CHAPTER XVIII #4
The residence is large, extremely large, with enough space to fit a small family.
Keane tells both men that the two residences are exactly the same in size, just share the adjoining middle wall.
I walk past a reading area and small living room on one side straight towards a full kitchen and dining table, everything so open and spacious.
Behind the large table is a balcony that overlooks the northern side of the city, firelight twinkling everywhere below us.
The actual room for sleeping in is cut through an arch to the right of the kitchen and hosts a large bed and a separate bathing chamber off to the side.
The full of the residence is adorned in deep greens and wood, with rugs and settees of various emerald shades that add color against the black granite walls and full roaring fire that carves into the living room.
The First Guards are content in their bearings, not hiding their grins as they thank the King with nods of appreciation.
Canon chooses the room closest to Desmond’s, leaving Holis with the adjoining room next to it and closest to mine and Keane’s.
I can already tell that I’m going to spend a lot of time in Holis’ room, the two of us eyeing the large table next to the balcony with smiles when he says we’ll have to host our friends when they visit the city.
Keane and I finally say our goodnights with promises of meeting the two men in the morning. My grip on his hand is tight when he walks us down the remainder of the dark hall, heart beating hard against my chest when the large wooden door at the end comes into view.
“You’re going to have all of me tonight, Keane,” I whisper.
His hand pulls me towards him in that instant, arms wrapping around my waist as he settles his back against the wall next to the door.
I quickly wrap my hands around his neck and crash my body into his, moaning when his lips quickly catch mine in hunger.
Keane takes advantage of that moan and pushes his tongue into my mouth as his strong hands roam up my body.
His tongue captures every inch of mine, claiming me with such intensity that I nearly whimper in his hold.
Keane grabs the back of my neck just as my knees buckle under his intense kiss. He doesn’t let me go, just steadies my lips to his, the two of us unable to tear ourselves apart. My breathing becomes ragged when he pulls away, his lips quickly finding my neck as I moan into his shoulder.
Fuck, I need him. I need to show him everything I couldn’t when we walked the roads of Gaumond.
My hand hurriedly reaches for the handle of the door just as Keane’s land at the same time. He pushes it open, then leans down for my ass before picking me up and walking us inside.
My lips come crashing back down on his, my nails pressing into his back in pure need as his tongue moves deliberately in my mouth. I rock my hips above his, feeling him groan into my mouth as his hands give my ass a rough squeeze.
“Ahem.”
Keane and I both freeze, our eyes opening wide as he turns our bodies to the side to greet the third person in the room.
Scratch that.
Fourth person in the room.
“Oh!”
I immediately push out of Keane’s hold, legs falling to the ground as I begin my run.
Golem is standing next to Hirovale behind the settee, his clay face giving me a rare smile as he opens his arms. I have to hold back my tears when I nearly fall into his chest, almost running the magical creature over in my swift stride.
Golem wraps his arms around my back in a tight hug, and although his full being is cold and stiff by nature, the full being of him glows with heavy warmth in greeting.
“You’re okay then?” I pull away, quickly meeting his eyes, “ready for more adventures?”
Golem nods and smiles when I immediately return to his hold.
“I’ve missed you, Golem,” I squeeze tight.
His hand lightly pats my back as I begin laughing, still high on everything of the night and loving that his own arrival has now become the perfect ending to it.
I pull away again and turn towards Keane, catching his brown eyes and the smile he gives as he looks at the two of us.
He takes a few steps towards Golem, hand extending to his friend in greeting before he pulls the magical creature into his arms in a swift hug of his own, prompting Golem’s gaze to go round.
“It’s good to see you again, Golem,” his voice is steady on his shoulder.
Golem gives the King a small embrace before Keane takes a step back, giving him his own look-over.
My eyes quietly catch Hirovale’s, still standing next to us, his golden gaze roaming over my tangled hair and rumpled clothing.
I quickly avert his glance with a flush and walk towards the corner fireplace that has a small counter of decanters next to it, needing a drink after that look.
Hello to you too, Hiro, I say behind my back.
Queen, his voice fills my mind in greeting.
I let that voice fade before I place him on the other side of Rivian’s door. The wood closes strong in my mind as Hirovale starts to chuckle out loud, the black snake rearing its head and pointing directly at him in warning.
“King,” I hear him greet Keane and pull three empty glasses forward.
“Thank you again for taking care of Golem, Hiro,” he responds.
I turn around to the three men walking towards the large table at the opposite side of the room, the one in which Keane summoned the full top of it to become a map of the Kingdom of Disce.
Keane offers a chair to Hirovale at his right before he sits down at the end, the two of them smiling at Golem as he takes a quiet stance between both of them.
I shouldn’t be frowning right now, but I can’t hide the small look of apprehension on my face as I walk behind Hirovale and reach over his shoulder to set down a glass of whiskey.
His head tilts in my direction but I avert that gaze again, knowing and quietly dreading that the only reason he accepts a seat from Keane is because he has news to share with us.
“Yes,” he responds, “though I’ll try to keep it brief and let you get back to… what you were doing.”
I narrow my eyes on the Ancient and take a seat on Keane’s left, the white marble walls around my door shrinking so that the entry becomes tighter, not wanting him to get through again.
Hirovale smiles at me from behind the door, that same smile greeting me now from the other side of the table.
He shakes his head, thoroughly amused at my attempt.
Keane’s hand quickly finds my knee before he turns to the Ancient with a nod, giving Hirovale his full attention. Hiro sighs and fingers the rim of his glass as I do the same, my gaze analyzing the quiet features that are paired with solemn eyes.
“I’d like to begin with news of my siblings’ travel to Aireal,” he begins steadily, “as my brother and sister have now successfully woken Nolan.”
I lean forward as Keane lifts his drink to his lips.
“My brother is still recovering in Ballast, a small city to the west of the capitol. Heysan and Sia remain at his side for the time being to aid him from his sleep. They will be there for a small while.”
“This is good news,” Keane nods.
“Yes,” Hirovale agrees, “though it is the stories that come from their travel to Aireal in which we need to speak of.”
Hirovale turns fully to the King, golden eyes meeting brown.
“My siblings met with your brother in La Cour. They are steadfast in their belief that he is holding the court to your plans. He has already hindered two talks of retaliation against Etter.”
Keane nods as I vaguely remember him saying the same thing a few nights ago. Troy had successfully talked down two rallying cries from the Woodlands Discerni that wished to attack the small village that was still vulnerable from its new rebuild.
“The men of his court believe that Etter is the easiest of the cities to reclaim,” Hirovale continues, “and they desire to unite the full eastern lands of Woodlands under the rule of La Cour. The presence of Lord Desmond in the area and the ready backing of both the Court of Warriors and Knowledge stalls them, but they still gather in silent meetings to assess their next course of action.”
“I’ve given them free continuance to run the cities of La Cour and Airea for the time being,” Keane grimaces, “but have no doubt that those lands are next on my list for reform.”
“I have none,” Hirovale shakes his head, black hair moving across his shoulders, “though neither do they. Both cities are preparing for you, Keane. I do not like the news my brother and sister have provided on it.”
“La Cour and Airea will not be able to stand against the full of Disce,” the King replies squarely, setting his glass on the table. “My preparations against them include all three courts. Western Woodlands has joined our fight.”
Hirovale sighs, eyes turning again to his fingers on his drink. “You’re right. La Cour cannot withstand the force of a combined Warrior and Knowledge, but they can barricade and take as many humans down with them as possible…”
“To what end?” I ask him in genuine curiosity. “If they slaughter the humans in their lands then they only cripple themselves and their economy, right?”
“They do,” Hirovale grimaces, “but Sia told me that she sees that happening. She tells me that she’s seen the conflict and the loss of human life drawn out.
A stalemate that lasts months on end with them hiding behind the humans as your own soldiers are taken out slowly from their siege around the capitol. Are you considering such an option?”
The King sighs heavily. “It is one of many.”
“Then she claims that she sees La Cour deterring your forces slowly, taking them one by one as your men are unwilling to move on the mortals La Cour has barricade themselves with.”
I scoff.