Page 5 of The Night Prince 2

Shonda’s expression showed she was worried for the young Aravae. The ruins of Chicago were still dangerous, especially at this hour, and attempting them alone. She opened her lips to say something comforting to Elasha, but the girl was already turning and striding down the hall, her face tearstained and wretched. Shonda knew that her words would not likely be met with welcome. So while Elasha went deeper into the Eryas Palace, Shonda made her way out into the night and to the Dawn.

Unwelcome

Finley poured hot water over the ceramic strainer that was filled with a heaping spoonful of loose black tea. His Roll Initiative mug immediately began to steam and a rich, earthy scent rose up from it. Gemma had found the cup for him in Hope, the Separatist town outside of Tyrael. One of the things that the Separatists were really good about was finding remnants from the old world that could be saved.

He breathed deep, hoping that the caffeine would seep into his system through his nose and leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. The Ever Fire stones crackled pleasantly in the hearth that had replaced the stove and warmed his side as much as the sunlight did that streamed through the kitchen window over the sink.

It was a little after ten in the morning, so not too early, but last night’s festivities at the Dawn had run very late, especially after Shonda had gotten there. She and Aquilan had gotten along like a house on fire. The Sun had been about to rise when they’d all left to go to their respective homes. Well, the Sun King and Lord Neres had not gone home. They had simply moved to some beds upstairs at the Dawn.

“I really do not wish to see my brother quite yet,” Aquilan had confessed with a soft laugh just before the party had broken up.

“He seemed rather upset you didn’t come to him immediately,” Shonda had pointed out. She was curled against Michael’s side. The firelight shone from behind them.

“Yes, well, then he will be more upset when I’m not there until mid-afternoon. He is anxious for me to dive into the politics of ruling,” Aquilan confessed.

“And you’re a much more straightforward sort of fellow,” Michael nodded with approval.

In fact, using the adjective “straightforward” meant that Michael liked the Sun King very much.

“Straightforward? Perhaps. I take little pleasure in political warfare.” Aquilan stared into his wine goblet for a long time. Finally, he said, “But the actual war was not without costs. Ones that I have not yet paid for. Now that I’ve returned and the war is done… Well, I shall have to.”

Shonda and Michael exchanged a brief look. Finley knew that they had communicated more than words ever could.

“We wondered what made you come to Earth’s aid. The Lieran Plane would not have been affected by what happened here,” Shonda said softly. “But you saved us at great cost to your own people.”

“The expansion of evil affects everything and everyone,” Aquilan answered with a certainty that Finley admired. “I came here for no reward myself, but…”

“But you can’t win a war with a single person,” Helgrom added. “Not even our great King Aquilan can do that.”

“No, I cannot.”

Shonda was very still as she said, “I’ve heard from my friend and co-Councillor Sorisana–”

“Sorisana Adric? Ah, you two are friends, Shonda?” Aquilan brightened.

She inclined her head. “Yes, she’s taken me under her wing. I’m very lucky.”

“And so is she if she has your friendship,” Aquilan offered.

Another nod. “She mentioned… she mentioned that the big Houses expected to be awarded territories on Earth for their support of the war.”

Aquilan’s lips flattened for a moment before he answered, “Yes.”

The word hung there like frost in the air. The Sun King ruled an Empire. Of course, the Earth was part of that now and so the land here would be his to dole out to whomever he chose.

“There’s plenty of abandoned land out there,” Finley said with a twist of hopefulness in his voice. “So I suppose–”

“Best land,” Snaglak said as he guzzled another glass of ale, “is always occupied.”

Aquilan lifted his head to regard the orc who had eyes only for his mug. “Yes, that’s true, Snaglak.”

“And the big Houses will want the best land for themselves,” Michael stated rather than asked flatly.

“Yes,” Aquilan again answered simply, but the word was so much larger in terms of its meaning.

His blue eyes lifted to Shonda and Michael. There was a communication there that caused Michael’s jaw to tighten and Shonda’s forehead to furrow. The Sun King did not look too happy about it either. But he also looked resigned as if it was something that had to be done. But did it? Wasn’t Aquilan king? Couldn’t he just make the rules as he saw fit?

“So what will happen to the people already there on this best land?” Finley asked. “And I assume by people, we all really mean humans.”

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