“Pity,” I shrug, “I shall have to name them myself, then, and they will not come with friendly tones.”
“No, I suspect they will not,” he nods seriously, “though I should one day like to hear what you come up with. We will all be amused.”
I look down to the black eyes I’ve felt watching me since the moment I asked for names. All three snakes are staring back at me from different places atop the Prince’s shoulders, their gazes unwavering.
“Interesting,” Isham murmurs, “you have no fear, Lady Alexis.”
“Should I?” I tear my gaze away and look back at him, “that would contradict your statement of support if I did.”
“No,” he leans back on the railing, “you have no need to fear me, Alexis, though I know it will take more than one night to earn your trust.”
I nod in quiet confirmation, still feeling the snake’s eyes on me as I reach for my whiskey.
“Rivian,” the Prince offers quietly.
The Ancient?
“I’m sorry?”
“The eyes that want to hold yours,” Isham looks down at me with a grin, “Rivian.”
My curiosity takes over again as I look back to the black, beady gaze. The snake’s arrow-shaped head darts up to greet me, it’s animalistic features now fully taking form within Isham’s braid. I stare at it in awe, knowing that the magic of it is unnatural but I’m unable to stop looking…
The feel of Keane’s hard summoning suddenly grasps my chest. It pulls me away from the snake’s gaze as I bring a hand up to my heart and let out a stuttering breath.
“Hmm,” the Prince eyes me in curiosity.
I take a deep sip of whiskey and turn away from the black eyes, eyes that I know will remain on me for the rest of the night.
“We’ll be in Bardot for a few days, Lady Alexis,” Isham resumes his friendly and welcoming tone, “think about what I said.”
I can do nothing but nod as I try to regain my composure.
“Now,” he extends his arm again as a sly smile reaches his lips, “should I escort you back to your Prince or to the Warrior Lord? Or perhaps to the two Discerni men who were at your side earlier and worship your beloved Ancient?”
CHAPTER XVII
REALIZATIONS AND MORE ANCIENT CONVERSATIONS
“They’re dangerous, Golem,” I fume, pacing around the bed in my room. Golem nods and stands beside the balcony opening as the curtains drift slightly inwards with the breeze. Stormfall is flying around somewhere outside, leaving the room the moment he saw me back and safe from court.
“You weren’t there when the last Kingdoms Council was called over two hundred years ago, right?”
He shakes his head, solemn.
“But you know what was discussed…”
Yes.
“Princess Clair didn’t give details, just noted that Prince McQuoid’s father called the Council. He cited atrocious rumors of things they were doing to humans.”
Another quiet nod.
“If King Zander wasn’t present at the Council, does that mean his father was, Keane’s grandfather?”
Yes.
“Do you think the King would share whatever information came from it?”
