“Sure,” she shrugs, “but what made you want to come inside?”
I look around the pub to the equal measure of Discerni and humans, remembering the two males out front with their arms slugged around each other and the drunken smiles that were plastered over their faces.
“It seemed like a good place to live,” I reply with a grin.
The coolness behind Alanna’s eyes goes colder than I ever thought possible. She takes another drink in silence, her gaze watching me in piercing assessment.
“What an interesting thing for someone of Knowledge to say...”
“Don’t read too far into it,” I shrug easily, “I try my best to experience every place I travel to.”
“And yet you choose to remain in Knowledge…”
“I’ll always remain in Knowledge,” I smile.
It’s home.
“So!” I laugh, “will I be stumbling soon after that drink? Will I find myself unable to steer Millie back to the castle?”
Alanna looks around the pub and takes another sip. “Only if you
can’t handle your drink.”
She lifts her hand in the air and flags down a Discerni with a
grin. The man saunters over with another at his side, both of them wearing black tunics without sleeves that are embellished with deep green threading. The first Discerni’s hair is long and blonde, his pale features and angular features cold and reminding me of Troy. The other has flawless, deep ebony skin, his black hair cropped on top of his head with his features much warmer than his counterpart. He’s very easy on the eyes, and I find myself smiling in his direction when they greet us.
“Heizman and Barnett, meet my human companion,” Alanna smirks.
I scowl at her and extend my hand to the two, “Alexis.”
The blonde barely takes my hand in greeting, instead moving to stand next to Alanna’s side without a word. The second, however, gives me a steady squeeze and smiles in return.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had someone from another Court in here,” he says.
“Or at least someone with the bravery to flaunt it,” Alanna nods, leaning into the blonde Discerni, Heizman.
“What brings you to Gaumond?” Barnett asks, his gorgeous hazel eyes catching mine.
“She travels with the Prince...”
Heizman’s gaze flicks my way in a small interest.
“She’s his father’s pet.”
I scowl again, remembering why I find Alanna so annoying.
“Are you staying in the city for a while?” Barnett inquires, taking a drink from his toddy.
“Yes, for a few days” I smile.
“Enough time to get to know it’s pleasures, then.”
Ancients, I can’t stop staring at his hazel eyes. I extend my mug in a small and flirtatious salute, the two of us clanking our glasses together just as the room goes eerily quiet.
I glace around the pub in confusion, watching as each silent face turns towards the entrance. Prince Keane is standing in the doorway, his eyes also passing over the many faces until they land coldly on mine.
A small shiver runs up the back of my neck, my breath hitching in my chest. I hold his gaze in silent defiance and do my best to ignore how his presence commands the rest of the room, everyone in the pub still remaining silent and waiting to see what he’ll do.
