Page 8 of Tears of Gold

Erritt purses his lips. “Yes, that’s why we asked her a few questions.”

Realizing the prince has deflected my accusation, I step forward. “So what? You’re supposed to protect her, aren’t you, mighty prince of the elementals? No matter what they send after her! But instead, you’re too busy worrying about how to get back in her pants instead of doing your job, so you’re willing to risk damaging her mind!”

Erritt’s face shutters and Skye steps toward me, scowling.

In a blink, Vanrey appears at my side, sword hovering against my neck. I didn’t even sense him move. “I advise you to take more care with your words to His Highness.” The low warning note in his tone sets my hair on end.

Despite the steel kissing my throat, I’m too angry to stop. I can’t get Ava’s tear-streaked face out of my mind, and I point at Erritt. “How about you tell him to take more care?”

Hot shivers run through my nerves, pooling in my skin and leaving me flushed and stretched thin. The cold spot of Erritt’s qi on my wrist irritates me, reminding me I’m still a prisoner, despite everything I’ve done for him. “He’s the one who keeps failing!”

Skye growls. “Settle down, Harper!” He rests his hand on my outstretched arm, gently pressuring me to lower it. “You know we adore Ava and wouldn’t do anything to risk hurting her. She remembered on her own, and that’s a good sign.”

I scoff. “And that made her cry? Some guardians you lot are.” I’ve seen the lengths Skye would go for Ava’s sake, but he’s still an outcast with no power here. Erritt is the one with the agenda, the arrogant brat who doesn’t care about others’ feelings.

Erritt leans back against his pillows, his proud face bland but his crossed arms betraying his temper. “Aren’t you projecting your own insecurities there, kidnapper?”

The desire to smash his face in drives me a step forward, but Vanrey presses his blade harder against my throat, nicking my skin. The sting mixes with my boiling temper.

“Stop pushing her to remember, you fucking bastard! You don’t deserve her!”

Sparkling ice crusts over Erritt’s clenched fingers.

“I’ve heard enough,” Vanrey says, voice chillingly cold. He grabs me by my collar and marches me from the room. His iron grip has no give, and I’ve just enough sanity left to know I shouldn’t fight him.

He releases me in the hallway and leans toward me. “You might not be accustomed to speaking to nobility, and you’re useful in the field, but I won’t tolerate you disrespecting the prince again. Do we understand each other?”

Damn overpowered ass kisser! I yank my collar back into place. “Perfectly.” I stride down the hall, tremors running through my legs. I might have only a fraction of an ability to sense qi, but that’s enough to know Vanrey is possibly the most powerful qi user I’ve ever met. Maybe he can talk some sense into those egomaniacs, but I doubt it since he’s the prince’s faithful dog. I’ll have to be on constant watch when they’re around Ava.

As I jog down the stairs, I ignore the tiny voice in my head asking if this is about Ava’s safety or her remembering who she’s dating. I shove the thought away roughly as I storm out the front doors and into the bright sunlight. I need to find something to hit before I explode.

Chapter Four

Harper

The next morning, Skye trails Ava and me from our morning run back to the girls’ dormitory. I thought Ava hadn't noticed him, but she turns just before the front steps. Maybe she has spidey senses after all.

Skye comes forward with a sheepish grin. “Good morning, Ava.” He chucks his chin at me. “Harper.”

“Hello,” she answers stiffly. I acknowledge the dragon with a lift of my brows.

“Laters, Harper,” Ava says, heading inside, giving him a clear cold shoulder. I barely resist smirking at the rejection.

Sighing, Skye watches her go. “I guess she's still pissed.”

“As am I.” I head for my room, and Skye falls into step, running a hand through his short brown hair.

"Yeah, yesterday was a bit wild."

I jack my hands into my pockets. Even though I kinda lost my shit, I’m not even one bit sorry. Those guys were out of line to push Ava.

Skye clears his voice. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't come get you when I took Ava over. I'm used to it just being me and Erritt, but I guess you’ve earned a say in things concerning her.”

“You guess?” I scoff. “I'm not concerned about me or my rights; you know that. You guys pushed her too hard to remember. She came home from that damn camp with holes in her mind and half her blood missing.” I shrug my shoulders to ward off a shudder. “Of course she's had major trauma, and I can’t stand seeing her cry and get monster headaches like that. Don’t forget she also has a serious heart condition. She spent a third of her life in hospitals before coming here.”

“You're right.” Skye runs a hand across his face. “I guess we are desperate for her to remember.”

“And what if she doesn't?” I watch his face, looking for a reaction. Would they stand aside if Ava chose me this time, or would they push her to remember?