“Tell me about the water mill in the area.”
Keane’s face lights with an amused smile.
“Now why would the town’s toddy making mill interest you?”
I shrug into my ale and take a sip, “I’m curious as to where the village disappears to.”
“Disappears?” he grins in mock casualness, “the people here are just working, Alexis.”
“Must be a damn big workforce to fill up all the empty townhomes and cottages in the area,” I reply just as casually.
Keane shakes his head, his face still alight but now staring at me in challenge. He leans back in his chair and keeps his arm steady around the back of mine, the look of casual relaxation consuming his body.
“We have a library here,” he brings his toddy up to his lips with a smirk.
He’s diverting… to a subject he knows I can’t ignore.
“You do,” I nod, “I noticed it today.”
“I gave the Discerni working there your description,” he chuckles, “he’s expecting you tomorrow.”
Bastard.
“How very thoughtful of you.”
“It is, isn’t it?” he looks at me over his drink, eyes narrowing in silent laughter.
Damn him.
Damn his handsome smile and playful brown eyes.
Maybe I really don’t know what game I’m playing, because I seem to be losing this round as well as all the others.
“I’ve asked for tonight’s dinner to be served in Knowledge fashion,” he states softly, changing the subject.
My eyes quickly dart to the Prince, watching as he stares into his drink on the counter.
“Why?”
Keane shrugs and fiddles with the rim, “why not?”
“Well I know Holis and Mana will greatly appreciate the gesture,” I smile, “even Cal.”
“And you?” he looks back at me, brown eyes searching.
“I, of the four us, will appreciate it the most,” I tell him earnestly, “the act is one of friendship and gratitude towards the others sharing the table, something we noted earlier this morning. There was an appropriateness to having the shared breakfast just a few days before crossing into foreign land together. Tonight’s dinner will be the same...”
Keane nods and downs the rest of his toddy before standing abruptly. I hear a few people from our group arriving in the common room behind us and stand with him, watching as he places cinerin on the counter for both of our drinks.
“Sit across from me tonight,” he turns into me subtly.
I grab my cloak from the back of my chair.
“Across from you?”
His playful brown eyes meet mine before they slip down to the cut of my shirt again.
“I want to pass you the plates tonight, Alexis.”
