He doesn’t say the last word in the familiar distaste as other Discerni do,as Alanna so often does,but instead just simply and straightforward.
“Alexis,” I reply as he brings his horse to Millie’s side.
His eyes roam over me in quiet assessment. “And how old are you, Lady Alexis?”
“Twenty-five, Your Highness.”
“So not a girl, then,” he replies after a small pause.
I have no answer to that.
“You’re currently employed by my father…” he continues as we set off in our walk.
I look at him in curiosity.
Seems we’re both not hiding that we know who the other is.
“And you now ride with my brother?”
“I do,” I reply, thumbing the new ring I bought.
Keane’s eyes narrow on my finger playing with the fluorite, his stoic Discerni features giving nothing away.
“We were told we’d be connecting with you in Dalloway, not Agnor, Your Highness.”
“Indeed,” he replies, “but I found myself in meetings across the bridges and decided to stay here for the night.”
I know exactly what kind of meetings he’s referencing and offer no reply in return. Instead I urge Millie through the city at a slow pace, the calm of the roads extremely quiet in this early morning.
“Do you often take rides before dawn?” the Prince asks curiously.
I hate the question. Hate that he’smaking inquiriesinto me right now just as he told Desmond and Alanna he would. It may be that I’m asking for trouble or just looking to confuse him out of spite, but I decide to lie to him just because I can.
“No, Your Highness,” I shake my head, “this is very out of character for me. I often sleep in long past the sun’s rise.”
The Prince’s brown eyes lock on to mine in an instant, his gaze turning hard and cool. I give him another sweet smile and lead Millie down a side path, silently applauding myself and hoping he takes that false information back to his brother.
“And do you often take rides with humans?” I ask after a brief silence.
“Quite often…” he nods in response.
Hmm, well that’s a surprise.
Does the Prince share his love for human culture as his father does?
“We cross the bridges today and travel within the Court of Warriors,” he looks my way, “have you ever visited the lands within my Court?”
“I have,” I nod, moving Millie towards another small path as the lake comes into view, “mainly the southern portions. Dalloway, Varon and Dardar.”
Keane lifts a brow in my direction, “you’ve traveled as far south as Dardar?”
I smile, remembering the southern city that borders the Barren Flats much like the Palisades does.
“As south as Dardar,” I confirm, “visited that city for nearly two months.”
That was one of the longest stays I’ve ever had in a mystical library, rivaling only my stay in Auclair.
“Any of the northern lands?”
