CHAPTER IV #6
“Ancients, it’s been a while since I’ve had a toddy,” Miles grins, shaking his head. “But I would be delighted to share the drink with you, young Alexis.”
The Discerni pauses for a moment before turning again to Keane. “We were all happy to hear of your mother’s new title, Your Grace. Who else knows of Knowledge better than our Queen?”
“Lady Alexis held the same sentiment. It was from her that we considered the idea,” Keane replies.
“Of course,” Miles grins. “You were always filled with new ideas, Alexis.”
“That one just seemed too easy not to put forward,” I smile, feeling Stormfall move on my shoulder.
Do you want to fly?
The Bird of Ash furrows his wings into his body, aiming to stay put.
“Excuse us, Sir Miles,” Keane drops his hand on the small of my back, “I need to greet a few more from my court in this group.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
We barely make our way over to the familiar group when the crowd outside starts to cheer in celebration.
Keane and I turn our gazes with the rest of the Warriors into the Grand Receiving Room, grinning as we watch a number of men start to roll out the barrels of drink in their court’s fashion.
A larger group of musicians also make their way to the middle of the room, their music forceful and quick and providing the perfect melody for a long night of heavy drinking and celebration.
Keane’s grin next to me continues to grow, the two of us staring at the room that’s now being transformed into that of the Court of Warriors.
Barnes and Desmond are there, their easy Discerni strength carrying a deep green settee in front of the barrels as another duo does the same with a smaller one.
“Go,” I grin.
Keane’s hand moves down my back before he takes my hand and pulls the two of us forward.
“Keane,” I laugh, letting him guide us through the balcony.
He grins and grasps my hand harder, eyes catching mine mischievously.
“This isn’t the true Court of Warriors, Alexis, and I know we’ll have to wait until we’re back in Gaumond for you to let me take you there…”
I laugh, shaking my head.
“But I’ll be damned if you’re not at my side right now,” he squeezes my hand. “Or on top of me… because all I want to do right now is enjoy my night in the middle of the crowd with you sitting so prettily on my lap.”
“Only if you behave,” I chuckle.
Keane grins and leads us towards the barrels that I otherwise would have avoided if we were in Gaumond.
“I mean it, Keane.”
“Have a toddy with me, Alexis,” he smirks, “then tell me what you mean.”
Damn him.
Desmond is waiting for us once we reach the barrels, his normally cool and silent features darting down to our intwined hands before he grins, holding out two glasses filled with the amber liquid.
“A toast, Your Grace,” he lifts his brows in small amusement. “We’re waiting on you to start drinking.”
Keane laughs and turns towards the crowd of predominately black that has formed itself around the barrels. The King of Disce stands proud in front of his people, nodding to the few from Knowledge that have let their curiosity will out and now stand around the edges.
“We’ve had the formalities,” Keane raises his hand into the air as we all do the same, “and I caution everyone to stay away from the Ancient tonight unless they have the strong urge to become rowdier than usual…”
Heysan grins, tilting his drink in cheers…
“Though I expect us all to properly enjoy ourselves to the fullest. Let us celebrate!”
The crowd booms in excitement and clanks their glasses against their neighbors’ as the music roars. I laugh and hold out my glass towards Desmond and Keane, grinning as the three of us down the toddies in full, the liquid warming every inch of my body.
“Another!” the Master Informer prompts, turning back to the barrels.
Keane smirks at his brother just as I look out to the crowd, specifically towards the narrowed gazes that are coming from the outskirts of the room.
Many of those gazes are from Woodlands, the pale Discerni staring at the gathering in the middle with cool and severe features.
I catch Troy in that group, his head nodding at something an older man says before they both start to scowl.
Prince Isham and his delegation are also standing along the edge of the room, though they all have small grins playing across their features, no doubt wanting to join in on the festivities.
Prince McQuoid is bounding towards us with Skiba at his side, his stalky being grinning from head to foot.
He walks without Clair and Alba, and I have no doubt that the Princess chose to retire early.
But it’s another cool blue gaze that I’ve been feeling since we walked into the room that has my smile faltering.
I look back at the Queen, her eyes darting to Keane’s hand moving along my back and pushing me towards the large settee.
She stands with her daughter and King Voland, the two of them watching the celebration with small smiles, not noticing the Queen’s narrowed eyes on me.
I sigh and let Keane direct me through the crowd, reminding myself again that a conversation will need to take place. Soon.
“She’ll come around,” Keane dips his hand lower on my back, fingers inching towards the curve of my rear. “She’s still upset about our trip to Gaumond.”
I arch my back just slightly and only nod in response. Keane doesn’t know that it’s more than that… that her animosity started well before my time with him, back when her husband took an interest in me at the beginning of my travels.
“Have you and Desmond been able to speak with her? About the council?” I ask softly.
“Yes,” Keane nods, seemingly unbothered.
At least she knows now why her husband met with me. So why did I still receive such coldness from her?
Keane steps in front of me and blocks my view of Renate, the grin on his face so contagious that I start laughing.
“What are you up to?”
The King takes a few steps back until his legs brush the settee, his ass falling on the cushions before he pats his thigh in command.
“Oh no,” I shake my head with a laugh. “Ancients, no, Keane. I didn’t even think you were serious!”
“About you sitting pretty on my lap?” Keane leans forward, grabbing my hand. “Oh, I’m deathly serious, Alexis.”
He pulls me towards him, his brown gaze watching in amusement as I hold myself back and opt to stand between his legs instead.
“I know you won’t behave yourself,” I tell him, looking at the crowd around us.
“Probably not,” he smirks in response, “but who could blame me when you look like that?”
His brown eyes are playful as he lets go of my hand, his fingers slowly darting towards the high slit resting against my hip. My eyes widen when he trails them down my exposed leg, his own gaze watching his movements with a soft intensity.
“No,” I laugh, swatting his hand off my thigh. I know how unabashed him and his court are in their sexual proclivities, especially in front of others.
“Hmm,” he leans back and throws an arm around the settee. “Then do you intend to just stand in front of me all night? Because I can live with that, too, trouble. Though… perhaps you should turn around?”
“Turn around?” I raise a brow.
“Mhmm,” he smirks. “So I can envision all the ways I’m going to bend you over tonight.”
Oh fuck me.
My cheeks and full body flush as I do exactly that and turn swiftly away from the King. Keane’s hand reaches up to grab my ass, his smug chuckle sending a shiver down my spine as I try to walk as quickly as possible to the barrels.
The damn ego on him.
“What is this tilt I’ve heard so much about, Queen?” Heysan’s friendly voice greets my side.
“And you say I’m casual with my words…” I shake my head.
“There’s no point hiding what is going to be, Alexis. The full of the room already suspects…” he brings his hand up to tap the side of his head. “I hear them.”
“And is that something all of you Ancient’s have the ability to do?” I ask in genuine curiosity, thinking that I’d like to find a way to shield my thoughts from him and his brother.
“It is,” Heysan grins, “though I’ve never encountered someone who wasn’t an Ancient who can hide them from us. I will thoroughly enjoy you giving it a try, though, Human Reborn.”
I narrow my eyes on the Ancient and turn to the crowd until I spot my tall friend.
“Cal!” I wave, calling him towards us.
Cal beams, nodding his head as he excuses himself from Mana and Sera and starts to walk towards us.
“You’re sure you want to know what a tilt is?” I look back at Heysan with a smirk.
He nods, his full features alight. “You know I do, Alexis.”
I grin to myself, then to Cal who stops next to us.
“The new Ancient here would like to know what a tilt is, Cal…”
“You know I’m game, Alex,” Cal takes a step towards the empty mugs next to the barrels.
“I know you are,” I nod, still grinning. “But I’d like for you to count us this time. Right now.”
Cal’s hand stills before an empty mug, his head turning to me as his eyes go round in small shock, knowing what I’m about to say.
“I’ll tilt with the Ancient,” I turn towards Heysan with a smirk. “Hopefully it’ll quell the many annoying challenges he so subtly continues to throw my way.”
“Alex…”
Cal shakes his head in disbelief, though his eyes are looking back at me with fierce pride.
“Pour us, Cal, then you can have him all you’d like.”
“Ladies and gentlemen!” Heysan roars immediately, spreading his arms wide in amusement. “I have inquired with the Lady here as to what custom this supposed tilt is that you all covet so proudly…”
Heads turn our way as I roll my eyes, chuckling at the Ancient.
“She has graciously offered to show me,” he turns his amused grin back on me, “though I’m unsure exactly what I’m getting myself into.”
“Just drink, Heysan,” I chide, accepting a mug from Cal before I push it into his hands. Everyone around us cheers at the news, the crowd gathering close with broad grins.