Page 55 of The Night Prince 2

“Do you think that’s foolish, King Aquilan?” Declan asked, without turning around to confirm that the light footstep on the stair was the Sun King.

“No, I do not. Darcassan is missing?” Aquilan swept the rest of the way down the steps and across the gleaming foyer to them.

“Oh, Uncle!” Elasha attempted to swipe away yet more tears that started to fall upon seeing him. “I did not mean to worry you with this–”

“You are not worrying me, Elasha.” Aquilan clasped both her shoulders.

Her lower lip, which had been wobbling even with her teeth trying to hold it steady, broke free and a sob escaped her lips. She buried her face into Aquilan’s chest. The Sun King held her as her father should have done. He stroked her hair and back.

“It’s all right, Elasha. It is all right. We will fix this,” Aquilan assured her.

His blue eyes were fixed upon Declan as he said this. Declan felt as if he were a planet that was orbiting a star. The planet thought it was moving away, but no. It was always pulled back again. The question was would he accept this or try and run again? He did not run. He stayed. Foolish or brave, he could not say.

“Your brother left last night?” Declan clarified.

Elasha pulled back and snotted into the rag again. She nodded. “Yes, yes, Uncle, he’s looking to prove his theory about a rift to Illithor and the Leviathan that I told you about yesterday.”

Aquilan frowned deeply. “He went alone into the ruins?”

She nodded. “And he hasn’t returned! Normally, I wouldn’t worry, but… I don’t know.” She balled a hand against her chest. “Something feels wrong.”

“He is your twin, Elasha, I trust your instincts on this. I will go look for him,” Aquilan said.

Elasha’s head lifted and her mouth opened in an “O” of shock. But then her eyes flickered over to the doorway where Vesslan had disappeared through. She clearly was afraid that Vesslan would be angry with her for involving Aquilan. That was almost a reason for Aquilan to most definitely go even if he hadn’t already intended it as far as Declan could figure.

“U-Uncle, I did not mean for you to be pulled into this! Just let me take a few Protectors and I will go. You should not–”

“Elasha, Darcassan is my nephew. Do you think I could rest easy here when he may be in danger?” Aquilan asked. “Never! I will go find him. And if he is completely fine, I will be relieved, not annoyed.”

The things her father should have said, Declan thought.

“We will go together. And Rhalyf. We will need him. I wonder where he is.” Aquilan cast around as if he expected his best friend would appear at his side. Considering what Declan knew of Rhalyf, he wouldn’t have been surprised if the elf did just that. But he did not. Aquilan brought up the ridwin–the spell that allowed elves to speak over long distances–but Rhalyf did not answer. Aquilan’s frown deepened. “I can see where he is. We will pick him up on the way.”

“I–I will go get our horses and meet you out front,” Elasha said. Her eagerness despite her fears of her father’s anger spoke to just how worried she was about her brother.

“Bring four mounts,” Declan suddenly said.

The planet has decided that it orbits the Sun, does it? The voice chuckled indulgently.

Aquilan turned to him. There was a mixture of concern and pleasure on the Sun King’s face. Concern, because he, undoubtedly, thought that Declan was still overcome by those ridiculous paintings in the throne room. Considering how often he had collapsed in front of the Sun King, Declan could hardly blame Aquilan for thinking he was some kind of shrinking violet. But he was not. He was quite strong. The pleasure flummoxed him a bit.

He likes you, the voice chuckled again. So very much. But, of course, he does. How could he not?

Again, Declan ignored the voice.

“I know what you are going to say, King Aquilan.” Declan stepped over to the Sun King.

“Aquilan,” the Sun King corrected gently. “Just… Aquilan.”

Elasha–who had frozen at Declan’s words–looked between the two of them. Her lips parted and she blinked as if finally seeing the two of them together and recognizing… recognizing what?

Declan merely nodded at the correction. “I must go with you. And not only me. But Snaglak and Finley.”

“You believe they could help find Darcassan?” Aquilan asked, not disbelieving at all, but open to whatever he had to say.

“Finley knows the ruins like the back of his hand. I know he has his game tonight, but this is more important. There’s no one better in a fight against Leviathan than an orc. Especially one that needs beer money,” Declan said flatly.

“And you… will protect me,” Aquilan stated, without question. And there wasn’t any doubt in his voice. The Sun King’s eyes held certainty. “That is your role.”

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