Page 44 of The Night Prince 2

“YAY!” The children erupted into squeals of happiness.

He received countless kisses on the cheeks from the little ones and he found himself hugging and patting them back. The children ran off finally in all directions, leaving just him, Finley and Gemma in the makeshift park. Gemma was actually tearing up.

“You were wonderful!” Gemma sobbed and hugged and kissed him herself.

Finley did not hug or kiss him, but regarded him with a small smile on his lips. He wondered what it would be like to receive such a kiss.

“We should get the things you need, Finley. Time is wasting! Must be ready for your big game tonight,” Rhalyf said.

The three of them started forging their way back to the merchants’ row. Gemma surged ahead of them, leaving him and Finley almost alone again.

“You will want to come to the game tonight,” Finley said softly.

“Oh? Why is that?” he asked.

The young man bit his inner cheek, but then said, “Because I’m having it at the exact location of where I saw that rift to Illithor. I’ll point it out to you.”

Then Finley was calling after Gemma and outstriding him. Rhalyf blinked. His heart was beating faster. He felt his skin tingle.

Illithor. Illithor! But also, he kept thinking, Finley shared a secret with me. How rare is that!

The Morning Sun

The doors to the Eryas Palace swung open and Declan quickly turned from Aquilan and straightened. There was no evidence–outwardly, at least–that he had touched the Sun King. But internally? His fingers tingled. He could still feel the warmth of the Sun King’s skin through his clothes as if Aquilan was imprinted on him.

Why did I do that?

Why? Are you honestly asking or are you just shocked you finally acted upon what you wished to do? The voice asked indulgently.

Declan did not answer that question, instead he asked another, Who are you?

Me? Why a little voice in your head–

I know you’re not me! Declan cut him off.

You used to think so.

I was wrong. And I have proof now.

Proof?

The things you know about Ailduin, I didn’t know about them. Finley never told me any of that, Declan pointed out.

Ah, but you hardly remember yourself so–

You’re not me, Declan stated firmly.

All right. I concede, I am not you though I never claimed to be, the voice chuckled softly. But I suppose that does beg the question as to who I am.

Are you going to tell me?

You need to focus on what’s going on in front of you. Don’t you think?

Of course, you’re not going to tell me! Declan growled.

Dear Vesslan isn’t going to let you have a pleasant afternoon alone with your dearest Sun King. Not if he can help it, the voice pointed out. Isn’t that what’s most important? Being with Aquilan?

Despite feeling as if his world was turning upside down, Declan listened to the voice. He smoothed his face into an expressionless mask as he saw that, indeed, Vesslan was waiting for them along with two servants just inside the palace doors. Further, as Aquilan had requested, one of the servants held a gold tray with a perspiring glass pitcher containing a sparkling drink while the other servant held a gold tray with three glasses.

---