CHAPTER I #2
And they did stop, for a short while. Until different rumors prompted them to start back up again.
Queen.
The word was still as foreign on my tongue as it was in my thoughts.
The castle was whispering, questioning…
“To the third floor, Lady,” the Discerni soldiers announces, leading us up a staircase.
I run my fingers through my hair in an attempt to look presentable for whatever is to come, groaning when I feel something sticky just above my ear. Stormfall shifts on my shoulder, but otherwise remains fast asleep.
“For what reason could you possibly have to seat her next to the Prince and Princess of Pyre?”
The Queen’s cool voice can be heard from just outside a door at the end of the west wing. I sigh, hating that relations between her and I are still so formal and cold, and remind myself that a conversation will need to take place before we set off for Woodlands.
“Lady Alexis of Bardot,” the soldier announces and pushes open the door.
I set my shoulders straight and walk into a small meeting room.
The tall greenstone walls around me are surrounded by trees in every corner, the farthest wall graced with a large glass window that’s letting in the hazy afternoon glow.
In the middle of the room is a decent-sized wooden table with Keane sitting at the head.
He stands when I walk in, his brown eyes quickly catching mine as I hide my almost foolish grin at the simple sight of him.
His strong gaze catches mine, lips curving into a smile as the two of us take each other in from across the room.
The King to Be is wearing a rich satin long sleeve, the color such a dark and deep green that it almost looks black.
It flows over his broad shoulders and dips in a small cut down the middle, accentuating his muscled chest and the small black and fluorite chain that rests casually against his tanned skin.
His brown hair is perfectly swept at the top, the length greeting the tips of his leaf-shaped ears as he continues to give me a quiet grin.
The whole of him is breathtaking, will always be breathtaking, and I find myself having to avert my gaze so as not to be seen staring at him for too long.
Keane’s brother, Desmond, stands from his chair as well, as does the Discerni at his side, Lord Daniel.
The two of them are wearing similar attire to Keane, but instead of a deep green top they’re both wearing a rich and heavy black.
Both men nod in my direction as the soldier closes the door behind me.
“A human kitchen servant will grace the sides of the royals of Pyre at the coronation?” a cool and unfamiliar voice scoffs from the table.
I turn my gaze to the stranger and take him in.
The man is a Discerni Lord wearing the standard pale green and white tunic with a high collar that is prominent in Woodlands.
His eyes are an icy blue as he looks back at me with genuine disinterest, his long, pale blond hair flowing straight and behind his cut ears down to his back.
He looks to be a bit older than Keane, perhaps in his early thirties in human years, though his features remind me of a petulant child.
His eyes narrow on mine, not liking that I look at him straight on, before he flicks his gaze to the blonde man sitting next to him.
Keane’s younger brother, Troy, is at the man’s side, the Prince wearing a similar pale green tunic that accentuates his light blonde hair and skin. Troy’s eyes are narrowed on me as well, his jaw flexing under the blonde stubble before he also turns away.
“I’ve been told the Prince and Princess of Pyre enjoy my cooking,” I smile sweetly at the Woodlands males.
Both Lord Daniel and another Discerni next to him, Lord Alexander, give a small chuckle.
“Apologies for my appearance, Your Highness,” I take a step forward and give Keane a respectful bow. “I was indeed helping Chef just now in the kitchens. As were the multiple human and Discerni servants that have all been busy preparing for your coronation.”
“There is no need to apologize, Lady Alexis,” Keane catches my glance, “I know I called you to this meeting without warning. Your help alongside Chef is greatly appreciated.”
I bow my head again and silently take in the rest of the table.
It looks to be a meeting between Keane’s Leading Lords of the Courts, with Lord Daniel, as I was told just a few nights ago, agreeing to take the mantle of Leading Lord of the Court of Warriors after Keane’s coronation.
Desmond will be his second and carry the title alongside his formal title of Master Informer to the Kingdom of Disce.
The Queen is seated at Keane’s left, peering at me quietly with her sharp blue gaze from afar.
I suspect, though haven’t yet confirmed, that she will become Leading Lady of the Court of Knowledge, with Lord Alexander as her second.
To her left is Troy, who is already the Leading Lord of Woodlands Court, which makes the new stranger sitting next to him his second.
The last in the room and positioning himself in the shadows of the wall behind Keane is the magical creature, Golem. My friend is watching me with a soft and affectionate smile, though the rest of his clay features resemble the sharp and indifferent look of the Discerni.
“Please take a seat, Lady Alexis,” Keane motions his hand to the chair at the opposite end of the table.
Stormfall grips my shoulder as I sit, his hold letting me know that he senses my small nervousness even as he sleeps.
“The royal delegation from Pyre arrived this morning,” Keane states, taking his own seat. “The last of the Kingdoms to arrive.”
My heart flutters in genuine excitement, truly happy to hear the news. I can’t wait to see Princess Clair again and catch up on everything that has happened since we departed Red Falls.
“Both the Prince and Princess hosted myself, my brother and Lady Alexis not under a month ago,” Keane turns to the Woodlands Lord in cool explanation.
“The Princess and Lady Alexis became swift friends during that travel. She will be very appreciative to learn that Lady Alexis will be at her side for the coronation.”
“We have countless other Ladies who are better suited to greet a woman of her stature, Your Highness,” the blonde Discerni scowls.
The Queen turns to her son with a nod. “I have to say I agree with Lord Krause, Keane. The etiquette of the day demands a high-ranking family be seated next to the royals.”
I sigh and shift in my chair, watching as Desmond starts walking in my direction.
He catches my eyes with his dark brown ones and silently places a whiskey on the table in front of me.
I give the Master Informer a small smile and bring the drink to my lips, frowning at the trivial discussion that’s taking place at the other end.
While I don’t appreciate the Woodlands Discerni’s comments or his cold glances, whether I sit next to Clair and her husband at the coronation makes no difference to me.
I take a swift drink, hoping that Keane will let it all go. This small battle isn’t worth the time nor the energy to persist.
“Both can be managed,” Lord Daniel smiles at the Queen from across the table, “we can give the royals the familiarity of Lady Alexis and a Lord and Lady from any of our courts as well.”
The Queen nods at Daniel before turning towards Krause in curiosity. “Do you know if Bellamy will be making the travel?”
“The Prince and Princess of Pyre,” the soldier at the door interrupts before the Woodlands Lord can answer. “Their Highnesses, Prince McQuoid and Princess Clair.”
The full of the table stands to greet the royals in an instant.
Prince McQuoid is the first to step into the room, though he stops just past the threshold to reach back and hold the door open for his wife.
The Princess smiles at her husband and walks into the room, her eyes immediately falling on mine as we both grin in greeting.
She’s as beautiful as I remember, with her vibrant red hair pulled back from her face in a thick braid that falls down her back and reaches her waist. She’s wearing a deep red gown that exposes the full of her shoulders and arms, a dress without any sleeves that reveals the red flames moving under her skin.
The fabric of her dress flows beautifully down her body to the small swell that can be seen low on her tummy.
My grin grows wider. There’s no hiding the pregnancy anymore.
Clair catches my knowing smile with a beaming nod, waiting for her husband to enter the room.
McQuoid walks forward proudly. He’s wearing a formal maroon satin shirt that’s tucked into black riding pants and boots, the full of his attire looking brand new and immaculately pressed.
The sight of him so proper has me on the verge of laughing, as the last time I saw the man he was wearing tattered pants and no shirt with his boots well-worn.
He takes his wife’s hand and nods to Keane at the end of the table, his wild auburn beard clipped and no longer looking like the rugged Prince from the cold mountains of Pyre.
I look behind the royals, to the Discerni who is now holding the door open with wide eyes. Two massive snow tigers bound in silently behind the Prince and Princess, the smaller of the two, Alba, immediately finding my gaze before her strong paws speed forward.
“Beautiful girl,” I beam and take a quick knee, “I was hoping you’d come!”
Alba pushes her massive head into my outstretched hands, her nose rubbing up my arm as I grab a tuft full of fur from behind her ears.
“Do you remember Stormfall?” I ask as Storm unfurrows his wings behind my back. “Probably bigger now than you remember.”
Alba tilts her nose up, her cat-like eyes glancing at the Bird of Ash before she gives him a sniff. Storm quickly caws in greeting, the two of them purring like no time has been lost.
“And how about me, Storm?” Clair chuckles from above.