“Yes,” Keane smiles.
Interesting.
The Discerni man looked okay when I last saw him. He was definitely quiet, but I didn’t see any sadness lingering on his features. There was no harrowing look that led me to believe he was not well or emotionally broken.
“I spoke to him when we were there,” Keane continues softly, the words stilling my heart in my chest, “I inquired into his life. He has no regrets of his time with Maren.Nor,do I know, would I.”
“You will watch me grow old,” I nearly cry out.
“Yes, Alexis,” Keane nods, eyes holding mine with determination, “if that is the price to pay for having you in my life, I will happily watch you grow old.”
I tremble in his arms, unable to comprehend how he can say those words with such resolve. Is he truly prepared for something like that? Could anyone be prepared?
What would happen to us when I’m an old woman and he remains a beautiful Discerni Prince? Would his eyes greet mine with the same fire as they do now?
Yes, my heart confirms.
But will they look at me with the same desire as they do now?
A shiver rakes its way down my spine, not having nor wanting an answer for that.
“What did your father mean when he said that practicing magic would extend my life?” I whisper.
Keane runs his hands down my thighs, “the magic of the Old World lives within us, it is what prolongs the lives of the Discerni. The strongest of our summoners live the longest, but even those of magical descent who only practice small magic are still graced with extended life. Any use of summoning by you will no doubt prolong your human life. Your blood will flow with the magic that extends it.”
“To that of a Discerni?”
“I’m unsure, but I don’t believe so. I do suspect that you’d have a longer than average human life, though.”
Keane gives me a small grin, enjoying the thought. I consider his explanation and what it would mean to have a longer than average human life. I would get to spend more years with Keane.
But only me…
What of Cal and the other humans in the Four Kingdoms who choose not to embrace the mystics? What is Hirovale’s plan for them?
“But the choice will be yours, Alexis.Always.I will not allow the Ancient to force his will on you.”
“He already has, though, Keane,” I sigh.
The Prince watches me carefully, “if you truly believe that, then I have to ask- Has it really been all that bad? Hirovale’s actions are what led us to eachother...”
“That’s true,” I nod, “and I’m grateful, but those actions were spearheaded without my say…”
I look down at Keane’s hands resting on my legs, “and what’s worse is that he expects me to go along with everything he wants, with everything he tells us to do. He’s never inquired if it’s what I want.”
“What he has asked us to do has been nothing out of the ordinary so far,” Keane points out, “we want to travel to Woodlands of our own accord, not his.”
“And Livyatan?”
He scowls at the question and squeezes my thighs again. “Livyatan will be dealt with. They will need to be. But tell me, Alexis, because I saw it in you. You wanted to storm their borders the moment you heard of their ritual summoning, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” I look up at him sharply, “of course I did, Keane. Who wouldn’t?”
Keane raises his brows in a knowing glance, “manypeople, Alexis. My father and the King of Aireal among them.”
“Why?How could anyone sit back and let something that horrendous happen in the Old World?”
“Because they are not prepared for the change or the action that will be needed to battle the problem head on,” he answers quietly.
