HEAVY CONSIDERATIONS
Keane and I rode hard for the Willow, moving through the northern entry of Castle Bardot and past the village and the Queen’s rose gardens at quick speed. We ditched the Great Road once we made it through the Bell Grove and galloped straight through the Basset Fields, the lush green grass covering the bottom of Millie and Ash’s legs below us. The sun was already dipping into late afternoon when we left, and we knew we’d only have a few moments together before sunset came and we had to be back for court, so we rode swiftly, hoping to steal those moments, both of us also knowing that another conversation had to be held.
We continued our small conversation with King Zander shortly after discussing the fourth term, with Keane alerting his father of Hirovale’s request that Stormfall stay by my side tonight. The King questioned me more about the snakes in Prince Isham’s hair, marveling in awe and slight fear at the description and encounter I gave him. Both him and his son had not experienced anything of the sort, nor heard of such magic within the Leviathans that could allow the transformation.
Keane also brought up the matter of the Old World rule not allowing humans to use green agate against magical beings, especially in threating situations. His father listened intently as Keane and I both gave a small recount of the events of that night with Lord Tadeo, agreeing that it was past time for a discussion to be held to overturn it. He would begin his talks with the leaders of Pyre and Aireal first before approaching Livyatan.
Keane and I departed the meeting room together when the conversation finally ended, the two of us not speaking to one another but knowing we wanted to talk,neededto talk. We walked down the west wing of the third floor and took the staircase down to my residence with Golem trailing quietly behind. I hadn’t even thought of bringing him up at the meeting and was surprised to hear his padded feet following us the whole way when we left, with the King not once asking for me to return his jar.
Keane’s walk at my side was casual but his presence was always close, closer than Troy had ever chosen to do. People within the castle openly stared at the two of us, whether at the Prince, at the Prince with me and Golem, or at the collective three of us walking with such headstrong existence that we didn’t care who saw us or what they thought when they looked upon us. The fire from earlier still raged through me with every step I took, just as I knew it did for Keane. And we didn’t care, either, when a serving girl openly stopped in her tracks to watch the Prince walk into my room without a second thought. I rushed straight to my armoire and changedout of my nice gold blouse into a shirt more fit for riding. Keane smirked from the archway in my room at the sight of the black lace bralette he got to see for a brief moment, then led us back out to greet Golem again as we made our way to the stables.
Golem is now fashioned in his jar in the bag at the side of my hip, the Prince and I riding swiftly to claim the last few moments under the open sun until nightfall hits. He lets me lead the way until he sees the direction I’m riding in, then turns back to look at me in a challenge as he spurs Ash to move faster. I smirk at him from behind and urge Millie forward as well, the two of us racing with the wind towards the Willow.
Eventually the large tree comes into view with its sweeping arms and graceful limbs swaying to the small breeze around it. It’s a beautiful tree, magicked just as the Great Oak is to be tenfold its actual size, with the thin and long green leaves arching down and waving to us from the distance.
Keane thoroughly beats me in the race and disappears proudly atop Ash under the canopy. I greet him under the Willow and sigh as I bring Millie to his side, watching as Stormfall flies through the thousands of green leaves surrounding us before he decides to perch high in the limbs above. A human couple with their small son lifts their heads at the sounds of our horses, the three of them sitting against one of the large curves of the trunk. The child immediately stands up and begins running towards the Prince, his face innocently fascinated by Keane’s dark and regal attire as his mother chases after him. The woman swiftly bows to Keane with an exasperated smile before picking her son up by the waist. The little boy starts to laugh just as his father gives a more prominent bow to the Prince, the two men nodding to eachother with knowing grins.
“But I want to bow to the man, too, mama,” the boy pouts, eyes alight and still watching Keane from his mother’s hold. He leans forward in her arms and bobs his head towards the ground in a mock bow, prompting both parents to shake their heads with smiles.
Keane grins and stands straight in the little boy’s direction, then returns the gesture next to Ash. The boy’s smile beams wider as the mother hands the little one to her husband, the three of them walking through the arms of the Willow before they disappear as a family.
I dismount from Millie with my heart tugging at the wholesome sight. I pat her neck and wrap her reins around the saddle, giving her the okay to roam freely as Keane does the same with Ash. We stand watching our horses walk away before slowly turning around. Our gazes catch each other’s in an instant, with Keane’s brown eyes holding mine with a deep and longing desire. I take a heavy breath and then walk towards him, nearly starting to run before I jump into his outstretched arms.
Our mouths crash into the other’s and it’s me who claims him first. My hands move over his upper back to come up to his neck and hair, my fingers running through the soft strands and wanting him more than ever. Keane’s tongue clashes with mine as I deepen the kiss, his hands moving along my back as his muscled arms hold me to him roughly. I let all thepassion I have for him fall out of me in our kiss, reveling in the man who sparks so much intensity in me,so much fire.
Keane pulls back sharply and looks at me with his brown eyes alight, pushing his lips back into mine even fiercer then before. His tongue darts into my mouth again, moving with such force and hunger that it makes me whimper in his arms. I fall deeper into his hold and let his whole presence wash over me, feeling his hands dip lower down my back and hold me by my rear. He gives my ass a hard squeeze as I chuckle into his lips, my hips moving over his and prompting a grin before he bites down on my lower lip.
Ancients,this feels right.
Everything about us,about him, always feels so right. No matter how much we challenge eachother or if we disagree, which will be happening more due to the conversation about to come, it just doesn’t matter. When I’m with him I know that everything will be alright. That we will be alright.
“Every damn thing I need, Alexis,” Keane breathes softly into my lips, affirming my own thoughts.
He pulls away again, reluctantly this time, and I immediately open my eyes to look down at the strong red lips that uttered the words. I run my hands through the back of his head and nod in agreement, pushing my mouth against his again,hard. Our kiss is hungry as we both move our lips as fervently as possible, his tongue pushing into my mouth again and claiming it as he always does.
“I’m ready,” I tell him, marveling at how quick my desire for this man has grown in only a month. My mind still battles with the timing of it all, but my heart is quick to shut that down hard. Everything truly does feel right when I’m with him, regardless of how quick we’ve gotten to know eachother, because Keane is the fire and the warrior within me that I never knew was there. What does timing matter in the grand scheme of it all? Truly? I know what I feel for him, what I feelfromhim, and I’m ready to tell him and make the most of us as soon as I can.
“I know, Alexis,” he gives me a wicked smile, eyes alight and holding mine, “and I am ready for you. Have been for a while now.”
I sag into his arms and let him hold me tight, resting my head on his shoulder as we let the willow move around us.
Ancients,I can stay like this for the remainder of the night.
Keane gives me another tight squeeze before dropping my legs softly to the ground. He grabs my hand and takes a slow step towards the middle of the trunk, his stance confident and commanding as my own feet freeze behind him.
I look down at his hand holding mine with my heart beating wildly out of my chest.
Ancients.
I have let that hand do all sorts of improper things to me, but there is something different about the way he holds it now in the clear and open day.
Keane turns around in confusion, his gaze following mine to our entwined fingers. His grin is sly as he looks back up at me with those playful brown eyes and tugs me forward again.
“Come on,trouble.”
I roll my eyes but follow at his side as the two of us walk to the massive trunk of the Willow. Keane releases my hand with a small squeeze and then leans down, sitting with his back to the trunk as he spreads his legs wide and then pats the earth between them. I shake my head but do as I’m bid, leaning down promptly to sit between his legs. Keane’s arms reach around my stomach as he pulls my back tightly into his chest, sighing contently when my head drops back against the top of his shoulder.
I relax into his strong comfort, letting his arms around my waist hold me in assurance. It’s just the two of us here in this moment… the two of us doing what we often do when we find ourselves under the canopy of trees. Challenging eachother. Questioning eachother. Talking with eachother.
