CHAPTER IX #6
Our group bows to the incomers as I take my eyes off McQuoid and look at my own Prince.
Keane is standing tall in a deep green tunic with a high neck.
I notice again that the fabric hosts a number of black Shadow Oak leaves etched intricately across it, the color complimenting his dark brows and brown eyes and the sharp angular lines of his face.
His brown hair is flowing easily with the breeze, the sides cut short along his ears and framing their shape.
Ancients, he’s breathtaking.
Memories of his hair in my hands and his back rippling under my nails makes me flush red in the cheeks. I quickly try to look away, only for my eyes to land on his lips. They tip up in a sensual smile, the hint of amusement smirking at the corners.
I clear my throat and turn to the Pyrenese royal.
“Were you and your wife familiar with eachother before you became betrothed?”
McQuoid shakes his head and moves to stand between Holis and Mana.
“I was unaware of who she was until a hunting expedition led me to her in the woods. Alba was guarding her at her side.”
“And you said you married shortly after?” I ask curiously.
The Prince gives a small laugh, almost as if remembering a joke.
“Aye, much to her dismay.”
“Dismay, disappointment, dissatisfaction…” a female voice teases from behind.
We all turn to see a woman walking toward our group, her blue eyes sparkling on the Prince in jest.
“Lass,” he turns and takes her hand, kissing the top of it.
“Please allow me to introduce my wife, Princess Clair de Fell McQuoid of Pyre. Clair, our friends from beyond the forests.”
I notice Alba standing at the Princess’ side, the snow tiger silently watching me. I give the cat a brief nod before taking in royal.
Clair is much shorter than her Prince, though a little taller than Alanna.
Her flaming red hair is twisted in the front and pulled into a thick braid that rests down her back.
Her dress is a deep auburn without straps or sleeves, revealing the full of her shoulders, upper chest and arms. Her muscles are toned, much like Alanna, though the red swirls of flames jutting beneath her skin move in calculated movements, not strength.
Some of the tendrils even make their way up to her collarbone, the flames licking her skin in striking embrace.
She looks to be around my age but has a tenderness to her that I’ve never been able to master. Her skin is a soft white and her cheeks are full, with freckles dotting across them in every which direction.
“My husband stole me from the forest that day,” she continues, blue eyes fixated on her Prince, “suffice it to say I was not a happy woman.”
“I received this wound,” Prince McQuoid points to the massive scar down his chest, looking at Clair with all the love in his eyes, “from her that day. A forever reminder of just how dismayed she was with me.”
The two of them speak with such teasing affection that I know whatever unlikely events brought them together in their past led them to their happy marriage now. The two of them look so obviously in love that it’s hard to envision either of them being upset with eachother.
“But I should desperately like to hear of all of your travels,” Princess Clair smiles to our group, “and meet with the girl who King Zander called a Kingdoms Council over.”
Kingdoms Council?
I quickly glance to Keane in confusion, but him and Desmond are looking back at Clair in small shock, the comment new to them as well. The brothers slowly turn to eachother in silent conversation, their eyes remaining passive but somehow telling the other that they’ll discuss this later.
“Come,” Clair smiles at us all, recognizing the Princes’ silent conversation just as I did. She tries to steer the conversation away and turns to her husband with another smile, resting her arm in his, “dinner is ready.”
We follow the Prince and Princess through the balcony, everyone starting up their own chatter as if the words Kingdoms Council is no interest to them.
I watch as Alba takes a place at the Princess’ side, just as another, larger, snow tiger walks out from of the shadows of the mountain to our left.
This one greets the Prince and walks in step with him, the build of it much bigger than Alba but still as white as snow.
We reach the large throne room and step inside, the full of it completely transformed for court.
Large crystal chandeliers hang from the mountain walls around us, the candlelight flickering against the gems and creating silver and gold sparkles everywhere we look.
Torches are still lining the massive pillars, but they’ve also been affixed with hanging crystals that shine against their flames.
Four long tables are situated in the middle of the room to form a large square, the position of them making it hard to discern which table sits as the head.
The throne chairs of molted stone have two large maroon rugs at their front, the seats prompting both Alba and the Prince’s tiger to prance in their direction and sit on top.
Princess Clair looks behind her shoulder and rests her blue eyes on mine. I understand the look and follow behind her to the table closest to the tigers as she extends her hand to an empty seat.
“I would be pleased to share your company, Lady?”
“Alexis,” I nod, taking the seat at her right.
She sits down next to her Prince on his right, while Keane, Desmond and Lord Daniel sit down the Prince’s left. I watch as the rest of our group gets seated to the table at our right, their green and black attire standing out amongst a crowd of red and grey.
Cal catches my glance before sitting next to Alanna, his friendly eyes asking me if I’ll be alright. I give him a grin in return and fan my dress out below me.
“Your friend?” Clair asks with a smile.
I nod, “yes, my friend from Knowledge.”
“He’s a big man. I daresay he has some Pyrenese blood somewhere in his family lineage.”
I laugh at the comment, agreeing wholeheartedly. Cal’s auburn hair and bushy beard fit in perfectly in this room. If it wasn’t for the green and gold of Knowledge he’s wearing, I’d mistake him for Pyrenese.
“And when you say he’s from Knowledge, you are referencing one of the three Courts in your Kingdom, yes?” she asks.
I nod to her as a young boy stops behind us, filling the mugs on our table with a brown ale.
“Yes. The three Courts of Disce. Knowledge, Warrior and Woodlands.”
“An interesting concept, to section out the Kingdom and its people,” she replies, reaching for water instead of ale.
I grab the mug in front of me and give her a small smile.
“It allows for humans and Discerni alike to live within a certain culture of their choosing. The lands within the Courts all prescribe to a different set of trends and style of life.”
“And what is your style of life?” she asks.
My eyes dart quickly to Keane, the Prince already deep in conversation with his brother and McQuoid.
“My style of life has been fairly simple in Knowledge. I work for the King and enjoy court and life at the capitol in Bardot. I also enjoy traveling between the different cities and towns of Knowledge and Warrior. It’s a privilege that I get to experience the different lands.”
“A simple life, indeed,” she murmurs, though I swear I hear a hint of sarcasm.
“And you?” I inquire, taking another drink of the brown ale, “do you enjoy hosting court and participating in events like these?”
Clair smiles and shakes her head in joke, “I used to hate it, immensely. I used to think that these events were a waste of time, food and resources. But the more I learned of the politics of Pyre, the more I understood that friends and allies could be made here. It was certainly a slow burn of interest for me but one I do enjoy now. I’ve even come to love all the hosting and planning that comes with it. ”
I glance at the Princess. She does look regal and so in place in this room.
She smiles at her people from down the tables and enjoys the crystals from the chandeliers when they flash over everything in beauty.
That tenderness I noticed earlier extends to the full of her court, and I can tell just by watching her that she takes pride in the people and overall ambiance here.
“Well tonight is stunning,” I nod at her in true appreciation, “you’ve done a spectacular job. I’ve truly never seen so many crystals in my life. They reflect beautifully against the fire under your skin.”
Clair visibly stiffens just as Prince McQuoid halts his conversation with Keane. His head slowly turns in my direction, an unnatural stillness coming from them both as their blue gazes find mine.
“You are human, Lady Alexis, yes?” Princess Clair speaks first.
I frown at the question.
Of course I’m human…
I keep my eyes on her and nod slowly, not understanding the new mood at the table. I glance past Prince McQuoid and look towards Keane for help, but the Discerni Prince is watching me from his seat with stoic features.
“And you say that you can see our fire?” Clair continues, eyes assessing.
I turn my glance away from Keane and look at Prince McQuoid.
He’s still watching me as well, though his eyes have become stern to match his rough and rugged features.
I flick my own gaze down to his open chest, to the red swirls moving strong beneath his skin.
There’s no mistaking those flames. I can see their fire.
“Yes,” I answer, looking to the Princess in obvious confusion, “the Prince’s fire is strong, the deepest I’ve seen of all the people here. His flames are thick, too, as if they host a lot of power behind them…”
I glance down at the Princess’ arms and chest. How do I even begin to describe her flames?
“Yours are more cunning,” I offer after some thought, “they flick under your skin in calculated movements, as if they move for a certain, thought or reason.”