CHAPTER XXIII
HIRO LOVER
We departed Brierman at dawn, opting to take a hard ride all the way to Bartley’s Clearing so we could then take a steady ride into Bardot in the afternoon.
We stopped once for a quick break in the orange fields and dismounted from Millie and Ash to water and give them a short rest. We took a morning breakfast for ourselves as Keane and I discussed stopping again at Bartley’s village, ultimately deciding against it.
We would ride for Castle Bardot without delay and arrive before the sun even thought about setting.
When we reached Bartley’s Clearing we took it at a slow walk, letting the pillars of greenstone oaks hover over us in greeting, their limbs scattered all around in a welcoming embrace. We made easy conversation, talking about the days to come and what to expect at Keane’s coronation.
I also inquired with Keane on where he would sleep while in Castle Bardot, if he would continue to stay with me or move into his family’s residence on the fourth floor.
It still made me curious that he chose not to stay in his own quarters, but I didn’t push for an answer.
I knew the conversation would come up sooner or later once everything had a chance to settle down.
Keane smiled when he offered his small residence in the Palisades as an option for the two of us to stay at.
We debated for a while but ultimately decided that taking the Southern Staircase twice a day to and from Castle Bardot would be too much of a hassle.
I pushed for him to remain at the bottom of the mountain, though secretly I wanted nothing more than to stay with him in the Palisades.
But Keane needed to be readily available for his Lords, family, and advisors, all of whom would no doubt be pulling him away at every moment.
I could tell Keane was getting anxious the more we talked, his features hardening at all the meetings he knew he’d have to sit in on. But with every frown and shake of his head he also sat prouder atop Ash, the full of him genuinely ready to take on the mantle of King.
To say that my soul literally flushed while hearing him talk about Disce was not an understatement, and I truly couldn’t help the glowing smile that reached my lips when he looked steadily in my direction and told me he would be transferring all of his items to my room for the remainder of our time in Bardot.
The gesture spoke volumes, as did the fact that he was so open to being seen walking in and out of my room by the castle staff.
It was an open claim in front of those around us, one that would no doubt spark rumors and hushed whispers in the castle.
Keane did, however, mention that he couldn’t guarantee when he’d arrive each night or leave in the morning, as his duties would take him into all apexes of the day.
I understood completely and assured him not to worry about me or my own days, that I would find myself useful and busy as I always have in the past. So long as we found ourselves together at the end of each night, however late that may be, I would be the happiest girl alive.
Our steady ride after passing through Bartley’s Clearing began at the noon apex.
We took the horses out of their walk and passed by a number of other travelers on the road with us.
The first looked to be kitchen staff, the occasional apple falling out of their tall wagons as they no doubt rode to Bardot to assist Chef with the coronation.
We passed through the Basset Fields and spotted another throng of people, some of them coming down the road from Loughty in a general walk as others made their trip towards the castle with more preparations for Keane’s coronation.
Indeed, when we passed through the Bell Grove and through the Queen’s rose gardens into the welcoming village, the road and paths became so crammed with bustling travelers that their movements caused a certain fervor around us for the event to come.
It was a bittersweet feeling riding into Bardot, though the grins on everyone’s faces made the arrival that much better. Keane and I slowly navigated the village and rode towards the eastern gate, everyone greeting the Prince in welcome and smiling when he acknowledged them as his equal.
When we finally made it to the eastern gate and dismounted our horses, the place was alive with more soldiers than I’ve ever seen.
Even here, on the outskirts of the castle where the King’s Army housed and trained, was full and crowded.
Discerni and human soldiers were bounding left and right, though all of them stopped in whatever they were doing to salute their future King.
I smile when we finally reach the stables and spot young Danny running towards us.
“Your Highness,” the boy bows to the Prince before reaching his hand out to take Ash’s reins.
“Lady Alexis,” he turns to me with a grin, reaching for Millie.
“Hello Danny. Everything at the castle keeping you busy then?”
“Yes! Lady,” he exclaims, “so many new people.”
I laugh at the boy’s enthusiasm, “I can envision.”
“Ask old Marlow to have our packs brought to Lady Alexis’ room,” Keane drops a cinerin into Danny’s hand.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Danny bows swiftly.
He frowns when he stands back up, looking at Keane in confusion. “Or, Your Grace?”
Keane smiles at the boy as my heart stills.
“Not yet,” he chuckles.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Danny smiles, turning away with our horses.
“Your Grace,” I tease Keane as we walk towards the large steps leading to the east wing of the castle.
Keane grins and pushes his shoulder into mine, “don’t even start.”
“Hmm,” I narrow my eyes on him with a wicked grin, “but I should very much enjoy kneeling before my King, Your Grace.”
“Alexis…” he groans softly.
“Keane Zander Bardot!”
Both of our heads turn swiftly to the commanding voice.
The Queen is at the top of the stairs, her hands lifting the bottom of her deep grey and black gown as she bounds down the steps in open anger.
Her blue eyes are as cool and cold as ever as they dart over Keane and I with a sharp, almost spiteful look.
Fuck me.
Keane takes a deep breath as I look towards the small group following behind the Queen.
Both Elena and Desmond walk down the steps with their mother, leaving a few soldiers standing at the top of the staircase.
Golem stands with the soldiers and I nearly forget myself at the sight of him, my feet quickly stopping the run I want to take in his direction in greeting.
My magical friend catches my eye and gives a small nod from afar, his lips turning up just slightly and letting me know that he’s glad to see me as well.
I avert my gaze back to the three Bardots as we all walk towards eachother, our steps moving forward in anticipation.
Elena looks beautiful, her own light grey dress flowing perfectly around her legs as her blonde hair matches that of her mother’s, billowing from behind.
She looks quiet and thoughtful as her eyes dart over Keane and I, her emotions hidden behind her Discerni features.
Desmond, however, does not hide his small frown as he looks directly at Keane in apology, his glance telling his brother that there was nothing he could do to stop their mother.
“You were supposed to be here,” the Queen approaches coldly, “with your family. You’re supposed to be mourning!”
She’s upset. Extremely upset. And I truly cannot blame her.
Her cool blue eyes flick to mine and take in my stance beside Keane. “But instead you ran off with her.”
A few soldiers walking near us look back at the Queen, obviously hearing the disdain in her voice. I shift quietly next to Keane and look back at his mother with an open apology, unable to deny that I took her son away.
No, my mind reminds me, Keane did. He wanted the travel. Needed to get away with you.
Regardless, I would stand here and take the Queen’s anger, if only to pull it away from the man beside me.
I offer her a deep curtsy in another apology, feeling as a calm rush of magic surrounds my body, the feeling entirely new.
“Don’t you hide us, Desmond!” the Queen states coolly, removing her blue gaze from mine as she looks to her other son.
“Mother…” Keane sighs and takes a step forward, reaching for her hands, “I’m here now.”
The Queen brings her sharp eyes back on Keane and lets her son take her hands, looking at him in equal parts distress and affection.
“Lady Alexis,” Elena’s soft voice rises from our group, “will you take a walk with me?”
I’m grateful for the offer and the distraction it allows for Keane and Desmond to deal with their mother. I give the Princess a small nod as Keane places the Queen’s hand on his arm and leads her back up the stairs to the castle, his eyes finding mine and giving me a small smile in departure.
Desmond moves to walk with them but turns around in thought.
“Your traveling bag is back in your room, Alexis.”
My bag of magical collections.
“Thank you, Desmond,” I nod, watching as the dark Discerni returns to his family. His fingers twitch slightly at his side as his summoning stealth lifts from us.
“The Bell Grove path, perhaps, Lady Alexis?” Elena’s soft voice pulls me back to her request. I turn in her direction and assess the quiet Bardot sister in front of me.
Elena’s skin is lighter than mine, perfectly complimenting her blue eyes and pale blonde hair under the afternoon sun.
She’s just a bit shorter than me, her face and features strikingly beautiful in their coolness as they look over me in their own small assessment.
She looks to be my age, about twenty four or twenty five in human years, but I know she’s lived far longer than I have.