Page 8 of The Night Prince 2

“Being intelligent and practical could lead us down a path that isn’t right,” he’d heard Shonda say to Michael after they’d wished him and Declan goodnight.

He and Declan had stared after them. It was only after they’d disappeared that he asked his best friend, “Did you hear what Rhalyf said about Illumine? About how if a human were to wield a single spell they could die? He’s an idiot, of course. Doesn’t know what he’s talking about, because you–”

“He’s not an idiot,” Declan interrupted softly.

“Well, maybe not about everything, but about humans and magic he is! You’re proof that he’s wrong!” Finley nodded fiercely.

Declan regarded him for long silent moments before he said, “You’ve always said that you would be happy just studying magic. But you really want to wield it.”

“I… of course!” Finley let out a soft huff of laughter and took off his glasses. “Who wouldn’t want to wield magic?”

“But if you could only study it, would you still pursue going to the Academy?”

Finley polished his glasses on his robes. “Yes, of course. Knowledge is worthwhile even if it isn’t practical. It has great value.”

There was a long moment of silence and then Declan said, “Get some sleep, Finley. The big battle is tomorrow. You need to be prepared.”

“Yes… oh! I forgot that I promised Gemma I would go with her to Hope tomorrow in…” he checked his watch, “a few hours. Oh, god!”

“I would go for you–”

“No! You cannot go in the Sun again!” Finley quickly said. “Besides, I still need to get a few things for tomorrow night’s game. I’ll just have to take a nap later.”

And that’s why he was up, breathing in caffeine and truly hoping he wouldn’t fall asleep on the walk to Hope.

“Are you ready to go?” Gemma’s very bright voice asked behind him.

Finley jerked and nearly spilled hot tea on his hand. “Ah! Gemma!”

“You were starting to snooze. Serves you right for going out and having fun without me last night,” she giggled.

“You were at Sandy’s last night. Having a sleepover,” he pointed out. “So I think you were having a very good time all on your own.”

She beamed at the memory of the sleepover. “Yeah, it was pretty cool, but not as cool as having drinks with the Sun King.”

He lifted an eyebrow. Everyone but him was still in bed. “How did you hear about that?”

“How? Ah, the internet might be dead, but the grapevine is still very much alive. Everyone was talking about it in Sandy’s house this morning,” she said. “Tyrael is abuzz that the glorious King Aquilan spent most of his evening with a bunch of humans.”

“And a dwarf and an orc. Can’t forget Snaglak and Helgrom.”

“True. But what the group did not include was me.” She pointed to her chest. “You met the king without me!”

“It wasn’t exactly planned,” he said as he blew on the tea.

“Yeah, but–”

“I’m sure it’ll happen again. He’s good friends with Helgrom,” Finley said.

“I suppose.” Gemma pursed her lips and swung her body right then left. She had on a cute blue and white polka dot dress with strappy sandals.

“You’re dressed up.” Finley lifted an eyebrow. “Anyone special in Hope you’re going to see?”

She rolled her eyes. Not embarrassed nor taking his bait. “You’re wearing a three-piece suit.”

“I always wear a suit.”

“Because?”

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