Midas Series by Julie Mannino

“Yes, I did help you even though you ignored my request when I was in far greater need.” A muscle twitched in Aurelius’s cheek, and he slowly turned his head to watch Jari as he passed. “You did nothing and acted as if I hadn't spoken. Did you think I’d forgotten your face in the past six years?”Jari would prefer to leave certain things in the past even though they haunt him in the present... more“Yes, I did help you even though you ignored my request when I was in far greater need.” A muscle twitched in Aurelius’s cheek, and he slowly turned his head to watch Jari as he passed. “You did nothing and acted as if I hadn't spoken. Did you think I’d forgotten your face in the past six years?”Jari would prefer to leave certain things in the past even though they haunt him in the present. It wasn’t his fault, and he hadn’t been given a choice, but Aurelius Midas, the Crown Prince of Nova, still holds a grudge six years later.With no other choice, Jari vows to stay and guard the Crown Prince. Someone has infiltrated the court, killed two people, and poisoned a third. The mad King Eurig does nothing about it, and with another Kingdom threatening them, things grow more dire.Jari’s not like his Father, and he’ll keep his word. Aurelius is cruel, vicious, and as cold as the dagger that took his eye after birth, but he’s alone in a den full of snakes and cursed by events that happened long before his birth.Aurelius is also the biggest serpent of them all. As the lies grow deeper, and he reveals his ability, Jari’s choices are whittled down.Stay and bear his neck to the fangs, or break his word, and save himself. less

“I’m asking you once again. Help me. Don’t ignore me like the last time when I desperately needed it, and you were the only person I could turn to.”Jari should have known the snake would slither back and coil around him. Guilted by Aurelius and breaking his word, he returns to the Palace to find things are much worse than he thought.The fourth item is still a mystery, King Eurig has hidden the crown, and Aurelius’s remaining brothers have grown bolder in their plots against him... more“I’m asking you once again. Help me. Don’t ignore me like the last time when I desperately needed it, and you were the only person I could turn to.”Jari should have known the snake would slither back and coil around him. Guilted by Aurelius and breaking his word, he returns to the Palace to find things are much worse than he thought.The fourth item is still a mystery, King Eurig has hidden the crown, and Aurelius’s remaining brothers have grown bolder in their plots against him. Forced to flee with a trail of blood left behind them, their only option left is to beg Wockston for aid.As the two grow closer despite their differences and past events, certain things could be too hard to bridge. Aurelius’s shadowy past and the weight of Mammon is heavy on him, and while Jari intends to keep his word, saving the Prince from himself might be far harder.Even if he can, brothers, Kings, and a Duchess will gladly use the Prince with the Golden Touch and tear apart the Kingdom of Nova. less

The sky and the bright branches above flashed as Aurelius crumpled to the grass that rapidly turned gold beneath him.“Help me,” he managed to whisper before the weight in his mind prepared to crush him.Jari wasn’t there.AureliusAurelius’s options have dwindled in the face of his enemies. The living can be fought, and the other has too tight of a grip. Thanks to the fourth item, the insanity rapidly takes hold. If he can last long enough to get to Ash Island, he’ll be able to end it permanently... moreThe sky and the bright branches above flashed as Aurelius crumpled to the grass that rapidly turned gold beneath him.“Help me,” he managed to whisper before the weight in his mind prepared to crush him.Jari wasn’t there.AureliusAurelius’s options have dwindled in the face of his enemies. The living can be fought, and the other has too tight of a grip. Thanks to the fourth item, the insanity rapidly takes hold. If he can last long enough to get to Ash Island, he’ll be able to end it permanently.But first, everyone who’s harmed or abandoned him will pay for their greed. What better way than to turn them into what they desire most? Jari’s love surely isn’t enough to save him anyway.All that glitters is gold, greed, and fire.JariAurelius’s mind is so twisted by the fourth item that even being near him becomes risky. He can’t go on much longer when the voice tells him to gild everything, including his beloved guard. Jari will still go to the ends of the realm if needed to save the Prince from their enemies, physical or not.If Este can go against her Father’s commands and help, Jari will need her power and influence. There’s one last place with an abundant substance that can quiet the voice in Aurelius’s mind, keep him safe, and more importantly, keep the realm safe from the Prince.Jari will do anything, but can he slay a dragon to save the man he loves? less