I decide to add to her confusion even more and let my lips turn into a small smile, “originally from Woodlands.”
The woman’s eyes widen as I bring the pipe back up to my lips. I spot Keane over the smoke from the other side of the tavern, standing with an amused grin.
“Thank you for the drinks,” I nod to her.
The barkeep quickly shuffles away as I start chuckling to myself. There was no reason for her to know that Woodlands was a portion of my life I’d never remember…
The thought sends me straight in my chair, my mind moving to Jesse and the small conversation we had at the Bonfire. My eyes immediately reach for Keane’s across the room, watching as he make his way back over.
“You properly scared her,” he grins down at me with playful brown eyes.
He takes his seat and throws his arm around the back of my chair again.
“I aimed to add to her confusion,” I shake my head, “but only added to my own. Keane, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
The Prince looks back at me in question.
“There’s a boy at Castle Bardot who works for Chef. He served my table at court both nights and again at your father’s bonfire…”
“I saw you walk off with him,” he nods.
“He’s from Woodlands, Keane. A ward under Chef.”
“Why does that surprise you?” he asks, handing me a toddy before he grabs a second and lifts it in salute.
I keep my glass firmly on the table and hold his gaze, “because his experience matches my own. He told me he remembers nothing from his time in Woodlands, but that he does remember arriving in Bardot and being greeted by the King, Queen, and Prince.”
Keane frowns at the comment.
“Is it common?” I push, “do you think Troy does to others what he did to me?”
“That’s a big leap, Alexis,” he replies quietly.
“Maybe,” I huff, “but how many humans do you and Desmond bring to Warrior who completely forget their time in Woodlands?”
Keane considers my question, remaining quiet for a long moment.
“Not many.”
“Not many or none at all?”
He frowns again and shakes his head, “everyone that I’ve met from Woodlands remembers their lives. They share their experiences with us. Their stories are what give us confirmation about what is going on over there. Desmond’s men can only do so much, so the people we relocate act as a solid validation.”
“It can’t be a coincidence, Keane,” I shake my head, so sure in my gut. Someone or something tinkered with a Jesse and I, making us forget the lives we lived in Woodlands.
Keane watches me in silent consideration, not yet ready to make the same connection I have. I sigh and let the conversation go for now, smiling back at my Prince as I clank my glass against his and let the drink add relaxation to my riddled mind.
We depart the next morning just after dawn, walking the remainder of the Great Road in Dalloway to the twin city bridges. We crossed into Agnor at record speed, the green banners of Knowledge greeting us as we walked into the border.
Our night last night passed well. Keane and I enjoyed another pipe and had a few more drinks with dinner and chatted with many of the inn’s guests who approached our table. Some spoke to their Prince casually to pay tribute to his father, while others greeted me and Storm in open curiosity. I even invited the human woman behind the pub to stay with us for a drink, feeling guilty for my small jest earlier that night. She tentatively agreed but ended up relaxing with us as the night went on, even as her eyes remained fixated on Keane.
We ultimately decided to put ourselves to bed earlier than usual. I was exhausted from the ride and still sore from Keane’s presence between my legs, while Keane had a full oak of messages to attend to once we got back to the room. He settled himself into the large table as I got ready for bed, his strong figure still there when I fell to sleep.
I woke up halfway through the night to his wandering hands on my body. He massaged me until we both went back to sleep, his arms drawing me close as I slept without waking again until morning. I remember smiling hard in bed when we did wake, thinking to myself that I could do this forever.
Be with him forever.
But our travel alone would end soon. We’d be back in Bardot and surrounded by the full castle and its court. Keane would be pulled in every direction by the Lords and his advisors, and while I knew we had to be back in the capitol, I still found myself lulling through Agnor and taking my time.
