Chapter 6 Breakfast In Bed #2
I left you after the kiss, Vex assured him.
But Declan wasn’t convinced. You mentioned that we slept together so you must have been around after that.
I would have hoped that kiss would have led to tumbling into bed! His father protested with a laugh.
Fa–
I might have checked in on you for a moment. Just a moment, dear boy, his father quickly interjected as Declan clenched his jaw. You were not well after…
Vex’s thought was cut off or his father cut it off. Declan frowned.
Are you trying to excuse your spying because you were concerned about me? Declan asked.
His disbelief was not as sharp as he thought it would be. Communicating through their minds meant that lying was difficult, maybe impossible. And their true feelings came through much more easily. What he sensed from Vex was concern.
No, of course not! You have made clear that you want nothing to do with me. And we hardly know one another. Shared blood is a poor reason to feel anything… about anyone, his father answered too blithely.
Silence fell between them after those lies.
I feel quite a bit better now, Declan told him.
It felt as if Vex let out a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. Well, that is… good. Having those untested spells on you for so long could have led to issues.
Rhalyf was very careful with me. Even I could tell that, Declan said.
My nephew is incredibly skilled. I am glad he has not allowed his easy time with the Aravae to dim his spellwork.
Declan frowned. He fought the Leviathan for five years, Father. I’m sure he didn’t have time to forget his spellwork.
Five years? Against Leviathan? Ha! Vex did not sound impressed. That would not even be considered a slow day in the Under Dark.
Declan’s brows drew together and his chest felt tight. Humanity was almost wiped out. They would have been if not for Aquilan and Rhalyf and many Aravae.
Yes.
The tightness spread to Declan’s throat. Am I… am I responsible for that?
A soft sigh. The wards were never meant to last forever.
Declan blinked back hot tears. Could they not be repaired–
No, my son, the time of separation is over. Let it go. What happened was meant to happen, Vex said with surprising gentleness.
But–
Rahven, humanity was given far more time than it was truly meant to have as it was, Vex interceded. If I had not put up the wards in the first place, humanity would have long ago been overrun and wiped out. Only Ailduin would have attempted to save them.
Aquilan. I know he was Ailduin in the past, but he’s Aquilan now. That’s who he is, Declan was firm.
He wasn’t sure if he was doing it because Aquilan felt that way or if because he knew his father had a far greater claim to Ailduin than he did.
A soft huff of laughter. Fine, my son. Have it your way. But my point remains the same.
Why did you put up the wards? Was it to keep humanity safe? Declan splashed cold water on his face.
No, I’m afraid that they played little in my thought process. The wards were to keep the flow of species in and out of the Under Dark to a manageable level, he answered. Humanity just benefited from the fact that I locked the door between here and there.
And it would have stayed that way if I hadn’t–
We don’t know what happened. And if you were at fault… Vex paused here as if he struggled to put this into words. It was unintentional. And, as I said, the wards were going to fail, but they, thankfully, did so only when Aquilan was king and was able to save some of your precious mortals.
You… you sound like you think… differently about me now than before, Declan said, biting his lower lip.
Helgrom has been informing me about how wrong I am about you… and other things. Like usual, Vex sighed at the last.
Stunned, and a little worried about Helgrom, he blurted out, So you are at the Dawn! That’s the best room!
You… you can see through my eyes? His father had gone rigid.
Declan blinked. You thought this was a one-way communication?
He heard the pop and crack of the fire in the room with his father. There was an explosion of sparks as his father fed another log to the flames.
I did not know. I assumed… But I should not have, Vex admitted finally. You are my son. Of course, it would be different with you.
Was there a wistful note at the end there? Or a concerned one?
Turning the conversation from what felt like a dangerous path, Declan asked, Does Helgrom know that you are staying at the Dawn? I know you talked to him, but–
You think I am squatting in a room? Vex sounded both scandalized and amused.
I wouldn’t put it past you, Declan sniffed.
I… I am even paying! His father protested.
Double.
What?
Double. You’re paying double, Declan said.
Why should I pay twice the price as any other traveler, pray tell?
Declan lifted an eyebrow. Because you’re double the trouble. If not more. Consider it an annoyance tax.
You’re taxing me? Vex was laughing. That sounds suspiciously like what a ruler would do.
Ruling. His father was not quite able to let that go. He was like a dog with a bone. So it seemed that he would have to address this again.
Father, you have nothing to fear from me, Declan sighed. I told you that I have no interest in your throne or anything else like that.
You did say that, Vex sounded amused again.
I meant it.
So you will what? Continue being a bartender? I do not think that even Aquilan has enough political capital to cover that kind of relationship, Vex responded dryly.
Declan paused in drying his face. Why not? I mean… What business is it of anyones who Aquilan is with?
He’s the king.
Yes, but… Declan stopped. We are not getting married. That actually hurt to say. He felt like he couldn’t breathe when he said it. But it was true. Right? Right?! We are…
What are you doing? Vex prodded. Again, gently.
I…
In some ways, I wish you were more like me then you could enjoy yourself with Aquilan and move on, Vex sounded sad. But you are not. And the Sun King cannot marry a human bartender.
Declan had dropped the towel and was leaning against the sink. He really couldn’t breathe! So you’re saying we’re doomed? So you’re saying I’ll lose him and–
I’m saying that Aquilan cannot marry a human bartender, Vex deftly cut in.
But he could… Could he marry the Night Prince? Declan was holding his breath.
A sudden laugh. Oh, Rahven, you really shouldn’t be asking me that!
Why?
Because I might get ideas! Vex poked at the fire. Uniting the Aravae and the Kindreth again, but this time by royal blood? Since I know you wouldn’t be willing to be my spy–
I would not! And nor will anyone else! Declan frowned.
Thinking of Rhalyf, are you? Well, he must speak for himself… unless you are going to order him not to as his prince and not his bartender cousin, Vex pointed out.
Declan pinched the top of his nose. You make it seem impossible for me to not be the Night Prince!
Because, my dearest Rahven, it is.
Vex went quiet again and there was only the pop and crack of the fire once more.
But if I choose to be the Night Prince then you make it seem as if we can only be at odds, Declan pointed out.
Silence.
Declan shook his head. Father, why do you make everything so difficult?
I am just sitting here! Trying to sleep by the fire! Though I do hear there is a rather delicious breakfast included with my room…
That you will tip expansively for and not give Lily any trouble. Wait, what am I saying? I’m going over there. I’ll take care of you myself and–
How?
I…
It’s daylight, my son. You need to stay indoors and eat your buttery eggs and ham and–
That conversation happened well after the middle of the night when you claimed to check on me briefly, Declan pointed out.
Hmmm, maybe it was this mention of ham that intrigued me. Glom seems awfully fond of it, Vex said.
And, at that moment, he saw something move by his father’s feet. It was the naki. Sleeping by the fire. Farting softly.
Snaglak allowed Glom to stay with you or… did you take Glom from him? Declan was about to turn towards the door though he really had no way of getting to the Dawn like he was.
Snaglak wanted to stay too, but I told him I could only abide one farting being in my room. So he’s next door. Vex leaned down and patted the naki’s head.
Declan frowned and paused in the doorway. You seem to be getting awfully close to my friends.
Well, I’m your father! Of course, they are kind to me, Vex sniffed.
The frown deepened. I cannot imagine Helgrom or Glom being scared of anyone. Not even you so… you haven’t–
I am quite charming, Rahven. I don’t need to use fear to get people to enjoy my company, I assure you, Vex tsked.
Declan’s shoulders eased. Good. I don’t want them to be afraid. They are my friends. My very good friends. And I–what was that?
What was what? Oh, dear, someone is in the hall, Vex analyzed what he had heard. A soft step. A rattle at the doors.
It is likely Aquilan come back from his meeting–
No, no, that is not Aquilan, Vex contradicted him.
And Declan knew he was right. He felt magic flowing through the doors. They were going to unlock. The person was going to come inside and find him here!
Rahven, get out of there. You are not yet ready to reveal yourself to the world, Vex commanded.
Declan already was moving. Luckily, Gemma had brought him one of his many deep-hooded jackets.
He had no time to find his shirt. Instead, he just slid that one on in one fluid movement as the doors to the Sun King’s bedroom rattled ominously.
His sunglasses were on the nightstand as was the Adiva that Rhalyf had made for him.
He hadn’t intended on wearing anything magical on him at least for another day, but there was no helping it.
It was madness, but he had no other choice than to head outside.
My sunglasses will stop people from seeing my red eyes, but the white hair… Well, people dye their hair! Declan thought crazily.
Your eyes will glow through those glasses, Rahven, and no one can quite attain our starlight hair through dye, his father responded dryly.
I just need to get to the Dawn and then–
You need help sooner than that. Ah, yes, Rhalyf is just about to come back. I’ll just redirect him to his rooms directly below you, his father said. Head down, Rahven. Help is but a floor away.
Bracing himself, Declan grasped the door handles to the balcony.
His chest was tight again, but this time for a very different reason.
He forced out a breath. He would not fear the Sun.
The Adiva would protect him. And if he was going to continue to live in Aquilan’s sunlit world, he had to somehow learn to embrace sunlight.
The sound of the locks clicking behind him had Declan opening the balcony doors and stepping out into bright sunlight. He was dazzled by it, even behind his glasses. The Adiva went icy cold against his bare chest. But still, he swayed.
Just down one floor, Rahven. You can do it, Vex urged. Rhalyf’s balcony is directly below you.
Declan shut the doors behind him and moved more from memory than current sight to the balcony’s railing.
He put one hand on the top of the railing and launched himself off into space.
With a graceful turn, he caught the railing with the other hand and then swung himself towards the other balcony, letting go and dropping down onto the stones in an easy crouch.
He was trembling. Not from the exertion, but from the Sun. The all-encompassing light.
“... how are we here, Rhalyf? I thought rifts couldn’t open within Tyrael’s dome,” Finley’s voice rose up from inside.
“I quite agree! I shouldn’t have been able to do that,” Rhalyf muttered the last. “Unless–”
Declan staggered inside. He had to get off the balcony and out of the light. “Finley, Rhalyf, I–”
“Declan?!” Finley’s eyes were comically huge behind his glasses. “What are you–”
“Doing here?” Rhalyf finished for Finley looking similarly wide-eyed and shocked.
“Of course, you would have another beautiful young man in your bedroom here, too,” a female voice rose up from behind them. “Just like my brother to… ah, who… who are you?”
Though she had the Aravae coloring–in fact, she looked to have the twin coloring to Rhalyf at the moment–he knew that she was not a Sun Elf. She was a Kindreth. And one look into her glamoured gray eyes told him that she knew that he was one, too.