CHAPTER XXII #8
“It’s fascinating to see a human so embracing of our magic and magical beings, Lady Alexis,” Arens shifts forward in his chair, his eyes alight as he watches the two of us interact.
“Why do you consider it fascinating?” I ask, holding his gaze in a smiling challenge, “the magic and its creatures belongs to all of the Old World, do they not?”
Stormfall quickly moves his beady yellow eyes back on me at the comment.
“But humans are expected to stay away,” Arens narrows his eyes, “our Court expressly forbids humans to interact with magic.”
I chuckle softly at the Discerni with a nod, “as does Knowledge and the rest of the Old World. But tell me, Arens, because I feel we may share the same sentiment. Do you always do as you are expected?”
The Discerni lifts his brows before leaning forward in his chair in more interest, a genuine grin widening over his beautiful Discerni features as he assess me even more.
“You seem to be familiar with the royal family,” he states directly, unashamed of his improper statement and letting it rest between us in small challenge.
I grin back at him and lean forward myself, enjoying his forward curiousness.
“The King and Queen took me under their care after my parents died. I’ve lived in Castle Bardot at their pleasure for a while now, serving for some time in the Queen’s Ladies in Wait before traveling on behalf of the late King Zander.”
“And Prince Keane?” he inquires softly, his gaze dancing over my face and looking at my human angles. I watch as his eyes move slowly to my lips and then to my neck, taking in the curves of my attire that would have normally been hidden by the women of Woodlands.
“An unexpected surprise,” I nod to Arens with a small, knowing smirk, “but yes, familiar as well.”
Arens lifts one of his brows, not expecting the honesty in my answer. He watches me for a small moment and then sits back in his chair, openly beginning to laugh.
I lean forward in my chair again, smiling with him and hoping he’ll return my honest gesture with some of his own.
“And you and your companions?” I ask, “you noted the man was your cousin. Familiar as well?”
Arens keeps his smile and perceptive gaze on me, “Sir Bainov of Woodlands and his wife.”
I nod and bring my ale to my lips, “and his ill-mannered request?”
Arens leans in his chair with a wicked smile on his face, letting me know that I’m not going to like his answer.
“My cousin offered the Prince to have a drink with us. Only the Prince, Lady.”
“Hmm,” I tip my ale to the blonde Discerni and sit back in my chair.
I keep my smile on him as we hold each other’s gazes, proud of my quick assessment of this man.
I still may not know his exact thoughts on humans or if he’s as like-minded as me, but he is certainly open to having a conversation about the rest of the Kingdom outside of Woodlands.
That alone speaks volumes to everything I’ve learned of that Court recently, and he doesn’t even know.
I reach out and stroke Stormfall down his back, deciding to push him harder…
“Do you travel to Knowledge for the coronation?” I ask.
“We do,” Arens nods and takes a sip of his drink.
I give him a curious look, leading him with my next question.
“Why travel and stay in Brierman, then?”
Arens angles his back to block the two Woodlands companions behind him again. He smiles as if in secret, eyes sparkling as he gives a low response.
“It was a desire of my own, Lady.”
“Searching, then,” I grin from my chair.
“Searching, Lady Alexis?” he asks, lips pulling up in a small grin.
“Searching,” I affirm with a small nod, “though if I had to guess, I’d suspect your companions aren’t aware. I’d love to hear sometime what excuse you came up with to convince them not stay in Bardot or the Palisades…”
Arens’ eyes widen as I lower my voice.
“There’s no reason for someone from Woodlands to travel to Brierman, Arens, especially when their final destination is Castle Bardot. You’re curious and searching… and you’ve come to a good place for it.”
The Discerni grins, “and if I’ve already found what I’m searching for?”
“I doubt it,” I smile, “you wouldn’t be sitting in this pub if you had.”
“Perhaps my search has led to only more questions…”
“Perhaps,” I nod, “and I should love to know where they lead you in the future...”
I gently flick my eyes to his empty glass and then look back at him, my smile broad.
“Find me in Bardot when you’re ready to have more of your curious questions answered. I know I’ll enjoy the conversation immensely when that time comes.”
Arens moves to stand up just as Keane makes his way to the table. I can feel the Prince’s heated gaze on mine and begin to blush, actively avoiding his eyes. I look back at the blonde Woodlands Discerni and nod in goodbye, surprised when he gives me a small bow.
“A true pleasure, Lady Alexis.”
“Likewise, Arens,” I smile genuinely, happy in the knowledge of the moment that not all Discerni from Woodlands are so bad.
“Alexis,” Keane says my name softly, demanding.
He closes the door to our room as I walk towards my travel packs at the foot of the bed.
“Keane,” I tease his own name and rummage around to find my night slip.
“How did you know?” he asks quietly.
I grin to myself and pull out the thin green silk, holding it in front of me as I shrug my shoulder in answer.
Arens truly was a gut feeling.
Keane is behind me faster than I can drop my shrug, pushing his chest and hips into my back as I gasp at his speed. He brings both of his hands up to my shoulders and pulls my hair away from my face, moving it down my back.
“How did you know, Alexis?” he demands over my shoulder.
I keep my smile and bring one of my hands to the back of Keane’s head, the other still holding the silk.
“It was just a feeling. A suspicion…” I answer, feeling his grin widen against my neck.
Keane gives my hair a small tug from behind, arching my neck for him as he flicks his tongue below my ear.
“I’ll have to keep Desmond away from you,” he whispers sensually.
I roll my eyes.
“It wasn’t obvious,” I explain, “but there was enough to notice. Arens reminded me a bit of myself with his questions. He wanted answers, Keane. I saw that curiosity as if it was my own.”
Keane nods into my neck and brings his lips down, his teeth nipping on the bruise he left in Gaumond. I inhale quickly and move my fingers through his hair, shifting on my feet as the familiar tug between my legs calls so easily for him.
Ancients, I’m in trouble.
The way he can cause this reaction out of my body with just a small touch and his damn presence.
Keane presses his hips into my rear and releases his hands from my hair. He trails them slowly down my back, grinning against my neck at the shiver running down my spine.
“I’ll make inquiries into Chef’s boy…”
I nod and tilt my neck to the side just as his hands reach for my hips. He takes me in his grip and then pulls me back into his cock, the full of him hard and ready.
“Jesse,” I moan.
“Keane,” the Prince chuckles and sucks hard at my neck, releasing my hips and letting his hands skim down my thighs.
“The boy’s name is Jesse, Keane,” I roll my eyes again, feeling his hands dart slowly inward. I press my ass harder into his length and tug on his hair, waiting in anticipation for those hands to slip under my waistband.
“How do you want it, Alexis?” he asks.
I gasp at the words just as be brings a hand between my legs, letting two fingers press hard against my riding pants.
“Tonight will be purely for you,” he smirks, fingers rubbing against my clit at the same time his tongue darts out for my neck. My hips move for him, only making his smirk grow wider.
Keane thrusts into my ass again, his hard length throbbing behind the confines of his pants. My hand in his hair tugs in my own desire, the wetness between my thighs already dripping as my body reacts to the pure presence of Keane behind me.
“Tell me how you want it, Alexis,” he demands again, moving away from my neck. His fingers stop their movements as well, drawing away from my body as I whimper. I tip my hips forward, chasing his touch, but Keane only chuckles and shakes his head over my shoulder before he takes a step back.
I turn around and narrow my eyes on him, reaching a hand forward and giving myself the touch my body is craving. I run my palm up and down the length of his cock with a challenging grin, showing him exactly what I want.
“Alexis,” Keane tsks, grabbing my wrist as he pulls me away, “tell me how.”
I huff and narrow my eyes again, knowing exactly what I want from him right now. I know what will bring me to the highest pleasure in this moment, but what I don’t know is why I’m too afraid to ask for it.
Keane laughs when I reach out for his waistband again. He catches my wrist in his other hand and pulls me flush into his chest.
“Say it,” he grins down at me.
I shake my head and roll my hips into his cock, “just touch me, Keane. That’s all I need.”
“Touch you where, Alexis?” he drops a hand to my side and stills my movements, “touch you how?”
My breath catches in my chest.
“Tell me how you want it, Alexis,” he repeats, that grin of his so smug, “tell me what I can give your body so that I can properly appreciate the being of you.”
My cheeks flush as I look up to the commanding Prince in front of me.
“I want you inside me, Keane...”
“Is that all?” he quirks a brow, fingers trailing up my hip to move towards my breasts.
“No,” I moan, a full blush dusting over my cheeks, “I want you inside me… and I want your words.”
“My words, Lady Alexis?” he grins, thrusting against my center. I moan again and nod in answer, catching the look of pure joy behind his eyes.
“Do you want me to tell you how much I enjoyed tonight?”
He tugs on my nipple through my shirt, the sharp thrill sending a jolt throughout my whole body.
“Yes,” I nod breathlessly.
“Do you want me to tell you how much I wanted to take you then? When I watched you speak to the Woodlands boy earlier?”