CHAPTER XXIII #7
Sera fills the mugs she grabbed from her table as I do the same, bringing all five back with slow carefulness as I set them down on the table.
“Hopefully soon,” Mana says softly, looking back at his seated wife, “but the rush is not there. We have time.”
I pull out my own chair and sit back down, reaching for my mug as Sera shrugs casually, “I’d like to think when his travels end, though I don’t see that happening soon.”
“And you, Holis?” Cal grins across the table, “ready to become an uncle?”
My eyes widen as I realize the conversation they’re having.
Holis tips his mug at Cal with a grin, “at this rate it may be you who makes me an uncle first.”
I choke into my ale and try to hide my laugh, watching as Alanna gives a heated blush and glares back at the Discerni twin. Cal tips his mug to his friend and salutes the open comment, sending him a grin that only men can give.
Ancients.
Stormfall spreads his wings from the table, prompting us all to look at him as he pushes off and soars into the night. I sigh and sit back in my chair enjoying the sight of him, then smile as I think on tonight.
This night is already perfect.
The ambiance, the full table of good company and good drink.
This is what life is meant to be.
Keane moves his chair closer to mine, his hand resting again on my thigh.
I turn to him, knowing that he’s heard my sighs and read my body, while the smile on my face grows wider at the sight of him.
His brown eyes sparkle down in affirmation as he gives my leg a firm squeeze, the two of us turning to Barnes when he inquires when Cal’s next fight will be.
“If our travels permit, a few days after the coronation,” Cal grins into his ale, “a lad traveling with the Court of Warriors.”
“Rane,” Alanna leans forward to look at Barnes and Lord Daniel from across the table. Both men give her a knowing grin.
“Our best hand to hand from Dardar,” Lord Daniel nods and glances to Cal, “you’ll have your work cut out for you, Cal.”
Cal sits straight in his chair, “I welcome it.”
My smile is proud as I look at my big friend, relaxing when Keane’s hand reaches higher up my thigh. His knee pushes against mine and I inhale at his touch, feeling his gaze rake over my body again.
How is that? I shiver in thought, bringing my ale to my lips.
How am I able to feel his gaze on me without seeing it?
Keane tightens his hand around my leg, fingers inching even farther towards my hip as he wills me to look at him. I take another steadying breath before I turn in his direction, watching as his small grin grows wider, approving of my reaction to his call.
I push my knee gently under the table and bring my own hand down, fingers wrapping around his to stop their dangerous movements. Keane’s smug look of confidence graces his features as we both sit back in our chairs, completely content, the two of us happy we get to have this night…
Because it is perfect.
It’s everything I didn’t know I needed on my return, yet everything that I crave and want from life. The drinks, the company, the damn Ancient night with its moons sparkling down on the table from above. Everything is just so perfect, as is the man sitting so closely next to me.
Keane is open in his affections, open in his desire for me, pulling my chair even closer as he releases my thigh to rest his arm over the back, letting his fingers drift over my shoulder.
This is life.
This is everything that I wish for the Discerni and humans of Disce to experience together, especially in the Court of Knowledge. This is everything I want to bring to this Court, everything that I’m determined to bring to Woodlands, politics be damned.
I recognize now, why Keane and Desmond want to fight for Fensby so hard, to take it by force…
they have the same desire. The desire to allow others to experience their life just as we are now.
They are willing to fight for Woodlands, and while I don’t wish or hope that their desire will end with using force, I understand the strong sentiment that may result to that action if it’s ever needed.
Something terrible is going on over there, and I look forward to gaining a greater insight into what exactly is happening.
But you know, my mind reminds me solemnly, the Bardots and Alanna have told you, expressed to you.
I frown at the thought.
A land filled with hobbled huts and villages, slums, as Keane called them. Humans living as lesser beings under a Discerni governance that views them as second class people.
But my parents fought back.
I sit up straight and turn to Keane.
They gave their lives in hopes of a better one. Their fire and courage will not die with them...
Keane stares back at me, his brown gaze holding mine as he notices the many thoughts running through my mind. He presses his fingers into my shoulder softly, his eyes questioning as I smile back at him, feeling the fire build within me.
“Later,” I breath softly, knowing that I will tell him everything of Elena’s conversation once we are alone. Keane nods slowly, understanding the simple reply.
Sera sits up from her chair again and announces dinner, the Discerni woman leaving with Mana at her side as the two of them head back to the kitchen.
“Another round of half whiskeys?” Cal grins, reaching for the decanter. We all smile in response and push our empty glasses towards him, letting our drinking take us further into the night.
Both Sera and Mana bring out two large platters in each of their hands, placing them in the middle of the table in Knowledge fashion.
The smell is beyond savory as I look down at the roasted chicken and vegetables, then notice the familiar sized rolls and salty pastries that she usually serves at her café.
I beam at her in affection and gratitude, knowing that there’s one thing I wish to bring back to Gaumond with me.
This. The comradery of sharing food and passing it amongst friends.
“This is coming to Gaumond,” I tell Keane when our hands meet over a plate. Keane grins openly at my comment and nods in agreement, his brown eyes dancing across my face.
“We can do that,” he replies with a smile, “I’m going to try poach Chef again while I’m here. Wouldn’t hurt if you added your own sway.”
I laugh at the Prince and shake my head, “nothing will make that man leave Bardot, Keane, but I’ll try.”
“Tell me more of the boy, Alexis,” Desmond adds next to us, taking a plate from Cal, “Chef’s boy.”
Alanna shifts besides him as I look to her, then glance to Lord Daniel, both of their eyes greeting mine.
“Same story as mine,” I turn back to the Master Informer, “shuffled off to Castle Bardot after his short life in Woodlands. Doesn’t remember the years spent there but he’s purely content and happy in his life now.”
“When you say he doesn’t remember,” Desmond inquires curiously, “do you mean he can’t or that he chooses not to?”
Alanna hides her frown as I try to remember the conversation I had with Jesse. It’s unfortunate, and I know a bit biased, but I mirror his story to my own while remembering Elena’s words.
“Perhaps a bit of both? I didn’t get too far into it with him but can inquire again.”
Desmond nods at me from across the table, his gesture letting me know that I should indeed question the boy more.
“Brother,” Keane chuckles softly.
“She has a handle on it, brother,” Desmond gives Keane a small smirk in reply, “and I’ve come to trust her judgement.”
“A far cry from Fumagalli,” I mumble quietly to myself.
Both of the Princes grin.
“Whiskeys,” Cal prompts the table again. We all gladly accept his gesture and raise our drinks together before taking them straight, pounding the glasses hard on the table and grinning foolishly.
We continue into our dinner until all of the food is gone, a testament to Sera’s cooking as each of us sits back into our chairs, content and full.
Cal opts to help the Discerni woman this time as they both move around and clear the table, my big friend returning back to the group with smoke as Sera returns with a small plate of raw red meat for Storm.
I smile at her gesture and close my eyes, not seeing the Bird of Ash but knowing he’s close by.
We have dinner for you, Storm.
Stormfall’s caw is loud as he glides out of the park below and back to our veranda, his body landing gracefully in front of Mana and Sera as he peers down at the plate food.
“Are you speaking to the Ancient’s creature silently now, Alexis?” Holis asks from beside me.
“He can hear my thoughts,” I nod in confirmation.
“He’ll be speaking back to you soon, then,” he grins.
My eyes widen on the Discerni as I shake my head, “I hope not. One magical being is enough.”
“That may be,” Holis chuckles, “but just remember he’s one of the good ones, Alexis.”
“Mhmm,” I nod, bringing my ale to my lips.
“You’re still reluctant,” he smiles softly.
Ancients, Holis, you have no idea…
Especially after my conversation with Elena today.
Stormfall glances back at me sharply. I avert his gaze and look at the Discerni twin, nodding in small agreement. “I am.”
Holis gives another small smile but doesn’t push the subject, letting me lean back in my chair towards Keane.
The night passes into the late evening beautifully as we all continue with our drinks. Smoke fills the sky as laughter mixes with our conversations, everyone so happy that the time passes by too quickly.
Towards the end of the night Stormfall takes the time to greet everyone around the table, even takes a strong step towards Alanna’s reluctant and stiff body.
My heart beams at the encounter, laughing as the blonde Discerni only lets her fingers brush him slightly before leaning away.
Storm takes no problem with it and makes his way over to Desmond, the Master Informer greeting him graciously with strong strokes of his hand.