Keane fists his hand in my hair and pulls my head back, demanding that I look at him.
“None of that, Alexis. I came here to make us both feel good.”
“You came here to stop me from going after Hirovale,” I narrow my eyes on him.
Keane nods his head in agreement, “and how do you think I planned on doing that?” he chuckles.
“I distinctly remember you threatening to lock me in my room, Keane.”
“I never said I wouldn’t be in here with you.”
My eyes narrow on him again, remembering his cold, hard features that greeted me when he first arrived.
“You were intimidating… I didn’t get that impression. And what’s worse…”
I sigh and turn my head back into his chest, “I was still turned on by you.”
Keane runs his hand down my neck, “I was in my own head, Alexis. I wasn’t sure how everything would play out.”
“But if it helps…” his hips shift beneath my thigh, “your violent tendencies also turned me on.”
My lips flick to the dagger on the ground as a small smile pulls at my lips. Keane grins and presses his lips against my hair, letting out a deep breath as I fiddle with the chain around his neck and chest.
“How is your mother?” I ask quietly.
“Not doing good,” he admits, “I’ll be surprised if she makes it out today.”
“And you?” I glance up and catch his gaze, “how are you?”
“Not as surprised as I should be,” he says quietly, “I, too, suspected something from the Ancient. I noticed his reference towards me when he visited us in Bardot. Didn’t think much of it when we were in Fumagalli, but hearing it twice is too hard to ignore...”
“I tried to bring it up with my father before court the next day. He silenced my attempt and told me to let it be.”
“He knew as well,” I nod.
“Yes,” Keane grimaces, “I have no idea how, but his summoning memories proved that he knew.”
Keane takes a deep breath and moves his hand down my back, “I suspected, Alexis, but didn’t think it would come this soon. Your animosity towards the Ancient is no longer your own.”
There’s anger behind his words, the same anger that still courses through my veins.
Hirovale knew of King Zander’s impending death.
But at least Keane had a few moments to prepare, to consider what the Ancient’s reference of him meant. It would explain why he was so calm in the King’s chamber, why he looked down at his father not in shock but in expectancy, already knowing and suspecting what was happening.
My heart breaks for him as I press my hand into his chest. “But how areyou?”
“Processing,” he sighs, “letting my family grieve as I take on meetings with the Lords of the Courts. Planning. Lettingyougrieve… or at least until Desmond showed me your fire this morning.”
“And where is your grieving in all of this?”
Keane nods down at me, “it’s here, Alexis. Quiet and internal, but it’s here. There’s too much going on in the Kingdom right now to allow me to fully consider the weight.”
My brows furrow at his answer. I don’t like that he hasn’t been able to properly mourn his father, and as I lean up to press my lips against his, I wonder if this may be the first time in the past two days he’s been allowed some sort of break from his duties.
Keane’s hand on my back moves to his chest, palm pressing into my hand as he squeezes us tightly.
“What of you Alexis?” he pulls away from our kiss, “how are you?”
