I narrow my eyes on the Ancient, not knowing if his answer is to my comment about the twins or about Keane’s small warning.
“Both,” Hirovale replies with a chuckle.
“Stop reading my fucking thoughts!”
I sit up straight in my anger, no longer caring about Keane’s arms shielding me. Hirovale’s golden eyes dip shamelessly to my bare breasts, watching as the water drips down them before he catches my gaze.
“It doesn’t work like that, Alexis.”
“No?” I turn sharply to Keane, “is he reading yours then?”
Keane sits behind me with a playful smile, “no, Alexis.”
I sag back into the water, rolling my eyes at both men. Keane’s hands snake to my hips and pull me into his lap, my ass resting perfectly between the crux of his legs. His large exhale wills me to relax with him as he brings his arms back around my shoulders, so I sigh and take the comfort, watching as his hands hang loosely over the top of my chest.
“What of the conversation, tomorrow?” Keane asks the Ancient, “what all needs to be discussed?”
Hirovale gives Keane a small nod, as if thanking him before he answers.
“Begin with the book and it’s words…” he glances my way, “she’s still hiding their meaning within herself and needs to come to terms. Learn what you can on both Councils, then continue with Woodlands. What you learn from your father and your travel to that Court will lead you towards Livyatan and more answers awaiting you there…”
I roll my eyes again.
Always so fucking vague.
Why not just give us the answers now and spare us this prolonging of your presence?
The side of Hirovale’s lips slant down in a small grimace, something almost unnoticeable if I hadn’t been staring at him intently. He remains quiet as his fingers continue their dance along the water, the thick white air across the floor still moving around us. I lift out a hand and flick at the silver movements, willing them to shoo away and take the Ancient with them. They don’t take the hint, and neither does the Ancient.
Do you have more to say?I prompt.Or do you just have nothing better to do with your night?
Hirovale looks up at me, his golden gaze twinkling in amusement.
Eager to get back to what you were doing, Alex?
My eyes widen on the Ancient, cheeks burning in a fiery blush. There’s no way he knows of what we were doing. Stormfall was in the other room.
My Bird of Ash hears everything.
I still against Keane’s body, feeling as his fingers lightly brush against my collarbone. Hirovale raises his brows in a questioning glance, the amusement behind his eyes never once fading as I level him with a glare.
“Nothing better to do with your night, then,” I nod, giving him a sweet smile, “have fun with your hand.”
Hirovale pushes said hand across the surface of the water, splashing half of the tub directly in my face.
What the?
I sputter in shock.
“Youthful,” I affirm, “childish.”
The Ancient chuckles as I start wiping off my face.
“You’re supposed to be off waking your brothers and sisters! Have you already failed on that front? Is that why you grace our presence now?”
Hirovale grins, “oh no, Lady. On the contrary, that front is going fairly well. One already wants to meet my human reborn and is willing to help me restore magic to the Old World.”
“I still haven’t agreed to-”
