“I think this has been enough for the day,” Zander finally releases Keane’s gaze with a sigh, turning to look out the three arched windows, “the sun is almost at apex.”
It is?
I turn in bewilderment and look skyward, noticing that we are indeed far past morning.
“Alex,” the King stands from his chair and looks at me, “we still have some things to discuss…”
I turn my gaze back to Keane, yearning for that fire behind his brown eyes again. It’s there, stronger than ever, and it alights my full being as I reply to my King.
“I wish for Prince Keane to stay behind with us.”
Keane exhales softly, the gesture barely visible. I give him a small nod and then turn back to Zander, letting him know that I will not be swayed in my request.
Zander, to my surprise, gives me a knowing smile, nodding his head in agreement.
“We will take our leave,” Desmond states.
Cal catches my eyes before he turns from his chair, his features softening as his gives me a gentle shrug from afar, a silent goodbye. I smile at my friend and look at Holis and Mana in their departure, both of them watching me silently.
“I will see you tonight, Holis,” I nod to the Discerni in confirmation, “and you, later, Mana.”
The twins give me a small, timid smile that doesn’t quite reach their eyes. I can’t even envision the thoughts going through their minds right now- Do they dislike me for resenting their blessed Ancient so much?
Desmond gives me a curt nod before bowing to his father and Keane, walking around the table to guide the Knowledge men out of the meeting room before he shuts the door behind them. I reach out for Stormfall and stroke his chest in apology to my earlier outburst, smiling when his yellow eyes greet mine.
“You can go back to sleep now, Storm.”
Stormfall takes a hesitant step onto my wrist but lets me bring him gently up to my shoulder. I know full well that this beast has taken the brunt of my anger all morning and am surprised when he leans into my neck and purrs in acknowledgement to my gesture.
I slowly push my chair back from the table and look at the two remaining Bardot men in front of me.
“I need to stretch,” I tell them and step away from the table. I walk the length of it before turning back to the father and son, noticing that all three of our glasses are empty.
The King and Prince silently watch my movements, eyes following my hands as I reach for our drinks and begin to pour. I push two glasses their way and grab my own with a deep breath, glancing into Zander’s blue eyes and hoping they return my gaze with kindness.
“I’m sorry for the things I said to you earlier,” I sigh to my King, “I let my emotions take over. I do not blame you for what has happened, nor do I hold any ill will towards you. I just don’t care for the secrecy of it all and wish I had been better informed. Forgive me, Your Grace.”
Keane lets out a small exhale and leans forward to grab his drink.
Zander continues to hold my gaze, that subtle sadness creeping back into his features.
“I fear, Alex, that you will indeed hold ill will towards me after this conversation, and I will not blame you for it, if so.”
No, I shake of my head, opting to greet whatever he tells us next with calm resolve.It truly can’t be any worse than what we’ve already heard...
“That remains to be seen,” King Zander extends his arm to the table, “please, sit back down.”
Keane and I watch his father in deep curiosity, watch as he takes a small sip of his whiskey and then sighs before leaning back in his chair.
“I told you earlier that the Leviathans were quick to cast their declining vote at the Kingdoms Council. They set their three-day term in hopes, and I’ve only just come to this conclusion today from our talk, that they would stall you from finding Hirovale’s Bird of Ash, not his words.”
Keane and I both nod.
“The fourth and final term also came from them,” the King turns to look directly at Keane, “it is custom for the Council, son, that any Kingdom not on the side of the majority be given another term, a balance of sorts, as the requesting Kingdom who called the Council is not allowed to vote nor dictate any terms.”
Keane nods to his father as Zander looks down at the drink in his hand, continuing quietly, “the Leviathans’ next term surprised me. Isham had the instinct to look forward, to dictate action in the event should the magical book be found…”
My heart thumps rapidly against my chest.
