Keane shifts under me, “let’s get through this conversation first and then we can talk about bringing them in.”
“Okay,” I nod, relaxing back into his body.
Finally.
We’ll finally have our conversation with Zander and get some clarity. Everything of the past two years will finally be brought to fruition and we’ll get our answers tomorrow.
Hopefully.
I shift against Keane, knowing that I’ll also have to disclose the words of the book. The thought makes me deeply uncomfortable as Hirovale is still a never-ending presence that lingers in the back of my mind. And while I do my best to ignore what his presence here in the Old World means,I know deep in my soul that he has no intentions of letting me forget about him.
As if picking up on that thought, Stormfall glides through the inlet to the bathing room and lands on the edge of the tub. His yellows eyes land on the two of us from the opposite end, his black wings unfurrowing before they tuck back into his sides.
“Storm,” I sigh in greeting.
His yellow eyes flash a bright gold.
“Hirovale,” I grimace in correction.
I settle deeper into Keane behind me and feel him squeeze my thighs again. The air around us turns cool as a slight breeze passes through the arch, the draft sending a shiver down my spine. Keane remains relaxed but lifts his hands off my thighs, his arms falling back around my shoulders before he lets them cover my breasts under the water.
“Nothing he hasn’t seen before,” I murmur with a scowl.
Keane chuckles behind me and leans down to plant a hard kiss under my ear, his tongue darting out to my neck before his teeth bite down in a small nip.
“How are you okay with this?” I ask, exasperation dripping from my voice.
Keane chuckles again but doesn’t say anything, his playful smile widening at my neck. The tall Ancient moves into our small room from the inlet, his face grinning in amusement as he finds my gaze.
“He’s okay with this because he knows that he will let no other man see you naked, and he takes pride in the knowledge that I have chosen to do so, regardless.”
Keane squeezes my breasts under the water, agreeing with the Ancient.
I scowl up at Hirovale, “you’re another man.”
The Ancient flicks his gaze to Keane as he saunters up to the tub uninvited, and I don’t have to see him to feel the slight smirk that pulls at the Prince’s lips.
“Hirovale is no man, Alexis.”
I huff and lean back into his chest, eyeing the Ancient. Hiro looks exactly the same as he did in Fumagalli, walking tall and sure of himself as he moves with the thick air surrounding his feet. He’s wearing his deep grey tunic cut at the shoulders, and his black hair is waved perfectly over his youthful…
The Ancient tips his dark brows up in mock conceit.
…manlyfeatures.
Hirovale laughs and reaches a hand out to Stormfall, the four black etchings on his wrist a harsh contrast against his skin. He stands in front of the tub and looks down at the two of us in the water, his amused grin turning almost friendly.
“So… you get your answers tomorrow.”
Keane bows his head behind me, his voice steady, “or so we hope.”
Hirovale nods and slowly takes a knee, bringing one of his hands into the water as he skims his fingers along the surface. His golden eyes look down in thought, while the cool air he brought with him rises to the side of the tub in a silvery mist that now surrounds the floor of the room.
“Who will be present?” he asks.
“The two of us,” Keane replies, “my brother Desmond, the fighter Cal, and your men, Holis and Mana.”
Hirovale smiles, nodding deeply, “good, though that group will grow larger as the days pass. You will need as many friends as possible for what is to come.”
