Page 79 of Gilded Crown

The tables were set with clean cloths and floral centerpieces like before. Each table also held a crystal salt cellar. As always, the lion bore its key up on the tapestry, silently speaking of thefirst King and his greed. The Hall looked as if courtiers were about to come in at any second to take their usual places and eat.

On the gold floor, Aurelius looked out of his place with his bloodied armor and his braided hair tucked away.

“It looks like everyone is still here, and we’ll have a meal like always in a bit,” said Aurelius.

“I thought the same. Where are the servants?”

“I’m sure they hid in the city somewhere. Or maybe they’re in the guardhouse so they could wait things out. They know I wouldn’t harm the help, but it’s safer.” Aurelius pulled his braid out to hang free.

“Nothing’s going to be the same now.” Jari came to stand next to him. “Dead or not, Gullveig can’t do shit to you. You’re the only one left and far better, so the Novans will follow. It’s all yours now.”

Aurelius looked up at the High Table and the chair that would be his. “So it is.”

They were one step closer to the time when Jari wouldn’t be needed. The items would be dealt with, and while Aurelius’s curse might not be broken, he had time. One day, he’d settle into his role as King, a role he’d fit so perfectly.

Jari didn’t fit into that kind of life. At the same time, they’d gotten this far, and he didn’t want to go. He almost wanted to ask him if he could stay, and perhaps they could work it out with Jari living in the city or…he wasn’t sure.

He’d probably fuck it up like an oaf.

Potentially leaving made his chest ache, and he didn’t dare look at Aurelius for too long who was still gazing at the tapestry. If Jari did, he might grab that beautiful gold braid, wrap it around his fist, and kiss him, heedless of the blood and sweat from battle.

Fuck it. He’d take the risk and ask tonight once things were sorted and they had a moment to breathe.

“Nobody ever talks about how empty winning can feel,” said Aurelius.

“It can cost a lot to keep yourself and others alive.”

Aurelius sighed. “I need to check the office.”

“For what?”

Aurelius turned to the doors. “For the seal.”

They split up, and Jari ran all of the way upstairs to check the bedrooms since the soldiers were going up a floor at a time, and they hadn’t gotten that far with so many rooms to check.

Gullveig’s rooms were abandoned along with Blake and Zylem’s. In Zylem’s sitting room, the table in front of his couch was at an odd angle, and a glass had tipped over and cracked on the floor. Had Gullveig gilded his brother right here?

What did the men who’d hauled Zylem’s body out think of that? Jari supposed it was possible to melt gold, coat a body with precision, and smooth it all out, but it’d be incredibly difficult to make it so perfect. Jari had never worked for a goldsmith, but he imagined such a task would take ages.

Gullveig would have terrified his people if he’d revealed his ability as he’d planned. Whatever happened, they needed to make sure no rumors about odd abilities started to swirl. It was amazing they’d gotten this far without the secrets being spilled.

So far, Este didn’t seem suspicious of anything too unnatural, but if anyone got an inkling, Aurelius would be feared by many. Others with greed in their hearts would see him as a potential source of limitless wealth. Or nearly limitless.

For the moment, Aurelius was safe. They’d both made it. He reminded himself of that as he peeked into Aurelius’s room. Gullveig wasn’t hiding behind the door. Jari headed for the bedroom door after tapping a lantern for light. He’d been sweating under his armor, and a few splashes of cool water on his face from the tub pipe would be a treat. With his helmet tucked under his arm, he opened the door.

A dark shape on the bed let out a growl before it jumped off. Jari’s first thought was that a wild dog had somehow gotten in.

Until a naked man lunged for him.

Jari swung his helmet without thinking. Despite having metal slammed into his face, the man didn’t stop as he lashed out and tried to claw at Jari’s face. He growled again as his wild, gold eyes darted around, and drool hung from his mouth.

Jari kicked him in the gut to drive him back and unhooked his sword from his belt. The man didn’t hesitate to come forward again, and he didn’t stop even when the sword impaled his stomach. He ground his teeth and wildly swung his fists.

The bastard’s wild strength didn’t falter until the blade stopped at the hilt. Blood spattered the floor, and Jari turned his head to avoid the man’s swiping hands while twisting the blade.

The man finally paused as blood poured from his gut, and he looked down as if he’d just realized something was sticking out of him. Jari kicked him again to dislodge and withdraw his weapon. The man’s fists flopped as he wheezed, and Jari struck him where the neck and shoulder met. He collapsed, and Jari thrust his sword into his throat to make sure he was dead.

That ended it.

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