Page 110 of Tears of Gold

Skye swears under his breath. There are a hundred things I want to say to him, but there’s no time, so I just squeeze his paw.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I shield us while Vanrey and I step outside. The qi blasts pound my raised shields immediately. Clear of the house, Vanrey flaps the mat out on the ground and it unrolls. His purple qi flares and sinks into the tapestry of charm threads, lighting them up in a ghostly pattern.

The qi attacks on my barrier intensify, the cacophony of explosions blocking out the attackers’ angry shouts. Each hit feels like a physical blow to my body, pounding on my bones, even forcing me back a step. My awareness narrows to the one single act of pouring myself out into that pale blue ripple between me and the enraged dragon spewing qi across the glade—a dragon Skye knows.

A hand rests on my shoulder. “You can stop now, my lord.”

It takes a moment for me to register. Vanrey holds a shield up with one hand as behind us, a squad of the Royal Guard flickers into view on the giant scroll. I cut off my qi, whimpering as the last of my power flows through my broken essence.

Vanrey squeezes my shoulder, concern in his eyes.

I turn to watch the soldiers. They stand in uniform with weapons in hand, alert eyes sizing up the enemy beyond Vanrey's shield. Vanrey issues quick orders. One guard steps forward to replace Van's shielding. One steps backward and snaps another shield over the top of Skye’s cabin barrier with cool, calm precision.

As much as I didn't want to involve the palace, relief washes through me. This is not my problem anymore. I look out across the glade. What was once a grassy meadow is now littered with bodies and torn apart by blast craters which now fill with water. Light glints from a thousand ice stalagmites jutting up across the clearing and under the trees. It's like I've left a frozen signature.

“Please wait inside, Your Highness,” Vanrey asks quietly.

I frown as my royal pride kicks in. I should be going back into battle with these men who are risking their lives for the Crown. Then I remember Ava hiding under the bed and I turn on my heel. The ranks part, men bowing as I pass through them. At least my clothes are covered in blood, dirt and sweat from a tough fight, showing I haven’t exactly been sitting around on my ass.

I’ll think about where the blood came from later. Or not.

“Thank you . . . for y-your assistance,” I offer with a weary smile. I nod to as many as I can make eye contact with, then enter the cabin and shut the world out. Resting my back against the door, I take stock. Skye is back in his human body, sunk on the couch. His eyes are closed, focusing on his barrier. Harper still watches the back door, swinging his knives, alert for enemies.

“Skye, you can stop now.” He grunts and slumps with a groan. “You too, Harper.” He nods, and we both head to the bed. “Ava? Come out.”

Harper sets his blades on the floor within reach and helps her up. I sit on the bed and open my arms. Ava clings to me, and her fear and relief washes through our touch. Harper rests a hand on both our shoulders, and I check him over. His adrenaline is fading, as is mine. His heartbeat pounds loudly, and his hand taps against me with nervous tension.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry,” Ava mumbles against my shirt.

“H-Hush!” I order. “None of this is . . . your fault.”

“Are we going to talk about you and Vanrey having a squad of guards in your pocket?” Skye asks wearily from the couch, rubbing his head.

“Yes, later. Around . . . the same t-time we talk about that d-dragon out there and his fancy . . . names for y-you.”

Skye swears under his breath. “Right.”

Our bags sit on the dining table, partially packed. I tell myself that I need to finish packing, now that we have the luxury, but nothing seems to matter except for Ava’s soft skin against me and her body heat chasing away the numbness in my veins. She turns her face up to me, and I lower my lips to hers for a moment

Looking at the bags again, I sigh.

Harper follows my gaze. “I’ll do it.”

“Thanks.” With the heat of battle dissipating, my qi is screaming in agony. I hold myself rigidly, forcing down waves of nausea.

“Erritt?” Ava’s voice sounds far off. “Skye, what’s wrong with him?”

Skye’s low voice seems even further away. “He’s overdone things. Just hold him.”

Something tightens around me, and I realize my consciousness has fluttered. I squeeze back, anchoring myself to that sweet-as-sugar human essence.

I just need a moment.

My qi feels like it’s dying, but it’s not as bad as when Anik first lashed me. I’ll recover. Not like a dozen beings I’ve killed today.

It’s not my first time killing—Father broke that squeamishness from me years ago, executing prisoners. But I know every one of those people today had a reason, probably a good one, to be fighting for their cause. Somewhere, there are families and friends praying for an impossible return. Families and friends who will never forgive me, never set themselves in my shoes.

A futile cycle of pain and vengeance will be created. Something tinkles against the floor but I’m in too much pain to work out what. A moment later, Skye’s soothing essence attaches itself to me.