Page 24 of Gilded Crown

“Oh, yes, yes. I merely forgot his face.”

Jari waited until they were in the hallway to speak. “Hopefully, he won’t go back to thinking I’m a whore. That all went surprisingly well. Now you can tell me how smart I am.”

Aurelius curled his lip. “Perhaps the portrait painter can make one of you with your neck kinked and your head falling over because it’s gotten too big for you to hold up.”

“He can paint you with a giant post up your ass like a third leg.”

Chapter Six

Aurelius said they’d go see the man on their own. Jari thought the task was a bit petty for someone like him, but it was best to do some things themselves.

“How are you supposed to follow Eurig?” Jari asked as they rode toward Morning Glory. “I didn’t really think that bit through.”

“You’ll follow him.”

“Me?”

“I think it’s easier that way.”

Jari leaned over to grab Galahad’s reins. “Stop.”

“Let go!”

“Listen to me for a second.” The horses snorted as they stopped on the dirt road and tossed their heads. “Just because I'm here doesn't mean I've forgotten everything from before. Are you going to use me as a scapegoat in case someone gets suspicious and starts looking at you? I don’t think he’s insane enough to drop dead. If something happens-”

“I already said I wasn’t.”

“You did lie and withhold things from me before,” said Jari. “Just because I came back doesn’t mean I trust you entirely. I think you can understand that I’d be at least a little suspicious.”

Aurelius’s jaw tensed. “I’ve been honest so far-”

“But you weren’t before, and this is a big thing. If you tacked the blame on me, I’d hang from a noose while you likely go entirely free.”

“I’m not going to tack it on you. Also, you’re my guard, and what reason would you possibly have for poisoning or harming the King in any shape or form unlessIordered it? You’d be working for me. I’ll do my best to ensure we both get out ofthis alive, and I’m not going to point the finger at you to escape blame.”

“Clasp my arm and vow.”

“You didn’t clasp mine.”

“I was too fucked up to get my arm up when you pried that vow from me. You didn’t ask. Do it.”

Aurelius held up his pinky instead.

“Are we five?” demanded Jari. “Are you going to promise not to steal my toys?”

“You know I don’t like being touched.”

Jari frowned and hooked his pinky around Aurelius’s.

“I vow that I didn’t bring you here to be my scapegoat, and I’ll protect you the best I can too.” Aurelius pulled away his pinky. “You do realize that things could go wrong, correct? I can’t account for every single thing in life despite my position.”

“Yes. My vow still stands. I just don’t want to be used as a convenient person to blame.”

“I’m not my brothers.”

Aurelius wasn’t exactly a good man since he’d lied and used Jari before, but he had a point. His brothers were far worse. He was the best option for the Kingdom, and he'd proved that in some way too when he outlawed slavery. Unfortunately, that hadn't lasted since Eurig had brought it back and thought criminals should serve a purpose.

They’d caught the oldest Prince in the hall that morning before heading downstairs to the office. Zylem had been standing in his doorway and demanding to know why servants were cleaning the wall. Like he didn’t know.

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