Page 53 of The Night Prince 2

He pushed the bags of extra dice and figurines he had found in Hope towards her. She took them from him.

“Sure, but why?”

“I have to go–”

“Go where? Don’t you have to prepare for your game? I know that Helgrom is managing the setup of the space, but–”

“I have to talk to Rhalyf some more,” he said, which was true.

“About what?” Her forehead was furrowed.

“About…” Declan. Blood Tattoos. And if Declan isn’t… isn’t human. But instead he said, “About Vex. I’m going to ask him to play Vex tonight.”

First Adventure

Declan flew past countless servants and nobles on the stairs as he pounded down them, searching for a way out. The only one he recognized was Cellica who was coming up the stairs with red paper and a purple ribbon lovingly cradled in her arms. Her head jerked up as he breezed by her.

“D-Declan?” She called after him uncertainly.

“Fine! I’m fine! Go to the king!” He managed to say without looking back or slowing down.

He wasn’t sure if Aquilan was still upstairs or was following after him. Either way, he hoped that Cellica found the Sun King and slowed or stopped him from following after Declan. It was ridiculous to think that Aquilan could care so much to run after a bartender.

The king and the bartender! It could be a book title! He laughed bitterly.

But regardless of how he viewed himself, regardless of how others might view him and Aquilan, he had a feeling that the king would come after him. Aquilan’s pure goodness would inspire it.

I can still feel his skin under my fingertips. I can still smell his hair in my nostrils. And his warmth keeps the chill away.

And you think words are your enemy. You ought to be a poet.

The voice was back.

But it was his turn to ignore it.

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. Everything inside of him was both chilled and on fire. The last place he should be when he was so out of control was with Aquilan. Because he desperately wanted to keep a relationship with the Sun King even as he knew it was a very bad idea.

Bad? How? Because it will make you question your life? The voice was definitely back.

It’s not the questions, but the answers I worry about. Why can’t I stand the light? Who am I? Who are you? Declan demanded.

If I simply told you the answers, I doubt you would believe me. And, here the voice became almost teasing, it wouldn’t be as amusing.

My life is not for your amusement! Declan snarled.

Oh, that is where you are wrong! Everyone’s lives are for my amusement… and yours. But you’re so young, you can’t feel that yet. Everything seems so deadly serious to you, the voice answered.

Declan saw the circular foyer ahead of him. The massive flower arrangement was limned by sunlight that poured in from the open doors. For a moment, Declan wondered if they’d simply kept the doors open from when he and Aquilan had entered, but no. There were two people in the foyer. One was Vesslan and Declan felt his lips writhe back from his teeth in an almost visceral reaction to the elf.

You should thank him. He gave you an excuse to be in Aquilan’s arms before you otherwise would have been. Both of you are being so very coy! The voice murmured.

Declan steadfastly ignored this comment. At least the voice did not confuse Aquilan with Ailduin this time. He wasn’t quite sure what that was all about, but it made him feel uneasy and wildly possessive of Aquilan. For it was clear to him, at least, that the voice had a great affection for the dead Sun King. But this new Sun King was his.

As he rounded the ridiculous flower arrangement, he caught sight of the second person in the foyer. It was a female Aravae. She had short hair and was solidly built. There was something about her eyes that reminded him of Aquilan.

Niece, the voice said. Vesslan’s daughter.

And if he didn’t already know the voice was not his own subconscious speaking to him, he would have from that information. He had never seen this Aravae. Nor did he realize that Aquilan had a niece. But he knew the voice was right.

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