Page 25 of The Night Prince 3
“I left to go to town before he was up and about so we couldn’t talk then. He had some errands to do as well. And then we were caught up in going after Darcassan who–” He stopped as he caught Vex looking at him out of the corner of his eye. He swallowed. These were excuses. They were valid. But they were excuses. He hadn’t sought Declan out on the long ride to Chicago. He hadn’t attempted to gain his ear in the Thompson Center. It was almost like they were avoiding each other. “I think… I think Declan’s afraid to tell me what he thinks about that.”
“Oh? Why?” Vex feigned innocence.
Finley sighed. “I think you know.” But Vex said nothing so Finley found himself filling the empty air, “He used magic against the Leviathan when they first attacked Earth. I thought he was human then and… and if he could use magic then maybe other humans could. Like… me.”
“But he is not human. He is Kindreth,” Vex stated simply.
“Exactly. Which means that what everyone has been telling me about humans and magic is true.” Finley felt the weight of that knowledge settle on his slender shoulders. It felt like it might crush him.
“Which is?”
“Humans don’t have magic,” Finley answered flatly.
“Really? Who told you that?” Vex chuckled and was heading down the long graceful avenue towards a central garden that rose up in the center of the city.
Finley stared at his back. It was covered in delicate, beautiful tattoos. Some of them glittered. He raced to catch up with Vex again.
“Are you saying that there is a way that humans can wield magic? Like the Aravae? Like the Kindreth?” Finley asked.
There were so many questions he should be asking Vex right then and there. Far less selfish ones. Like why did Vex abandon Declan here? Why was Vex back? Did he intend the Aravae harm? Did he intend Rhalyf harm? But he couldn’t help himself. The allure of magic was too much.
“Like the Aravae? Like the Kindreth? No,” Vex answered lightly.
Finley’s heart tumbled into his feet. “So then humans can’t wield magic–”
“Of course, they can. Just not like immortal beings. You try to use life to power your magic and you will snuff out like a candle,” Vex snapped his fingers as if to demonstrate just how quick it would be.
“Yes, that’s what Rhalyf said. So if not life then–”
“Tcha! It looks like the garden enchantment has been lagging. Look at those plants hanging down from the buildings! They are quite overgrown!” Vex tutted.
This statement drew Finley’s attention to the dark blue stone buildings that framed either side of the avenue they walked on. They were a bit like skyscrapers: tall and sheer, flying upwards for tens of stories. But unlike human skyscrapers, there were winding staircases and gracious patios that were open to the air crawling up the outside of the buildings.
He imagined that people would throng these spaces, talking, laughing and showing off for those below and their neighbors. The plants that were vexing the Night King were flowing down the sides of the buildings like waterfalls. He highly doubted that the Night King was truly upset about this. The plants were pretty and appeared to not be doing any harm. So he’d mentioned them as a ruse to steer the conversation to something new.
He’s not going to tell me about how humans can use magic. Not yet. He’s told me something huge. I should appreciate that. And be patient, Finley cautioned himself.
“You asked me earlier how I liked your nephew,” Finley said carefully.
“Yes, and you do.”
“I… surprisingly, do.”
“Surprisingly? Oh, he will be hurt by that!” Vex chuckled.
“Perhaps. But his ego–as you are well aware of–hardly needs inflating and I don’t see how my regard truly matters,” Finley waved off the idea of it even as he felt the press of Rhalyf’s lips against his forehead just before the elf had gone off into combat.
“Ow! I hurt for him now!” Vex grinned. He had very white teeth. His eye teeth were more pointed than a human’s, than other elves, too.
More like a vampire’s in a way. It doesn’t detract from his looks. He’s rather harder edged than any of the elves I’ve seen with that half-shaved head and barely any clothes.
“For what it’s worth…” Here, Finley licked his lips, “I don’t believe he was in the coup against you.”
Vex’s silence at his blanket assertion made him wonder if he’d made a mistake saying that. He risked glancing over at the Night King. Vex’s expression was unreadable.
Finley hurried on, “You probably think I’m presumptuous–at best–saying something like that to you. Between the two of us–hell, between you and everyone–you’d know a person’s motivations better. And I’ve only known Rhalyf for a short time. But–”
“You believe what you say about him,” Vex stated.
