Page 29 of The Night Prince 2

This person was another Aravae with slightly darker coloring. Instead of golden hair, his was a darker blond, bordering almost on copper. He was slightly taller than Aquilan with a leaner, less muscled figure. He walked with his hands tightly linked together behind his lower back. He wore a set of light green robes with a golden belt. Though all Aravae were well-dressed there was something about his clothes that screamed an extra amount of elegance and wealth. But that wealth or status didn’t seem to please him much. For while Aquilan’s expression was bright and sunny, this Aravae’s was almost pinched, though a smile did flit across his somber face when Aquilan’s laughter rang out suddenly.

Declan was so charmed by Aquilan that he didn’t consider hiding from the Sun King. And it was as if Aquilan had “Declan Radar” for his gaze immediately swung around towards the young man even though Declan was in the opposite direction the two Aravae were seemingly headed. Declan froze.

But then Aquilan smiled.

And it was a smile just for him.

It was different from the Sun King’s other smiles. And he had quite a few of them! But this one… was special.

If he’s “yours” shouldn’t you want him to see you? The voice was back, but this time it seemed far more separate from his own thoughts than before.

If he sees me, he’ll figure out that I’m different. Eventually, Declan pushed back.

And that would be a bad thing?

It always has been in the past. Even Vulre thought that something was “off” about me and he was… Declan stopped this internal dialogue for Aquilan was calling his name.

“Declan!” Aquilan waved a hand and started walking towards him even as the other Aravae stubbornly tried to continue on to wherever they had been planning to go. He looked after the Sun King with almost comical dismay.

It was at the calling of his name that Declan unfroze and started forward once more.

“King Aquilan.” His voice was more muted than the bright, loud tones of the Sun King, but he hoped that Aquilan knew that didn’t mean he wasn’t pleased to see him.

He was.

Far too pleased.

His heart beat faster. His blood fizzed in his veins like champagne the nearer Aquilan came to him. He found himself leaning towards the Sun King as if he was a magnet and Aquilan were the finest of metals. The Sun King stopped just a foot from him. Those sapphire blue eyes studied his face. He reached out and his hands hovered over Declan’s shoulders as if he feared touching Declan or thought that such a touch would be unwelcome. It took all of Declan’s self restraint not to lift up into those hands.

Tsk, if he is “yours” you need to show him, the voice teased.

We’re not even supposed to be friendly with him let alone–alone–THAT!

What is “that”? Do you even know? The voice asked.

But, thankfully, he didn’t have to answer as Aquilan was speaking again and when the Sun King spoke, there was simply nothing else that Declan was interested in.

“You’re outside in the Sun,” Aquilan murmured. His blue eyes narrowed a little. “I see you have a hood and sunglasses on, but… do you really think this is wise? We don’t know what caused your collapse yesterday. You should be resting.”

Declan didn’t know what had caused it either. Not exactly. But the Adiva was like a hunk of ice against his chest so he knew he was in no danger.

“You’re not coming to work, are you? Helgrom gave you the day off. Did he not?” Aquilan fussed.

“No, I was…” looking for Rhalyf. But he knew that would not be wise to say. The Aravae lord had risked himself by coming to help Declan. He would not betray him. “... walking around. Restless.”

At that moment, Aquilan’s companion arrived at the Sun King’s side. “Brother, who is this person?”

Declan’s eyes flickered to the well dressed–or perhaps, he should have said over dressed–elf by Aquilan’s side. He’d called Aquilan “brother”. So that must mean he was Emissary Vesslan Fairlynn. Neither Shonda nor Michael had much good to say about him. While there were certain similarities in looks between the two of them, Vesslan was more hawkish in appearance and distrustful.

“Vesslan, this is Declan Wilde. He’s one of the survivors of the battle here,” Aquilan introduced them. “Declan, this is my elder brother, Vesslan.”

“Emissary Vesslan,” Vesslan amended.

“Brother!” Aquilan laughed. “You need not be so formal. Declan is my friend.”

A wash of warmth went through Declan. Even the Adiva seemed to warm though the protection it gave did not falter. That warm feeling actually increased when a flicker of alarm went through Vesslan’s face at Aquilan’s description of their relationship.

“I believe you are also my Mender,” Declan said, pleased for once that the clever words did not escape him.

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