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“I don’t care what you have to fucking say.”
Aurelius grabbed Jari’s arm. “Get up here.”
“Run-”
“I’m not leaving without you.” Aurelius sounded so much like his typical, haughty self that the words tore at Jari’s chest.
The men drew closer, although they were leery of Jari’s lit fist. A few tapped lanterns on their saddles for light.
“She’s not going to kill you, and if you run in either way, you’ll hit more scouts,” said one of the men. “Do you think she didn’t send out dozens to scan the area once we got over the border?”
They’d been fucked as soon as they left Zenith. Jari should have found a way south. Other places had oceans, like West Bay. The main army was close enough for arrows, and they still didn’t stop. If he sent Aurelius off, and other scouts found him, he’d likely gild them out of fear and with no one to tell him no.
He might even rip off the locket and let himself be lost entirely.
Aurelius’s warm hand was tight on his wrist as he whispered. “I’ll do it to save you.”
“No-”
“Let her talk to you,” said the man. “Put your damn fist out. Is that how you speak to someone with a white flag?”
“She’ll kill us-”
“No, she won’t.” The man was older, and his nice armor said he was probably important. Jari couldn’t remember all of the faces in the Wockston army, but this one might know a few things. “Aurelius, your cousin Tomson will be watching over Morning Glory until you get back.”
Aurelius kept his head ducked. “I don’t want to go back.”
The man let the flag droop. “Okay. Erm, you can discuss that with Este.”
Shouts came from the main army as they slowed, and some shifted their positions. Jari pulled Aurelius closer.
“If they attack, run with Mercury, and don’t stop. Don’t let them catch you.”
“No-”
“You will,” hissed Jari.
A familiar voice shouted. Jari forced himself to leave Aurelius on the horse and walk toward the single rider coming closer. Este hadn’t bothered with armor, and her sword wasn’t drawn. Every inch of space that disappeared between her and Aurelius was too much as her horse trotted over.
“Jari.”
“Snake.”
She turned a horse a bit and narrowed her eyes as she peered at him in the light of the crystal lantern hanging from her saddle. In the beginning, Aurelius had often tried making him feel like a peasant, which was a way to cope. Standing in front of Este, he felt like one because she had a slew of soldiers who’d obey whatever she said, and if she gave the order, he’d be powerless.
He’d still fight to his last breath to defend Aurelius.
“Darlim and David were on this together.” Este glanced over her shoulder at the others who stayed back and lowered her voice. “I know what Aurelius is, and what he can do. Darlim said so.”
“Whatever he said is a fucking-”
“Father isn’t one to believe in wild tales,” said Este. “Darlim didn’t believe David’s letters at first, and when he was invited to see proof, he almost didn’t go. When he did, Darlim had…something, and he showed what he could do with it. He said Aurelius had the power too. He called it the Golden Touch.”
Jari’s stomach clenched. The more people knew the truth, the worse it grew. How could Aurelius escape accusations? Peoplewould think his power was dangerous, and they wouldn’t be wrong.
“When Aurelius came to my Father with his request, it was the perfect opportunity to get him and Nova at the same time. He acted, wrote to Darlim, and selected some men. I was going to have them do the cart trick at night, but you finally left Aurelius’s side, and it was a good time.”
Jari clenched his fist at his side. “I already figured you were no better than them. You see him as a tool.”
