There’s no hint of sarcasm or challenge in my statement, nor is there any flirtatious edge. There’s just a genuine appreciation for him, the dark oak, and the earth around his being, because he stands not as the amused Prince I saw last night, but instead as the man who is the Prince and Heir of Disce.
“No witty remark?” I smile, closing the book in my lap.
Keane’s eyes narrow, his face turning quiet and pensive.
“Sometimes you say things, Lady Alexis,” he replies steadily, “without realizing how close you come to the truth...”
I hold my breath, watching as he takes a silent step forward.
“Idobelong here,” he continues, “and I have nothing clever to say to someone who can recognize and appreciate that fact.”
His words literally stop my heart.
I take a deep breath and hold his stare for a moment longer, then bow my head in acknowledgement.
He’ll always belong here.
“You’ve got a short while before Desmond and Mana begin their fight…”
I sigh and lift my head to the dark branches above me.
“I’m not sure I want to leave.”
“The Shadow Oak will be here tomorrow and the day after that,” he replies knowingly.
I find his gaze again and nod, silently holding him to that promise. I stand up with one hand on my book and the other dusting off my riding pants, a small gasp escaping my lips as I scowl in realization.
“Golem?” I look around frantically.
I ran off without him and haven’t even noticed he was missing.
I take a hasty step and peer around the trunk, looking out to the roots and past the woods surrounding the Shadow Oak. Where has he been? I completely forgot about him in my pursuit of the tree.
“Golem has the unique ability to wander off when he knows someone wants to be alone,” the Prince replies from the edge of the roots.
“I didn’t realize,” I shake my head, “how do I find him?”
“He’ll come back to you.”
I frown and move to rub my temples.
“Alexis…”
His voice is so soft that I look his way in obvious confusion. I’m about to ask what’s wrong until he takes a step forward, his brown eyes narrowing in on the book still in my hand.
“What are you doing in possession of a book on the Ancients and their magic?”
I stay quiet, hating that I’m unable to make out his emotions. His features have quickly changed into those of Discerni disinterest, and I’m not sure I like it.
In any other setting, a Discerni who caught me with this book could report me to the local Lord of the city. That Lord would then confiscate the text on the spot for breaking the Old World rule and could even exact punishment if he wanted. I’d try with all my might to convince him that I had the King’s approval, but seeing as Prince Keane is both the Lord of this cityanddoesn’t know of what I do for his father, his question and possible punishment could lead me down a road I’m not sure I want to explain just yet.
I sigh and take a step through the roots, brushing off the question with my own indifference as I drop the book casually in my bag. I suppose he’ll find out that I’m allowed to have it in my possession once we arrive at Red Falls, but until then, I’d like to keep the King’s secret for as long as possible.
I walk towards him in nonchalance and let a playful smile grace my lips.
“Are you going to report me to the King, Your Highness?”
“Why would I do that…” Keane replies seriously, “when I can exact your punishment here?”
