“There’s been plenty of human males who have pined after her, though from what I’ve seen, she never actually shows any true, emotional interest in them. She keeps her conversations polite and friendly and turns them down before anything gets serious.”
“Maybe she’s not so annoying after all,” Alanna laughs.
“And now?” the Prince presses, “is she involved with anyone?”
Golem takes a step closer while I shift uncomfortably behind the door. Desmond does the same from his place in front of the fire, shifting on his feet as he averts his brother’s gaze.
“Tell me,” Keane demands.
The Master Informer sighs and takes his time with his reply.
“It is rumored that she engages with our brother Troy...”
The Prince visibly stiffens at the words, his shoulders tensing against the back of the settee as I do the same from outside the room.
Rumors about Troy and I?
Since when?
I watch as the two brothers share a dark look with each other, while Alanna-
Ancients, Alanna.
The Discerni woman starts to laugh uncontrollably, her eyes crinkling in mirth for the first time all night.
“Fucking Ancients,” she laughs out loud, “oh, that’s too good.”
“What?” the Prince looks at her with a scowl.
“Oh, fuck me,” she laughs, “I can just envision it now…”
Alanna tucks her hair behind her ears with a shit-eating grin. “Chaste and proper Woodlands Prince withher? Oh, I bet he was surprised when he saw…”
I throw daggers at the back of her head once again.
Yes, the Woodlands Court of Disceis known to be very conservative in their affections, andyes, most of the women and men have a reputation for being extremely chaste. The Court always wears attire that covers the full of their bodies, the fabrics of white, silver and pale greens maintaining a look of innocence not found anywhere else in Disce. There’s no doubt in my mind that Alanna thinks Troy is as virtuous as his Court’s reputation, and there’s also no doubt in my mind that she’s referencing my black lingerie that greatly contrasts that assumption.
“I don’t understand,” the Prince shakes his head.
The Discerni woman slows her laughing and looks pointedly at Keane. “I’m sure you will… eventually.”
“It’s unconfirmed, brother,” Desmond adds, “only rumored. I’m still looking into it.”
The Prince grimaces and stands from his seat.
“If there’s one thing I know about Troy, it’s that he does nothing
without intent or meaning. If the rumor is true and he’s interested in the girl, then we need to find out why. We’ve had little reason to be interested in herbefore now, but I need you both to get as much information about her as you can.”
Both Warrior Discerni nod as a dark look of determination clouds Keane’s face.
“Confirm Troy,” he continues, turning straight to Desmond, “and find out where else their group has been traveling to and why our father has her surrounded with men of strength. Let’s also keep him out of this. I don’t like that he’s made this a secret, but he must know by now that you’ll be making inquiries into her. I’ll be making some as well.”
A cool hand brushes against my shoulder and makes me jump. I turn to Golem and catch his eyes darting back down the hallway from where we came, his meaning clear. I nod in agreement and peer inside the room one last time, watching as the Prince turns from the fire to stand in front of Alanna with his hand outstretched.
“Join me tonight?” he grins, voice laced with all the confidence in the Old World.
Alanna doesn’t return to our room until the early morning. I know because I stayed up all night with my mind replaying every single word from the conversation over and over again.
