Page 50 of The Night Prince

“Declan, we have not determined what is wrong–”

“Nothing is.I haven’t eaten today and didn’t get much sleep,” he lied again, not meeting Aquilan’s eyes, “and the honey brew was cursed by fairy magic so…” He shrugged.

“Fairy magic?Ah, that explains the smell!”Aquilan let out a delighted laugh that skated down Declan’s spine.“Sothat’swhat you were doing with the barrel outside.”

He nodded as he slid around Aquilan’s seated form on the edge of the bed and got onto his feet.He held his breath as he stood up, fearful that he would collapse again and cause the king to investigate his “illness” yet more, but his legs were firm.He saw his boots were set nicely by the foot of the bed.Had Aquilan taken off his boots and put them there?It was such a kind gesture and so beneath a king that Declan couldn’t quite picture it.Or rather, hecouldpicture it and it made him feel strangely warm inside.He thrust that thought away too as he stuffed his feet in his boots.

“I truly think you should rest, Declan,” Aquilan advised, but he didn’t order Declan to stay so Declan supposed he could ignore it.

What were the rules of dealing with a king?Hisking, he supposed.It was so strange.Aquilan did not act like some kind of god high emperor or anything.Instead, he was quite down to Earth.Well, for a glorious Aravae anyway.He actually made the non-royal Aravae look snotty in comparison.It was strange.Declan was certain he would think about this for endless hours, days, months–years–to parse it all out even though he was trying to get out of the man’s presence now as quickly as possible.

Aquilan was still sitting on the edge of the bed, watching him, and Declan flushed when he realized he was under the king’s regard.Aquilan’s expression was so odd.It was as if he wanted to ask Declan something quite desperately, but could not or would not.Yet what kind of question would a king not ask his subject?And what could Declan answer that would mean so much to his king?

“You should join your friend downstairs, King Aquilan,” Declan advised, wondering if it was okay to advise a king of anything.“If you’re staying… we have wonderful wine and food.I don’t know if that would interest you, but I will make sure you’re taken care of.”

Aquilan smiled.“I wish to be taking care of you, Declan, but I can see that you will not let me.At least not today.”

Declan blinked.That last part seemed to indicate the king intended to try and take care of himanother day.But no, once Aquilan left the Dawn, Declan would never see him again.Not so close.Not so personal.Not to notice the way the firelight reflected in his hair or the way his full lips pursed just so or how he moved with such grace and economy…

Aquilan rose.“Yes, I will go down with you if only to keep an eye on you.And if you feel ill in the least–”

“I am fine,” Declan assured him and, like with the time that afternoon, he seemed recovered.

But if I went out into the Sun again, I think I would get sicker far faster and maybe not recover for some time.

“Good,” Aquilan said.“But if you do–”

“I will sit down and rest,” Declan stated.

“Excellent.Now do you wish to get your knife?”Aquilan tilted his head towards the bed.

Declan’s mouth dried of all saliva.Was the knife still under the bed?Or was it a tattoo on his arm?Regardless, he had to get it or pretend to.Aquilan would find it awfully strange if he didn’t.

I need to show him it when I get out from under the bed.

“Ah, yeah, I–”

“Actually, I should get it for you,” Aquilan said, frowning slightly.“You should not be crawling around–”

“No, no!I’ll get it!”

Declan immediately dropped to his hands and knees before oiling underneath the bed.There was no knife under there.It was back on his arm.How was he going to explain this?

“Do you see it?”Aquilan asked.

“Ah, it’s just… wait a minute… let me…”

“I can use magic to–”

“No, no, I have it!”Declan lied.

He wrenched the sleeve of his hoodie up to expose the “tattoo.”For the first time in his life, hewilledthe damned thing to appear in his hand.

Nothing happened.

Oh, come on!Appear! Appear, goddamn you!

“Declan?”Aquilan said and he was staring into the king’s blue eyes again.

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