Page 49 of The Night Prince

Declan froze.

That’s the nonsense word I yelled after Mom… Mom died.But it’s not a Katyr word!What–

“It’s a Kindreth word.It means ‘to the end’ and so much more.So very much more.”Aquilan gave him a shadow of a smile, having intuited what he was thinking. At least in part.“Of course, you would not know it.Few do even among the Aravae.It is notencouragedto know much about the Kindreth.”

It’s a Kindreth word.Why do I know a Kindreth word?

He thought of Vulre.Was that just a dream?Vulre had white hair and red eyes just like Finley had told him of the Night Elves.

And Night Elves are harmed by the Sun…No, it was just a dream.I… I… can’t be…

Despite his mind spinning, he found himself asking, “Why?They’re your great enemy, are they not?You should know everything about them.”

Another soft, sad smile.“The Kindreth left long ago for the endless depths of the Under Dark.We have not seen even one of their kind for…” Here, Aquilan’s eyes left him and he was staring into the distance.“For a very long time.”

And, for some reason, Declan felt the Sun King was lying about that.But why would he?

Likely so I don’t freak out and start telling everyone that the Kindreth have been sighted.From how Finley explained it, the Kindreth are the monsters under the bed.Worse than the Leviathan.Worse than anything.

His mind flashed back again to the dream he’d had.Vulre Vultorus, Blood Knight to Lady Ashryn Zinsandoral and Master of the Venomthorn.They were such specific names.Hardly ones he would just make up.Maybe Finley had told him something about these people in his research on Vex?He must have.

But, even so, what was going on with him?First, this Sun sensitivity and now this dream that didn’t feel like a dream at all. He was drawing attention to himself.He was sticking out.He must not do that.Especially in front of the king…

Who had told him to keep low?His adopted parents?Himself?Why was he so very certain that he should keep himself hidden at all costs?

Except I’m not hidden now.I’m in front of the most powerful person in all of the Empire.He saved me from the Sun.He’ll have questions.I have to get out of here before I give too much away.Too much of what?

His voice was low and rushed as he said, “King Aquilan, I am the one who should be sorry.I’ve been behaving probably not how I should with you and–”

“The knife,” Aquilan interrupted his apology and attempt to slip out of bed.In fact, the Aravae placed a firm hand on his chest and kept him right where he was.

The knife.The damned knife.

He swallowed hard and said, “I’m so very sorry about that.I just–”

“Was it the same one you had the day the Leviathan came?The one you had in your hand when I saw you with the other two?Gemma and Finley, right?”Aquilan asked.

His expression was quite intent, quite earnest, but not like a man who had a knife pulled on him.It was something altogether different.

“I…” Declan swallowed again.His throat was so dry.It felt like the sides of it were sticking together.Was the knife back on his arm as a tattoo or still under the bed?Which should he wish for?

Aquilan’s expression grew gentle as he asked, “Have you kept it with you since the attack?To feel… safe?”

Oh, Declan had kept it with him all right.He had it literally tattooed on his skin.And whathumancould do that?He thrust that thought aside.Finley thought humans could do magic.Maybe he truly was proof of that.Or maybe it was something to do with his exposure to the Leviathan that had changed him and the knife.Or maybe…

Declan got out, “I’m so sorry I attacked you.I did not mean–I wouldnever–harm you.I was… was dreaming and–”

“Declan, I am not angry or concerned about that,” Aquilan assured him.His right hand–which was still touching the center of Declan’s chest–pressed tighter against him.“I merely…” Aquilan lowered his head.“Tyrael was the first place to be attacked.You three were the only ones who survived.I want to make sure that you, of all people, feel safe now.”

There is no safety!Anyone who says otherwise is lying to get you to drop your guard so that they can strike,Vulre’s voice rose up in his mind.

“I feel safe,” Declan lied.

Aquilan lifted his eyes to study Declan’s face.He did not believe Declan.But he did not say so but there was a flash of disappointment or sadness–Declan couldn’t tell which–that passed over his hauntingly beautiful face.

I’ll remember every moment of this time with him.I will have to.I am certain it will never come again.I should hope it does not.

“I need to get downstairs.Lily can’t handle the Dawn on her own,” Declan said as he resolutely pushed the covers off of him.

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