“Yes. The three Courts of Disce. Knowledge, Warrior and Woodlands.”
“An interesting concept, to section out the Kingdom and its people,” she replies, reaching for water instead of ale.
I grab the mug in front of me and give her a small smile.
“It allows for humans and Discerni alike to live within a certain culture of their choosing. The lands within the Courts all prescribe to a different set of trends and style of life.”
“And what is your style of life?” she asks.
My eyes dart quickly to Keane, the Prince already deep in conversation with his brother and McQuoid.
“My style of life has been fairly simple in Knowledge. I work for the King and enjoy court and life at the capitol in Bardot. I also enjoy traveling between the different cities and towns of Knowledge and Warrior. It’s a privilege that I get to experience the different lands.”
“A simple life, indeed,” she murmurs, though I swear I hear a hint of sarcasm.
“And you?” I inquire, taking another drink of the brown ale, “do you enjoy hosting court and participating in events like these?”
Clair smiles and shakes her head in joke, “I used to hate it,immensely. I used to think that these events were a waste of time, food and resources. But the more I learned of the politics of Pyre, the more I understood that friends and allies could be made here. It was certainly a slow burn of interest for me but one I do enjoy now. I’ve even come to love all the hosting and planning that comes with it.”
I glance at the Princess. She does look regal and so in place in this room. She smiles at her people from down the tables and enjoys the crystals from the chandeliers when they flash over everything in beauty. That tenderness I noticed earlier extends to the full of her court, and I can tell just by watching her that she takes pride in the people and overall ambiance here.
“Well tonight is stunning,” I nod at her in true appreciation, “you’ve done a spectacular job. I’ve truly never seen so many crystals in my life. They reflect beautifully against the fire under your skin.”
Clair visibly stiffens just as Prince McQuoid halts his conversation with Keane. His head slowly turns in my direction, an unnatural stillness coming from them both as their blue gazes find mine.
“You are human, Lady Alexis, yes?” Princess Clair speaks first.
I frown at the question.
Of course I’m human…
I keep my eyes on her and nod slowly, not understanding the new mood at the table. I glance past Prince McQuoid and look towards Keane for help, but the Discerni Prince is watching me from his seat with stoic features.
“And you say that you can see our fire?” Clair continues, eyes assessing.
I turn my glance away from Keane and look at Prince McQuoid. He’s still watching me as well, though his eyes have become stern to match his rough and rugged features. I flick my own gaze down to his open chest, to the red swirls moving strong beneath his skin. There’s no mistaking those flames. I can see their fire.
“Yes,” I answer, looking to the Princess in obvious confusion, “the Prince’s fire is strong, the deepest I’ve seen of all the people here. His flames are thick, too, as if they host a lot of power behind them…”
I glance down at the Princess’ arms and chest. How do I even begin to describe her flames?
“Yours are more cunning,” I offer after some thought, “they flick under your skin in calculated movements, as if they move for a certain, thought or reason.”
The Princess takes a deep breath before her grin turns wide. Her husband nods in approval while Keane looks at the three of us in outright confusion.
“And you, Prince Keane?” Clair turns to smile at him, “do you see our flames?”
Keane shakes his head, “I am at a complete loss as to the nature of this entire conversation, Princess.”
Clair offers a kind smile, explaining to us both.
“When a Discerni matures into their magic, their ears become shaped like yours and those of your group, but when a Pyrenese matures into their magic, we’re gifted with the flames of our ability under our skin. Each person’s varies in shades and thickness of red, depending on how strong their summoning is. Lady Alexis can see those flames under our skin now… the first human in the Old World that I’ve ever known to do so.”
My eyes widen in shock as her husband gives another nod in agreement. I marvel at my realization that this whole time I was watching the flames of everyone in the city, not knowing that our group couldn’t see them in return. I shake my head in disbelief and catch Keane’s eyes on mine. He’s gifting me with another playful gaze, his eyes holding mine steadily as the tops of his lips tip up into a small smirk.
“This does not surprise me in the slightest, Princess Clair,” Keane takes his eyes off mine and looks back at the Princess, “while our Lady Alexis likes to play at enjoying the simple life, she is anything but.”
I huff quietly from my chair, coming to another realization that Keane was listening to our conversation this whole time.
