“Is he still seeking you out, then?”
“He is. Whenever he chooses. He visited in Fumagalli on both nights I was to stay in the Hidden City.Thatwas why I couldn’t make it. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest.”
“Alexis…” Lord Daniel shakes his head, taking a step closer.
“It is his magic that provides the sleeping air in the forest,” I tell him softly, “the rumor, or suspicion, was correct. He’s agreed to let it continue.”
“That’s generous...” he nods, looking at Stormfall, “but what did he tell you? Before I interrupted.”
I look down at my ale with hard features, “when he was telling me of his plan to restore magic, he told me that he wanted to restore it to itsproperform, alluding to the ways of the past.”
Lord Daniel openly scoffs. “As if humans aren’t proper and of this Old World.”
The animosity in his tone tugs at my heart.
“I can see why you would battle, Alexis,” Lord Daniel continues coolly, his features reverting into the hard lines of a Discerni. He takes a large drink from his ale and then looks at me in narrowed thought.
“Do you want that for the humans of the Old World? Are you aligned with the Ancient’s plans?”
“You are the first person to ask me the question directly, Lord Daniel,” I reply softly, looking over the Lord in new assessment.
Everyone else has been unbothered by the Ancient’s words, and even though they all allude to knowing my inner thoughts, none of my friends have openly asked for my opinion on the matter. Keane knows. He understands the battle that rages through me. But even he has not asked me directly.
Lord Daniel takes another step forward, his hard eyes peering into mine as he repeats, “do you want that for the humans of this Old World, Alexis?”
“I do not,” I whisper, “nor do I want to be at the forefront of his plans. There is no reason to promote what he wants. Humans do not need magic to be worthy of this Old World.”
Daniel eyes me in agreement, “I suspect that many others of your kind will share the same sentiment.”
“Yes,” I sigh, then shake my head, “but I also recognize that I cannot speak for all of them, just as another cannot speak for me. There will be those who align with the Ancient as well.”
Lord Daniel grabs my ale and places it gently on the ledge behind us. He steps towards me again and grabs both of my hands.
“What can I do? What can I do to assist you?”
My heart pounds in my chest at the offer.
“I truly don’t know,” I exhale honestly, “the Ancient commands my travels now, leads me to another portion of the prophecy…”
I turn to Stormfall on my shoulder out of habit, noticing that he is watching Lord Daniel with narrowed eyes. “But I do know that I want to move forward. Not for him, but for myself. I’m deeply curious where the path will lead and I cannot deny that. The King calls it destiny…”
Lord Daniel grimaces, releasing my hold as he turns to the Bell Grove behind us.
“Destiny bedamned,Alexis. The Ancients have been asleep for far too long. If they wanted to see change then they should have enacted it themselves centuries ago.”
Dear Ancients, Lord Daniel. Yes!
“I agree,” I nod, finding my own animosity within him, “I do not understand his timing of it now.”
“Desmond mentioned you’ll travel to Woodlands,” he says quietly, looking out to the night.
“I will, but that travel is my own. After everything I’ve experienced in Gaumond and the Court of Warriors, after everything I’ve heard about relations in Woodlands, I know I’ll need to see for myself what is going on there.”
“As you should,” he grimaces, finally turning his glance back on me, “and what of after?”
I look into his light brown eyes and shake my head, “we may have to travel into Livyatan after. Prince Isham has already extended his welcome. It’s rumored the second half of the prophecy rests within his lands.”
“I will be with you, then,” he gives a strong nod, his features set.
