CHAPTER XVI #14
The twins shake their heads as the five of us huddle in a small corner. Both brothers look at Lord Daniel briefly and then glance at me in question, asking if they can speak plainly of the Ancient and his Bird of Ash in front of the Lord.
“I plan to speak to him soon,” I smile to the twins in confirmation, “as well as Alanna.”
Holis nods his head and replies, “the Ancient is not revered in Livyatan. In fact, they actively reject his being.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest in confusion. “How can you actively reject death? It happens to us all.”
Both Sera and Mana give eachother a quiet smile as Holis continues, “several ways. The first is by extending life longer than magically or humanly natural.”
“That’s…”
“Yes,” Holis grimaces, “not the way of things. They practice deep magic to prolong their lives here in the Old World.”
“What kind of deep magic?”
“There are rumors,” Mana says quietly as his brother and wife frown in silence.
My mind slowly churns to Red Falls and Princess Clair.
“Two-hundred year old rumors?” I ask softly.
The twins look at me in surprise before Holis grins.
“Curious, Alexis. Always curious.”
“We should have known,” Mana says to his brother, “the Ancient would not choose a docile mouse.”
“No,” his brother nods in agreement.
“What were they rumored to be doing?” I press.
I notice the crowd from outside the veranda slowly making their way inside. The sound of music starts playing in the background as the five of us close our circle even tighter.
“The kind of magic that takes other life too early,” Holis murmurs, “used to benefit themselves.”
“Sacrifice?” I whisper, not fully understanding, “but what of the Ancients? Malachi, Tomo, and Ordonna? Surely they would not allow something like that, if so?”
“They sleep,” Holis replies quietly, as if that answers everything.
“While I am thoroughly interested in this conversation and wish to continue,” Lord Daniel takes a step back and raises his hand to a young human boy holding a tray of whiskeys, “we have eyes and ears on us.”
He smiles to the boy in greeting and picks up a few drinks to pass around.
“This is a conversation for another time. Let’s continue with our night as normal.”
But how can I?
This feigned politeness while evil people stand under the roof of the home that raised me? Why should I pretend?
“Lady Alexis,” a calm voice says behind me, prompting me to turn around. I smile at the distraction and look at the older Discerni man standing with his own small smile.
“Sir Miles,” I reply as Lord Daniel turns to talk with Sera and the twins.
“Back from your travels, then?” the newcomer asks, tilting his whiskey in greeting.
I enjoy Miles. He’s an avid thinker and always entertains new ideas. He’s roughly around the King’s age, with his leaf-shaped ears longer than the average Discerni and a few wrinkles lining his sharp features.
“Yes,” I reply, touching my glass to his, “a proper adventure, Sir Miles.”
“And one that we all can’t wait to hear,” he nods.
The men of his group are always curious as to where my travels take me, always inquiring about the cities and towns when I return back to Bardot.
They’re well-traveled themselves, but I suspect they oftentimes need reminding of the lands that lay beyond greater Bardot.
Lands that they seldom ever visit anymore in their content old age.
“I saw that your big friend was with you tonight,” his head juts up to the crowd, “I was hoping to find him.”
While it was rare that Cal graced court with me, when he did, the two of us often found ourselves with a good view and a good smoking partner, no doubt why Miles is inquiring about him now.
“He shouldn’t be that hard to find,” I laugh, placing my hand on Miles’ shoulder. I stand on my tiptoes and look out to the crowd with him.
“There!” I point towards the veranda with a grin, “ask him about the shisha he brought back from Gaumond. He’ll be grateful for an excuse to dip out and smoke the tobacco.”
Miles turns to me with an affectionate smile, “you read my heart, Lady Alexis.”
“Because you men are too predictable,” I tease.
He chuckles, “save me a dance?”
“Always, Sir Miles,” I nod as he walks off.
“You’re beloved,” Lord Daniel whispers at my side, watching as the older Discerni walks towards Cal.
“And you’re too kind,” I shake my head, “Sir Miles and his little group took me under their wing when I became too old to remain in the Queen’s Ladies in Wait.”
Cal greets the man and starts looking around for a good little alcove to light his pipe, the two of them making me smile.
“An unfortunate custom,” Lord Daniel frowns, “you know we hold no such sentiment in the Court of Warriors?”
I turn and give him a genuine smile, “I know it, Lord Daniel.”
“I also heard of Lord Tadeo’s advances,” he says quietly, his features turning hard, “another sentiment our Court does not agree with, Lady Alexis.”
“I know that as well,” I nod.
“You were right to use the force you did. As was the Prince…”
Both of our eyes trail to Keane, who, for the first time tonight, does not have his gaze on me.
He stands with Troy and his father, the three of them engaging with the Leviathan delegation as Isham laughs in the crowd.
Keane remains cool in his Discerni features and doesn’t say a word.
I smile at the sight of him, at the way his indifference commands attention and Prince Isham tries his best to engage with him.
“You lied,” I tease Lord Daniel, turning back in his direction as Keane’s head tilts slightly to the side.
Lord Daniel looks properly affronted at my statement.
“The second night I attended court,” I explain, “I asked if there were many others who did what you do in regards to your summoning.”
“To be fair, Lady, I was not given a chance to answer and therefore did not lie.”
My gaze darts back to Keane just as his lips curl up in a slight smirk.
“True,” I admit, shaking my head at the Prince’s cocky smile.
“Though he does hide it well,” the Lord offers as an afterthought, also looking at the Prince with me.
“Why is that?”
“He has power, Lady Alexis. Pure, raw, unfettered power to the lands. The type that only comes around once in a few generations. Mix that with the power of his birthright…”
He shakes his head in small awe, “I believe he hides it as a check on himself. Such power can certainly pull on the soul of a man.”
My heart stutters at Lord Daniel’s words.
Raw, unfettered power.
Something like that can certainly turn the humblest of souls dark.
I frown as the Prince and his brother turn from their conversation with the Leviathans and glance at me.
Wait…
Why are they looking at me?
And why are they walking towards us now?
Lord Daniel shifts closer to my side when he notices the group heading in our direction.
My eyes catch on Keane’s, his own gaze giving nothing away as he takes the lead with Troy and Isham at his side.
I peer behind his shoulder and look at King Zander, surprised to find his blue eyes on mine as he stands in apology.
His gaze tells me that he does not condone whatever is happening right now, and when I finally glance at Troy, he’s walking with that confident smugness etched into his face.
Lord Daniel and I bow deeply to our Princes, as do Holis, Mana and Sera at our backs.
“Lady Alexis,” Keane nods as I rise, “please allow me to introduce you to Prince Isham of Livyatan.”
The youngest Prince of the Leviathans takes a step forward and reaches for my hand. I reluctantly let him take it and fall into another small curtsy, feeling his lips brush over my skin.
“A pleasure, Lady Alexis, to finally meet you.”
Finally?
I look at him in small confusion, eyeing his braids as they slip to the front of his blue and white tunic.
“Our visit to your Lands is one of apology, Lady,” he offers in answers, releasing my hand, “for the actions of my older brother, Prince Yiannis.”
Isham certainly has softer features than his brother, but I still feel myself giving him a cool smile in greeting.
“An apology to me, Your Highness, or Lord Daniel?”
The Prince grins at my comment, giving me a small nod. “An apology to the full of your group, Lady. My brother acted in haste and without proper thought,” he turns to Lord Daniel, “and we have already expressed our condolences to your Lord, here.”
Both Keane and Daniel shift on their feet at his reference of my Lord.
“Lady Alexis is without her own, Isham,” Troy chuckles, his blue eyes catching mine.
“Of course, she is,” Prince Isham raises his brows, “my apologies, Lady.”
“Your second one of the night,” I tip my whiskey with a smile, “can we expect more down the road?”
“I endeavor to hope not, Lady,” he gives a wicked grin.
“A contradictory statement,” I raise my brows, “do you and yours deal a lot in those? Or should we endeavor to hope not?”
Sera holds back her grin at my side as Prince Isham begins to chuckle.
“You’re quick, Lady Alexis. I think I may like you.”
That makes one of us.
I instinctively look down at the braids on his shoulders, waiting for those black eyes to appear again.
“They are tradition in Livyatan, Lady,” Isham states, noticing my gaze, “they will not bite.”
My gaze immediately darts up to his, eyes narrowing as he watches me with interest.
“And what other traditions are coveted in your lands, Prince Isham?”
“Many, Lady,” he responds smoothly.
“We shall have to send our own delegation soon,” Troy offers in Emissary confidence.
“We would welcome that, Prince Troy,” Isham nods with a smile, “very much.”
“Well, if this introduction has been sufficient,” Troy extends his arm, “let’s you and I discuss details of that travel…”
“Nearly,” the Prince shakes his head, turning to look directly at Keane. “I should like to speak to Lady Alexis privately. Perhaps a walk to the veranda?”