Page 65 of The Night Prince 2

“I agree with that sentiment fully,” Rhalyf said, his voice slightly muffled as he stepped behind some large trees.

He realized in discovering what and who Rhalyf really was that he had forgotten the reason he had come after Rhalyf in the first place: Declan. But now knowing that Rhalyf was a royal Kindreth that meant the connection between his best friend and the Night Elf took on a very definite spin.

“You know I came here to ask you about Declan,” Finley called.

There was a sigh. “Yes, I figured as much. Putting two and two together and getting five, are you?”

“It is five though?” Finley’s heart was in his throat. “Declan is special. Strong, Graceful. Powerful. Fast. And he… he gets sick in the Sun.”

“Yes, but he doesn’t have red eyes or white hair, right?” Rhalyf asked.

“I can’t believe that Declan would hide being a–a Kindreth from me,” Finley said.

His heart hurt at the thought of that. But he couldn’t even conceive of it. Declan wouldn’t do that.

“He’s not.”

Finley blinked. “He isn’t? Then is he not a–”

“Oh, he’s a Night Elf, too,” Rhalyf said, “but he didn’t know it. Even now, I doubt he’s fully accepted it.”

“But his looks! If he’s having to cast a glamour on himself–”

“He isn’t. Whatever is hiding his true looks was put there long ago and with a very skilled hand. Far more skilled than a child could weave,” Rhalyf said. “Whatever protection it was giving him from the Sun though has waned. I gave him an Adiva–magical amulet–that will protect him from sunlight. But as to the rest… it may fail in time too. Ah, how do I look?” Rhalyf stepped out from behind the tree. His dark copper locks and gray eyes were back. “Aravae-y?”

“Very,” Finley said with a nod. He couldn’t help the throb of disappointment. But Rhalyf was still handsome. And he knew what he really was underneath.

“Excellent.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I was worried that the trap spell might have done more than it did.”

“Declan has aged just like a human being,” Finley said as they began to walk out of the woods. “Is that a spell too?”

“Kindreth quicken their children into full adulthood far faster than Aravae do. The Under Dark is too dangerous to remain a child for long,” Rhalyf explained. He crossed his arms at the wrists behind his back. “But I’m guessing he was quickened a bit more. He’s likely about forty-years old.”

“Forty?!” Finley blinked.

“You make that sound ancient.” Rhalyf smiled and shook his head.

“I realize it isn’t, it’s just… Well, I guess it makes sense. But that means he had a whole life before I knew him, before he came here, yet he doesn’t–”

“Doesn’t remember it? Another spell, I’m guessing. And maybe a shock,” Rhalyf mused. “Whatever the reason he was brought here and left with a human family… Let’s just say that it couldn’t have been good.”

“So Declan’s parents had to know then what he was–”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Magic is a powerful thing, Finley, and the mind can be affected by it quite easily. Especially when you have Kindreth who don’t quite care if they cause any damage,” Rhalyf warned.

Finley thought about how careful and cautious Declan’s parents had always been about his seeing doctors or anyone who might figure out he wasn’t what he seemed. “No, I think they knew. But why didn’t they tell him?”

Rhalyf sighed. “Who knows? Maybe they planned to when he was older. I just don’t understand why the Kindreth who left him there in the first place didn’t come back for him. The kind of spell used to obscure what he is shows extraordinary skill. Declan wasn’t abandoned without care. Someone valued him very much.”

Finley bit his lower lip considering this. Then an idea came to him. Maybe it was a crazy idea. But it might explain why Vex was here. Yet could it possibly be true?

“Could… could he be here because of… of Declan?” Finley asked.

Rhalyf drew in a sharp breath, but did not answer.

“Seith and Leisha threatened Declan, right? And now they’re dead. Killed in a Kindreth blood ritual,” Finley said. “Could he have returned here to get Declan back?”

“Why would he… Declan is too young to be his lover–”

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