CHAPTER XXII #4
The inn we rode into was much larger than the one we stayed in on our ride out.
The Prince was treated royally the moment we stepped into its courtyard and so was I.
Two stable boys promptly took our horses and told us to leave our packs as is, that they would have them brought to the room without our help.
The inn’s owner came out to greet us, an older Discerni man who smiled at Keane with a few wrinkles that graced his face.
I noticed that his black shirt also sported a deep grey band around his arm, the fabric moving with his muscles.
The owner led us into the large tavern in the middle of his inn while smiling at something Keane said.
The common room immediately went quiet the moment we walked through the door, with every person stopping their conversations to stand and turn to the Prince with various small bows and silent curtsies.
Keane was well respected and stood proud as he took in the room around us, nodding in greeting to its silence.
I felt my heart surge as I watched from his side, feeling Stormfall grip my shoulders while slowly waking up.
“To the late King Zander!”
The call comes booming from somewhere near the pub, breaking the silence of the room from our entry. Keane bows his head to the man just as the rest of the room follows suit, everyone raising their mugs for a drink and then slamming them back on their tables in Warrior fashion.
Keane leans down to the innkeeper to say something before the Discerni man walks away with a small grin.
I look up at the Prince in question but he just takes a small step forward, brushing his fingers into mine as he grips them gently at his side.
He leads us to a small table at the back of the room and pulls out a chair for me, the two of us sitting down to the now boisterous crowd.
It doesn’t take long after we’re seated for a beautiful human woman to approach our table with two toddies in her hands, her gaze flicking briefly on me before landing on the Prince.
She smiles to him with her blue eyes holding just the right amount of sultry behind them, placing the drinks on the table and never once breaking his gaze.
“On the inn, Highness,” she says to Keane sweetly, almost demure. My own lips turn up in a small smirk, watching as Keane smiles back to the woman and then reaches out for one of the glasses.
“Appreciated, thank you.”
The woman nods as her eyes flick down to the Prince’s hand, watching as he grabs the glass and turns slowly to me. He lifts his hand in an open gesture to pass me the drink first, noticing the small smirk on my lips.
I know the effect Keane has on women, has on me, and have seen the ladies of Disce interact with him in the same flirty manner countless of times before.
But right now, sitting next to him after everything we’ve been through, I know that their flirtations will no longer cloud my mind.
I know that his hands will never touch another woman, nor will his gaze ever look at another the way it looks at me in this moment.
The woman hastily departs our table as I bring the toddy up to my lips, trying to stifle my small laugh of amusement.
“You enjoyed that,” Keane murmurs next to me, grinning as the two of us turn in our seats to watch the tavern around us.
“I enjoy knowing that you are mine,” I reply with a smile.
Keane swiftly reaches under the table and pulls my chair next to his, his arm moving around the back for the full of the room to see. We both grin foolishly as heads turn in our direction, their eyes glancing over the possessive claim their future King is taking.
The innkeeper greets us next, walking to our table and smiling at Keane as he places a small packed pipe down on the wood.
“Shisha from Dardar, Your Highness. I think you’ll enjoy this one.”
“Thank you, Bash,” Keane replies, smiling to the older Discerni as he leans forward for the smoke.
“May I introduce you formally to Lady Alexis?” he turns back to me with a small nod. I extend my hand to the Discerni across the table.
“A pleasure, Lady,” the man smiles, taking my hand with a small bow of his head, “and a sight to see, with the beast on your shoulder.”
I smile at him and turn my gaze to Stormfall. The Bird of Ash has been awake since we walked in, though he’s curled himself into a half sleep. Even still, his presence is commanding and catches the eyes of many people.
“We heard rumors of that bird of yours on your last travel through Dalloway,” the innkeeper chuckles, “though I have to admit I didn’t quite believe them. He’s larger than I envisioned.”
“And growing still,” I smile, shrugging my shoulder to Storm, “if he wakes tonight I will make sure to introduce you.”
“That would be wonderful, Lady,” the man grins as Keane’s fingers brush against my shoulder.
“Highness,” the Discerni bows.
Keane nods to the man in his departure as I relax in to my chair.
“Do you think many know of Stormfall’s nature?”
Keane flicks a finger over the pipe in his hand, lighting a small ember within that catches flame. He brings it up to his lips and takes a small inhale, his breath lighting the shisha before passing the smoke to me.
“His true nature? No,” he says thoughtfully, “but I know the Discerni can still feel the heavy magic that rests within him. I don’t think anyone’s aware of his origins and his connection to Hiro, but there’s no mistaking that Storm is a powerful creature of the Old World.”
I nod at his answer and exhale the deep breath that fills my lungs, watching as the cloud of smoke leaves my lips.
“Have you noticed that he chooses to remain hidden?” I ask again in thought, “he’ll flaunt Heysan at your coronation, but he himself hasn’t made himself known outside of us.”
Stormfall’s talons grip my shoulder softly.
“I have,” Keane nods as I pass him the pipe.
“It’s curious,” I sigh.
Keane brings the smoke to his lips and takes a deep inhale in consideration.
“Even when they were awake and roaming,” he says quietly, “his presence was not known to be seen in the Old World that often. In fact, the people of the Old World actively avoided him, from what I’ve read. No one wished to be graced by the sight of Death. He was feared as a bad omen.”
I nod in understanding. What a quiet world Hirovale must’ve lived in, hiding his being from those around him.
Stormfall grips my shoulder again, ruffling his feathers just slightly as he moves around on top of me.
“I saw him,” I whisper to Keane, moving my gaze up to his brown eyes, “that night in the mills. He appeared then, before…”
Before Keane killed the Woodlands Discerni.
Keane shifts closer to me and presses his fingers into my shoulder.
“He came when you were reciting Death’s Prayer,” I continue to look at Keane with small confusion in my eyes, “he told me that the man would not reach his final resting place, that he would not find peace.”
Keane’s gaze on me is hard as he gives a small nod, the news not surprising to him.
“The man’s soul was his to claim,” he replies, “to claim and hold back from the peace we hope to find in our next exploration.”
My heart pounds at Keane’s words, always forgetting just how powerful and formidable Hirovale actually is. Keane slowly leans forward and hands me the pipe, his brown eyes steady as he continues, “he chose right, Alexis.”
Stormfall extends his wings across my shoulders in that moment, his yellow eyes flashing gold before returning to normal. His movement causes the tables around us to go quiet, their eyes watching Storm with a mixture of awe and fear.
I sigh heavily and sit back in my chair with a nod. “I know.”
Keane watches me quietly for a moment and then leans away, sitting back in his own chair as he reaches for his toddy and brings it to his lips. The two of us resume to watching the tavern as it starts up its normal chatter again, the pipe being passed between us.
“Have there been other times?” he asks casually.
I release a deep inhale of smoke and look back at him. “Other times what?”
“That the Ancient has appeared to you,” he replies.
My brows furrow at the question but I shake my head in answer, “apart from the first night I met him and that night at the mills, you have been present for the rest.”
Keane nods to himself and takes another small sip of toddy.
“Why do you ask?” I lean towards him, studying his silent features.
Keane looks at me, his gaze cool and thoughtful before he gives a small smile, “just curious.”
I feel Stormfall’s talons grip my shoulder again and let my eyes dart across Keane’s face.
“Do you not want me to meet with the Ancient alone?” I inquire softly.
His fingers on my shoulder skim up to my neck. “I do not mind, Alexis.”
I sigh and bring the pipe back up to my lips, trying to read into his reactions right now. Why would Keane care if Hirovale and I met without him? Does he want to be there? Is he fearful for me? Does he still suspect that I will try to hurt the Ancient if given the chance?
He doesn’t have to worry about that, or at least not now.
“I’m going to inquire for some dinner,” Keane says softly, placing his already empty glass on the table, “and a few more drinks. Are you good here?”
I nod to Keane shyly, still confused at his question and the cool features that have taken over him. Keane stands from the table and then looks back down at me, his brown eyes softening as he grins.
“I expect that toddy to be finished by the time I get back, Alexis.”
I roll my eyes at him and grin myself, “you might as well bring back two for me then, Highness. I’d like to down one straight.”