Page 30 of The Night Prince 2

Aquilan laughed, delighted at their private joke. It only made Vesslan’s discomfort grow, which was a bonus, too.

“I am at that!” Aquilan tilted his head to the side as he studied Declan. “And a question as your private Mender, are you certain you are well enough to be out?”

“I am,” Declan answered simply.

“So…” And here an almost impish smile crossed Aquilan’s face, “so you would be up for a palace tour?”

Declan blinked. “I–”

“Brother! The tour is for you! Not–not a public tour! We are going to be visiting your private quarters and–”

“I told you that Declan is my friend. He’s not the public.” Aquilan’s expression grew sharp for a moment. So he was not unaware of his brother’s snobbery. Nor was he fond of it seemingly.

Vesslan blinked rapidly and opened his mouth to object again, “But it is not completely finished and–”

“All the more reason for Declan to come. He might have some ideas about how we should complete it.” Aquilan’s head swung towards him. “I’m hopeless when it comes to design, Declan. I just know what I like when I see it.”

Declan should have begged off, claiming he had somewhere to go. But he had already said he was just walking around, not true, but there it was. And the truth was…

You wish to go. Why don’t you take what you want? Just this one time… The voice wheedled.

“I do not know if I will have much to offer, but I would gladly go with you if you wish it,” Declan said.

A vein in Vesslan’s right temple started pulsing, but Aquilan was only looking at him. And in Declan’s estimation, it appeared that he had offered the Sun King a special treat. As ridiculous as it might sound that his company was worth any such thing to such an important person.

“I do wish it. Very much. And you and my brother can point out some of the highlights of the city to me as we walk there,” Aquilan practically clapped his hands as he said it. “Brother, we will have to make sure that Erendriel and Silveril are taken to the palace stables.”

“I… yes, of course. I did have a carriage for you just around the corner,” Vesslan began.

“Oh, but I want to walk! I want to see this city that you’ve built for the people, Vesslan. Don’t you want to show it off to me?” Aquilan asked, putting a gentle hand on his brother’s shoulder.

Vesslan relaxed and his expression softened. “Yes, yes, of course, I do. I’ve taken quite a bit of care in the city planning, Aquilan. I want you to see–”

“That you’ve taken care of everything. And I am so grateful.” Aquilan squeezed his brother’s shoulder.

Vesslan’s chest puffed up. “I’m glad you recognize my efforts. Not that any thanks are needed.”

But they clearly were. Declan kept that to himself.

“Now, begin the tour!” Aquilan laughed.

The three of them began to stroll down the avenue together. At first, Declan attempted to keep two steps behind the Aravae, but while Vesslan seemed to like that, Aquilan was having none of it. When the Sun King noticed it the first time, Aquilan asked if they were walking too fast and did Declan need to rest? That had Declan walking beside Aquilan, but a few feet away, but Aquilan noticed this as well and he stepped nearer, which meant that Vesslan had to veer over, too. Declan was glad that his eyes were covered with sunglasses. He wasn’t sure what they would have revealed about what he felt about the Sun King’s closeness.

He seeks you out as if you are the Moon and he is a moth. A very pretty moth. The prettiest of moths, the voice chuckled.

He’s just being kind and considerate! That’s who he is, Declan argued weakly.

Deny it all you want, but he is drawn to you. What will you do about that?

Declan felt a wave of heat followed by cold go through him. He had no idea what to do about that. He’d never felt this way about anyone. And Aquilan wasn’t just anyone either.

I’m a bartender. He’s the king. Nothing can come of it. And that’s before we add in my “difference”.

Stop throwing up barriers. Live in this moment. And then consider what you would do to keep it. Nothing is impossible if you want it enough. Take it from me, the voice said, sounding nothing at all like his own any longer, if it ever really had.

“... and as you can see, I had the streets engineered so that they followed the natural contours of the earth just here and…” Vesslan droned on.

Declan could see by the Sun King’s mild expression that he was bored to tears with what his elder brother was saying, but was too polite to interrupt. Aquilan merely nodded and murmured his agreement. Vesslan was so oblivious to what his younger brother enjoyed that Declan was certain he would drain the city of any vitality for the Sun King. But Declan wanted him to love it here.

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