Cal greets the man and starts looking around for a good little alcove to light his pipe, the two of them making me smile.
“An unfortunate custom,” Lord Daniel frowns, “you know we hold no such sentiment in the Court of Warriors?”
I turn and give him a genuine smile, “I know it, Lord Daniel.”
“I also heard of Lord Tadeo’s advances,” he says quietly, his features turning hard, “another sentiment our Court does not agree with, Lady Alexis.”
“I know that as well,” I nod.
“You were right to use the force you did. As was the Prince…”
Both of our eyes trail to Keane, who, for the first time tonight, does not have his gaze on me. He stands with Troy and his father, the three of them engaging with the Leviathan delegation as Isham laughs in the crowd. Keane remains cool in his Discerni features and doesn’t say a word. I smileat the sight of him, at the way his indifference commands attention and Prince Isham tries his best to engage with him.
“You lied,” I tease Lord Daniel, turning back in his direction as Keane’s head tilts slightly to the side.
Lord Daniel looks properly affronted at my statement.
“The second night I attended court,” I explain, “I asked if there were many others who did what you do in regards to your summoning.”
“To be fair, Lady, I was not given a chance to answer and therefore did not lie.”
My gaze darts back to Keane just as his lips curl up in a slight smirk.
“True,” I admit, shaking my head at the Prince’s cocky smile.
“Though he does hide it well,” the Lord offers as an afterthought, also looking at the Prince with me.
“Why is that?”
“He has power, Lady Alexis. Pure, raw, unfettered power to the lands. The type that only comes around once in a few generations. Mix that with the power of his birthright…”
He shakes his head in small awe, “I believe he hides it as a check on himself. Such power can certainly pull on the soul of a man.”
My heart stutters at Lord Daniel’s words.
Raw, unfettered power.
Something like that can certainly turn the humblest of souls dark.
I frown as the Prince and his brother turn from their conversation with the Leviathans and glance at me.
Wait…
Why are they looking at me?
And why are they walking towards us now?
Lord Daniel shifts closer to my side when he notices the group heading in our direction. My eyes catch on Keane’s, his own gaze giving nothing away as he takes the lead with Troy and Isham at his side. I peer behind his shoulder and look at King Zander, surprised to find his blue eyes on mine as he stands in apology. His gaze tells me that he does not condone whatever is happening right now, and when I finally glance at Troy, he’s walking with that confident smugness etched into his face.
Lord Daniel and I bow deeply to our Princes, as do Holis, Mana and Sera at our backs.
“Lady Alexis,” Keane nods as I rise, “please allow me to introduce you to Prince Isham of Livyatan.”
The youngest Prince of the Leviathans takes a step forward and reaches for my hand. I reluctantly let him take it and fall into another small curtsy, feeling his lips brush over my skin.
“A pleasure, Lady Alexis, to finally meet you.”
Finally?
