A sudden piercing gaze from Marybeth’s Tavern flashes through my mind. There’s only one person in Keane’s capitol who has treated me coldly from the moment I arrived, one person who has acted like how I’ve come to believe all of the Discerni of Woodlands do…
“Is the recruit Heizman one of Troy’s men?”
Keane’s brows dart up in surprise.
“Curious and perceptive,” he grins slyly, “Desmond isn’t kidding when he tells me he wants to recruit you.”
I roll my eyes and swat away his hand that is inching between my legs.
“He’s the only one in Gaumond who treated me as I found normal at
the time,” I shrug.
“Wait…” I frown, remembering who was at Heizman’s side that
night, “Barnett isn’t, right?”
“No,” Keane grins, hand landing on my abdomen, “not Barnett. Though he is aware of Heizman, as is Alanna. They have been keeping an eye on him for a while now.”
What does he mean,keeping an eye on him? Especially when it comes to Alanna. Is he suggesting that she’s only been engaging with the Woodlands Discerni to keep tabs on him? What of her open touches and flirtation and the night she went home with him? Was it just to get closer? Did Keane and Desmond ask that of her?
Keane’s grin falters when he sees the hard look in my eyes.
“Please tell me you did not ask what I am thinking of Alanna…” my voice is a near whisper.
“No,” he shakes his head slowly, “never. We hadn’t even given her a thought. Alanna was the one who approached us about Heizman and openly volunteered. We would never ask that of our women.”
My face must still be hard because Keane’s hand around my shoulder grips me tight, “Alanna has a deep resentment for Woodlands, Alexis, so it’s not surprising that she volunteered of her own desire. She knew exactly what her offer meant. Though I am curious to see how that will change with Cal in her sights.”
“She will not keep relations with Heizman,” I state, eyes narrowed on Keane, “I will strike that down if it means protecting Cal. You and Desmond will need to find someone else.”
Keane nods, looking like he’s holding back a chuckle.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he shifts behind me, hand pressing into my abdomen.
“You’re amused…”
“Yes,” he grins.
Keane reaches down from my shoulder and grips my thigh, his other hand inching towards my waistband as I sigh in frustration.
“Sometimes I think you forget I’m a Prince, Alexis,” he smirks.
“Not likely,” I roll my eyes.
“No?” he chuckles, “you just like giving commands to the heir of Disce?”
“When have I…”
I bite my words.
“Mhmm,” he laughs, nuzzling my hair.
I shake my head with a smile and look up at Stormfall, feeling Keane’s fingers skim between my legs.
“Court will be interesting tonight.”
