Page 55 of Tears of Gold

His body jolts with shock. “Get stuffed!” He tries to punch my face. I ride with it, then lick his fist, finding some of my blood on his skin.

A pink hue climbs his neck, showing he clearly remembers I told him dragons sort their problems out by fighting, followed by fucking. And I wasn’t lying. His blush is as funny today as it was then, but I should probably stop teasing him. He’s having a rough day, and I might lose control if I soak in any more of him.

I chuckle and climb off him, still keeping my hand on his shoulder. “You got bandages in that special bag of yours?” I ask.

He grunts, and we trade hands so I can fetch his sneak satchel. Sitting cross-legged on the grass beside him, I help him out of his shirt and jacket to reach the wound, and then I summon water from the air to wash it clean. Beneath the straps of his weapon harness, purple bruises and scrapes mottle his body, mementos of the bombing’s aftermath and probably from his tussle with Vanrey.

“Do you want to leave that bad?”

He grunts. “There’s nothing here for me, Skye! I screwed up with Ava, she hates me now, and I’m pretty much useless as a bodyguard. Ninety percent of the school population can beat me in a qi fight.” Harper tries to look everywhere except at me, but his eyes keep trailing back.

I suppose I could be accused of puffing my bare chest a little to catch his attention.

I nod my head sympathetically. “Well, it sounds like you did a pretty good job of protecting her in the capital. Those goblins were no joke, you know, not to mention a bombing and keeping her safe all night.”

He scoffs, but I ignore it. “Being Ava’s bodyguard was part of the original deal, but don’t you think things have changed a bit?”

He presses his palm to his forehead and laughs sarcastically. “They ought to have changed. I saved that fucking brat of a prince’s life, and in thanks, he sicks his dog onto me!”

I sigh and rub my nose, finding it itchy and sticky. I frown at him, showing just a little of my true displeasure. “Be that as it may, were you happy to leave without saying goodbye to Ava or me?”

He meets my stern gaze with a flash of guilt. “You wouldn’t have let me go.” His mouth tightens. “I know you’ve got some wild idea that we can all be one big happy family one day, but you can’t seriously think Erritt will ever accept that.”

I press a thick pad over the puncture in his shoulder and stare into his brown eyes, letting some animal intensity bloom through my gaze. “Would you have us if he did?”

Harper tenses. “We’re talking about the guy that tagged me like I’m his property.” He holds up his wrist and shakes it, rattling the silver bracelet that carries Erritt’s tracking charm and making a second cloth charm tied over it flap. Did he use a stealth charm specifically on Erritt’s tracking bracelet? Sounds about right for this wily guy.

I snicker under my breath and ruffle his hair. “You wily goblin.”

He groans. “I asked to leave nicely, Skye. He owes me that much, doesn’t he? But instead, he orders me to stay as if I’m his little bitch!”

My heart constricts, hearing the ache in his voice. He’s as confused as Erritt is. I wish I could tell him about all the interesting things I’ve seen in the prince’s mind, but it’s not my place. Harper and Erritt are more alike than they realize.

I wind a bandage around his shoulder and across his chest to hold the gauze in place, memories of the day we brought Erritt back from the dead together rolling through me with chilling vividness. I would have lost my best friend forever if not for Harper, so I owe this rogue more than I can ever repay, and I know Erritt feels the same way, even if he doesn’t know how to say the words.

“Harper, Erritt considers you a friend. He’s hurt you wanted to leave us.”

He scoffs and kicks the heel of his boot into the ground. “Funny way of showing it.”

“True.” I clear my throat. “But understandable from a guy who’d been qi lashed the day before.”

Harper’s eyes fly wide. “What?”

“Yeah. I think you left before you heard, but you did see him climbing into bed like a weak kitten, right?”

“Well, I wasn’t really in the mood to care, but his stutter seemed worse,” Harper admits.

I sigh and sit back, resting my elbows on my knees. “His big brother ripped his soul out and lashed him four times. Erritt can hardly move, let alone talk straight, and he still hasn’t recovered fully from, you know, actually dying a month ago.” I can’t help the bitterness lacing my voice.

If I ever get my claws on Crown Prince Anik, I’ll make him pay for assaulting my best friend—my lover. To have to sit and watch while someone lays their hands on what’s mine eats at me with excruciating frustration.

Harper’s hands curl into fists. He sits silently while I pack up his medical kit and pass his shirt back.

I rest my hand on his neck. “Please don’t force this, Harper. Stay a bit longer, and give Erritt a chance to recover so he can use his brain and find his words. He was worried for you with everything that happened at the festival. And Ava would be distraught if you weren’t here. You’re good for her.”

He snorts as if he doesn’t believe me.

I watch him through my lashes, hoping he won’t catch me. “Plus, I’ll have no one to tease if you leave.”