“Curious, Alexis. Always curious.”
“We should have known,” Mana says to his brother, “the Ancient would not choose a docile mouse.”
“No,” his brother nods in agreement.
“What were they rumored to be doing?” I press.
I notice the crowd from outside the veranda slowly making their way inside. The sound of music starts playing in the background as the five of us close our circle even tighter.
“The kind of magic that takes other life too early,” Holis murmurs, “used to benefit themselves.”
“Sacrifice?” I whisper, not fully understanding, “but what of the Ancients? Malachi, Tomo, and Ordonna? Surely they would not allow something like that, if so?”
“They sleep,” Holis replies quietly, as if that answers everything.
“While I am thoroughly interested in this conversation and wish to continue,” Lord Daniel takes a step back and raises his hand to a young human boy holding a tray of whiskeys, “we have eyes and ears on us.”
He smiles to the boy in greeting and picks up a few drinks to pass around.
“This is a conversation for another time. Let’s continue with our night as normal.”
But how can I?
This feigned politeness while evil people stand under the roof of the home that raised me? Whyshould Ipretend?
“Lady Alexis,” a calm voice says behind me, prompting me to turn around. I smile at the distraction and look at the older Discerni man standing with his own small smile.
“Sir Miles,” I reply as Lord Daniel turns to talk with Sera and the twins.
“Back from your travels, then?” the newcomer asks, tilting his whiskey in greeting.
I enjoy Miles. He’s an avid thinker and always entertains new ideas. He’s roughly around the King’s age, with his leaf-shaped ears longer than the average Discerni and a few wrinkles lining his sharp features.
“Yes,” I reply, touching my glass to his, “a proper adventure, Sir Miles.”
“And one that we all can’t wait to hear,” he nods.
The men of his group are always curious as to where my travels take me, always inquiring about the cities and towns when I return back to Bardot. They’re well-traveled themselves, but I suspect they oftentimes need reminding of the lands that lay beyond greater Bardot. Lands that they seldom ever visit anymore in their content old age.
“I saw that your big friend was with you tonight,” his head juts up to the crowd, “I was hoping to find him.”
While it was rare that Cal graced court with me, when he did, the two of us often found ourselves with a good view and a good smoking partner, no doubt why Miles is inquiring about him now.
“He shouldn’t be that hard to find,” I laugh, placing my hand on Miles’ shoulder. I stand on my tiptoes and look out to the crowd with him.
“There!” I point towards the veranda with a grin, “ask him about the shisha he brought back from Gaumond. He’ll be grateful for an excuse to dip out and smoke the tobacco.”
Miles turns to me with an affectionate smile, “you read my heart, Lady Alexis.”
“Because you men are too predictable,” I tease.
He chuckles, “save me a dance?”
“Always, Sir Miles,” I nod as he walks off.
“You’rebeloved,” Lord Daniel whispers at my side, watching as the older Discerni walks towards Cal.
“And you’re too kind,” I shake my head, “Sir Miles and his little group took me under their wing when I became too old to remain in the Queen’s Ladies in Wait.”
