. I know I'd hate it if I was the one on bed rest and everyone else was busy. The fact he’s had his qi whipped two weeks ago but still walks around is nothing short of mind-boggling.