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Jari would destroy what was left. He would because he was a good man who kept his word. He couldn’t do the impossible, but he’d at least do that, and he’d live. One day, he’d do what Aurelius couldn’t, and that was get married and have a life with someone.
Aurelius hoped that Jari would at least remember him in the future. That was the best he’d get now.
“Corvo also sends his regards,” said David. Aurelius’s cheesecake threatened to make a reappearance. “I’m sure he’s not interested in you now that you’re not a young teenage boy anymore. He’s tried so hard to get in my bed too even though I’m older. Being the King can make people ‘forget’ your age, and he thinks we have something special. He likes being close to someone powerful. Other than that, he’d prefer to play with those who can’t even consent yet.”
“And you let that sack of shit run around? Especially when you had a son once?”
“He behaves to keep his position and stay out of a noose. His loyalty for freedom and life.”
“How you lie to yourself. Those kinds grow good at pretending.” Considering that David knew what he liked, Corvo must have abused at least one other long before Aurelius.
“He wanted you to make him things too, but I won’t be bringing him around you. He already failed once, and I let him keep his position. He’s not getting gold from you as well.”
Normally, Aurelius didn’t like being drunk, but he was tempted to start drinking from the pitcher.
“We should go now. If you agree to follow, keep your distance, and behave, you can walk on your own.” David removed a little key from his pocket and tossed it over. “Unlock your chain and keep the lock. Set the key down afterward.”
“Are you afraid I’ll gild you and turn you into a statue for the front hall?”
“If you did, you’d never leave this place alive.”
“I think we both know I’m not either way,” said Aurelius. “How would you feel if someone had taken your son and done such things to him for silly revenge?”
David leaned forward. “It’s not silly to me. Must I weep like a woman and break down to show what I felt? Eurig picked something over me and ended up with things that money can’t buy. Four sons, none dead, and a wife for years. More wealth and a pile of broken promises thrown back at me. He didn’t deserve you. I wish we’d married and gotten a consort. Maybe you’d be my son.”
“I’d rather eat my liver than to be your son.”
“Things would have been different.” David stood. “Come along.”
Aurelius reached for the water glass and chugged the contents. Nice time was nearing its end. He unlocked the chain, kept the lock, and tossed the key back to David. When he stood, the wine made him a little woozy, but he set his jaw.
The six men followed them through the halls and down several flights of stairs. Aurelius kept his eye on the King’s back as they went. As he figured, they went outside and through the garden. The grounds seemed empty, and the walls weren’t manned. Toward the back wall, an iron-bound door led out to a walled path that went uphill.
He hadn’t cared that David was one of the fairies who could help plants grow and thicken to an extent. That power didn’t work for typical food crops. Years ago, he’d heard that David hada special, private garden that he did all by himself, but he hadn’t thought much about it.
Gardening wasn’t interesting to Aurelius, and using an ability to help grow flowers was kind of like cheating. It wasn't like those who did it all by hand and watched their work flourish over weeks or months.
Another door blocked their way. David unlocked it and told the men to wait outside.
“But Your Majesty-”
“I said to wait. You'll only come if I call you.”
Aurelius followed him into the private garden. Thick beds of flowers dotted the area, and raised beds edged with stones or bricks held more plants. The wall surrounding the garden was quite tall, and a few sturdy trees loomed. A wall surrounded the entire, rectangular space that was smaller than a typical Hall.
In the center stood a statue of a young boy with his hand out.
“Lock your chain to that one.” David remained out of Aurelius’s reach and pointed at a chain that lay in the grass. It went over a stout branch and must have been secured on the other side of the trunk where Aurelius couldn’t see.
“Why?”
“Because I said so. You’ve got thirty seconds.” Fire sparked to life around David’s hand.
If Aurelius tried to cross the eight or so feet between them to gild him, he’d take fire straight to the face. If David yelled, the other men would come in, and with their magic, Aurelius would be a sitting duck even if he managed to gild the King. This wasn’t the time to try anything drastic. He snatched the end of the chain in the grass and did as he was told. He had quite a lot of slack, so he’d be able to walk around a bit, although he wouldn't be able to reach the statue.
“My son,” said David. “I come out here and talk to him a lot.”
The mason had been skilled. Benjamin’s clothes and hair were simple, but the wrinkles and strands were quite lifelike. His face bore a small but gentle smile as he stared with blank eyes at the tree ahead. Or maybe what he held. It was hard to tell.
