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Jari still wasn’t going to give up hope that easily. He took a corner of his drying sheet that he cut off with his dagger and wrapped the limp bundle in it for extra coverage. A Wockston had given them each a pack from one of the supply wagons with some basics. “I’m keeping the rose from now on.”
Aurelius looked away and shrugged. “Very well.”
Jari wasn’t sure if that attitude would change once he got out. Jari tucked the bundle in his pocket even though it seemed beyond dangerous, like slipping a lit candle in there. He reminded himself it was fine since he wasn’t touching the item itself and grabbed a drying sheet. Aurelius stood and reached for it.
“Thanks.”
“Give me your locket first before you step out.”
“Why?”
“I want to put more salt in it.”
Aurelius’s eye widened before he fumbled to dry it and his hands. “Shit. I didn’t think if it was waterproof or not.” When he opened it, coarse grains of salt lay in it, and the lock of hair was dry. “Thank Elira. I don’t want it ruined.”
“That means the salt will always stay too. Let me add more in.”
Aurelius held it open so Jari could sprinkle more in to fill it, not that there was much room left. The tiny extra probably wouldn’t do much. Aurelius closed it and let it fall against his chest. He hesitated before stepping out, and his expression darkened as he rubbed himself down. “I’m still not going to gild you.”
“I figured.”
Aurelius was silent until they were in their tent. Someone had left water, a pot of fruit preserves, a loaf of bread, and a small bottle of wine. Jari did the ties on the tent flap before he tucked the rose in his pack. Aurelius combed his hair before he started fiddling with the ties Jari had done.
“What are you doing?” asked Jari.
“We need sleep, and I’m still sane enough to remember knots. Anyone could cut their way in, but why make it easy?”
“Do you want me to slice you some bread?”
“I’m not hungry.”
Jari took off his shirt and sat on his bedroll. Aurelius’s was next to his. He thought about having some bread, but he was also too tired to give a fuck about food by that point. Aurelius turned out the lantern once he’d finished.
“I’m moving my bedroll,” he stated.
“Er, okay.”
He must have wanted to be farther away. Jari guessed that outside of a saltwater bath, there wasn’t going to be much affection or touch.
Rustles came from the other bedroll as it was shifted, and he realized Aurelius had moved it right next to his. Once he got comfortable, his hand found Jari’s in the dark like he needed a lifeline to clutch onto.
Jari held it even as the Prince’s breathing evened out with sleep.
Getting to the ocean seemed like such a long trip.
Chapter Nine
Aurelius woke up with his heart racing to find himself in the dark with the urge to gild, hug Jari, get out, run…
The lantern had been left on low, and he remembered the walls of the small tent they’d gone to sleep in. His hand was cold, and the bedroll next to him was empty.
He sat up and sucked in a breath. Whatever he’d dreamed of, he couldn’t properly remember it now. Something about a dark space that he’d been trapped in with something coming. He was positive that it had been entirely him, and not Mammon. It wouldn’t be the first bad dream he’d had over the years. Jari must have turned the lantern on before he left, and the light didn’t soothe him because Jari was fucking gone. Maybe he wasn’t coming back, and he’d waited until he knew Aurelius was asleep.
He’d said he’d stay.
Aurelius wasn’t worth it. He knew it. He could hear various low voices to one side and other sounds from the camp. Soldiers. He’d gild this whole fucking place before anyone else ever touched him again. He could do it now, and the salt in his locket wouldn’t stop him. He’d be safe then-
The flap moved, and he jumped. Jari entered and paused. “Er, what’s wrong?”
