I make my way to the bathing chamber, the size of it so massive that another small fireplace rests in one of its walls. In the middle of the room is a large tub constructed from black granite, that tub also so large that I suspect a small group of three or four can rest in there comfortably. Another mirror is fashioned in the wall above a basin used for washing, a number of towels laying folded next to it. I grab one and dump the glass pieces into it, then fold it up carefully before placing the bundle to the side. I spot a small bar of soap next to the basin and pick it up, remembering the way Keane smelled my vanilla and spice in Red Falls. I bring it to my nose and breath in the scent of him, pine and that something harsher. Almost like the musk of a heavy and sharp whiskey. I smile and rub the bar along the top of my hands and carry his scent with me as I head back into his room.
The fire is still roaring but the room is dim all around, the only other natural light coming from the moons above. I grab a thin wooden stick from the mantle above the fireplace and bring it to flame, then move to the corner of the room where the large table and bookshelves are. There’s a few candles placed in different spots on the mapped table between the flat lands of the Green Valley and the rivers flowing throughout the Courts. I light those candles and watch as the flames flicker beautifully over the mahogany details of Disce, standing there and simply marveling at the intricacy of it all.
I walk over to the books on the black granite shelves, letting my fingers touch their spines as I read the titles. Everything is present in Keane’s collection, the full of it immaculate in it’s range of information that leaves me impressed. Seeing all these books makes me realize that his upbringing in Knowledge still holds a small impact on his life. That, and the whiskey and humility in his power. They’re all Knowledge traits.
AndAncients, his power.
He commanded the granite below him with the flick of his hand. No grand gesture or swift movement of his arms as Lord Daniel did, just simply, as if the earth and him were one. The granite pushed forward withease from the top step of the castle, forming that sword-like structure made out of the black stone as it cut straight down and severed Tadeo’s hand.
I shiver at the vision, at the pure fluidity in which he directed the granite, and thinking about it now, in this moment, I get the distinct suspicion that Keane can command everything from the earth and is not limited to just one portion of the element. I haven’t seen a lot yet, but if I can garner anything from what I’ve seen in the Plains, Red Falls and tonight, Keane isn’t restricted to just stone, wood, granite, or anything else. He can summon it all to his will.
Which means him and Daniel lied that first night in court when I asked if there was anyone else who could do what Daniel did. Keane shielded the knowledge of his summoning when he was around me.
Why?
It can’t just be humility…
But then I remember his questions this morning in Fumagalli. He wanted to know if I was scared of him. If I feared him. I’ll admit that watching him maul a man with just a blade was eye-opening, but it was nothing compared to the magic of his summoning. Lord Tadeo trembled in terror because he knew.
But how could I ever fear him, when those same hands, that same summoning, created the most beautiful creation I have ever laid eyes on. The Shadow Oak.
And if I’m being even more honest with myself, I have to admit that I’ve always known deep down that the oak belonged to him. I chose to ignore that gut suspicion, for reasons I don’t want to analyze right now, but I’ve always known.
I sigh and continue to roam around Keane’s room, completely avoiding his black bed as I walk outside to the balcony. The city of Gaumond is alight in fire below, the red flames bouncing off the black granite in a strikingly beautiful sight that comes alive in the night. It’s a vast difference from the view of Bardot from atop the Palisades, as that view is calming in its beauty from the mountain. The moonslight always falls on Castle Bardot in a simple coziness, but here, in the Black Capitol, that light dances across the flames in a way that makes me feel alive.
I hear the door open and turn around to find Keane carrying my travel packs and bag over his shoulders. He stops at the door and catches my eyes from across the room, watching as I stand in the dark night and still wearing my dress from court. A cool breeze passes over the balcony as I stand tall under his attentive gaze, the wind gently pulling at my hair and billowing around the skirt at my legs.
Keane drops the packs to the floor and is standing in front of me in an instant. He pushes his hips against mine and drops his hands to my waist, pulling me towards him in a speed that takes my breath away. The desire behind his eyes is strong as he looks down at me, as are his hands as they skim around my waist to trail slowly up my bare back. I bring my own hands up past his neck and let my fingers glide through his soft brown hair,pushing my chest into his in welcome as Keane’s hands rake back down to my waist again. He grabs my hips in a gentle squeeze and stares down at me, his brown eyes narrowed in deep emotion as his forehead drops against mine.
I sigh at his touch, at the tender way he’s been holding me since the incident on the castle steps. It tells me everything I need to know about the man in front of me…
The desire is there, thewantis there, but he stops just short of initiating anything out of respect for the events of the night.
I’m grateful.
“Keane,” I take a deep breath, letting my chest rise and fall into his, “there’s something I want to tell you, something I came to a resolution of my own last night.”
He nods, “let’s take it inside.”
We walk side by side back into his room, with Keane gently pushing my hand away when I attempt to grab my travel packs laying on the floor. He lifts them up and leads me to the large dresser before placing them on top, his hand reaching out to squeeze mine before I rummage inside and find my night slip.
Keane pulls out one of the wooden dressers and reveals a shelf of different black sets of pants, some of them new while some look well-worn. He grabs a pair and moves to discard his shirt over his head, his eyes catching mine in the mirror as I look at his reflection. The muscles of his chest flex at the simple movement, his arms and biceps straining in a way that has me thinking I could watch him change for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.
A small chuckle falls from Keane’s lips. I shake my head with a smirk and pull out my green silk, watching as Keane walks away and heads towards the bathing chamber. I bend down and begin working on my boots, my two blades clattering to the ground below me in a reminder that makes me frown. I still them with my hand and fold the boots up neatly, then remove the skirt of the dress and let it fall down my hips. I gently fold that piece up as well, wanting Gail’s creation to be treated with care, then pull the top piece off slowly before placing it neatly on top of the skirt as well.
I hear a shift in the room next to me, spotting Keane leaning against the arch with his muscled arms folded over his chest. I slowly angle my naked body to him and flush when his heated gaze travels from my shoulders to my breasts. His eyes sink lower, down to my thighs and between them, dropping all the way to the slight arch of my foot as I stand barefoot in his room. He takes a hard step forward and exhales when he’s in front of me, his hands reaching for the slip in my hold before he raises it above my head. I reach my arms up to the sky and let him pull the fabric down, feeling him tug the silk as low as it will go as if he’s shielding my body from his gaze.
Keane takes a step back, and in this moment his brown eyes are watching me in pure, heated conflict.
He wants me. The full being of his body wants every piece of me. But he’s battling with himself just as I am, too.
I take his hands and lay them just under my shoulders, pressing his palms open to my collarbone. I intwine my fingers with his and drift our hands slowly down my chest, only stopping when both rest just above my heart. I hold them there, willing him to feel the wild beat pressing against my chest and wanting him to understand exactly how I feel for him right now even as we both keep a respectful distance.
Keane takes a heavy breath and leans into me, his brown eyes filled with affection as he kisses the top of my head.
“Let’s talk in bed,” he says quietly.
My eyes dart over to the large mass of black sheets waiting patiently at his back. I quickly avert my gaze and drop down to the floor to pick up my two blades, lifting them towards the Prince with raised brows before I turn and place them on his dresser.
