My new friend watches me with a deep sincerity, his head bowing in a slow nod as he lets me take his hands in mine. I squeeze them softly, so over the family tension and anger in this room, and give him a look of unriddled appreciation.
“For our love of adventure and all the mischief we’ve already shared on this trip together…”
He gives me a small smile.
“And for the many, many other adventures to come...”
His cool, clay hands squeeze mine in return.
“Will you please, to the best of your ability, answer this next question truthfully?”
Golem glances to Keane behind me and then to Desmond, then nods in confirmation.
“Thank you,” I bow low in respect. “When I return home, Golem, will King Zander explain himself fully?”
The magical creature’s smile is broad, as if he was waiting for someone to ask the question this whole time.
Yes.
“And will he do so in the presence of Princes Keane and Desmond?” I ask.
Yes.
My grin is large as I pull him in for a hug.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Golem squeezes me in return.
“It’s settled, then,” I let him go and turn to the brothers with a smirk, “I’ll find the book and return home for answers. You’re both welcome to join if you’d like.”
Desmond stares back at me with a small smile of approval playing on his lips. He nods in answer, his dark eyes assessing me in a new light. I look towards Keane-
Ancients, why did I look at Keane.
He’s staring at me with such heated intensity that I nearly have to look away.
“I need to speak with Lady Alexis privately,” he says coolly.
His brown eyes capture and hold mine, not caring to look at Desmond or Golem to see if they’re complying with his command. The Master Informer gives his brother a small smirk and pushes off the wall, while Golem quietly takes his leave and heads towards the balcony. I remain transfixed under Keane’s gaze and hold my breath until Desmond closes the door behind him, barely noticing as Golem disappears into the shadows at the same time.
“I will have you now, Alexis.”
I take a deep breath and look down at Keane’s hands, truly wanting nothing more than to feel them all over my body. But I will not sacrifice his promise of the Shadow Oak. He will not have me now.
“No,” I shake my head.
“No?” he raises a brow, “I can see that you want it.”
When you look at me like that, how can I not?
Heat crawls up my neck as I reach for the blanket that fell on the ground. I quickly pick it up and wrap it around my body, shielding myself from his gaze.
“You think that’ll help?” he chuckles.
Keane takes a commanding step in my direction, eyes never leaving mine as he moves around the settee. I grip the blanket tighter and try to calm my racing heart, thinking of the words I need to say that’ll stop this from going any further. My body may be aching to feel his touch, but my mind is resolved in saving myself for Gaumond.
I look up at Keane when he stops in front of me, nearly losing that resolve when his brown eyes turn from pure desire to playful mischief. He reaches up to the front of my chest and swiftly pulls the blanket down, letting it drop to the ground with a handsome smirk as he reaches back up tograsp my jaw. I narrow my eyes and swat him away in warning, my own lips turning into a scowl when he smiles in amusement. His hand quickly finds a place on the back of my neck as he pulls me forward, his other hand settling on my hip to hold me flush to his chest.
