Keane extends his hands back to the settee, his grip so hard that it turns his knuckles white.
“Do we need to be worried about her finding this book?” he asks.
My heart thuds in my chest at the question. That’s not something I ever considered. I glance up at Golem and watch as he shakes his head, then nods.
“We do and don’t need to be worried?” I look at him in confusion, “is something going to happen when I find the book?”
Yes.
“To me?”
No, then yes, again.
Desmond frowns and eyes his father’s creation carefully. “We’re in friendly lands, Golem. Pyre is our ally.”
Golem remains still and glances between the three of us almost purposely.
“Our father wouldn’t send us into the hands of people he didn’t trust,” Keane states as Golem nods in the background, “nor would I. I don’t think our worries lie in this city or the people here, but perhaps in what comes next after finding the book. My father has obviously deemed the text important, so much so that he’s kept Alexis and her travels a casual secret over the past two years. Pyre is not our worry, though I am curious if traveling back with the actual book might be.”
“The Leviathans?” Desmond inquires.
Keane gives a brief nod, “they were in the Plains from the moment we left Fumagalli. I have no doubt they’ll be waiting for us when we make the return trip home.”
“Wait a moment,” I eye them both, “you think this book is so important that the Leviathans will try to physically stop me from delivering it to your father?”
“Yes. But we won’t let that happen, Alexis.”
“Ancients,” I shake my head. We really were in danger in the Plains.
“Will it harm me?” I turn to my magical friend as a new worry settles in my gut, “the actual book. When I find it, will it harm me?”
I’ve read too many things in the past two years to know how harmful a book can be. Keane’s shoulders tense at the question just as Golem shakes his head vigorously. No.
“But some sort of anticipation or expectation will come once the book is found?” Keane pursues.
Yes.
“Was I on the right track in suspecting the Leviathans?”
Yes… and no.
“It’s regarding the term,” I remind him softly.
Yes.
“Are you expecting anything to happen here, Lady Alexis?” Desmond’s dark eyes find mine, “what have been your expectations during your past searches?”
“I expect nothing other than the job I am sent to do,” I shake my head, “search for the book and bring it home to the King.”
The room remains quiet as both brothers look at eachother in more confusion and anger. They’re hurt by their father’s actions and trying to navigate the best they can with what little information we all have.
“I suspect you two won’t see me,” I offer, glancing at Keane and Desmond before finally resting my gaze on Golem, “seeusfor all three days. I do have an expectation for this search- that I’ll need all the time I can get.”
“You’ll bring Golem with you?” Keane asks.
“Yes,” I nod, “its why he wasn’t at court tonight. I thought it best to keep him a secret should the Prince and Princess deny his entry. Though after meeting with Princess Clair tonight, I get the impression that she wouldn’t object to his presence, nor will her husband.”
Keane nods his head in approval, as does Desmond, the two of them looking a little relieved that Golem will be with me.
