Page 71 of Tears of Gold

“Skye!” I whine, flexing my ass off the couch to drive deeper inside his silky mouth. I’m so close.

He hugs my thigh tighter with his free arm, his mouth not leaving me, and there’s a possessive wildness streaming through him, it makes me feel desirable in a way I didn’t know was possible.

“Fucking right you’re desirable,” Skye says, so low and possessive he’s snarling. “You’re the most gorgeous man in the universe.”

The intent belief behind his statement leaves me breathless. “Not H-Harper?” I tease, just because I like hearing his growl.

“No, he just smells like it,” Skye replies, his whole body vibrating with his intensity.

Trusting he knows what he’s doing, I surrender to the burning orgasm. Skye drinks me dry as I pour myself out into his mouth. Sweet oblivion rolls through me, and every coherent thought flees as I flop down, quivering like a caught rabbit.

A rabbit thoroughly, and happily, caught by a dragon.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Harper

I throw shirts, shorts, socks and underwear into my bag for the two-week-long vacation we’re taking with Skye, then check everything is in place in my emergency kit. Nerves trickle up my arms and I pace in front of my window for a few minutes.

I’m pretty sure this is a bad idea.

Of course, I’m thrilled to be getting away from the academy, but I’ll be in Ava’s company constantly, not to mention Erritt and Skye will be all over her—probably constantly fucking her in the room next door.

How do the two guys even share? I mean, I’m no prude, so I know what’s possible, but I’ve no idea what those three are into. Do they take turns or do it all together? And how are they planning to get around Vanrey? Heat runs up the back of my neck as my imagination goes into overdrive.

It doesn’t help that the last time I spoke more than a few words to Ava, we argued. I don’t like leaving shit up in the air, but I just can’t find the right words whenever I see her. There’s a lot at stake, I guess.

Sticking my hand in my pocket, I consider contacting Skye and canceling. The only thing stopping me is that Erritt and Skye both asked me to come. They know how I feel, so maybe they’ll be careful not to rub their relationship in my face.

Maybe.

I scoff to myself. I don’t hold much hope of anything good where the prince is involved, but Erritt did come and apologize. Irritation crawls under my skin, remembering how stiff and pale he looked. There was far too much resemblance to the day I dragged him back from the brink of death with a forbidden rune and my own two hands. Fuck, why do I feel like killing him all the time, but when the chance came, I couldn’t let him go? And instead of keeping him away from Ava, I thrust her right into his grasp, twice.

I really fucked up, but Ava seems happy with them. I brace my hands against the doorway and drop my head with a groan. The worst part is, despite the things I said to Ava, I’m not really mad she’s with them. It’d be hard to find two more charismatic and complex men in the world—even I’m having trouble staying away from the bastards.

I’m just shattered that I’m not there with Ava too.

I want to smack Erritt’s face in on a daily basis, but ever since I saved his life, I find my gaze drawn to him. Is rescuer’s pride a thing? We both know I own a small piece of him; he admitted as much when he said I’d earned my freedom. I kind of want to help him, and the look he shot me after I touched him made me feel very odd inside.

But it’s not like I care about him, right?

My pager buzzes against my hand, startling me. Skye’s message tells me everyone is waiting so I take a deep breath and double check my room. The day after Erritt’s visit last week, his aide turned up with a bunch of stuff and no explanation besides the fact they were for me. New boots, spare clothes, blankets and rugs for the floor. Also razors, soap, and best of all, materials for new charms.

Not that I’m very good at creating charms—we usually buy ours from the black market. But it’s a fascinating hobby to tinker with at night, and I’ve been trying to replicate my confiscated stealth charm. At least with charms, you don’t need to have a lot of qi. It just needs a bit of smarts and a lot of patience

Zipping up my new duffel bag, I step out of the room and lock the door. Carefully, I set an alarm spell and a couple of charms around the door to deter thieves. With my kit over one shoulder, I hoist the duffel bag and head for the school gate.

I cast my eye over the group waiting, and my stomach churns. “Rita’s not coming?”

Erritt shakes his head. “Her parents asked for her . . . to go home for the b-break.”

I can’t help my brows lifting. Ava is the only girl here, with me, Erritt, Skye and Vanrey, so this should be interesting.

Vanrey reaches for my heavier bag. “I’ll take these to the gate,” he says, already loaded up with four other bags.

“And here I thought I was the pack horse,” I joke, wondering if he minds doing the heavy lifting.

Ava looks at me, her gaze burning across my ear, but I avoid her. Fuck! I need to make things right with her, but I’m overwhelmed by my confusing feelings every time I look at her. Going back to being just friends after I stripped her down, showered with her, and laid her on the bed is a bitter pill to swallow.