Page 33 of The Night Prince

“That’s Declan in a nutshell.”She smiled wanly.

“Yeah, well, he is… who he is.”

She nodded. “Will you talk to him about it?For me?”

She knew that he wouldn’t budge on this silence without Declan’s consent.He let out another sigh.

“I’ll see, Gemma.”

“Don’tsee,do,” she said with a winning smile.

“It just might not do any good.And I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

“All you can do is ask.Not asking means nothing possibly changing so… please ask for me?” She brought her hands together in front of her in pleading.

“Y-yeah, okay, I’ll ask.Just remember what you said here.”

“I will.”Her gaze swung back to the Glass Scholar.“And speaking about asking… You need to talk to Neldor.”

“I really do thinktomorrowwill be time enough–AH!What are you doing?”Finley cried.

But he knew what she was doing.She was flying him like a kite all the way over to the Glass Scholar’s desk.At his squawk of surprise, Neldor lifted his head.His keen blue eyes focused on the two of them as Gemma pulled him right in front of the Sun Elf.

“Hello, Glass Scholar Loravye,” Gemma said brightly as the ability to speak had seemingly left Finley.“How are you doing on this bright, sunny day?”

“Hello,” Neldor said smoothly as he set down a quill and regarded both of them with equanimity.“I am quite well.And you?”

Finley opened his mouth.Nothing came out.Gemma elbowed him.Still nothing.

“Wonderfully!My name is Gemma Baston and my very quiet friend here is Finley West,” Gemma began sweetly.

Neldor’s blue eyes flicked to him.Finley froze.Would he remember who Finley was?Would that sad little smile appear on his face?No, there appeared to be no recognition there at all.It was as if Neldor had never seen Finley in his life.Finley had thought that the worst thing would be for Neldor topityhim, but to not remember him at all?To not make the least bit of an impression was worse.So much worse.

“I see.And what can I do for the two of you?”Neldor asked, his eyes dropping down to his book.He clearly wanted to return to his reading.

“Well, we would like to look at some books!”Gemma said stoutly.

Fine lines creased Neldor’s forehead.“I’m not sure you would find any you couldreadin the Athenaeum.Thehumanlibrary is just down the block.”

“No,” Gemma said tightly, “we need books that can only be foundhere.”

Her dark eyes were flashing with the beginnings of indignation, but she had plastered a smile on her face.Finley found his heart thumping heavily in his chest.Neldor didn’t even think they couldreadthe books here.He didn’t even consider that humans could learn Katyr.He should have waited until Neldor was gone or…

“We do not have picture books here, child,” Neldor answered firmly.“These are great masterworks of Aravae history, which would not interest the likes ofyou.”

Gemma’s lips parted in anger and hurt.It was seeing that look on her face–emotions that he was feeling, too–that had his voice returning to him.

“Are you working on the second book in yourBlacksmiths and Godsseries, Glass Scholar?”Finley asked.

Neldor’s eyes shot to him.“What?”

“I see that you’re reading the works of Grell Ironhammer.He was the historian for the Draesiwen King Hein Greatfall.”

Neldor blinked at him.“I… yes.Fancyyouknowing that.Howdoyou know that?”

“I’ve read the first book in your series,” Finley told him, which had Neldor blinking even more.“While I admire your attention to Draesiwen dwarf culture, I don’t think you’re correct in your belief that Kindreth Blood Weapons were first forged by the dwarves and then adapted and refined by the Night Elves.”

Neldor’s eyes widened, but then narrowed.“I… what makes you say that?”

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