Golem pauses before nodding.
“Another question to add to the ever-extending list,” I sigh.
I move into my bathing room and walk past the steaming tub, heading straight for the small basin as I pour some cool water over my hands and splash it across my face.
After my small chat with the Prince, I avoided him and his moving hair at every turn. The snake, Rivian, no longer looked like a braid whenever I glanced at it, but instead remained on his shoulder as the magical beast it was and looked over the crowd. It followed me whenever it could, and no one, not a single person in that room, seemed to notice the magical hair except me and Edam. It was as if the people around the Leviathans were completely oblivious to what was next to them, and looking back on it, I truly think they were. Too many times I caught Edam watching me as I watched the snake, his grin growing wider when I caught someone standing too close to Isham, watching as Rivian’s black eyes would narrow on them as if wanting permission to attack.
I buried myself deep within my traveling crew for the rest of the night, not leaving their sides. Sutton and Tripler showed up towards the endand made a plan to find accommodations in the Palisades, while Keane and his brothers continued their rounds as custom dictated. They spent most of their time with their parents and the various Lords and Ladies of the Court of Knowledge, and as usual, I watched Keane engage with the many eligible Ladies of our court, his lips smiling when needed and mimicking their open gestures.
But for the first time since Red Falls, I didn’t care.
My thoughts were too scattered to pay attention to Keane’s smiles not directed at me. All I could think about was sitting down with King Zander, wanting nothing more than to get the answers we rushed to Bardot for.
I sigh and grip the basin tightly, leaning over it in thought.
There is no way in all the Ancients that I am ever walking into the Kingdom of Livyatan. Not with Isham, not with any man, not even with the most powerful Ancient Hirovale at my side.
But Isham’s sureness keeps creeping up on me, his words said with such confidence that I know he truly believes them to be true. What makes him so sure that I’ll have to travel to his Kingdom? And how does he know more than he obviously lets off?
The creek of the bedroom door in my small reading room pulls me from my thoughts. I instinctively reach for my bicep and find it empty, my body still wrapped in the dress from tonight. I quietly move into my bedroom and watch as Golem extinguishes the lanterns of moonslight. Everything goes dark in an instant as I move silently towards my boots.
“It’s me,” Keane says quietly from the entry.
I exhale with a wild beat of my heart, hearing the door close behind him. I move to the end of my bed and stare through the arch in my room, spotting Keane’s fingers flicking back down to his side after the space fills with moonslight again. His intense brown eyes find mine, his full red lips parting on their own subtle exhale as he gives me a hard look. I stand tall in my room and stare back at him, watching as he takes a commanding step forward.
“I will make you mine, Alexis.”
I take a deep breath at his overwhelming presence. He’s still in his dark Warrior attire from the night, his broad shoulders angled directly at me and looking so strong in my quaint little room. I can see how bad he wants me right now, and I shiver at that look behind his eyes. He’s come here unannounced to take what is his, and I have no qualms when I nod in agreement.
“You will,” I reply quietly.
We will meet under the Shadow Oak soon. Of that I am certain.
“This goes much farther than the Shadow Oak, Alexis,” Keane takes another commanding step forward, his eyes never leaving mine.
I think I know that, too, but I push the thought to the back of my mind where it belongs for now.
“Tonight…” he watches me as his eyes fill with small wonder, “you were…”
He shakes his head.
“Brash?” I offer, “unexpected?Angry?”
“Strong,” he smirks, “and definitely unexpected.”
He gives me a mischievous grin. “Warrior.”
Yes!I scream.
“You know it…” his hand comes up to run through his hair.
I stare at that hand in heavy desire, needing it on my body. Now.
“You’re ready to say it.”
Yes!
“I am,” I nod, reaching for the back of my dress.
