Page 3 of The Night Prince 6

“You may think you want to. But what you want more is to complain–to howl, really–about how downtrodden you all are. How evil the Aravae are. How racist.” Declan leaned in. For this was something he’d kept to himself. Something that had burned in his chest like a hot coal since he’d heard it. Had made him want to smash this man’s superior face in. “But it takes one to know one, doesn’t it, Rohannan?”

A muscle in Rohannan’s cheek twitched. “I have nothing against the Aravae–”

“I’m not talking about the Aravae,” Declan shot back. “You thought only your own people heard you after you met with Councillor Shonda Baston. What you called her after she argued with you–civilly, professionally and even kindly–when she was out of earshot. But I heard you.”

“What did he… no, no way…” Finley shook his head in disbelief. “How can he be hung up on her skin color and gender now when there are like none of us left?”

Declan’s nose was millimeters from Rohannan’s. “I could tell King Aquilan here exactly what you called her and the General–people who are so far fucking above you that you can’t even see the soles of their feet–when you thought you were among friends. I could explain to him the history of those words and why they are the lowest of the low. And how that would likely also explain why you have no people of color or women in any leadership positions in the 401st.”

Rohannan’s toothpick had stopped moving. “I’m not a fucking racist or sexist, boy. You might have thought you heard something, but anger has a way of–”

“Before the war, you were a privileged person. Maybe not the richest. No. I’m sure you had bills to pay and burdens on your back. But you never had to worry about people denying you things because of your race or sex or orientation, did you?” Declan pushed on, ignoring his bullshit. “You were on top. And because you’d always been on top, you never questioned why. You just thought that was how it was supposed to be. But then the war came. And you weren’t on top anymore. Worse, a black woman–smarter than you, better than you–was elected to represent humanity. Do you work with her? Do you support her in helping everyone? We both know you don’t. The saddest thing about all this, Rohannan, is that though she didn’t hear what you said behind her back that night and probably many nights, and though I didn’t tell her, she knows what you think anyway.”

Rohannan jerked back before catching himself. “I’m not a–”

“She and Michael know what people like you think about people like them. They’ve lived with that since they were born. But she still fights for you. Both of them do,” Declan growled. “Even as you spit on them and think you’re above them. They still help you. And they always will. Though you do not deserve it. They do it for everyone else here.”

Declan stared at him in silence for long, long moments. But silence always suited him. He had not spoken this much in… ever. He drew back and stepped away. Rohannan’s shoulders slumped a little. He took off his cowboy hat again, ran a hand through his hair once more, and put it back on.

“I can see you believe that about me,” Rohannan finally said quietly. “And I’m not saying I haven’t… I haven’t been coarse in my speech at times. But I’m not… I admire the Bastons. I think they’re wrong about where humanity’s future lies. But I don’t look down on them like you think.”

“How can we ever believe you when you say things like that about them when you believe you won’t be heard?” Finley asked with a shake of his head. “Look, I get it. We’re all a bit racist. We’re all a bit sexist. But we need to fight against it. Not… not… not give in. And you’re a leader. What you say matters even more. So swearing and calling her and Michael… And the fact that you don’t have women or people of color around you shows that it’s not just a one off! That you keep Tweedle-dum, Tweedle-dumber and Tweedle-dumbest over there as your choir,” Finley pointed to Warren, Jeff and Dean who looked ready to pound on him, “says something, too. What the hell are you doing, Rohannan? How can you be a representative of humanity when you don’t consider all of us… human?”

* * *

“We listen to all voices! And, of course, we consider everyone human no matter race, creed, religion… Look, I know what I said that time. I was heated. I was wrong. But that doesn’t mean all that you think it does,” Rohannan insisted as he slapped a hand over his heart. “And I keep these boys close, because they lost their parents. They need a father figure. I want to model that for them. I want to be there for them and show them the path.”

Declan stared at him in silent disbelief. Rohannan shifted from foot to foot.

“I have been humbled. You got that right, Declan. But I have always tried to do what is best for these people. Maybe I have not always succeeded. Maybe I have allowed my own losses to cloud my judgment at times. But I am not the unworthy bastard you paint me to be,” Rohannan said, his voice tightening with emotion. “King Aquilan, I truly want you to see the good in this place and these people. They have been ill-used by your brother and the Empire. If I wanted you to connect to individuals, I won’t apologize for that. Talking in generalities never moves anybody. Not really.” He swallowed. “If you wish to leave Hope now and arrange another time to visit with or without me present–”

“No,” Aquilan cut in and stepped forward. “No, I do not wish to leave.” He let out a breath. “You have no reason to trust me, which is part of why this happened. You did what you did–ill thought out as it was and it was ill thought out–because you are desperate and do not know me either. But that can only be rectified by time.” Aquilan straightened up. “And as for racism.” Here, Rohannan froze. “You are not alone in that wrong thinking in this company.”

Rohannan jerked in surprise.

“I have been… pushed to see my own prejudice recently. Prejudice that led to… some outcomes that I didn’t foresee. Couldn’t foresee. But if I had been clearer-eyed. If I had not acted on my prejudice, if I’d fought against it, things might have turned out very differently,” Aquilan said and Declan knew he was talking about Vulre and the Kindreth. Rhalyf was staring at him with hope and sadness in his eyes. “I am not excusing you or myself for it. We cannot forgive ourselves. We are not the wronged ones. But what we can do is seek to be better. Seek to change.”

“That is… that is true,” Rohannan nodded slowly, realizing that maybe all was not lost.

Aquilan turned and took Declan’s left hand in his. The touch had electricity running through Declan’s frame as it always did and made his breath catch. But he controlled himself so only perhaps Finley and Rhalyf noticed anything at all.

“Declan, I know you are upset and I would not keep you here if you do not wish to be,” Aquilan said. “I am glad you spoke up–”

“So long as he tells the truth–the unvarnished truth with no games–I am happy to continue on here,” Declan said as he pointedly looked down the road to where the play actors were.

“Boys, go tell everyone to disperse. We won’t need their help after all,” Rohannan said to his followers.

Warren, Dean and Jeff hesitated a moment but they slunk off. Declan knew that they would be trouble later. But he would be ready for them. He always was.

“Finley, Rhalyf, are you in agreement?” Aquilan asked.

“I go where you go, my king,” Rhalyf said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Of course, there are many good things about the people here that I want you to experience,” Finley said firmly.

“Well, then I truly am looking forward to this BBQ and music. I rather love music and enjoy good food,” Aquilan told Rohannan.

A slow smile, a real smile, crossed Rohannan’s lips. “You’ll find both here today, I assure you. Now… maybe we can start this again?”