Before Keane killed the Woodlands Discerni.
Keane shifts closer to me and presses his fingers into my shoulder.
“He came when you were reciting Death’s Prayer,” I continue to look at Keane with small confusion in my eyes, “he told me that the man would not reach his final resting place, that he would not find peace.”
Keane’s gaze on me is hard as he gives a small nod, the news not surprising to him.
“The man’s soul was his to claim,” he replies, “to claim and hold back from the peace we hope to find in our next exploration.”
My heart pounds at Keane’s words, always forgetting just how powerful and formidable Hirovale actually is. Keane slowly leans forward and hands me the pipe, his brown eyes steady as he continues, “he chose right, Alexis.”
Stormfall extends his wings across my shoulders in that moment, his yellow eyes flashing gold before returning to normal. His movement causesthe tables around us to go quiet, their eyes watching Storm with a mixture of awe and fear.
I sigh heavily and sit back in my chair with a nod. “I know.”
Keane watches me quietly for a moment and then leans away, sitting back in his own chair as he reaches for his toddy and brings it to his lips. The two of us resume to watching the tavern as it starts up its normal chatter again, the pipe being passed between us.
“Have there been other times?” he asks casually.
I release a deep inhale of smoke and look back at him. “Other times what?”
“That the Ancient has appeared to you,” he replies.
My brows furrow at the question but I shake my head in answer, “apart from the first night I met him and that night at the mills, you have been present for the rest.”
Keane nods to himself and takes another small sip of toddy.
“Why do you ask?” I lean towards him, studying his silent features.
Keane looks at me, his gaze cool and thoughtful before he gives a small smile, “just curious.”
I feel Stormfall’s talons grip my shoulder again and let my eyes dart across Keane’s face.
“Do you not want me to meet with the Ancient alone?” I inquire softly.
His fingers on my shoulder skim up to my neck. “I do not mind, Alexis.”
I sigh and bring the pipe back up to my lips, trying to read into his reactions right now. Why would Keane care if Hirovale and I met without him? Does he want to be there? Is he fearful for me? Does he still suspect that I will try to hurt the Ancient if given the chance?
He doesn’t have to worry about that, or at least not now.
“I’m going to inquire for some dinner,” Keane says softly, placing his already empty glass on the table, “and a few more drinks. Are you good here?”
I nod to Keane shyly, still confused at his question and the cool features that have taken over him. Keane stands from the table and then looks back down at me, his brown eyes softening as he grins.
“I expect that toddy to be finished by the time I get back, Alexis.”
I roll my eyes at him and grin myself, “you might as well bring back two for me then, Highness. I’d like to down one straight.”
Keane chuckles in approval and sets off for the pub counter as I reach for my half-filled toddy and finish the drink whole. I watch from afar as he approaches the human woman who greeted our table, her eyes alight and smiling as she nods her head at his words. She points to a side door down the room and then turns around to the toddy barrel to fill some new glasses, smiling when Keane leaves a few coins on the counter before walking off.
The woman turns to me next, approaching our table again and holding four glasses of toddy in her hands. She lets her gaze wander back to me in curiosity, her eyes focusing on the green of Knowledge that I’m wearing.
“He told me you down our drink straight,” she gives a semi friendly laugh and places the toddies on the table.
“It goes down far easier than our whiskey,” I nod with a smile.
“You’re from Knowledge, then?” she inquires, gaze flicking back down my shirt to my body in general. Her look is curious and assessing, wondering how and why a human not of the Court of Warriors came to be seated so comfortably with the future King of Disce.
