Page 63 of The Night Prince 2

Silence and then, “It would be a pity to mess with such a brilliant mind. And this… this was going to be revealed anyway. In time.”

Finley looked up at him then. Rhalyf was staring off into the woods, appearing vaguely dissatisfied. But the moment of decision had come and gone. Rhalyf wasn’t going to hurt him or take his memories. He had accepted that Finley knew and for good or for ill, he was going to let it be. He was going to trust Finley.

“You’re safe with me, Rhalyf,” Finley said.

“I really am going soft,” Rhalyf muttered.

“I don’t think so. There’s just no need for you to act. And you aren’t cruel,” Finley said.

Rhalyf turned those luminous red eyes upon him again. “I very much try not to be. But I also try not to be stupid. And putting myself in your power this way… well, some would say it is the height of stupidity.”

“Those people would be wrong. I know that you aren’t here to hurt Aquilan and I have no prejudice against the Kindreth generally. So it does not behoove me to betray you.” Finley decided now was the prime time to switch the subject and asked, “Who was the Kindreth who killed Seith and Leisha?”

“I didn’t see his face,” Rhalyf replied, but he wrapped his arms over his chest and held himself tightly.

Finley studied his very tense form. “But you know who it is, don’t you?”

“I can only guess.”

“Then guess–”

“No.” Rhalyf shook his head. That shimmering hair spread over his shoulders. “No, I can’t go there.”

“So whoever it is scares you,” Finley narrowed his eyes as he guessed.

Rhalyf’s arms tightened around himself.

“You’re very powerful.” Finley cocked his head to the side. “Who would scare–”

“Don’t follow that train of thought, Finley,” Rhalyf warned. “Let us hope I am wrong. But the fact that they not only knew what I would do but set a trap that I did not sense until it was sprung…”

“Is it V–”

“DON’T!” Rhalyf’s voice rose up like thunder. “Don’t say his name. Not here.” Rhalyf dropped down to his haunches opposite Finley and grasped his shoulders. The bloody leaves were between them. “If it is him then we are all dead. Do you understand?”

Finley’s eyes flickered over Rhalyf’s face. “I see that you believe this.”

“Because it is true.”

Was it true that if Vex was here that he would kill them all? He’d killed Seith and Leisha? But why? They had tried to attack Declan, but… but did that have anything to do with it?

“But why would he be here? Is it because of you?” Finley pressed.

Rhalyf’s statements about Vex–the familiarity of them–told him now that the Night Elf was not just some common Kindreth, but likely royalty. Rhalyf released his shoulders and scrubbed his face with both hands for long moments.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m not… Well, I am important in some ways, but not in others… Unless he thinks I was a main conspirator, but that’s insane! He won’t have found any evidence of that,” Rhalyf muttered. “So would he really chase me all the way here because of–of rumors? I don’t see why.”

“Conspirator? Did you go up against V–him?” Finley’s eyes were huge.

Rhalyf had just confirmed that Vex was alive. Of course, the dread Night King still lived! But there was the thrill of knowing he was alive. Really alive. Somewhere. Maybe here. Could he be here? Finley’s eyes went to the forest, but he saw nothing but trees, dappled sunlight and nothing else.

“No!” Rhalyf looked horrified and his eyes flickered around the clearing. “No. I had nothing to do with… with anything. I ran because I realized I would be suspected. And once you’re suspected, it’s all over. There are no trials. There aren’t even any questions! It’s just done.”

“I see. So someone went up against him and people suspected you were part of it?” Finley nibbled his lower lip. “And you fled here to escape him, yes?”

“That about sums it up.” Rhalyf nodded.

“Who are you to him?” Finley asked.

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