CHAPTER XVI #15
Holis takes a small step forward as Keane looks back at the foreign Prince. His features are calm and collected, stoic in their disinterest, but I can sense a storm brewing behind his eyes.
“That decision does not lie with me, Prince Isham,” Keane replies before casually glancing my way, “but to Lady Alexis herself.”
I catch his gaze and try to remain as indifferent as he is.
Does he want me to decline?
My heart pounds against my chest as Prince Isham gives Keane a sly smile.
“Lady Alexis?” he turns to me.
My curiosity wills out as I avert my gaze from Keane and give Isham a small nod in acceptance. He extends his arm with a winning grin and closes the space between us.
“I do come to Disce on an apology tour, Lady Alexis,” Isham says as we walk away from the group, “my brother is not known for his clear and rational decisions in the heat of moments.”
“The night would not have been heated if not for your brother,” I point out.
“True,” he nods, “and I’ll always be there to remedy his messes. So please do not hold the actions of a few against me and mine. I come with good intentions.”
His words are smooth, sounding so authentic that I can’t help but peer at him in curiosity. Is he truly genuine, or is he just saying all the right things to make it appear so?
“And what are those good intentions?” I ask, watching his smile widen into a grin, “surely you don’t need to pull me aside to offer a personal apology?”
“Oh, but I do, Lady Alexis,” he stops us at the corner of the veranda and leans against the railing. I take my arm out of his hold and do the same, spotting Desmond not too far away as he gives me the tiniest of nods.
“I wanted to catch you personally,” he continues.
“And why is that?”
“Because I want to know how many of the men following you are aware that they’re harboring Hirovale’s champion.”
I stiffen at the comment and turn my back to the crowd, placing my whiskey on the ledge.
“You can speak freely, Prince Isham. I am not one to entertain the grey.”
“No,” he smiles, “I don’t think you are.”
I sigh and look out to the Bell Grove, already regretting this conversation.
“When I heard of what my brother did in the Bulwark Plains, I nearly tried him on the spot…”
That catches my attention.
“But when he told us what he saw, what he thought he saw, my curiosity was piqued. The woman of King Zander’s Kingdoms Council was finally traveling across foreign lands. The same woman, who, for the first time in two years, came home one hand heavy. Or should I say, one shoulder heavy.”
He glances down at me in curiosity.
“You found something else besides your friend, didn’t you?”
I take a sip of my whiskey and consider my answer. The words will have to be shared eventually, as they’re bound by the rules of the Council.
“I did,” I nod over my glass, “though we both know there is no use in sharing them with you tonight.”
“True again,” he gives a small chuckle and leans towards me, “but you do know that after they’re shared, your travels will take you into Livyatan, right?”
I can’t stop my gaze from landing on his, watching as Isham gives me a look of surprise before he masks it over with friendliness.
“Another of my intentions then, Lady Alexis,” he smiles, still leaning forward, “to offer my welcome and assistance when the time comes that you’ll need to travel past the Riverlands and deeper into my home.”
There’s no fucking way.
No fucking way I’ll ever intentionally travel into Livyatan.
Isham looks at me with an intensity, as if knowing that regardless of my feelings the travel will still be made. I scowl at the look and decide to change the subject.
“Do they have names?” I ask casually, eyes flicking to his braids.
The Prince laughs, a deep laugh that is filled with such genuine amusement that it makes the people on the veranda turn to us in curiosity.
“You know as well as I do, Lady, that I cannot answer your question in full right now.”
His gaze falls behind us and glances at both Keane and Desmond who stand at opposite ends of the veranda.
“Pity,” I shrug, “I shall have to name them myself, then, and they will not come with friendly tones.”
“No, I suspect they will not,” he nods seriously, “though I should one day like to hear what you come up with. We will all be amused.”
I look down to the black eyes I’ve felt watching me since the moment I asked for names. All three snakes are staring back at me from different places atop the Prince’s shoulders, their gazes unwavering.
“Interesting,” Isham murmurs, “you have no fear, Lady Alexis.”
“Should I?” I tear my gaze away and look back at him, “that would contradict your statement of support if I did.”
“No,” he leans back on the railing, “you have no need to fear me, Alexis, though I know it will take more than one night to earn your trust.”
I nod in quiet confirmation, still feeling the snake’s eyes on me as I reach for my whiskey.
“Rivian,” the Prince offers quietly.
The Ancient?
“I’m sorry?”
“The eyes that want to hold yours,” Isham looks down at me with a grin, “Rivian.”
My curiosity takes over again as I look back to the black, beady gaze. The snake’s arrow-shaped head darts up to greet me, it’s animalistic features now fully taking form within Isham’s braid. I stare at it in awe, knowing that the magic of it is unnatural but I’m unable to stop looking…
The feel of Keane’s hard summoning suddenly grasps my chest. It pulls me away from the snake’s gaze as I bring a hand up to my heart and let out a stuttering breath.
“Hmm,” the Prince eyes me in curiosity.
I take a deep sip of whiskey and turn away from the black eyes, eyes that I know will remain on me for the rest of the night.
“We’ll be in Bardot for a few days, Lady Alexis,” Isham resumes his friendly and welcoming tone, “think about what I said.”
I can do nothing but nod as I try to regain my composure.
“Now,” he extends his arm again as a sly smile reaches his lips, “should I escort you back to your Prince or to the Warrior Lord? Or perhaps to the two Discerni men who were at your side earlier and worship your beloved Ancient?”