“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I grin, knowing full well that she wants to see the reaction at court. I extend a hand to Stormfall and let him land on my shoulder, his long tail feathers brushing against the skin of my back as we all walk to towards the door. Gail leaves first with Golem before I turn around and secure the lock, feeling three new sets of eyes all landing on my back.
Cal, Holis and Mana are all staring openly, their faces unabashed. Cal grins in approval and strokes a hand down his beard in thought, while the twins bow in unison at his sides with the hint of a small smile gracing their lips.
“This is Gail,” I look at them all with a smile of my own, “she’s a seamstress here.”
“Do you handle men’s clothing, too, young one?” Mana asks, extending a hand to her.
“Yes,” she smiles “mostly tunics.”
“We will have to pay a visit to you then,” Holis smiles.
“No Knowledge for you tonight, Alexis?” Cal chuckles, still looking over me in thought.
I know what he means. I’m wearing no green save the fluorite in my rings, and the gold that’s embroidered in this dress is too small and intricate to be considered Knowledge attire.
No Knowledge, no Warrior, no Woodlands.
“Just me,” I reply and smile at Gail.
Her grin is absolutely beaming in return, giving me tenfold the confidence that I already feel in this dress.
Cal nods in approval and leads our group down the hall and towards a twisting staircase. My heart pounds in my chest with every step we take, thumping in recognition that this may very well be my last night in Gaumond. The thought sends all kinds of emotions running through me, but my mind is steady and repeating the mantra of everything I need to accomplish.
Bardot,King Zander, Troy, Woodlands Court, Hirovale…
The large wooden doors are opened wide to the receiving room when we arrive, the familiar raucous laughter and loud chatter greeting usfrom outside the hall. The smell of burning wood escapes the fireplaces and greets me in familiarity, and I can’t help but smile at the unruliness I know everyone will be getting into tonight.
I take a deep breath and will myself to relax, knowing that the next few days will only be met with hard conversations.
“Thank you again, Gail,” I turn and give her a hug, “this dress is amazing. I’ll find you tomorrow morning and drop it back off.”
Gail squeezes me tight with her eyes still sparkling, her youthful features looking deservedly excited as she pulls away. She moves to stand to the side of the doors as Cal takes the lead once again, the four of us entering the large room with Golem at our side.
Stormfall’s talons immediately grip my shoulders when we walk along the two long tables filled with Discerni and human men and women. He extends his wings fully behind my back, the black feathers jutting across my shoulders as he announces himself to the room. I shake my head at his ego and watch as the first few people start noticing Storm, their conversations quieting down as some begin to point. Others, mainly woman, all turn to me from their seats and openly stare at my outfit while looking at their own dresses in genuine question. I laugh inwardly at their furrowed brows and turn to look back at Gail, grinning even wider when I see her whole demeanor light up. She’s also getting the attention she deserves, and I’ll happily sing of her name the whole night so that everyone knows who she is.
A small rumbling under my boots has me turning back around to the center of the room, my eyes immediately lifting to the Prince at the head table. The sight of him watching me with such intensity pulls a shuddering breath from my lips, my heart pounding in my chest yet again as he stares at me in way that puts all other encounters between us to shame. His brown eyes are only on me, his gaze penetrating mine without a care as to who sees.
Keane grips the table in front of him and stands from his seat, eyes trailing slowly down my neck to the curve of my breasts. I watch his lips part on an inhale as his eyes roam even lower, glancing over the flat of my stomach to the slit that reveals my hip.
Ancients,I’m absolutely burning from this man. The sight of him staring at me is now carved into my soul.
I curtsy low to the ground when we reach the head table, bowing my head as Storm extends his wings once again. I take a deep breath and stand to greet the Prince, letting an impassive and unreading face take over my features that could rival any Discerni in this room.
“Our friends from Knowledge. Returned from their travels abroad…” he says in formality, “we are happy to have you back.”
“As we are grateful to be back, Your Highness,” Cal responds.
“Please,” Prince Keane extends his hand to the table.
Cal leads our group to the side as Keane follows every single step. I can feel the heat in his gaze as he watches my movements that bring mecloser to him, can feel the tension between us that still remains from last night. And when he pulls out the familiar chair on his left with playful eyes, I feel my body responding in ways I wish I could push away.
Fuck me.
“Lady Alexis,” he grins, nodding down to the chair.
I take the seat without a word and nearly tremble when Keane’s hands brush against my back, pushing me in.
Ignore it.
