Page 47 of The Night Prince

Except Aquilan alreadymustknow.He’d found Declan like a fish out of water in the Sun, gasping and unable to even crawl to the thin shadows the trees cast. He’d told Finley that the Sun Elves would naturally distrust anyone or anything that was affected adversely by sunlight.After all, weren’t the Leviathan blown apart by light?And most of the beings that had come from the Under Dark–monsters and the morally suspect–were also harmed by the Sun.So ifhewas harmed by the Sun, too, then…

But he was human.

Humans were not impacted adversely by sunlight.They needed it.He could almost hear Finley lecturing him about the benefits of Vitamin D.But the very thought ofevergoing into daylight again had him shuddering. If Aquilan hadn’t come when he had, what would have happened to him? He should be grateful to this elf.Again.Aquilan had saved him for asecondtime.

But what must he think of me?

“While I am not a Mender,” Aquilan was saying, “I am quite good at healing.”

There was a slight bashful smile as he added that last bit.

“You’re the most powerful magic wielder of all the Aravae,” Declan croaked out.

That had Aquilan reaching for a cup of water on the nightstand beside the bed.He helped Declan sit up and placed the cup to his lips.Declan took a drink of water and then he was taking the cup from Aquilan’s hands and downing it.Water sloshed over his chin and soaked the front of his shirt.He thrust it out towards the king without thinking.

“More?”Aquilan asked.

He nodded then flushed.He’d just asked–no, demanded wordlessly–that the king get him a cup of water.But Aquilan didn’t seem to mind playing nursemaid to him.Indeed, Aquilan merely poured another cup for him from the pitcher on the nightstand.

Declan wanted to do it himself, but his hands were shaking and he feared he would simply drop the earthenware pitcher on the ground where it would shatter.Aquilan gave him the full cup.He drank this one more slowly and carefully, only letting a dribble of water escape and run down his chin.He wiped his mouth with the back of his right hand and stared at the king.

Is this real?Is he actually here?I’ve been thinking about him for so long… This feels like another dream. Or another nightmare.Not sure which.

“Why are you here?”Declan asked, then quickly amended, “With me?”

Aquilan moved his long hair back from his shoulders.It looked soft and even in the low light of the fire, he could see different colors of gold, bronze and platinum in the strands. The firelight shimmered in it.He wondered what it would be like to draw his fingers through it.Would it be as silky as it appeared?Would it smell of roses? He dragged his eyes away.The king’s hair should not be so fascinating.

“We were coming to the Dawn when we found you outside. My skills at healing exceed even Rhalyf’s so… but if you were to prefer a Mender, we could send for one,” Aquilan offered, but there was the faintest hesitation before he said that as if he didn’t want Declan to desire another healer.

“I don’t need a Mender,” Declan stated flatly.

His adopted parents’ caution for him to be examined by doctors of any sort reared up inside of him.Magical doctors would be even worse.But wouldn’t having thekinglook at him being the absolute last thing he should want?Well, the king had already examined him.So there was nothing to be done about that.He could–andwould–keep anyone else from being involved.

“Are you certain you just don’t want… me?”Aquilan gave an uncertain smile.“When you realized it was I who found you outside, you said… Well, it doesn’t matter.Just know that if wish for another to assist you I will not be offended–”

“No.”

Aquilan blinked.“No, as to me helping you or–”

“I don’t want anyone else,” Declan answered, cradling the cup to his chest.“I don’t need… What did I say to you when you found me?”

“You indicated that you were upset it was me who found you like that,” Aquilan said.

“Why would I say that?”Declan asked, though he already knew.

His adopted mother had always said to him, “The problem about secrets is that the harder we try to keep them hidden, the more fate seems to want them revealed.”

Hadn’t she said that when his high school had been asking for more medical clearances?Yes, she’d been staring at her laptop at the required lists of forms she had to fill out for him to attend school.She’d given a helpless little laugh and covered her mouth as if to stop more from escaping.When he’d asked her what was wrong, she’d said that to him.About secrets being revealed.And wasn’t that happening here?At least in part?His Sun sensitivity was dangerous for any normal Sun Elf to know about, but theking?For god’s sake, he could not have planned this worse if he had tried!

“I do not know why you said that, but I would hear whatever reason you have,” Aquilan said with a faint smile.

Declan turtled forward, realizing he was being foolish.Again.Finley was the one that was good with words.He just needed to be quiet or he’d get himself into more trouble.

“Of course, you don’t know.I… That was stupid.Everything I’ve said to you is stupid and not worth repeating or thinking about,” Declan mumbled.“I was ill.”

Aquilan studied him carefully.“I do not believe that you ever say anything stupid or not worth thinking about.”

Declan’s eyes shifted to Aquilan, but then quickly away.He kept his mouth firmly shut.

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