Page 73 of Gilded Crown

Jari had never left the other person hanging before. If Aurelius had different wants or expectations, Jari would have to get used to it.

“You need to come out unscathed tomorrow so I can do this again.” Aurelius cupped his face and gave him a look like he wanted to eat Jari and swallow him whole. “I’d love to feel you lose it again under my hands.”

It was so unbalanced in Jari’s mind, but he wanted it too. He’d been allowed through the gate, and while he couldn’t stay, he wanted to return and see that burning lust.

The kiss he planted on Jari’s cheek was quick but enough. “You should probably fix your clothes before we go back.”

Chapter Sixteen

Aurelius quickly fell asleep in their tent as if he’d cum too and didn’t have a care in the world. Jari was still half-stunned at what they’d done. The only thing that would have made it better was if he could hold the Prince and listen to his breathing while he slept.

The mood of the camp was different the next morning with less joking among the soldiers. If Aurelius thought of last night, he didn’t show it, and Jari couldn’t spare much thought for it either since they had one focus at the moment.

Once the camp was mostly ready, Jari checked with a couple of lords that certain groups were already together. They could remain loose, but they didn’t want to spend a bunch of time moving squads around later. The carts and wagons would follow for one hour before being left behind.

A scout would hang near the back of the main army, watch, and if everything appeared truly lost, he’d run and tell the others to get moving. If the opposition had any damn decency, they wouldn’t chase after and slaughter those in charge of driving the supplies. Some of them weren’t even soldiers, and they’d come along for a wage.

Jari had seen the Prince in his armor when he tried it on, but he still couldn’t help but look a little too long when he saw Aurelius on Galahad. His etched, silver armor had been trimmed in red, and the Nova crest had been stamped on the front and painted in red like what little showed of his padded jacket. It matched his shield. Jari had never seen him with his hair braided either, and he’d tucked most of it into his red padded jacket so nobody could grab it.

Este’s silver armor had been tinted blue and edged in gold for Wockston’s colors. Jari’s was a bit plainer, but he wasn’t royalty. He had the same red crest as Aurelius, and they rode together at the front of the group with the Duchess. The mountains and cliffs loomed ahead, and the Palace, barely visible, looked like a toy.

Tiny figures moved on the edge of the cliff around the pass, and Jari knew the watch towers around the inside edge that way would be manned. They’d watch for fliers and try to stick them full of arrows and magic. Those on the edge would attack the soldiers below as Wockston went through the pass.

A faint pop sounded across the distance, and red and gold smoke exploded to life in the sky. More were set off in the city. Everyone would see that and know what was about to happen.

Someone in the back of the army let off a white plume as planned, and Jari watched it rise. White smoke from Morning Glory was returned after a few minutes.

Jari shifted on Mercury who tossed his head like he couldn’t wait to charge into battle and find someone to kick in the skull. “That little bitch might not come out to parley.”

“I know, but it’s worth a try, and I should speak to my brother face-to-face before I attempt to kill him.”

“He won’t stay afterward,” said Jari. “If they’re losing, he’ll have a flier carry him off before we have full control of the city. Scratch that, he’ll probably haul ass if we get one soldier over the wall.”

“If he leaves, that’ll be the end of his power, and he’ll have to run far to keep his life. Gullveig won’t stick around either.”

It still pissed off Jari, and they’d barely started yet. That little shit definitely wouldn’t even fight.

“Remember, if we lose, and I die, and you can escape, go back to that spot,” Aurelius murmured to him.

“I know.”

“Live your life once they’re gone.”

It better not come to that or Aurelius returning himself to get the items to defeat Nova. Using them against so many would certainly drive Aurelius farther down Eurig’s path.

Jari set his jaw and waited. Finally, a rider with a white flag came from the city and guided his horse down the rocky path. It had been clearer before, so they must have dumped stones. Magic, swords, and arrows can kill, but an easy weapon is to trip horses in a narrow area.

Archers were also already lining the dangerous edges of the pass. If Wockston fliers couldn’t take them out, plenty of soldiers would be turned into pin cushions. Jari couldn’t make out any pots or buckets, but he knew they were there. Hot water and oil was such a human trick, but it could do a lot of damage.

The rider made it through without issue and cantered along the flatter, safer ground toward the army. Once he was close enough, a few soldiers went forward to check him out, and the horse shied from the nearest one.

“I don’t have any weapons!” said the rider.

“Keep your hands where we can see them!”

The rider drew closer with his flag lowered. “Prince Aurelius, the King has agreed to come out and speak to you. No weapons may be used, and he’d prefer you wear a lirek collar so you don’t attack him with your lightning.”

Aurelius snorted. “Tell my dear brother that he can shove that last bit right up his ass. Is he going to wear one?”

---