Chapter 9 What Would You Do #2
At least, she knew their family history and far flung relations.
But watching her use the lies that he’d originally concocted to paper over his thin backstory made him feel worse.
If he allowed her to keep talking–to keep spinning–then he’d have even more to explain away once he told Aquilan the truth.
“So you had your own sister lie for you, Rhalyf? You disguised her so that I wouldn’t know the truth? And you brought Finley and Declan in on it, too?” He could very well imagine Aquilan saying to him with hurt and bewilderment staining his words.
And it wasn’t just him or Haera lying right now by saying things.
He was making Declan and Finley accomplices.
By saying nothing they were being drawn into the web he’d woven.
He needed to tell the truth. He needed to explain.
He needed to be done with this. Vex was going to kill him.
But that was likely going to happen anyway!
But he couldn’t keep lying to Aquilan. And he wouldn’t have the others do it either.
His voice was tight as he said, “We both have a lot of secrets. Our family–”
“Families are complicated,” Finley said, stepping in and stopping him from confessing.
“Oftentimes, people think they define us, but most times we define ourselves in opposition to them. We stand for the exact opposite of what they do. And that causes mixed loyalties so we just… shed everything and start anew.”
Rhalyf stared at Finley. Finley stared back at him long and hard.
Why had Finley said that? Why hadn’t Finley allowed him to fall on his sword?
He needed to do it! This lying needed to stop!
Finley’s eyes flickered from him to Haera to Declan then back to him.
At first, he didn’t understand, but then he suddenly understood exactly what Finley was trying to say.
Confessing now was a terrible idea. Aquilan was in a dark, locked room with three–count them, three–Vexes with the Night King just a hop, skip and a jump away.
Even his trusting and seeing-the-good-in-everyone best friend would be alarmed by learning just how outnumbered he was by his ancient enemy.
Just a little at least! No, no, no. Finley was right!
He had to tell the truth, but not like this.
Maybe in a sunlit square. When they were alone and the others had a chance to get away… Something like that.
Aquilan slowly blinked as he regarded them all, too. Whatever he was thinking was hidden from Rhalyf, but, finally, he smiled and nodded. He’d come to some conclusion from those very vague, yet pointed statements from Finley.
“Families are complicated. And talking about them can be painful so… yes, we will leave that there,” Aquilan finally said with a gentle, loving smile. Haera remained blessedly silent. Aquilan continued, “But you mentioned that Declan jumped down from the… balcony, Haera?”
“Someone tried to get into your rooms,” Rhalyf finally fully found his voice again. At least he could tell Aquilan about the intruder. He could be honest about that!
Alarm filled Aquilan’s beautiful face. “What? Who?”
“I didn’t see. I didn’t stay to see,” Declan amended. He gestured towards his white hair. He still had the sunglasses on despite the velvety darkness. “I thought it best to make myself absent.”
“Yes,” Aquilan’s expression went distant, but then he shook himself. “You’re not a secret, Declan. Not on my end anyways. So please don’t run from people on my account.”
Everyone in the room stiffened. Rhalyf drew in a shuddery breath. Was Aquilan saying that he would stick by Declan if he revealed himself to be a Kindreth? To be the Night Prince?
I misjudged him. Or maybe it’s just Declan that he feels this wild need to throw caution to the wind?
But then he winced. Aquilan was accepting. It was just his parents’ deaths and the unexpected appearance of Night Elves where no Night Elves were meant to be that had set him off. Or something.
Declan had gone still as he was arranging the cooling plates of food on the table that no one was likely going to eat.
Without turning towards Aquilan, he said, “I appreciate that, but I’m not ready to be out and proud, I guess you could say.
I’m not sure I ever will be. Plus, after that magical display in the Under Dark, I’m betting people might be looking for me. People who I don’t want to find me.”
Aquilan slowly nodded as if he wasn’t quite happy with that thought. “Yes, of course. But I don’t think you need be alarmed by whoever tried to enter my rooms. It was likely just one of the staff trying to tidy up while I was downstairs though I did tell Cellica no one should go upstairs.”
But Declan shook his head. “It wasn’t someone on your staff. Vex was certain it wasn’t so–”
“Vex?! You’re speaking with him again telepathically?” Aquilan’s eyes widened.
Declan colored, which had Rhalyf’s eyebrows rising. “He never actually stopped talking to me and… and watching through my eyes. He… uh, last night… uhm… yeah, and he’s at the Dawn.”
It was Aquilan’s turn to go still. “He knows… ah… well… wait! He’s at the Dawn?!”
“Yes, he claims to even be paying for the room and looking forward to the included breakfast,” Declan sounded bewildered by this.
He wasn’t the only one.
Haera’s mouth fell open before she recovered herself. He was trying to imagine his uncle tucking into the complimentary omelet. Did his uncle like eggs? Would he enjoy bacon? There were so many human and Aravae delights that they couldn’t get in the Under Dark.
Watch, he’ll have a sweet tooth like me. If he discovers caramel corn, he might consider invading just to keep the supply of that salty, sugary sweetness going.
“I swear I had no idea he was here and so–so invasive until I saw through his eyes one of the Dawn’s rooms this morning and he confessed what he’d done,” Declan sounded strangled as he said this.
“He’s here,” Aquilan said softly. “Well, I did say I would give him a boon so–”
Declan’s head snapped up and his red eyes glowed hotly behind his sunglasses. “You owe him nothing, Aquilan! If there’s anything to be paid, I’ll pay it. Not you!”
But Aquilan gave a faint smile. “I do owe him, Declan. Without his help, we wouldn’t have gotten back here in time for Rhalyf to remove that terrible glamour. I cannot thank him enough for that.”
“I would not have you in his debt because of me,” Declan insisted. “I will not have it.”
“It cannot be helped.” Aquilan shrugged. “I made my decision. Does he intend to present himself at the Eryas Palace?”
“I… I don’t know. He seems content where he is,” Declan admitted with a helpless shrug. “He does not tell me his plans.”
“The Night King should be staying here. Although, I know the Dawn is very comfortable,” Aquilan said with a fond smile. “But he should be taken care of by me. Not staying at a public establishment.”
“Is he here officially?” Finley asked.
Aquilan lifted an eyebrow.
Finley cleared his throat and shifted a little under that insightful gaze. “I get the distinct impression that he’s… just here. Informally. Like visiting? But not as the Night King, but as… I don’t know. Declan’s father?”
“He needs to explain himself either way,” Declan said tightly. “I’m sure he is making a nuisance of himself at the Dawn. I need to be there myself to…” But then he let out an irritated breath. “But my looks.”
“That’s easily mended!” Haera said brightly. “Look how… Well, my brother is a great glamourist, aren’t you, Rhalyf?”
“He doesn’t want to put any magic on me right now, because of the spell I was under until yesterday,” Declan said. “But I can’t stay here while he is out there!”
“I can anchor the glamour solely to the Adiva. It’s not ideal and it means that you absolutely cannot take it off,” Rhalyf warned. “And I’ll keep it very minimal. Black hair. Green eyes. Rounded ears. Everything else… stays the same.”
“That’s all that’s changed,” Declan frowned.
“Ah, not exactly. You look… I can’t quite explain it,” Finley said with a grimace.
“It’s the magic that surrounds him,” Aquilan explained softly. “It was all held inside. Now it is like a star-filled cloak over your shoulders, Declan. You… glow.”
Declan frowned harder. “That’s… that’s unfortunate. I would have you help me to hide that, too, Rhalyf, but, for today, it’ll have to be enough. Helgrom is keeping the Dawn closed until dusk so we should be okay until then.”
Aquilan went to Declan’s side then, taking one of his hands in his. “And you need to rest, Declan. A few hours talking to your father is more than enough.”
“It definitely won’t be restful,” Declan admitted. “Aquilan, I feel responsible for this. I cannot imagine how people will react if they find out he’s here.”
“Even if you were not here, Declan, he would have come at some point,” Aquilan said with a sigh.
“Oh? Why?” Haera asked.
“Yes, why would he have come? Not Darcassan–”
“No, no, Rhalyf. I didn’t have a chance to tell you.” He looked carefully at Haera. But then said, “I do not know that I need to keep it a secret. It would actually be beneficial to my rule. But…”
“But what?” Rhalyf stared.
“He’s Ailduin reborn,” Declan said as Aquilan hesitated. They were still holding hands and Declan tightened his hold on Aquilan’s fingers.
Rhalyf blinked rapidly. Haera let out a sharp breath. Finley’s eyes widened, but then he nodded as if this made complete and utter sense.
“My parents–my mother–made a deal with him when I was in her belly. I was remembering my past and, evidently, I risked dying again before I was even born,” Aquilan told them, still staring down at his clasped hands with Declan.
“Vex saved me by taking my memories. He may have done so several times over the centuries. I don’t actually know.
But in return… in return, they agreed to give me to him. ”
Rhalyf made some sound. “Give–give you to him? How would that work exactly?”
“I’m not quite sure.” Aquilan laughed softly. “I suppose if I was a child, I could more easily see it working, but now? It seems rather far-fetched that he could simply take me away from my own people.”
But Haera did not look so sanguine. “Then you truly do not remember Vex’s love for Ailduin.”
Aquilan lifted an eyebrow. “I suppose I do not. But if he truly loves me then he would not hurt me.”
She shook her head. “Maybe an Aravae in love wouldn’t. But a Kindreth in love? A Vex in love? I am sorry, King Aquilan, but I would put nothing past the Night King.”
Aquilan shook his head. “But, again, what could he do? Throw me over his shoulder and–”
“Invade… or threaten to,” she said simply. “His son and his best friend are here. He wants you both back. Or, at least, under his control. And that control is much more tenuous under the Sun. No, he will want you where there is no light. Where he reigns supreme.”
“But he opened a rift to send us back here,” Aquilan objected. “Truly–”
“Because he didn’t have his army with him,” she said.
“He doesn’t need an army,” Rhalyf muttered.
“He doesn’t, but think on this. He let you go so that Declan could be healed and you would be in his debt,” she said, starting to pace.
“He risks nothing by doing this and gains so much. Now, if he wanted nothing more from you, if he wanted to let you go and live your lives, he would have returned to the Kindreth after that encounter. Leaving the Night Elves seemingly alone is never wise. But he remains here. Why? He must have a very good reason and it isn’t sightseeing. ”
Rhalyf felt a creeping dread. “You think he’s waiting here until the rest of the Night Elves march to the surface?”
Haera gave a tight nod. “While he could have thrown you both over his shoulders and whisked you away, it would have been difficult and there would have been consequences that there won’t be if, say, he parks his army in Illithor where there are rifts a plenty here to Earth thanks to the Leviathan.”
“And then he says either you both come with me or I invade?” Rhalyf asked through numb lips.
Another nod. “The threat of violence would likely be enough. I’m sure that there are those who would be eager to step into the Sun King’s shoes and occupy his throne.
” Her glance was meaningful. She meant Vesslan.
“And if he said to you: come with me and honor your parents’ bargain, King Aquilan, or I will march upon the Aravae Empire what would you do?
You’ve just finished one war. Are you prepared to fight another against the Kindreth?
And I am saying nothing about Declan here.
His son. The Night Prince. Keeping him here would be untenable with such danger present. ”
Was that why Haera was here? Had Vex tapped her to lead the Kindreth? Was she a scout? Or… what?
Declan’s nostrils flared, but he said nothing. Finley looked pale, but not surprised. Aquilan’s blue eyes were filled with thoughts, but all the Sun King said was, “I will not prejudge what he intends. I must speak with King Xelroth Vex. I will know his intentions.”
“You think he will tell you the truth?” Haera tilted her head.
Aquilan’s gaze suddenly became distant as if he were remembering something then. And his next words confirmed it, “Yes, Lady Neres. He always told me the truth. Especially when I did not wish to hear it.”