CHAPTER XIV #5
“I understand if you can’t make the commitment, though I did want to ask. I want you to know that you are my first and only choice. Both Keane and Desmond will select someone from Warrior if you refuse, so don’t feel obligated to-”
“-Yes, Alexis,” Holis smiles softly, eyes sparkling on mine. “It would be my honor.”
I hold my breath, needing to make sure he understands the full of his words.
“You would have to swear an oath. You would have to move to Gaumond.”
“I swore my life to yours two years ago and have never once regretted it.”
“And Gaumond?” I ask cautiously.
Holis gives me a gentle smile, eyes flicking to Mana riding ahead.
“My brother and his wife will only be a few days travel to visit. They are content there, but I believe my curiousness in life matches your own. I will make the move to the Black Capitol with you. It could use a few more bookstores on its roads.”
I let out that breath and smile back at the Discerni man, all nerves receding.
“Yes, Alexis,” he repeats. “I am with you. Always.”
We arrive at the sparkling silver gates of Alston as the sun begins to set. A deep calm washes over our group as we enter, the sight of the city’s rolling hills filled with the white marble temples so peaceful in the evening.
I turn back once more before we enter the city, looking again at the massive statue of Hirovale from afar. The hooded figure looming over the road no longer makes me laugh, instead I look at the statue in deep understanding, once again considering the role the Ancient plays in our Old World.
Hirovale was foreboding last night, threatening me through his right hand with an act I knew he found abhorrent. He was an Ancient to fear, just as he’s depicted by the artist now, a man of Death who truly knows the meaning of the word and how to wield the title.
My sigh is heavy as I look to the man up front who hasn’t said a word to me all day.
Keane has been stuck in his Discerni indifference since we woke up, masking his fury under cool and short conversations that he’s directed at everyone but me.
His anger is warranted, of that I can’t deny, so I took to writing to Clair when I could, needing her friendly words to take my mind off Keane.
That task was thwarted in an instant when she wrote that news had reached Pyre of our engagement, with the Princess wanting full details on when the wedding would take place.
I had to calm her excitement in my response, not nearly ready to begin thinking of those preparations with everything going on.
I did happily promise to write to her more often, however, genuinely wanting to sit as Keane did every night as he caught up on his communications.
Keane.
The King’s Decree found its way throughout the Kingdom of Disce in the late morning, though I was unable yet to make out how it was received.
All Lords within the three courts were to announce the ruling to their cities, posting the decree on every door and window for everyone to see.
Those notices now graced the temple towns we ride through, with many of the patrons eyeing the King heavily in thought before bowing their heads.
It’s interesting to see Alston in the evening, to see the Discerni and human women moving about at the end of their day.
The cafes that were empty when we first arrived are now full of shisha smoke billowing out of their windows, many of them hosting classy dinners and sparkling toddies among friends.
The shops are still separated, of course, but the smiles that come from them are genuine.
I still find myself curious as to Keane’s plan for this city, wanting to know how he intends to put an end to this separate but equal lifestyle.
Both Mitra and Denise stand with Elena when we reach the top of the hill. I avoid looking at the woods entirely to my left, not knowing if I’ll ever dare to go back in them.
“The night is yours,” Keane announces as we move our horses to the small stables, “as are the next two days.”
I quickly move Millie to Cal’s side with a smile. “It’s been a while, Cal, but can we resume our training in the mornings?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” he grins. “Dawn, at the stables.”
“I’ll see you then.”
I walk Millie to an open stall, hearing someone else entering just behind me.
“Dinner with Elena,” Keane’s cool voice stills my full body. “I need to bring her up to speed on everything.”
I try to catch his gaze, even reach out a hand to hold him to me, but Keane casually lifts his out of my reach to loosen his packs from Ash.
I quickly lower my hand and do the same with Millie, my gentle horse feeling my uneasiness as I try to still the small tremble that’s taking over my fingers.
Keane is quick to walk back out of the stall, leaving me alone again as I grip Millie’s neck and take a heavy breath.
“Join us for dinner,” Keane’s eyes are on Canon and Holis when I walk out of the stables. “Drop your stuff off at the inn and make your way back to Elena’s. I need to catch you two up as well.”
The men give the King a brief nod before they turn to the inn with the rest of the group. Elena eyes me quietly in my walk, the door to Rivian’s temple instantly slamming shut in my mind as I avoid her gaze. The Princess frowns, eyes darting from me to Keane before she leads us to her home.
“I’ve had a small barrel of ale added to the kitchen,” she says quietly.
“Thank Ancients,” Keane and I mumble under our breaths.
“Is it okay that I included Canon and Holis?” he asks.
“Yes, not a problem,” Elena nods quietly. “Perhaps I should invite Mitra?”
I can’t help the small grin that takes over my face as we enter Elena’s home, the glittering white walls looking just a tad more cozy than last time we were here.
The King lights the candles and small fireplace with a flick of his hand, Elena promptly excusing herself to the kitchen as she leaves the two of us alone.
Keane moves without hesitation to our room on the ground floor, the subtle glance he gives telling me I should follow.
“Let Hirovale know that we’re out of Etter and settling in,” Keane walks to the trunk at the foot of the bed without looking at me. “You should start your training with him tomorrow.”
Dear Ancients.
I completely stop in my walk, closing the door firmly behind me as I drop my packs on the ground and Stormfall flies to his perch on the bedpost.
“I won’t play this game, Keane,” I glare at the back of his head.
Keane’s shoulders tense, hands stopping above his packs to drop a clean shirt back inside. My heart pounds when he slowly turns around, his brown eyes finally finding mine for the first time all day with the same anger pushing through them from last night.
“This isn’t a game, Alexis,” he replies, Discerni features sharp. “This has never been a game. And yet you treat it as such when you let such an idiotic thought run prevalent.”
“Idiotic?” I take a hard step towards him, “there’s nothing flippant about the thought, Keane. If anything, it’s weighted in steady reasoning.”
“Reasoning,” Keane narrows his eyes, “how can any thought of taking your life be made with reason?”
“You said yourself that you would give in to any demands! How many would you give, Keane? At what cost? To what end?”
“To whatever end it would take to get you back to me, Alexis!”
I stop in my walk and shake my head in sadness.
“That, Keane. That is what I cannot allow to happen. You cannot allow that to happen. Who would you become? A beggar at the heels of Woodlands? A man beholden to others? What would become of Disce? You swore an oath to protect the people here.”
“You are one of those people, Alexis,” he looks at me in disbelief.
“I am,” I nod, “but the well-being of my life is not worth the well-being of the Kingdom.”
“Idiotic,” he scoffs, turning his back on me as he reaches for his shirt again.
“I need you to hear my next words carefully, Keane,” I take an angered step towards him. “I need you to hear me when I tell you that I will not live to see you bow to anyone from Woodlands.”
Keane turns around swiftly with a fire burning behind his eyes.
“And if that time ever comes,” I continue, “in which you make concessions to free me that compromise who you are, who the being of you demands, then I will remove myself completely from your life, whether by taking my own or walking away once I am back in your hold.”
“You dare,” Keane takes a livid step forward.
“There is no dare in my words, Keane,” my glare is severe, willing him to hear me.
“Just the truth. I will not live with a man who compromises his integrity. You bow to no one for me. You give in to no demands for me. Do you hear me? Set the damn Ancients court to fire with me in it before you give them what they want! But do not lose yourself for me. Do not lose the man that you are.”
Keane reaches me in his Discerni speed, his hand wrapping around the back of my neck as his voice drips in quiet anger.
“You would rather see La Cour go up in flames than have me bend a single knee to get you back?”
“I would,” I tell him steadily, “and I’m not ashamed to admit that.”
The ground below us begins to move violently, shaking my legs as his brown eyes pierce into mine.
Keane’s fingers on my neck tighten, his features so conflicted that I can’t tell if he’s considering my words or hating me for them.
I slowly reach a hand for his chest, my own fingers wrapping around the black chain before I pull him down to me.
“You are the King of Disce, Keane Zander Bardot, and you bow to no one. I will take my own life before I ever see that happen.”
“Fuck, Alexis,” his hand swiftly releases my neck as he moves to step away.
I hold hard onto his chain, pulling him towards me again as my own hand wraps around the back of his head, dropping his forehead to mine.
“Tell me you hear me, Keane,” I release the chain to move my fingers up his neck. “Tell me you understand.”