Page 14 of Tears of Gold

Around us, the staff have transformed the campus, and the festival air rises among the excited chatter of students. Overhead, strings of lights hang between buildings, and wreaths of red and gold flowers hang on doors and archways.

“Can you tell me about this festival?” I ask, ready to change the subject. Rita opens her mouth to speak, then tilts her head and waits for the prince to answer.

A hint of a smile plays on Erritt’s lips, and he leans closer, making our knees touch. “Our New Year coincides with the beginning . . . of summer. It’s a time to celebrate and to remember those . . . who have gone before us, especially the Qi Lords.” His bright eyes hold me with so much attention it feels like we’re the only two people here.

“Who are the Qi Lords?”

Erritt’s gaze sparkles with interest. “Our first ancestors who discovered and . . . mastered the use of elements. Lord Senyun Woo, master of . . . water. Lord Kinton de Huki, master of air. Lord . . . Laila Isuzil, mistress of fire. Lord Gil van Baleya, master of earth. And Lord Exerin Hevan, master of light, who happens to be m-my great, great, great grandfather. These five lords brought civilization and . . . prosperity to the scattered clans.”

Erritt waves one hand toward the strings of lights splaying out from a stage built into the Green where we sit. “The hanging of l-lights represents all qi users who have passed into Eternity.”

He pauses with a wince, his chest heaving with deep breaths. I heard his injury was serious, and I study his pulsing shirt, wondering about the scars behind the maroon and tan uniform and the lines of swinging gold chains. I like listening to his voice, and I wonder what he sounded like before Chengan attacked him because he holds my attention even with a speech impediment.

After a few breaths, the prince continues. “The academy has a meager . . . festival. The best place to experience the New Year is in . . . the capital. There, it seems . . . the stars themselves are within reach.”

“The Mihan Lights,” Rita breathes reverently. “Ava would never have seen such a thing in her life.”

Erritt looks at me, his blue eyes widening. “Perhaps you would like to see . . . one of the great wonders of Exerin-Mi?”

For Rita, who usually isn’t impressed by anything, to react this way, it must be something special, but apart from being kidnapped, I haven’t spent any time outside the academy, as far as I recall. “How?”

Rita leans onto my knees, quivering with excitement. “We can be there in an hour by using the portals. Lots of the noble elementals head to the capitol for the festival.”

“My lord, are you up for such an expedition?” Vanrey queries softly. I can’t see Erritt’s expression as he turns to look at him, but it must be scorching because the aide suddenly stiffens and bows. “Shall I call ahead and make arrangements?”

Erritt shakes his head once. “No, I won’t be there . . . officially. We’ll keep a low profile.”

“Give us an hour, Your Highness!” Rita declares, jumping to her feet. She tugs on my hand. “Come on, Ava! You can’t go to the capital festival in an academy uniform!”

I stumble after her, trying to work out why I suddenly feel a little breathless.

Chapter Six

Ava

“Why do we have to dress up?” I grumble. I don’t actually mind, but my mood is swinging between excitement and apprehension about leaving the academy grounds, leaving my stomach churning. The last time I left was when Chengan hauled me off to the Davina spy.

“Because this is a festival!” Rita declares, unbothered by my wet blanket mood. She goes through my entire wardrobe, clicking her tongue, before taking me into her room and giving me one of her dresses to wear.

I wriggle the dress over my hips, careful not to drag on the embellishments before sliding the zipper up as far as I can manage. The soft pink of the dress goes well with my light skin and black hair, and the thin gold cords and disc decorations twinkle with every movement. It’s a bit tight, given she’s slimmer than I am, and the neckline plunges all the way to the waist, except for a thin cord to keep it over my breasts.

I adjust the coverage. “Um, Rita, we have a problem here.” I haven’t gone bra-less since I was a kid. I’m not sure I entirely trust my C-cups not to flop.

“What’s the issue?” She shimmies out of her bathroom in a pale green dress. The crossover piece leaves her shoulders and waist exposed, the bands of fabric connecting via a gold ring at her belly beneath a sheer overlay.

I whistle in appreciation, but she swats the air and points back at me.

“Oh, Qi Lord belches!” Rita props her hands on her hips, scanning me up and down before circling me to close my zipper the rest of the way. “Now that’s the spirit! You look less like a shrinking child and more like a real woman! Shit, now I see why you eat so much; it’s all in those boobs!”

I choke and cover a cough, making my chest bounce. I wave at the movement. “I’m going to fall out!”

“Nonsense. It looks good. Better than good. This is New Year's, so live a little. We’ll just stick the edge down.” She rummages through her cosmetics bag and pulls out tape with tiny symbols written along the length.

Before I can blink, she’s got her hands inside my dress, laying magic tape along my breasts. My ears burn, and I can’t meet her eyes as my front shines with green light when she activates the qi, and the dress seals itself to my skin.

She snickers. “Don’t worry; I won’t jump you, girl. Can’t say the same for the rest of the world.”

“Rita!” Heat burns in my cheeks.