Page 26 of The Night Prince 3
“I do.” Finley nodded. “I’m not saying he doesn’t lie.” He winced here. “He does that a lot, but not to get ahead. Not exactly.” He did lie to the Sun King. He didn’t exactly go for low hanging fruit when he choose who to befriend, but Finley was certain that it was because Rhalyf enjoyed the finer things in life. And what better person to get those for him than the Sun King? “He likes to be pampered and thought handsome and clever. And witty. And sexy. And… Well, you get the idea! But I don’t think he wants to rule anything. He just wants to enjoy himself. Ruling would be too much work. He’d actually have to do something.”
Vex suddenly laughed. It was a joyous sound and it appeared genuine. His red eyes glowed like the coals in a fire. “I do believe you’re right! My nephew would rather have the credit for a thing than to actually do it. And ruling is hard work.”
Thinking perhaps that he had discredited Rhalyf a little too much, Finley added, “And he’s incredibly loyal to his friends. He’s… kind. Which probably for a Kindreth would be considered a weakness.”
His eyes flickered to Vex. The Night King bobbed his head whether in agreement or not was unclear. They had reached a graceful bridge that arched over a span of water. On the other side was that park with winding paths and some kind of monument on the top of it. Or not a monument, but a white stone building. Too small to be a house. It appeared that Vex was leading them there. Finley wondered what it was.
“He’s terrified you’re here to kill him. I’d like to be able to tell him that you’re not,” Finley said.
“Oh, but what would be the fun in that?” Vex asked with a raised eyebrow.
Finley could have said there was no “fun” for Rhalyf in thinking he was in his uncle’s cross-hairs, but he had a feeling that wasn’t something Vex worried about.
“But you appear to be the loyal one. Pleading his case to me though you’ve just met. Believing in his kindness,” Vex said.
Finley considered his answer to this. He focused on the plants that Vex had been complaining of before. These appeared quite tame. The trees–black bark with silver leaves–kept well clear of the gracious crushed stone paths. Crimson flowers bobbed in an unseen breeze sending billowing clouds of glowing pollen amongst the trunks, but staying clear of where they walked. Finally, Finley decided the cold, hard truth was the best way to respond.
“He’s the first elf who ever treated me like I… I mattered. Like I had something to offer. Something worth listening to,” Finley admitted and was biting his lower lip. Would Vex think that stupid? More weakness? More patheticness?
But then the Night King was cupping his cheek and raising his head so that they were eye to eye. “Like you, Finley, I lived for a long time with no magic. Others moved ahead of me with ease. I was considered nothing. And I was made to feel it.”
“But that’s crazy! You’re the most powerful Mage to ever live!” Finley cried out.
Vex smiled. “Indeed and I loved every moment of rubbing into their faces just how wrong they were. Rising above them all. Ruling them all. Killing… many of them.”
Finley’s lips parted at the way Vex’s voice had dropped into an arctic register as he’d said the last bit.
“Elves are immortal, Finley, so they draw their power from life. Their own life. The life around them.” He gestured broadly to the thriving plantlife. “But humans… Now humans are mortal. Death is closer to them than life. Life is but a flicker. Death is nearly eternal for them. And it is in death that you will find your power.”
The one hand that Vex had been gesturing with–elegant and tattooed, even on the palm–swung towards the white stone building on the top of the hill they were climbing.
And Finley knew what it was then.
It was a tomb.
Life Exchange
Rhalyf was in his element: the thick of battle. Magic swirled around him like a storm. Plasma. Lightning. Fire. Ice. The Leviathan were so thick on the platform–evidently having poured in from the rift–that it looked like there were no walls. Even the train tracks were obscured with a sea of shadowy coils.
His magic struck out at anything that came within range. Ice coated smoky scales, which he shattered with a blow of Lament. Fire raced along black bodies as if they were soaked in flammable oil. The Leviathan let out shrill screams and thrashed, which spread the fire even farther, embers leaping onto other Leviathan like happy sparks. Plasma bloomed and vaporized Leviathan where they slithered.
He let out a victorious laugh as fangs dropped like rain in a thunderstorm all around him. He glanced over his shoulder at Aquilan who was against his back. The Sun King grinned at him. Brothers in arms. Battle bonded.
And this may be the last time we fight together. The last time he smiles at me. Next time he may be sending his spells towards me, not to protect me.
Rhalyf’s grief had his smile faltering.
Why did I lie? Why didn’t I tell him who and what I am from the beginning?
But he had the answer to that, Because I had no choice! He truly wouldn’t have let me live long enough to tell him my name let alone my story!
Why didn’t I tell him after that? In the decades we’ve been friends? Just let it slip that those rumors about me having Kindreth blood were under blown? That I’m a full-blooded Night Elf. See what happens when I drop my glamour?
The answer to that was more complicated, but it boiled down to, I didn’t want to chance losing him and my new life. Why rock the boat? Being Kindreth was never going to affect him or anyone else! Except I was wrong. What if Vex is here because of me?
Aquilan’s fingers danced through the air and a dozen arrows of light appeared and shot towards their Leviathan targets with unerring accuracy. Shrieks of agony were cut short as the darkness was conquered by light and fangs rattled onto the tile floor.
“Brother, boost me!” Elasha called to Darcassan.
