Page 45 of The Night Prince 6

“I do not know how long that will actually be, Uncle. You see, Aquilan may be very distracted with Rahven now, but he knows that something is up with me and my… heritage,” Rhalyf said tightly.

“Ah.” Vex smiled at him.

“Ah? Nothing more? He will discover who I am and then he will fling me from the Empire! If I am lucky!” Rhalyf informed him a little dramatically.

“Do you think he’ll physically do it? Like grab your hair and–”

“Uncle!” Rhalyf ran a hand down his face. “This lie cannot stand. For it is not just mine and Haera’s. Finley knows. Rahven knows. You think he will not tell Aquilan something of this–this importance?”

“Yes, that does sound unlikely,” Vex admitted sympathetically.

“I need to get out ahead of this therefore. I need to tell him who I really am and–”

“Oh, yes, you best not let someone else do it,” Vex nodded in agreement.

Rhalyf stopped in mid rant. His mouth opened and shut. Then, almost plaintively, “Yet you have informed me that I am to continue as Lord Rhalyf Neres!”

“Well… yes. I hardly want you out as a Kindreth and my nephew here in the Aravae Empire. That will draw too much attention to Aquilan and he already has problems of his own–”

Rhalyf clutched the front of his shirt. Then realizing what he was doing, released the material and smoothed down Vex’s clothes. “Do you mean to tell me that you simply meant for me to remain in disguise with other people? Other than Aquilan?”

Blink. Blink. “You obviously thought I meant something else.”

Rhalyf shut his eyes and a shudder went through him. “Finley said… Finley told me that I needed to recall exactly what you said and I… I was too busy… oh, gods!” He tilted his head back. “But we haven’t had time and I… I’m still not sure I can undo this lie.”

“It will be difficult,” Vex agreed. “But, as you said, it is bound to come out. You need to do something. And I really do need you to be here. To train Rahven and… keep an eye on things.”

“Now that is a command from the king,” Rhalyf realized.

He nodded.

Rhalyf scrubbed his face with his hands. “It is understood.”

“I am so glad that we are understanding one another so well now!” Vex grinned.

“But you didn’t want him to before?” Haera phrased that as a question.

“I might have been having a little fun at your brother’s expense because he… he left,” Vex admitted and there was that pang he felt when he thought of his nephew fleeing.

But can I really be surprised? I gave him no reason to stay. I left him and Haera both with Eliana. Yes, she is their mother. But…

He felt Rahven looking at him. He turned his head and he was correct. His son was laser focused on him.

You should have saved them, Rahven sent over their mental connection.

They need to save themselves, Rahven, he said sadly.

Lysanthir would have saved them, Rahven answered with no hesitation. He would have wanted you to do so now.

Hearing his name twice from actual mouths other than his own had him flinching. Rahven was right, of course.

Lysanthir wanted to save everyone, his mind voice was hoarse. That is why his soul is trapped forever. Powering a vile weapon.

And you fear that will be your fate if you help those you love? Rahven was implacable. He pulled no punches.

You speak very freely with me. Vex lifted an eyebrow.

About something that hurts you, Rahven intuited. No, he knew. And I am sorry for that. But I know of no other way to speak. Plus, I would not dishonor you by speaking falsely anyways.