Page 120 of Tears of Gold

“It really does,” Harper agrees. “As if one prince wasn’t bad enough.” He clicks his tongue in disgust and I smile.

The first drops of rain strike the window over the staircase, nature’s tears burnished in gold from the slivers of afternoon sunlight diving between the roiling storm clouds; tears like the ones Skye sobbed out over his uncle’s involvement with the Davinas.

More rain falls the copper-hued droplets sliding down the glass together to form curved rows, like the chains on Erritt’s royal coat. After the altercation he had with his brother at the palace, the Davinas aren’t the only ones we have to worry about.

I squeeze Harper’s hand. Whatever’s coming, we’ll face it together.

Epilogue

Ava

I wake panting from a dream that has my sexual energy roaring—hands sliding down my thighs, soft lips kissing my belly and a broad-shouldered man smiling above me. I blanch and throw myself out of bed, running for the bathroom.

My wet-dream partner was someone I don’t know.

Tears prickle in my eyes, and my head aches as I lean over the sink and dry heave. What the hell is wrong with me?

We’ve been back at the academy for days, living under a cloud. Everyone is tense, wanting a solution to the Davinas as well as the potential fox hunting me. Erritt won’t talk about his brother at all. There’ve been reports of more attacks across the country. Erritt and Vanrey are keeping tight-lipped about the war situation.

From the way he looks at me and constantly wants to hold my hand, I know the prince is worried. All three of my guys are training hard, preparing for the unknown. Worst of all, we can't be together much.

I think Vanrey knows more than he lets on, since he usually finds excuses to leave Erritt's chambers when any of us visit, but every touch is accompanied by anxiety. I've spent some nights in Erritt's bed, but I do miss the pile of bodies we enjoyed at the cabin and the natural chemistry and freedom we all had. I’m trying to shield my desires from Erritt, as well as the growing unease I feel that something’s wrong.

I just can’t put my finger on what.

Classes start tomorrow and Rita will be back. I can’t wait to see her.

I brush out my hair, trying to ease the prickliness in my scalp. My headaches have been coming back, making me irritable. Trying to keep my mind shields up around Skye and Erritt has made things more difficult too. Only the fact that they're busy training a lot makes things easier. They are working hard, and here I am, having cheating dreams! I know I can't exactly control my dreams, but it still feels wrong.

I'm beginning to think we need to set a trap with me as the bait, to find our way into the center of this Davina group and get it over with. But that will drag my guys and Vanrey into the enemies' teeth.

And it would mean more bloodshed.

Thinking about it makes my headache worse. I grimace at myself in the small vanity mirror and get dressed before dragging myself wearily to the cafeteria. At least food services are running now. I wave at a couple of classmates, then busy myself filling a plate. Rita will be back sometime today.

I'm pushing scrambled eggs around my plate when I jerk, suddenly realizing I'm not alone. Skye sits across from me, and Harper’s just slid in beside me.

Skye smiles at me. “Morning. You okay?”

I nod. Afterall, it’s not like I can explain what I’m feeling if I answer ‘no’. “Yeah. Didn’t sleep well. How long have you been sitting there?”

“Bout five minutes.”

I glance over at Harper. He smiles and reaches under the table to squeeze my knee. “Hi. Something on your mind?”

I shake my head and spoon some eggs into my mouth. A faint buzzing noise forms in my head, and I press one finger into my ear. I hope I'm not developing tinnitus or something. Maybe it’s a side effect of being around so many qi users. I cock my head. The sound rises as if it's a call I should answer.

“Is Erritt on his way?” Harper asks.

“I don't know. Haven't seen him,” I mumble. From the corner of my eye, I see him exchange looks with Skye.

Skye clears his throat. “I thought you were going to let us know if you were by yourself in the dorms?”

I shrug. “Erritt would have known. He’s got my room full of wards, right?” There's a grumbling tone to my voice. I hate that I'm letting my frustration show this way, but I seem to be having trouble controlling myself today.

“Ava,” Harper warns. “It's not safe to be by yourself. Especially with new students arriving. The Davinas will definitely be trying to get a spy in here.”

I glare at him. “You think I don't know that? I'm the one they're hunting.” Seeing his brown eyes widen in shock, I sigh. “I'm sorry. I just hate this. And I'm not feeling so hot today.” The buzzing in my head intensifies. I feel the urge to move.