Dawn reaches us with a slight breeze through the window above the bed. I wake up to the chill and hold back a groan when I see my body completely thrown over Keane’s without any shame. One of my arms is splayed over his chest with my fingers gripping the black chain that hangs from his neck. My hips are thrust into the side of his thigh, one of my legs draped comfortably over both of his in a possessive embrace.
Ancients,how is he able to sleep with me like this?
Keane reaches a hand up to his chest, fingers wrapping around my arm in his sleep. I take a moment to let the genuine naturalness of the two of us together sink in, smiling when I see no hint of discomfort at how much I’ve taken up his space.
I hate to leave the comfort of this bed but I need to get up to meet with Cal. I sigh and sit up as quietly as possible, extending my leg even further over his body as I hoist myself on top of him. I gasp in surprise when Keane’s hands quickly reach for my sides and stop me mid-straddle, pulling me down so that I land on his hips. He smiles and gives me a small thrust, smirking at the position I’m now in that leaves me seated perfectly on his cock.
“Good morning,” he grins, brown eyes alight.
I roll my hips over his in response, “good morning toyou.”
“I have a feeling that you like this position, Lady Alexis,” he chuckles.
I bite my lip and bring my hands down flat on his chest, rocking my hips again as I nod down in confidence.
“I do, Your Highness. Very much.”
“Fuck,” Keane groans.
I quickly push off him with a laugh, not wanting to be tempted to show him just how much I would enjoy taking him under me. Keane lets me go,barely, and brings his hands behind his head to watch me move around the room.
I make my way to my travel packs, pulling out a green satin shirt and tan riding pants along with my black undergarments. Keane watches me like a hawk as I change in front of him, eyes following my night slip as I pull it over my head and leave my bare body angled directly for his view. I deliberately take my time to put on the rest of my clothes, fingers skimming up the sides of my legs as I pull on the black lace and lingering when I do the bralette next. He watches ever movement with a heated pleasure, his gaze never once leaving my body.
I pull my hair into a tight braid once I’m dressed and let it fall between my shoulders. Keane smirks when my hand juts up below my ear, my instincts feeling for a bruise that is no longer there. I chuckle a bit sadly and sit on the plush chair next to the fire, pulling on my boots and strapping the larger green agate blade under the leather. I take the smaller out of my other boot and strap it to my bicep, pulling the shirt down and back over the middle of my arm to cover it.
“It’s Cal,” Keane says from across the room.
“Hmm?” I look at him confused.
“You train with him, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I nod easily, not feeling the need to hide the knowledge any longer, “not self-taught, as I told your brother. Cal’s taught me everything I know.”
He pulls himself up on the bed, back leaning against the headboard. “And what is everything you know?”
I shrug at the Prince and stand up to tuck my shirt into my pants, “enough to properly defend myself in close encounters. Hand-to-hand and mainly self-defense.”
Keane nods in approval, “and your affinity with a dagger?”
“Cal’s idea,” I reply, moving to the door to grab my cloak, “or I guess your father’s. He pushed me towards the green agate. I had no desire to learn in the beginning of our travels, but I’ve grown to like them now. Cal says my aim is natural, though he ignores the fact that any skill I have is all thanks to him.”
“You pierced a man through the throat atop a moving horse, Alexis,” Keane watches me quietly, “and aimed true between the eyes of an Ancient. Your talentisnatural.”
I shrug again and grab my travel bag from the foot of the bed, slinging it around my shoulder. “Two years of training will do that. Can I stay in your Hidden City tonight?”
“Wewill stay in the Hidden City tonight,” he nods.
I grin and pull my hood up around my face, “thank you.”
I glance to Stormfall above Keane and meet his yellow, sleepy eyes. His gaze narrows when I tilt my head towards the door and beckon him with me, the Bird of Ash not happy to be awake but pushing off the headboard, nonetheless. He lands on my shoulder and quickly slips underneath my hood to fall asleep again.
“This is a first,” Keane laughs as I reach for the door.
I turn back to him in curiosity and catch his playful eyes. “What is?”
“You,” he smirks, “leaving me alone in bed. Normally it’s me walking away.”
I grin wickedly, truly having no doubt about being the first woman to ever willingly leave a man like him under the sheets.
