Page 56 of The Night Prince

“Oh, I’m sure that he’s ingratiated himself with everyone!He’s just that sort.”Finley was scowling again. “All style and no substance!”

“I’m surprised you don’t like him, Finley,” Michael said as he sopped up some juice with a thick hunk of fresh, crusty bread.

The inn was serving roast chicken and roast beef for the mains that night.Michael had ordered the rare, tender beef while Snaglak was cleaning the bones of a whole chicken. He’d hoovered all the meat–even the suggestion of meat–off the bones.And Finley was pretty sure he’d heard bonescrunchingfrom Snaglak every once in a while as the orc decided not to waste an ounce of the bird.

“Like him?Why would I like him?He clearly thinks the world of himself.Using magic like–like breathing and stealing people’s private journals and–”

“Other than Aquilan, I’ve heard he’s the most accomplished Mage out there,” Michael said.

“Yes, well, people likely only think that because he’s flashy about his gifts,” Finley harrumphed.“I’ve seen no master works written by him so he doesn’t share what he knows with the wider magical world.”

“Maybe he’s not terribly scholarly, but his magic has saved many lives,” Michael responded gently.

Finley pressed his lips together then sighed.“Yes, yes, you’re right, of course.It’s just I’m a little tired of those who have magic and won’t share it.”

“Not everyone can be a teacher, Finley,” Michael pointed out.

“And not everyone is as good a student as you either,” Declan added.“I couldn’t sit still for even a 40-minute class while you can read for eight hours straight without moving!”

“I just get so absorbed in the words.I see them as a movie in my head,” Finley confessed.“Especially with the histories.”

Declan opened his mouth as if to ask him something, but then closed it.Finley wondered what he had decidednotto ask.Maybe he’d inquired later when Michael wasn’t there.Finley was intrigued about what had happened with Aquilan upstairs, too.Had he and Declan talked?The Sun King had looked at his best friend… Well, like alotof people did before Declan gave them a death glare of his own.But Declan hadn’t acted that way with Aquilan.In fact, Finley caught his best friend’s surreptitious glances over at the Sun King’s table even now.

“He seemed to know a lot about your pet subject: the Kindreth,” Michael pointed out.“He might not have written what he knows down, but maybe you can simply ask him about them.”

Finley was about to say something about how he couldn’t trust Rhalyf as areliablesource of true information on the Kindreth when he realized that Declan had frozen at Michael’s mention of them.There was a troubled look in his best friend’s green eyes.Finley opened his mouth to ask why, but Declan gave a faint shake of his head.He didn’t want Finley to ask him right now.

Another mystery?Or related to what he was going to ask me earlier?But what could he want to discuss about the Kindreth?

With a pleased sigh after buttering his bread and dipping it into the rich gravy, Michael said, “You have to remind me to bring home a to-go bag for Shonda, Declan.She’d never forgive me for having Helgrom’s roast beef without her.”

“You should send Rain or Snow to the house and get her to come over here now,” Finley suggested.The two fairies were stuck in the back washing dishes.Helgrom had been none too pleased about the honey ale and their little duel.Basically, they were to do whatever was asked of them without argument or the Dawn would be barred to them forever. “I’m sure she’d like to speak to the king with you.”

“Oh, I’m certain she’d like to speak to the king with orwithoutme, but she’s actually at the Eyras Palace with the Council tonight,” Michael said as he speared one of the honeyed carrots and chewed it with delight.“She won’t be home until very late.”

“I’ll have something made up for her, Michael,” Declan said.His eyes flickered to the king and his party and then away again.“You should be eating with them.I brought more than enough food to the table.”

The table where the king sat with that blasted Rhalyf and Helgrom was groaning with food.There were baskets of crusty bread, slabs of roast beef, several golden chickens, piles of crispy potatoes, sauteed brussel sprouts with maple-glazed bacon, honeyed carrots, light green asparagus with a lemony sauce, an au gratin of cauliflower oozing with cheese and cream and so much more.The kitchen was working overtime to make sure that the Sun King was given only the best and the Dawn was already known for its everyday food. There were also plenty of decanters of red and white wine, sparkling and still.The table looked ready to collapse or be an Instagram photo if that had still been a thing. Elves would have been natural influencers after all.

Aquilan’s laughter filled the room and the constant buzz and hum of the crowd softened as everyone took it in.Finley had thought he’d gotten innured to the beauty and grace of the Aravae, but Aquilan… Well, he was something altogether more.He shone with an inner golden light.His eyes danced with laughter and mirth.His voice was enchanting.The way the light caught in his long, blond hair was a symphony of color.Not to mention he was perfectly proportioned.He was a cut above everyone else in looks.But, more importantly, he seemed incredibly kind, brave and intelligent.

Finley couldn’t help but love him a little just because he’d been so tender and concerned about Declan.Having him in this room seemed to just bring the world that much more to life.Everyone felt it clearly.They were all surreptitiously gazing over at him, but not gossiping.Quiet smiles were on most faces.Thiswas their king.Herewas their good king. Aquilan was both elevated and elevating.

For example, Helgrom, stroking his thick, long beard, and smiling magnanimously at Aquilan, looked to be a king in his own right.He actually was a king.Just without a kingdom.But Finley could see him as Aquilan’s equal in that moment, seated on a throne of stone with magma waterfalls on either side of him.In his dark leather clothes and with his flashing amber eyes, he seemed a wise, ancient Draesiwen who provided counsel and friendship in equal measure.

And then there was Rhalyf…

His laughter could be heard over the crowd, too.He was not nearly as charming as he thought he was.One glance over showed Rhalyf teasing Aquilan, which had the Sun King smiling ever brighter.Helgrom was guffawing, too, at whatever adroit little comments he was making.It was clear that Rhalyf prided himself on amusing people just so they’d talk about howbrillianthis mind was.Not to mention how beautiful he looked.

Really, why does he even bother with clothes?Finley wondered.They’re practically falling off of him.We all see your muscled chest, Rhalyf!And your dark hair curls just so with those bronze highlights!And the gray eyes that… oh, shit!

Finley quickly turned away and stared at the onyx bar.Rhalyf had caught him looking over.But it was just a glance!And it was not really at Rhalyf at all! He’d been just looking over at the Sun King and Helgrom and Rhalyf happened to be there…

“Don’t you worry, Declan, I will join that happy trio in a few moments.But I wanted to make sure thatyouare all right first.”Michael stared meaningfully at Declan and Finley’s embarrassment at being caught looking at Rhalyf disappeared.

His best friend’s green eyes dropped and he muttered.“I’m fine.Really.I’m good.”

“You didn’t look good, Declan.Your condition scared me to death.And I am not easily frightened,” Michael said kindly, but with firmness.He would not be put off like the others had been.Maybe even how Finley had been.Even how the Sun King had been.

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