Page 43 of Gilded Lies

“You’re so gullible,” said Aurelius.

“I’m not gullible. I'm not willing to give up on you, and there’s a big difference.”

“This isn’t something you can fix. I’m not a piece of wood that you can repair. I’m rotted, and there’s not much left in me. Mammon is in the items, but wrecking them isn’t going to bethe answer we’re seeking. It’s not going to destroy him or Elira would have smashed them herself.”

“We-”

Aurelius slammed a fist against the edge of the copper. “Do you expect me to live in a salty bath for the rest of my life?!”

“I don’t know what we’re going to do!” snapped Jari. “All I know is that we’ll try, and I’m not giving up on you. We’ll dunk the items in salt water and see what happens. If nothing, we’ll melt and hide them on Ash Island. Even if nothing works, I know you’re still in there, you’re not lost, and I’m not leaving you. You’ve got me even if nothing goes the way we want. I’m not leaving your side.”

Aurelius looked down at the water. “You’ve done more than enough. I release you from your vow. There. Now go.”

“I’m not abandoning you or turning my back like everyone else. It’s not because of the vow anymore.” Jari leaned toward him. “You’ll be lucky if I let you go to the privy by yourself.”

Aurelius lifted his head slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

“If I wanted to be released, I’d have left once you were kidnapped,” said Jari. “I shouldn’t have left your side for those few hours, and I’m sorry-”

“Don’t. You didn’t know what would happen, and you can’t be plastered to my hip for every second.”

The regret wouldn’t be wiped away that easily, but Jari meant everything he’d said.

“I want-” Aurelius started before he cut off.

“What?”

The Prince shrugged as he stared at the water.

“Tell me.”

Aurelius hesitated before he took Jari’s hand resting on the edge. “I want a house somewhere to live in where I’m not a Prince or a King. I just want to be someone with a simple lifewith no items or Mammon. And I want someone in that house that I can wake up next to and live that simple life with. I've wanted that since before Mother died.”

Jari’s throat tightened. Aurelius had said more than once that simple was alluring, and he’d liked the painting with the beach house with two people walking in the distance. He'd even said learning Jari’s work might be fun.

No wonder he’d been envious of commoners. He’d been born with the weight of a Kingdom and a curse.

Jari was about to say he’d build that house when Aurelius tugged on his hand. “Right now, I want you to get in the tub with me.”

“What? You do?”

“Yes. I know what I want. Don’t make me ask again.”

Jari stood and kicked off his boots. Aurelius watched him hastily undress and moved aside a bit so Jari could step in. The tub was decent for one person, but not made for two, so it was a bit tight with two tall men in it.

“Settle back,” said Aurelius.

The hot water felt good after so many days of riding, walking, and half-panicking. Jari settled against the curved back, and Aurelius, between his legs, turned his back and leaned against Jari’s chest. Strands of Aurelius’s wet, golden hair plastered itself against Jari.

He wrapped his arms around Aurelius and breathed in his sunflower smell. Somehow, they’d make a happy ending unlike some of those tales Jari had read. The curse wasn’t going to continue like it did with the gingerbread people, ready to snare more people. He didn’t let himself think of how long Aurelius might have or what he’d be like in a few years. He had the Princenow,and they’d take things one day at a time.

Aurelius was tense, and bit by bit, he eased against Jari as he held one of his forearms.

“I won’t gild you,” he whispered. “Even without a salt bath, I can think enough.”

“I know.”

What if he grew worse in the years to come and did anyway, unable to hold himself back? Jari still wasn’t leaving him because he’d never be able to live with himself if he abandoned the man he loved.

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