The woman nods as her eyes flick down to the Prince’s hand, watching as he grabs the glass and turns slowly to me. He lifts his hand in an open gesture to pass me the drink first, noticing the small smirk on my lips.
I know the effect Keane has on women, has onme,and have seen the ladies of Disce interact with him in the same flirty manner countless of times before. But right now, sitting next to him after everything we’ve been through, I know that their flirtations will no longer cloud my mind. I know that his hands will never touch another woman, nor will his gaze ever look at another the way it looks at me in this moment.
The woman hastily departs our table as I bring the toddy up to my lips, trying to stifle my small laugh of amusement.
“You enjoyed that,” Keane murmurs next to me, grinning as the two of us turn in our seats to watch the tavern around us.
“I enjoy knowing that you are mine,” I reply with a smile.
Keane swiftly reaches under the table and pulls my chair next to his, his arm moving around the back for the full of the room to see. We both grin foolishly as heads turn in our direction, their eyes glancing over the possessive claim their future King is taking.
The innkeeper greets us next, walking to our table and smiling at Keane as he places a small packed pipe down on the wood.
“Shisha from Dardar, Your Highness. I think you’ll enjoy this one.”
“Thank you, Bash,” Keane replies, smiling to the older Discerni as he leans forward for the smoke.
“May I introduce you formally to Lady Alexis?” he turns back to me with a small nod. I extend my hand to the Discerni across the table.
“A pleasure, Lady,” the man smiles, taking my hand with a small bow of his head, “and a sight to see, with the beast on your shoulder.”
I smile at him and turn my gaze to Stormfall. The Bird of Ash has been awake since we walked in, though he’s curled himself into a half sleep. Even still, his presence is commanding and catches the eyes of many people.
“We heard rumors of that bird of yours on your last travel through Dalloway,” the innkeeper chuckles, “though I have to admit I didn’t quite believe them. He’s larger than I envisioned.”
“And growing still,” I smile, shrugging my shoulder to Storm, “if he wakes tonight I will make sure to introduce you.”
“That would be wonderful, Lady,” the man grins as Keane’s fingers brush against my shoulder.
“Highness,” the Discerni bows.
Keane nods to the man in his departure as I relax in to my chair.
“Do you think many know of Stormfall’s nature?”
Keane flicks a finger over the pipe in his hand, lighting a small ember within that catches flame. He brings it up to his lips and takes a small inhale, his breath lighting the shisha before passing the smoke to me.
“His true nature? No,” he says thoughtfully, “but I know the Discerni can still feel the heavy magic that rests within him. I don’t think anyone’s aware of his origins and his connection to Hiro, but there’s no mistaking that Storm is a powerful creature of the Old World.”
I nod at his answer and exhale the deep breath that fills my lungs, watching as the cloud of smoke leaves my lips.
“Have you noticed that he chooses to remain hidden?” I ask again in thought, “he’ll flaunt Heysan at your coronation, but he himself hasn’t made himself known outside of us.”
Stormfall’s talons grip my shoulder softly.
“I have,” Keane nods as I pass him the pipe.
“It’s curious,” I sigh.
Keane brings the smoke to his lips and takes a deep inhale in consideration.
“Even when they were awake and roaming,” he says quietly, “his presence was not known to be seen in the Old World that often. In fact, the people of the Old World actively avoided him, from what I’ve read. No one wished to be graced by the sight of Death. He was feared as a bad omen.”
I nod in understanding. What a quiet world Hirovale must’ve lived in, hiding his being from those around him.
Stormfall grips my shoulder again, ruffling his feathers just slightly as he moves around on top of me.
“I saw him,” I whisper to Keane, moving my gaze up to his brown eyes, “that night in the mills. He appeared then, before…”
