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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

M elora was surprised at how much fun she’d had painting and teasing Aurelius. She’d originally thought he was too self-absorbed, but seeing his humility about his amazing talent, she knew she’d gotten it wrong. She was shocked to realize that he genuinely didn’t see the value of his art. She couldn’t explain it, but his paintings moved her more than any of the others he’d shown her. Perhaps his seemingly pompous attitude was covering something else.

She looked out her window at the golden foliage and the very mountains they had painted, wondering what had happened to make him so afraid to share his gifts with the world. Had someone belittled him just as her father had done to her? Perhaps they were more alike than she’d originally thought.

She smiled as she remembered their time together that afternoon. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d had so much fun. A sigh puffed out her lips. She was quite shocked at how well her own painting had turned out. He was a good teacher. She’d never had time for such things before, and certainly never considered herself artistic, but Aurelius insisted she was a natural. Recalling his words sent a little thrill through her once more.

Perhaps her time here wouldn’t be as bad as she’d thought.

Except… there was the matter of his curse. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. His touch was deadly? She couldn’t quite believe it. What kind of curse made someone’s touch deadly? The only thing she could think was that his touch was somehow poisonous. As far as she could tell, he seemed able to touch regular objects—his paintbrush, the utensils, the entire manor… Unfortunately, if what he said was true, he was unable to receive any physical touch. How long had he been cursed like this? She couldn’t imagine going for a long period of time without human contact. Her heart ached for him.

She awoke the next morning to sunlight dancing around her, feeling far more content and relaxed than she ever remembered feeling. This bed was more comfortable than any she’d ever owned. She was usually tense and on edge, waiting for Papa to explode, anxious to keep herself and her sister safe. But here, she had nothing to fear. Even Dragon had turned out to be a big sweetie under that terrifying exterior.

As she stretched and extracted herself from her warm bed, she noticed a vase of flowers twinkling upon the small end table. She moved toward them and touched the golden roses gently, a small smile pulling at her lips. They had to be from Aurelius. No one had ever given her anything so exquisite before—there was the golden jerkin Aurelius had given her, but that was more to protect her modesty than because he’d wanted to give her something nice. A glint upon the table drew her attention to a note written on golden paper. She chuckled and picked it up—why was everything about him always gold?

I quite enjoyed our time together yesterday. Nothing would be more delightful than to spend more time with you. If you are amenable, I would love to properly show you my mother’s rose garden. I’ll be waiting for your response when you wake.

Yours, Aurelius

P.S. I promise I won’t steal anything.

Something fluttered inside her, warming her down to her toes as she chuckled softly over his subtle reference to when they had met in the garden. Unfortunately for him, that meeting had been nearly as awkward as their first—yet here she was, longing to see him again more than she’d ever longed to do anything before.

She pressed the letter against her heart, and leaned over tosmell the roses, heady with her feelings and not really thinking—golden roses would certainly smell like metal. She was pleasantly surprised when the most exquisite, sweet floral smell filled her senses. She blinked and smelled them again, just to be certain. The fact that the golden roses seemed to be living only made her smile harder. She rubbed a hand over her face in an attempt to fight these rising feelings. She couldn’t forget the curse he had mentioned the day before.

She reread the letter, this time noticing its last line. He was waiting for a response. Perhaps she should tell him in person. Was he even now waiting at the bottom of the stairs? Rushing over to the wardrobe, she pulled out her only dress, wishing she’d brought something else to wear, perhaps something as lovely as the dancing dress Lyra had yearned for.

She shook her head and pulled on her muslin underdress, followed by her blue overdress, tying it in front. It was worn and faded with time. Reality couldn’t be wished away. She would just have to make the best of her situation, as she always did. It wasn’t as if he’d ever commented upon her simple attire.

Once she was dressed, the long golden jerkin seemed to wink at her from the wardrobe. She ran a hand down the golden fabric and gave into the impulse to put it on once again. Ever since receiving the garment, she couldn’t help but want to wear it every chance she got, even though it surely made her own dress look cheap in comparison.

A urelius was waiting for her at the base of the stairs—all in gold as usual: a golden short-sleeved tunic with another long sleeveless jerkin flowing over it, decorated with intricate golden embroidery. His trousers somehow gleamed a darker gold.

Though she had initially been annoyed with the constant flaunting of his wealth, she was beginning to see the man beneath the golden facade.

A sigh puffed out her lips at the sight of him, and her stomach twisted. He was far too handsome for his own good. She couldn’t deny how the color complimented his skin. She also couldn’t hide her smile as she descended the stairs, eager to spend more time with him. She hoped this outing would be an extension of the day before. It’d been a long time since she’d had so much fun. She yearned to reach out and take his hand…but a sudden pain twisted her gut—he could not touch her.

What must it be like to never again touch another person? However did he manage if he couldn’t even take her hand… she suddenly froze on the second-to-last step as she began to piece together his actions during their first meeting.

“Your handkerchief! It was the curse!” He hadn’t meant to offend her at all. He’d merely been trying to come up with a solution to escorting her without touching her. She bit her lip and clutched the buttery fabric of the golden jerkin he’d given her, as everything she thought she knew about this man began shifting.

He tilted his head and gave her a funny look. “My handkerchief?” Confusing her meaning, he pulled out another golden handkerchief, bowed, and held it out to her. “As requested, my lady.”

Her stomach danced as she chuckled and grasped it in her hand. He didn’t let go.

“Thank you.” Why did her voice sound breathless? She never sounded breathless!

“Would you like me to escort you? I cannot do it properly, but if you are amenable, we can use this fine fabric.”

She pressed her lips together and glanced away from his intense gaze. “I’d like that.”

He gestured with his free hand and led her outside, holding the door open like a true gentleman.

Her fingers kept hold of the golden fabric as they walked down the mosaic-tiled pathway. She longed to actually hold his hand but now understood why she couldn’t. Not that someone like her would ever end up with someone like him. She was fooling herself if she thought that anything real could come from this… whatever this was. But it was nice imagining for a moment that they could be something more.

He led her under an archway with roses climbing up its sides, entering a courtyard of sorts with a fountain in the center. Golden roses were everywhere. Across from where they stood, there was a trellis covered in roses with golden benches on either side. She gasped in delight. “This is where we met—for the second time.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I fear I made rather a muddle of things. Both times. I was quite distracted by your beauty.”

She looked away from his intense gaze, letting the handkerchief slip from her fingers as she wandered through the captivating garden. His words meant little—many men admired her beauty, but few truly saw her. Pausing, she traced the delicate golden petal of a large rose.

Why had he brought her here? Was he trying to teach her something? “Is this where my father stole a rose?” she asked.

The atmosphere suddenly felt cold and uncomfortable. “Yes.”

She glanced at Aurelius. His arms were folded across his broad chest, his expression intense. “But that’s not why I brought you here.”

She swallowed, her throat feeling dry, “It’s not?” Where did that high breathy voice come from? She cleared her throat.

“No. I apologize. I hadn’t considered that bringing you here might bring up painful memories. I thought to take you to a place as lovely as yourself, not that anything can compare, but…”

She sighed and turned back toward the roses. She had hoped he was different but he was just like the other men she’d known—so blinded by her beauty that he could see nothing else.

He let out a low groan, drawing her attention back toward him. “Have I inserted my foot in my mouth again? I always seem to do so in your presence. Do you not like compliments? I could shower you with gifts instead… judging by your past circumstances, I doubt you’ve had many of those before.”

Her breath hitched. “How would you know anything about my circumstances?”

He gave her a sidelong look. “I escorted you home after that incident with your horrible fiancée.” He stepped toward her, making her heart practically leap out of her chest. “Don’t tell me you forgot. I did rescue you.”

She sputtered a laugh. “Rescue me? I thought you ungentlemanly, refusing to help me gather or carry my things and not even deigning to touch…” Her voice trailed off and he raised his eyebrows, making her want to give him a good shove, but she refrained.

“I wish I could have helped you with your things, and I’d never wished to allow someone the simple gesture of holding my arm as much as I wished you could. But as I told you yesterday, I’m afraid that my touch has been rendered deadly.”

She clutched her fingers together to keep from doing anything stupid as her heart took a wild, galloping journey. He was just a flirt, she reminded herself. She refused to get her hopes up only to get hurt—as she had been in the past. She couldn’t believe anything he… How did she even know there was a curse?

He leaned down to pick the golden rose she had been inspecting—it broke from its stem with a brittle snap before he offered it to her. “Roses were always my mother’s favorite, and after I saw your expression when you first entered this garden, I knew that I needed to give you another rose. As many as you desire. I’m afraid that I scared you away the first time. I don’t wish to do so again.”

Her heart became melty all over again. What was he doing to her? “Perhaps roses are becoming my favorite too, especially golden ones.” She couldn’t stop her lips from turning up in a grin as she took the rose from him, careful not to touch his fingers. “Tell me about your mother. Does she live close?”

His expression fell, and he looked suddenly uncomfortable. He turned away and was silent for several long moments. “This manor was her inheritance. She gave it to me.” He reached out and brushed his fingers against a golden tree.

Melora held her breath as she waited for him to say more. He tapped his fist against the tree, then looked back toward her, his eyes full of sorrow. “She never liked the gold. Said the flowers had become tainted.”

She blinked and looked at the golden foliage all around them. Gold? Tainted? She shook her head. “How? I don’t understand. I’ve never seen such gold before. It’s like the garden is still living. The roses smell more lovely than any roses I’ve ever smelled before.”

He nodded. “You are correct. It is living metal. There aren’t many other gardens with it. There is the fabled Forest of Abundance. It is said that the trees there are made of silver and gold with diamond flowers that bloom in the spring. Then of course, there are the golden apples of youth—though only the fruit of the tree is said to be golden. My garden is the only one made entirely of gold.”

“Well, not entirely. I’ve seen some normal plants here and there, especially further out.”

“True.”

“I never really considered the fables to be real.” She took in the garden around her with new eyes. Golden roses cascaded everywhere, even the fountain in the middle was made entirely of the precious metal. “It really is quite stunning and unique.”

“Unfortunately, my mother didn’t see it that way.”

Melora stilled.

“I hoped it would make her happy, but I was wrong. She said she would rather have her son.”

His words only expanded the puzzle that was Aurelius. “Were you an only child?”

“Yes. She and I were pretty close at one time.”

She looked at the gleaming garden again, furrowing her brow. “So, was this garden created after you moved here? Did it take something away from you? Are you some kind of mage?”

Her mind began reeling with all the things he had told her.

“The curse! Did this garden give you the dangerous curse?” Was the garden even safe? Was it tainted in a more literal sense? She drew her arms around herself but didn’t want to let go of the rose he’d given her. Surely, he wouldn’t bring her here if it was dangerous.

“In a way. I guess you could say that this garden is part of the curse.”

Part of the curse? “How can that be? A beautiful golden garden hardly seems to be a curse. It’s not dangerous is it?”

“No, it’s quite safe, but I’m afraid that my mother would have disagreed. It created the greed that led her to… her circumstances.” He shook his head as if shaking off unwanted memories. “Never mind all of that. Let’s speak of happier things. I hate to be the cause of the sparkle dimming from your eyes.”

He leaned toward her and carefully plucked a petal from the rose she was still holding, making her breath catch with his nearness. She held perfectly still. He pulled back and rubbed his thumb over the smooth gold. Why did the action make her heart race?

“Besides, I have a reputation to uphold. It would be a tragedy if you started associating me with dreary things instead of the impossibly charming man who bestows you with treasures.” He winked, then held up the petal. It glinted in the sunlight. “This garden may be exquisitely beautiful and unique, but I’m afraid it pales in comparison to you.”

She couldn’t stop the blush from staining her cheeks even as she choked back a laugh. “You are being ridiculous. My dress is old and worn, and besides… physical beauty fades.”

“Not yours. See, your beauty is more than skin deep. It comes from the person you are on the inside.”

Her lips parted, and her heart soared at his words.

“I mean, yes—” he continued, “you could wear a potato sack and still be the most exquisitely beautiful creature I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter, but it’s your inner beauty that enchants me. It shines through your eyes. I want to know everything about you.”

“Aurelius—” she started, then floundered. It wasn’t often that she didn’t know what to say. Many people had told her she was beautiful before. However, no one had ever complimented her in such a way, acknowledging that she was more than her outward appearance.

“Please,” he said, “call me Aurie.”

“Aurie,” she echoed the name. It suited him… she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Her unruly brain seemed unable to form a decent response.

His eyes flicked toward her lips, and the air between them seemed heavy, sparking with invisible electricity. Was he going to kiss her? He was so close that she could feel the spice of his breath gently brushing against her face. They seemed to be drawing closer together.

Abruptly, he pressed his lips together and stepped back several paces, breathing heavily. “Forgive me. I’m afraid that you turn my head into mush. I nearly forgot myself.”

Melora caught her breath. She had forgotten herself, too! If his curse truly would kill her…!? At least someone had been thinking!

He turned away and headed down a pathway away from the rose garden. “Come, I have something to show you.” He looked over his shoulder. “I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

* * *

A urie couldn’t believe he had almost kissed her! What was he thinking?! His stomach clenched. He could not be so careless, especially not with sweet, trusting Melora who had unknowingly placed her life in his hands. Then, to make matters worse, he had brought up his mother. He silently berated himself for his mounting mistakes as he led Melora toward a carriage he’d had Galen, his loyal steward, pull up.

He’d come so close to revealing the extent of his curse. Under no circumstances could she discover what he had unintentionally done to his mother. She would be terrified of him and hate him for sure… and rightfully so. He was a bit terrified of his powers himself. She was just so blasted easy to talk to—it was easy to forget himself.

If only he hadn’t asked for this cursed gift in the first place! He ran a hand across the back of his head. Gold was beginning to lose its shine. Perhaps it was just as tainted as his mother had said. But how to get rid of it? Surely, she was worth divesting himself of the golden touch.

He watched her twist the golden rose between her fingers as they walked, her expression contented. She’d probably never owned something so exquisite before, and now she had several. Would he lose his value to her if all the gold was stripped away? He could barely convince her of his worth now. Perhaps seeing his land would help her to understand all he had to offer her. While he may not have much without his gold, he was beginning to be grateful for the home and land his mother had given him. And with Melora around, Everrose was actually beginning to feel like a home.

She slowed as they neared the carriage and turned toward him. “Is that carriage for us?”

He grinned and nodded, happy to be the cause of the surprised delight shining through her expression. “My lady, your carriage awaits.” He struck an exaggerated bow, flicked out his ever-present jerkin in a mock courtly gesture, and waved toward the fancy carriage.

She giggled and curtsied before turning back toward their opulent ride. He watched her take in the intricate bars of gold swirling in a whimsical pattern around gilded seats. She bit her lip and looked at him as if seeking permission once more. Galen stepped down from the driver’s seat to help her in, taking her delicate hand in his. Aurie’s gut twisted as jealousy rose up. He longed to feel those slender fingers against his own.

He tucked his hands behind his back to keep from reaching out, and waited until everyone was safely out of his way before joining her in the carriage. “Do you like it?” he asked.

“Like it? Aurie, this is like a dream. I’ve never ridden in something so fancy. The design itself is gorgeous—and to have it made entirely of gold.” She shook her head in awe. “I feel like a princess in someone else’s fairytale.”

“Good. You deserve to be treated like a princess. However, I’m afraid I must inform you that this might be your very own fairytale.” He nodded for Galen to begin driving the carriage around the boundaries of his property.

She laughed, the sound warming him from the inside out. Such pleasure could feed his soul for years.

The carriage glided along the pathway through the sparkling golden trees and foliage, looking ethereal in their frozen beauty. Words passed between them with a rhythm that felt both new and familiar, shifting from playful banter to quiet revelations and stories.

As usual, Melora was easy to talk to, and Aurie found himself telling her of his childhood and how he ran through these very woods. Before long, he was even confiding about how he had always longed to make his father proud yet never seemed to succeed. Had he really told her all about his father? He was rarely this vulnerable. Normally he’d be terrified of rejection, but in her eyes there was nothing but acceptance.

She shared her own childhood adventures, many of which had been spent with her sister. As she recounted making a game of housekeeping and cooking the food before her papa came home, he was struck with how similar yet vastly different their childhoods were. It seemed that both of them had fathers who were impossible to please, yet he was grateful he’d never had to fear the wrath of his father the same way she had. He wished he could go back and protect little Melora from the man. He loved how she had been determined to find joy and happiness despite her difficult circumstances.

The more they spoke, the more fascinated he became with her, and the rest of the world around them seemed to fade away. He found himself memorizing the way her eyes shone when she was excited, and how her hands seemed to dance as she spoke.

As they were circling the boundary of his land, he heard a grunt, followed by a loud metallic clank. “What’s that?”

Styx! The wolves had distracted him before he could finish fortifying the magical boundary. How could he have been so careless?

“Galen, stop the carriage!”

They’d traveled far from the gleaming heart of Everrose where he had transformed most of the forest into shimmering gold. This distant part of the forest remained largely untouched by his gift—or curse—since he rarely ventured so far from home. Except to visit the sanctuary he was taking her to now. This place he knew intimately; a secluded spot near the fence line that offered a serene view, with a bench where he would often retreat to gather his thoughts. It had become something of a haven since the gold touch changed his life. Though no one else knew of its existence, anyone who stumbled upon it would be drawn to the scattered golden treasures he had absentmindedly created during his contemplative visits.

He left the carriage, heedless of Melora, and hurried to the place that had become an oasis to him. Someone was stealing from him again! He cursed himself as he calculated the last time he’d strengthened the boundary. It had been far too long. He couldn’t allow greed to sweep through the village once more.

After he’d given gold items to those in need, rumors had abounded. A few men had banded together and set out to find the man with the gold, hoping to pilfer more. When his gilded manor was discovered, they’d determined to steal it at any cost. Aurie had been forced to defend his home, and the attack had nearly killed him. Thankfully, his dragon form had saved him. The magical boundary he’d placed afterward, along with new rumors of a dangerous dragon, had protected him ever since.

He longed to be a dragon right now to intimidate the thief and to use his magic to strengthen the boundary. He was determined to protect Melora at all costs. As he neared the golden oasis, he heard the scamper of feet and the heavy breathing of the intruder.

“What are you doing on my land, stealing my gold?!” he demanded in the most aggressive voice he could muster—which wasn’t nearly as intimidating as when he was a dragon.

He clenched his hands together to ensure that his anger didn’t get the best of him. Even a thief didn’t deserve to be turned into solid gold. He spied a pair of shoes behind some golden shrubs. “Come out and face me like a man!”

Except it wasn’t a man. The figure who emerged from the bushes trembling with fear was a boy.