Page 52 of The Night Prince 2

Finley abruptly pinked. “I’ve had… I’ve not really had… I mean there was no time…”

“Finley hasn’t dated anyone,” Gemma said, but she looped her arm through his as if to take any sting out of that fact. “Not that you need to date people to have a full and happy life! It’s perfectly normal.”

“You don’t and it is! There is only so much time to study and learn! To fill it instead with–with pointless kissing and other things would just waste time,” Finley informed them.

“Pointless kissing?” Both of Rhalyf’s eyebrows rose. “You haven’t been kissed properly then if that’s what you call it.”

“Maybe I haven’t, but I doubt spending time cooing at someone or being cooed over would be as valuable or rewarding as learning things!” Finley insisted.

He felt his cheeks flushed hotly as he explained himself. From the look on Rhalyf’s face it was clear that the Sun Elf did not believe a word he was saying. In fact, his expression was rather pitying.

“Don’t look at me like that! I don’t have oceans of time to study like you do. You have the time to do both, but I don’t! I barely have the time to be with friends, family, prepare for my game and study for Taranth’s exam,” Finley cried.

Gemma squeezed his arm. “It’s totally cool, Finley. I think if more people concentrated on things other than romance, the world would be even better.”

“Yes! Exactly!” Finley stared at Rhalyf without blinking, just daring the Sun Elf to say otherwise.

But Rhalyf just shrugged and said, “Each to their own, of course. But, I think, the world might be a little bit sadder for those who will never know what it’s like to kiss you or be kissed by you, Finley.”

Finley blinked and swallowed. Heat swelled within him. “I can’t imagine that being true.”

“Ah, it looks like our time together for right now is over. You are heading home and I must go to the palace,” Rhalyf said.

They had reached the dome. Tyrael’s serene and elegant beauty spread out before them.

“But you’re coming to the game, right? And you’re going to help Finley with Vex’s voice?” Gemma clarified.

“Absolutely. What time and where?” he asked.

Finley was almost reluctant to tell him exactly where, because then Rhalyf would know where he saw the rift to Illithor and might not actually come to the game.

And so what if he doesn’t? Then he’s not the person I’m beginning to believe he is!

“Eight,” Finley said. “It’s at the Memorial Park.”

“Where the Leviathan first broke through?” Rhalyf frowned.

“Right by where Declan’s house used to be,” Gemma told him with a solemn nod.

And something chilled in Finley at that simple statement. Was it just a coincidence that the first rift had appeared there? Or had the Leviathan immediately attacked the one person in Lightwell who could kill them?

“Our houses were just around the block from there. It’s all a beautiful park now,” Gemma continued. “I’m glad there’s nothing left actually.”

“You will be all right going there tonight, won’t you, Gemma?” Finley asked worriedly.

She immediately looked up at him. “Of course! I’m glad we’re having it there. It’s a big deal for you and… and I want to remember that place as somewhere to celebrate.”

“I shall meet you both there this evening,” Rhalyf promised.

He made a ridiculously sweeping bow and then was turning on his heel. Finley felt a sudden ache at the loss of his company. He tried not to think about why. Though he kept thinking about that kissing nonsense. And it was nonsense.

Finley and Gemma continued on down the road ahead of them towards their house. Gemma was chatting idly, but he found himself unable to keep track of what she was saying. He couldn’t stop thinking about all of the things that Rhalyf had said. The Sun Elf knew so much about the Kindreth… and Blood Weapons… and…

Declan, Finley finished. I need to find out what he knows about Declan so I can support my best friend.

“Finley? What’s wrong? Why have you stopped walking?” Gemma asked.

He’d practically skidded to a halt. “I… Can you take this home for me?”

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