Page 4 of The Night Prince

Finley and Declan had walked to the Dawn together that afternoon.This was a far earlier shift for Declan than normal, but his co-worker, Lily, couldn’t work and Helgrom needed someone to cover for her.Finley had so much preparation to do for the final battle of his game that he’d offered to walk over with Declan and plan at the Dawn instead of their house.

The moment that they had stepped outside their door and the sunlight had hit his best friend for the first time in ages, it had occurred to Finley that he hadn’t seen Declan out in daylight in almost a year.Declan usually worked nights at the Dawn.He usually slept all day, keeping his bedroom shrouded in darkness with blackout shades, until the Sun was well below the horizon.

Even on his days off, he and Declan hung out exclusively at night prowling Lightwell’s beautiful avenues, checking out the construction of the Aryas Palace, or strolling under the moonlight dappled trees of the fairy-filled forests that surrounded the city.

“You know, Declan, this is the first time I’ve seen you in daylight in ages!”Finley had laughed, but then Declan had swayed as if he were going to pass out.Finley had shot out a hand to steady him.“Whoa there!Are you okay?”

“Ah, y-yeah, f-fine,” Declan answered weakly, not sounding okay at all.His best friend frantically tugged the deep hood of his black jacket up to fully cover his head and face before pulling the sleeves of his jacket over his hands.“It’s just really–reallybrightout here.Don’t you think it’sbright?Almostblinding.”

Finley frowned as he cast a glance up at the sky that was scudded with clouds.It had been raining earlier that morning.“It’s actually a little overcast but–”

“It’s sobright,” Declan repeated almost as if the word itself caused him pain.He fumbled with his sunglasses and shoved them on his face.“How can you even see?My eyes are watering.Stinging.God, it’s sobright.”

For a moment, Finley had thought Declan might retreat back into the house.Declan looked over his shoulder at the doorway, once more swaying.But then he fisted his hands and resolutely strode down the front walk as if it were an enemy he had to slay.Finley had to hurry after him to keep up.But Declan’s steps soon slowed until he was practically dragging his feet.His shoulders hunched and he’d begun to shiver as if feverish.

“Declan, seriously, are you okay?”Finley’s voice sounded tight to his own ears as alarm built in him. “What’s wrong?Are you getting sick?Maybe we should go home.I’ll let Helgrom know you’re too ill to work and–”

“No!Helgrom needs me.I–I just need to get inside the Dawn,” Declan gasped.

Declan was rarely sick. In fact, he hadn’t been ill in a decade.But now he looked like he was dying.White-faced.Shaking.Hardly able to walk.Finley’s heart was in his throat.

Few human doctors had survived the war with the Leviathan, but the Sun Elves had Menders whose magic could cure most illnesses, even cancers that had been deadly before.Did Declan need one of those?They’d never required a Mender’s services, but there was one nearby, just two streets over if he recalled correctly.

“Here.Put your arm over my shoulders.We’re almost at the Dawn,” Finley offered. “We’ll get you inside and I’ll find a Mender–”

“No!”Declan’s voice was surprisingly strong and definite.

“What?But, Declan, something is reallywrong–”

“No, just–just get me inside and I’ll be fine!Please, Finley,” the last was the closest to begging that Finley had ever heard Declan do.

“O-okay, but if you don’t get better I’m getting someone.”

“All right.But I will be okay.Just need to get out of this–this accursedlight.”

Finley ended up lifting Declan’s arm over his shoulders and partially carrying his best friend into the Dawn.As soon as the door closed and the Sun’s rays were extinguished, his best friend gave out a sob of relief.

“Help me to–to the chair over–over there.I just need–need to sit,” Declan murmured.

The indicated chair was in the darkest corner of the bar.Declan sank down onto it and sat with his head between his knees.He kept his hood pulled firmly over his head and his sleeves covered his hands.Tremors ran through Declan’s body.Finley crouched down in front of him.His hands gently roved over his best friend’s shoulders as if looking for wounds.But there were none.

“Declan, I really think I should get a Mender–”

“No, Finley,no,” Declan whispered hoarsely.“I’ll be all right.Just give me a minute.”

Was the trembling slowing down?Yes.Declan’s breathing was a little better, too.Finley’s own heart was still racing, but he swallowed down the acrid and bitter taste of fear that had flooded his mouth.Declan would be okay.He would.

You’re not going to lose him.He’s just a little sick. That’s all.You’re panicking because of the war. After all these years, Declan looking the least bit ill sends you into a tizzy, which is ridiculous. He doesn’t need that.He needs you to be calm,Finley scolded himself internally.

“Let me get you some water,” Finley offered, making his voice sound impassive.“Would that help?”

Declan nodded.“Please.”

Finley raced over to the bar and, with shaking hands, he filled a glass with cool water.He brought that over to Declan.His best friend took the glass in both hands, but still slopped some of the liquid over the sides before he was able to drink half of it down in one go.Finley bit his inner cheek, trying to hold his panic back.Things were safer than they’d ever been since the Leviathan invaded, but his emotions were more fragile than he’d thought.

He’ll be fine.He’s always fine.And I can convince him to see a Mender if he isn’t.Nothing is going to happen to Declan.I won’t let it.

“Do you–do you remember that day at the lake?”Declan asked him after finishing the water and refusing Finley’s offer of more.

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