Javaun Helios's Arc

Chapter 3 of 11

The next day, Javaun climbed the stairs toward the Prince's corridor. He carried the secret of the cellar like a coin in his palm. If he could reach Prince Diamond alone, he could warn him about Velrithian and win a moment of trust. He straightened his silk robe and walked faster. Two elf guards stepped out to block the hall. Their armor was dark, their ears sharp. One held up a gloved hand. "The Prince sees no one today," the guard said. His voice was flat. Javaun tried to look past them. Down the corridor, servants moved in and out of the Prince's rooms. Every one of them answered to Velrithian. He would never get through. He lowered his eyes and turned away, jaw tight. He needed someone the elf did not command. The Prince had a sister. Javaun climbed to a brighter wing and found her door open. Princess Ilandra sat at her mirror. She drew a silver brush through her long braids, slow and careful, watching her own face. Gold rings caught the light on her fingers. She did not turn when he entered. "Cousin Javaun," she said to the mirror. "You look like a man with news." "I have news, Princess." He kept his voice low. "Your brother is in danger. Velrithian keeps something locked in the cellars, guarded night and day. It is how he bought his title. I think it can undo him." Ilandra set the brush down. She met his eyes in the glass. "You risk much for my brother's marriage. Why?" A small smile curved her lips. "Is it the Prince you care for, Javaun? Not his safety, but his heart?" The question caught him off guard. He had guarded this for weeks. But her voice was gentle, and he was tired of hiding it. "Yes," he said. "I love him. I would take Velrithian's place if the crown allowed it." The Princess smiled wider. Then her braids darkened. Her pink gown ran black like spilled ink. Her skin paled, her ears sharpened. The brush clattered to the floor. Velrithian sat where Ilandra had been. His red eyes found Javaun in the mirror. "Thank you," Velrithian said softly. "I wondered what you truly wanted. Now I know." Javaun stumbled back. "Where is she? Where is the Princess?" "Safe. Elsewhere." Velrithian rose, smoothing his black coat. "You should have stopped at the cellar door. Instead you handed me your heart. A man's love is the easiest thing to break." Rage burned up Javaun's throat. He had confessed everything to his enemy. He turned and ran from the room, down the bright hall, past startled servants. His footsteps echoed off the stone. He reached an empty landing and gripped the rail, chest heaving. Velrithian knew now. Not just his plan, but his love. The elf would use it. Javaun had lost his last quiet path to the Prince. He would need a louder one.