Page 44 of The Night Prince 6

“I don’t see how I did any such thing–”

“He wants us to train Rahven. You in magic. And me in martial arts,” she explained.

His nephew blinked. And then blinked some more. “Train… Rahven? Me? You? Us?”

Rhalyf glanced over at Vex for confirmation, or more hopefully, declination. But Vex, once more, beamed and nodded. He patted Rhalyf’s arm.

“You understand me completely,” Vex said.

“We’re to… wait, how are we to… without Aquilan… I mean… I’m already keeping so many secrets that…” Rhalyf swallowed.

“I’m sure that our dearest Aquilan will be thrilled that you are willing to train Rahven,” Vex said. “His best friend taking such an interest in the young man he loves.”

“Loves?” Haera repeated softly.

“Can’t you see it? I think people could see it from Nhamashel it is so bright and beautiful,” Vex said as he looked back at his son and the Sun King.

Rahven was pulling out a seat for the Sun King. Evidently, while dinner was completed for some, dessert was not. Aquilan looked over his shoulder at Rahven with a smile that could melt hearts and change minds. Rahven’s stoic expression softened and his lips parted. A faint blush heated his son’s cheeks as he tucked Aquilan into the table before taking his own seat beside him.

“How is that going to work if Rahven is the Phendar Cithrel?” Haera asked.

“That is a fascinating question! But one thing at a time. First, before Rahven takes his place on stage again he really needs some training. And, as you so rightly intuited, Haera, your brother will teach my son to weave magic even better than him and you… you will help hone Rahven’s martial mastery,” Vex said.

Haera regarded Rahven speculatively with narrowed eyes. “He definitely moves like a fighter–”

“Hunter,” Rhalyf corrected and Vex, once more, regarded his nephew with new respect.

He knew, of course, that Rhalyf was clever. Very clever. His magical weaving abilities were truly like nothing he’d ever seen. Vex had sheer power, but Rhalyf could take the littlest spark of power and make it into something far more. And he’d unerringly sensed when things were going south with Ashryn. He was not surprised that Rhalyf had fled without a glance backwards. No one had earned his nephew’s loyalty until the Sun King.

And now he is determining just what he is willing to lose for it. I am right about him. I know it.

“Hunter? Ah… well, yes, I suppose.” Haera’s eyes flickered between her brother and Rahven. “I think I see what you mean. He’s… alone.”

“He can fight well with others. Excellently actually,” Rhalyf said. “But he is built to battle alone.”

“Good to know,” she said after a moment. She, too, obviously respected her brother’s intelligence and intuition about people. “I’m sure I can do something, Uncle.”

“You need to do more than something. Rahven will never be safe,” Vex said quietly. “He will always be in danger. Always. He must be prepared for anything and everything.”

Haera regarded him steadily for long moments. “I understand. He cannot be used against you.”

“Ha, he never would let himself be. Rahven would never expect me to save him,” Vex laughed softly. “Not that he won’t be captured at times, but… he would understand that getting himself out of such a bind would likely have to come through his own mettle.”

“Besides, he can only be a danger to our uncle if our uncle allows him to be,” Rhalyf murmured.

Again, Vex stared at him. “Yes, Rhalyf. It is my feelings that will be used against me if I allow it. Rahven has little to do with that.”

Except, of course, he had responded in a way that Vex had not expected that night. A way that had shattered his defenses. And now, here they were. He had made his decision and Rahven would be paying the price for it.

“In reality, it would have been easier on him if I had simply killed him. For what is coming will not be easy. His existence will not be… peaceful. At least, not always,” Vex glanced over to where Aquilan and Rahven sat eating dessert together. Aquilan was attempting to tempt Rahven with some cake. Rahven, at first, refused, but then he was opening his mouth like a little baby bird to be fed something sweet. “So he must be prepared and, hence, he must be trained.”

“I’m surprised you don’t want to train him yourself, Uncle,” Haera said. “There is no one, after all, better than you in both magic and martial arts.”

“Oh, I intend to do my part. But I can hardly be here all the time,” he answered simply. “A king can take a vacation, but not a sabbatical. Not really.”

“Yes, yes, of course, you must return to Nhamashel or people will wonder,” Haera murmured.

“But you two are here and can remain here as long as is necessary,” Vex informed them happily.