Page 93 of Tears of Gold

Harper nods miserably. “Along with descriptors for a girl, aged seventeen to twenty-one. But why Ava specifically?”

Errit lift shis hands helplessly. “That I don’t know, but the b-book I read said the fox searches for something called its pearl, as if it’s some kind of . . . cosmic match. In any case, I’ve asked Vanrey to find more references so we are better informed.”

I blink at my boyfriend. Is he talking about a fox bead? I thought they made those themselves out of magic over hundreds of years.

I hold up one hand. “Just to be clear, we’re talking about a giant fox with massive amounts of qi and a destructive nature?”

“Yes,” Skye confirms. “A shifter with a reputation as a temptress, and for, well, devouring men’s livers.”

I shudder.

“The temptress part might align with you though,” Skye adds with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

“Ha! Should I take that as a compliment?”

He pulls me off Harper’s lap and surrounds me with his unyielding grip. “Definitely.”

His warm hug drives away my inner chills, reminding me of all I’ve overcome so far.

“We won’t let anything take you away,” he promises, his deep voice revealing his dragon nature lurks close to the surface. I press my lips to his, seeking more and he grips my thighs, sliding me closer until we’re pressed together, chest to chest.

After all these years of frustrating questions, my condition now has a name. My body has space inside for another soul, which must be what creates the strain on my organs, as medic Sesun described it. I suppose that’s not far off a discordant soul, but somehow I feel like that’s less of a blight—as if it’s not even about me.

But if that nine-tailed fox ever catches up to me, the chances of it playing nice or sharing are pretty low.

Erritt rests a hand on my shoulder. “A creature that powerful would have a presence, so we’d hear about it if she stepped foot on Exerin-Mi. We’ll keep you safe.”

Harper shifts closer and leans his head on my back as Skye crushes me to his chest, the three murmuring agreement, uniting in the promise to keep me safe.

Tears water my eyes as I feel the strength of their love surrounding me. All three of them risked their lives trying to find my would-be assassin and then tracking me down. I sniff back the tears.

Skye stands up, easily lifting me with him. “Enough of that now. I didn’t bring you out here to discuss monsters, little butterfly. We’re here to have a holiday!” There’s a growl of command in his tone and I don’t mind dropping the topic. After all, knowing the name of my possible hunter doesn’t change.

I lean back so I can meet Skye’s gorgeous brown eyes. “So what exactly did you bring us out here for?”

He grins. “The four ‘fs’: fun, food, fights and fucking.”

I laugh. “Which one first?”

“I think we need food next.”

I nod. “That sounds perfect.”

“Just no pythons, please,” Erritt adds.

Skye snickers and licks his lips loudly as he takes my hand to lead me back down the steep path.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Skye

I tug on Ava’s hand as I lead her through the twilight, following a small tributary upriver. I caress her slim fingers in my grip, slowing my pace and trying to keep my excitement in check as she weaves through long tussocks of ornamental grass growing on the banks. We’ve left the guys back at the cabin so I can show her something special, just the two of us, and my dragon essence vibrates with eagerness.

Tonight I’m going to make Ava mine.

Talking about the kitsune threat with Ava makes me more uneasy than I imagined, but she seems to be taking it well. Better than well, considering she just found out the creature used to scare little boys into obedience is likely what she’s bait for. I dare say it’s a good thing she hasn’t heard as many of the legends as we have.

We might be guessing wrong, but the fact of the matter is, Ava attracts trouble, and that’s enough to tell me we need to do everything possible to protect her. The dragon within me demands I take the step to make her mine forever.