Jasper made good on his promise. The soldiers didn't blink an eye when Chrys and Jaden passed through the servants' entrance. Following Jasper's directions, they lost themselves in the throng of busy staff. Once inside, it got even easier. The belligerent, uptight soldiers no longer watched them, so Chrys could relax a bit and simply remember.
He'd lived here once. He'd swum through the corridors and played with Jaden out in the corals. Even with all the hatred looming over them, they'd had some good years. Back then, it had been his home. It couldn't have changed that much.
As they advanced through the palace, more and more memories assaulted Chrys, some useful, others just happy or sad. He found he had no difficulty in finding the right way, or in dodging the guards. Some things couldn't be forgotten, and Chrys had learned his lessons well.
At first, Jasper and Dialy stayed with them, asking questions about where the coats and treasures might be. Chrys felt relieved when they finally left. He didn't want to see them ever again.
In the end, the weeks they'd spent stealing turned out to be quite helpful. Even with all the soldiers, they managed to sneak into the party hall unseen. Once inside, they became just two more guests, young men browsing for people to take their virginity. They'd have to pretend they were younger, but Chrys thought they could pull it off. After all, who would even imagine the cursed sons of Lord Malach would dare to come to this party?
Still, as they mingled with the crowd, he couldn't avoid feeling nervous. He scrambled for a neutral topic of conversation, something to take his mind off his fears.
"What do you think we should do after the party?" he finally asked Jaden. Having fucked up once, with his crazy plan of coming close to the citadel, he needed some sort of idea as to where to go next.
Ignoring the question, Jaden smiled at him. "Come on. I'm sure we'll find someone around here that can give us a hand."
Chrys's anxiety turned even more acute. His foolhardy plan could go wrong in so many different ways. Why had he ever thought it would be a good idea? "Do you think so?" he asked his brother. "I'm starting to doubt it, myself."
Jaden shrugged. "There's no reason why we should doubt ourselves now. We're here. Let's have fun and find our tutors. With luck, we won't ever see you-know-who again."
Chrys sighed. He understood what his twin meant. Chrys didn't hate the thief leader, but the mere memory of Jasper's touch made his skin crawl. He didn't doubt Jaden felt the same about the bandit lieutenant.
Before Chrys could say anything else, Jaden nudged him with his hip. "Look," Jaden said. "There."
Chrys followed his twin's gaze and his breath caught at the sight that met his eyes. Aurus wore a beautiful black and gold vest adorned with threads of priceless gems. A warrior's belt encircled his waist, covering the upper end of his tail. Aurus's golden scales shone in the light of the chandelier, drawing all gazes. He looked amazing.
Aurus's mother, Queen Agate, presented someone to him, a pretty mermaid with a pinkish tail. A handsome, red-tailed mer joined her, openly flirting with Aurus. Chrys felt humbled and disillusioned. He didn't have a chance.
It might be better this way. Chrys didn't want to believe it, but all the other mer could be right about him and Jaden being cursed. The last thing he wanted would be to accidentally draw his misfortune onto Aurus.
Besides, as a crown prince, Aurus would be expected to sire heirs. Technically speaking, male mer could also bear children, but Chrys wouldn't be seen as a very appropriate parent for a future king or queen. This was hopeless.
Fate seemed to enjoy playing with Chrys. For a brief moment, Aurus turned toward him and their eyes met. Chrys stared into those familiar golden eyes, entranced. His heart pounded and he went back to when he'd been a young boy, in love with the unattainable prince.
Queen Agate drew Aurus's attention to the mermaid and the moment broke. Aurus looked away from Chrys, and just like that, Chrys made his decision. He had to leave, before he did anything stupid—well, more stupid.
"We should go," he told Jaden. "There's nothing for us here."
"Go?" Jaden repeated. "But Chrys…"
Chrys gave his twin a pleading look. He really didn't want to get into a debate now. He knew it would mess things up. Nothing he'd done or decided made any sense. At least, he'd gotten to see Aurus. Chrys had a feeling it would be the last time that would happen.
"All right," Jaden murmured. "We'll leave, if that's what you want."
"It is."
They turned and headed back the way they'd come. His heart heavy with loss, Chrys forced himself to act normal and continue on his way. He wouldn't look behind. He'd lost Aurus all those years ago. Then again, maybe he'd never had him in the first place.
A heavy hand landed on Chrys's shoulder, freezing him in his tracks. "Hold it right there. Where do you think you're going?"
* * * *
Aurus couldn
'
t believe his eyes. After all this time, he stood in front of his lost love, Chrys. Of course,
in front
was rather incorrectly putting it. He faced
Chrys
'
s
back, with Chrys trying to get away. Chrys turned toward him, and Aurus almost recoiled as he met his love
'
s eyes once more. There was fear, disquiet
,
and despair in those blue orbs, an array of emotions that struck Aurus hard.
By Chrys's side, Jaden looked just as frightened. Aurus knew he needed to get both twins away from the ball. It was only a matter of time until someone discovered them. What had Chrys been thinking?
"Come," he said brusquely. "This way."
He pulled Chrys along through the crowd, knowing Jaden would follow. They reached the large arched doors that led into the gardens. People spilled over the balcony and into the corals, but Aurus knew he could find private areas among the less frequented spots. He led Chrys and Jaden away from the palace, carefully avoiding anyone who would try to engage him in conversation.
They lost themselves in the maze of corals and escaped the hustle and bustle of the party. Aurus stopped his rushed race and turned toward Chrys. In one swift motion, he snatched Chrys's mask away. "What do you think you're doing? Do you have any idea how many people are out there, looking for you?"
Chrys bit his lip in a gesture so painfully familiar it hurt Aurus deep inside. "I just… I wanted to see you." He shook his head and looked away. "No, that's not true. I wanted you to teach me, to help me…"
An unwilling pang of arousal shot through Aurus, but he ruthlessly squashed it. "Why were you leaving then?"
"It's wrong," Chrys cried. "It's unfair of me to risk your life, your powers like this."
Jaden let out a choked sound of disbelief, making his twin turn toward him. "I'm sorry, Jaden. I know we always said we'd never give up, that we'd find a way. But not even Jasper would touch me. Perhaps they've all been correct."
After a few long seconds, Jaden sighed. "We should leave. There's no point in taking useless chances."
"Wait, back up," Aurus replied. "You're not going anywhere. And who's Jasper?"
Chrys shrugged. "Just this guy who helped us sneak into the palace. Aurus… you're a prince. I'm a pariah, an outlaw now, too. It was a dream, nothing more."
Chrys's low, resigned answer did nothing to cool Aurus's temper. "I won't accept that," Aurus growled. "I refuse."
Chrys broke away from him and swam to Jaden's side. "Please, Aurus. Let me go. You deserve better than a life haunted by someone like me. I consider myself lucky. We've had some happy moments and I will always remember them." Aurus shook his head and opened his mouth to speak but Chrys didn't give him the chance. "I came here tonight hoping to seduce you, to make you mine. I realize now how selfish, how stupid it was of me. I'm so sorry, Aurus."
"You do realize that nothing you say will convince me to let you go, right?" Aurus replied.
Chrys's eyes went wide. "Aurus…"
"No. No more words. I've heard enough." He cut the distance between him and Chrys, gripping the younger mer's shoulder as they faced each other. "I've known you were meant for me since before we even came of age. I'm not letting you deny that."
Chrys gaped, as if he wanted to protest. Aurus pressed his mouth to Chrys's in a possessive kiss. Chrys tried to struggle, but Aurus held him trapped, and soon, Chrys melted against him.
When the kiss broke, Aurus felt Jaden's gaze on them. In a weird way, it didn't make him feel uncomfortable. As he looked up, Jaden gave him a cheeky smile. "I'll stand guard."
Something indecipherable swept through Aurus upon meeting Jaden's green eyes. He didn't have time to dwell on it, though. Shaking his head, he said, "Either way, it's not safe to stay here. Anyone could come by and see us."
"But where can we go?" Jaden asked.
"Where have you been hiding all this time? I know you left your father's mansion months ago."
Chrys frowned at Aurus. "We can't go there. It's even less secure than the palace." Aurus didn't like the sound of that, and made a mental note to inquire more into this precarious shelter, and the infamous Jasper.
"Let's take each step one at a time," Jaden suggested. "First, we need to get out safely, and then we can worry about the rest."
Aurus admitted he couldn't see any other solution, either. Usually, he didn't act with such rashness but they didn't have much choice. His father would be coming to look for him any moment now, and him seeing Chrys and Jaden here would be nothing short of disastrous.
Thankfully, Aurus had learned a thing or two while he'd been away at training, including new stealth techniques. In spite of the heavy guard, he managed to lead the two young mer out of the castle and into the streets of Atlantis unseen. He procured cloaks to shield them from onlookers and they left the beautiful homes of the nobles behind.
Out of other options, Aurus decided to choose an inn for their temporary hideout, naturally, in one of the poorer sectors of Atlantis. He knew of one in particular that fit the bill. Once a respectable establishment, the inn in question now catered to a seedy clientele. Occasionally, nobles did show up, when looking for an illicit little romp. For them, the brothel provided specific quarters and services. Aurus himself had gone there when he'd been younger. The best thing about the place had to be the secrecy it provided. Aurus hoped it would help, if only for a few hours until they could come up with a plan.
This time, he had no intention of losing Chrys or Jaden. Both men belonged by his side, even if Chrys would be his lover. He didn't dwell too much on what would happen should Jaden want anything different.
* * * *
Jaden swam closely behind Aurus as they entered a suspicious-looking building. He felt relieved they'd managed to get out of the palace, but this place seemed just as dangerous. He couldn't understand why Aurus shifted into his legged form just as they entered the establishment.
Aurus seemed quite adept in this magic and had no trouble with the spell. One minute he was swimming alongside them, golden tail occasionally touching Chrys's, the next he was walking on two legs, a pair of tight, full-length trousers now complementing the golden vest from the party. Unlike other races, Atlanteans did not wear shoes, but they did share the same propensity for fashion. Aurus's choice of clothing seemed elegant and noble, just like the man himself.
Jaden thanked the Sea Mother for Aurus's foresight in stealing the cloaks from the castle. Otherwise, no one would have mistaken Aurus for any other noble. Even if Aurus didn't flaunt it, everything about him screamed prince. As it were, the coats at least hid his rich garments and the weaponry engraved with the symbol of the royal house.
But Jaden forgot all about that the moment they actually got inside. The atmosphere hit him like a physical blow. An amalgam of mer, both male and female, drank, laughed, and flirted openly, some even bestowing lascivious caresses on others. A portion of those present were in their shifted form, like Aurus, whereas the rest remained in their Atlantean one. Jaden sensed an unspoken code in that distinction and he didn't like it at all. Even the water smelled differently, and it reminded him far too much of the moment he'd almost been raped by Dialy. But they couldn't leave, not if they wanted to stay together.
A pretty mermaid swam toward them, greeting them with a smile. "Welcome. Can I get you anything? A room, perhaps?"
"Yes, thank you," Aurus replied. "A room will do nicely. Make it a suite if you have one available."
A suite? There were suites in this place? Gods, where had Aurus brought them? The answer soon presented itself clearly enough. A brothel.
Jaden fought to keep his anger and—he admitted—apprehension in check. It wouldn't do to look afraid in a place like this. In spite of everything, Jaden suspected everyone came of their own free will, and looking fearful would draw unnecessary attention upon them.
Besides, his duty seemed simple enough. If Jaden guessed right, the segregation inside the brothel held a very simple explanation. The shifted ones were the patrons, while the mer in Atlantean form were service providers. It made sense they wouldn't want to give up the goods without being paid.
He hated even having to face this but, by this point, he'd seen the uglier parts of Atlantis. He'd carefully avoided this sort of place while on his missions to get money for the bandits, but no one could ignore it altogether.
Truth be told, Jaden knew he shouldn't even feel this way. In general, his people were quite open and unashamed about sexuality. However, Jaden and Chrys had yet to experience their first shift, and being in an atmosphere that oozed sensuality made him feel both frustrated and scared.
Other than making a positive comment on "the quality of the gentleman's company", the mermaid didn't pay any attention to Chrys and Jaden. She led them through a winding hallway to a door that lay hidden from the main room. The mermaid opened it and they followed behind her, ascending a peculiarly lavish staircase.