CHAPTER XVI #7
I found myself wrapped tight in Keane’s arms and thinking of the start of our travel to Etter.
I knew now that I wasn’t properly prepared for everything that happened, and could have never guessed what all would take place.
We were only supposed to ride through the Woodlands and assess, for me and my Knowledge crew to be introduced to everything within this wretched court.
We weren’t supposed to actively start a conflict.
But now, both Keane and Desmond’s warnings from the start of our travel resonated deeper.
It was as if they knew we wouldn’t be able to ride through unbothered, knew that my curiosity would somehow lead us down this path.
But what they didn’t know or anticipate was the silent and well connected group that waited for us to arrive.
Whatever Gauthier’s plans for me were, they still remained hidden.
We could only suspect what he wanted, why he wanted me, and I wished beyond anything that the man would come to Gaumond and address his grandson properly for the attempts to steal me away.
I still marveled at Keane’s ability to take everything in stride.
He was without a doubt the strongest man I had ever met, both mentally and physically.
He shouldered each burden in calm resolve and lived up to his birthright as the first son of Zander and new King of Disce with a ferocious power that everyone noted.
But my own desperation was still kicking in, wanting to return to the smokey capitol that I was to make my home.
I needed to have at least one night with my King that didn’t involve any plotting or violence. Was that wrong of me?
Probably.
I knew that La Cour and Airea wouldn’t give up their treasured livelihood and that Keane and I would not rest until we found the humans all freed. But was it so bad to want just one night of peace? To be surrounded by happy faces who understood the meaning of life?
You’re fighting for that life here, Stormfall has to remind me again. The King is fighting for that.
Then I’m selfish, Storm, I sigh into Keane’s chest in response. Judge me.
You have a happy life to go back to, Alexis, the Bird of Ash continues sleepily from his post, the humans in this court are not so lucky.
Thanks, I turn away from him with a scowl. Now I feel more guilty.
Stormfall gives a soft caw just as Keane’s arms tighten around me, holding me in his embrace.
“What are you two talking about?” he asks quietly.
“Nothing,” I shake my head, not wanting to add more grief to the already growing pit in my stomach.
“Alexis,” Keane brings a hand to my hair, “talk to me.”
I sigh and close my eyes. “Storm was just reminding me of what a good life we get to return to in Gaumond…”
Keane takes a heavy breath, chin nodding against the top of my head.
“It’s not wrong to want to go back to it. Sometimes we need a reminder of what we are fighting for.”
Exactly, I tell the Bird of Ash silently, hearing his own sigh in my mind.
“What is the travel from Fensby to Gaumond?”
Keane’s fingers wrap tightly in my hair, “Three days travel with one night in Brassard and Backer.”
Both of those two Warrior cities will be new to me. The thought makes me happy.
Half a fortnight.
If everything continues well in Fensby and Brassard, we would be back in Gaumond in less than half a fortnight.
Then on to other pursuits. Do not forget, Stormfall adds.
I scowl on Keane’s shoulder.
Livyatan. Isham. Rivian.
Ancients, we really can’t catch a break.
Rivian’s added prophecy still looms in the back of everything, words that we suspect want to pit the humans of the Old World against magical beings. Will the Ancient truly seek to halt Hirovale? To keep the Old World as is?
Isn’t that what you want, too?
I look up quickly to the Bird of Ash, eyes narrowing as his remain closed.
Or at least it was not over a month ago.
You’re really making me re-think using my door on you, Storm.
Don’t, Alexis, he opens his yellow eyes. Never on me.
“Ugh,” I fall back on Keane in frustration.
And don’t forget another pursuit that needs to take place in Gaumond, Stormfall continues.
What’s that? I ask him in exasperation.
Your joining with the King, Queen. It needs to take place before you cross the border.
“Surely that doesn’t need to happen so soon?” I turn to him quickly, neck aching at the back and forth. We’ve just barely announced.
It does, his old voice replies. The Ancient has been urging the King since he met him.
My heart stills at the words.
Hirovale has been dropping words to Keane, as early as our first meeting with him in the Black Forest. Why?
You know why.
Protection, my brows furrow on Storm, added guard. But don’t I already have that now? As his betrothed?
Any attempt to harm a Queen of the Old World will be met with pure force.
I shake my head at him with a frown. Our own King’s life was taken not too long ago, Storm. I didn’t see any force or declaration of war come from that.
In time, Alexis, the Bird of Ash yawns in my mind, in time.
“Keane,” I turn to the King swiftly.
His brown eyes find mine in pure calm, patiently waiting for our conversation to end. I can’t help the small laugh that falls out of my lips, knowing what this must look.
“Is this weird for you?”
“No,” he smiles, hand moving through my hair, “I know when you’re talking to each other. You get the same look on your face when you speak to Hiro, just softer.”
You do, Stormfall replies.
I roll my eyes at the Bird of Ash and find Keane’s again. “I know Desmond has a lot going on. I know you have a lot to deal with. But has there been any movement on Hadrill? Any information?”
I will not let Zander’s death fall through the cracks.
The King eyes me quietly. “We’ve set two new girls on him. One has taken to his liking. Something will come from it soon.”
“Good,” I nod in approval. The young and cocky Prince was bound to say something.
I snake my other hand to Keane’s chest and push myself up again, leg swinging around his hips as I settle on top of him and look down anxiously. Keane finds my ass, squeezing tight before he runs his hands up my back, eyes filled with small curiosity.
“Keane…” I look away from his gaze and finger the Shadow Oak.
“Hmm?”
“How soon is soon when it comes to getting married?” I ask quietly.
His words to his brother in Elena’s cottage made it seem like he wanted it to happen at the first possible moment.
“Soon, Alexis,” he replies steadily, hands resting against the backs of my shoulders. “Before we travel to Livyatan.”
“Storm said the same,” I nod, still fiddling with the jewel.
I grasp it tightly and lift my head in determination.
“I want something small.”
“Small?” his brown eyes find mine in question.
“Small.”
Keane presses his hands against my shoulders, thumbs moving across my back as I continue. “Just you and me and those closest to us. Nothing grand or over the top. No crazy preparations that have people moving about. Nothing like your coronation. Just small. Intimate.”
The grin that reaches Keane’s lips is unlike anything I have ever seen, so filled with happiness and joy that it stops my heart. His hands move up to my jaw, holding me to his intense brown eyes that now glimmer with a heavy fire.
“Small sounds good,” he smirks, pulling my head down to meet his lips, “though perhaps a proper Court of Warriors night to follow?”
I bite his lower lip with a grin. “I can meet you in the middle with that.”
Keane smirks, tongue darting into my mouth with a heated force. He holds me to his kiss, my hips moving over his as I moan against our tongues.
“Perhaps you’ll even meet me in the middle on something else that night,” he pulls away slowly, that smirk growing wider.
“Hmm? And what’s that?”
Keane’s nails skim over my shoulders again, the feel sending a small shiver down my back.
“That you’ll finally let me take you in my court, Alexis,” he says, “fully.”
I have to laugh. “Never, Your Grace. You were lucky once in Bardot but that won’t be happening again.”
But even as I say the words I know that my own resolve will be tested in the Black Capitol. How many times have I already fallen under its influence? Under Keane’s confidence? I’ve purposely had to fight the urge to let him have me there.
Ancients, I would be out of my depth. There’s no one in the Old World that can match Keane’s charisma when he commands his court. He’s so effortless and casual. He belongs, and draws everyone into his pull. I know I won’t be able to resist him.
Fuck.
Keane chuckles below me, hands moving to my hair to pull my head to the side. His lips reach for my neck, tongue darting out to play against my skin.
“Always denying me, Alexis,” he grins against my neck, “always challenging me...”
I bite down on his shoulder in response, drawing another chuckle of amusement before his lips come crashing down.
Starc received Death’s Prayer at sunset behind the castle grounds.
His execution was swift and painless as Keane plunged a green agate sword into the back of his chest and through his heart.
The blonde Discerni said no words to the small group that surrounded him, did not beg for his life, just looked upon Lord Sandam of all people, eyes glaring at the young Woodlands man as a traitor to his beloved court.