Or I could tell him that I genuinely enjoy drinking no matter who the company is with, and that if an everyday stranger challenged me instead of the Prince, I would have accepted the call all the same.
Liar.
I quickly shake his voice out of my head.
“I’m not sure what you’ve been told of our court, Lord…?”
I hope I get his title correct. Only the strongest of Warriors would be sitting so closely to the Prince.
“Daniel,” he smiles in greeting.
Daniel.
The Discerni flinging boulders across the training field, one ofthestrongest of the Court.
“Lord Daniel,” I continue, my grin going wide at the thought of him in the fields, “but most likely everything you’ve heard about it is all nonsense. The truth is that our ladies can and do drink,heavily. We always enjoy a good whiskey or ale no matter whose company we share it with.”
Lord Daniel smiles back at me, “then I think I mimic Sir Casey’s sentiment and agree that we all owe a trip to Bardot in the near future.”
“Bardot and Brierman,” I nod, “I would recommend stopping in the ale town as well for a few nights.”
Lord Daniel lifts his toddy in salute before taking a drink. I grin in response just as an arm reaches along the back of my chair, his fingers gently grazing against my exposed shoulder. I turn around with a frown and spot Keane leaning back in his own chair again as he talks to the serving boy behind us, his hand resting at my back in nonchalance as if he does this all the time.
“His Highness announced you as a guest of the King,” Lord Daniel continues.
I nod in reply just as a different serving boy drops off a plate of food. The scent of black pepper is strong so I make sure to ask him for water.
“How are you familiar with him?” he asks, just as the Prince pushes two toddies our way. Keane leaves his arm on the back of my chair as Lord Daniel grabs one of the glasses, his look still maintaining its curiosity.
“I am under His Grace’s employment,” I reply vaguely.
“Aren’t we all,” he laughs.
“Alexis…”
I slowly turn to the Prince and narrow my gaze. Keane’s eyes dance across my face in amusement, noting my disdain. He lifts his hand with a toddy and glances down at the other on the table.
I roll my eyes and take the second glass, saluting him before we both down the amber.
“Do you mind if I ask what sort of employment His Grace subscribes you under?” Lord Daniel pursues, his voice casual as we resume our dinner.
“And please don’t be off-put by my question, Lady Alexis,” he smiles when I consider my answer, “the King is a good friend of mine, so I am naturally curious.”
My fork stops before my mouth as I’m hit with a thought.
A good friend of King Zander and yet he has never visited Bardot?
What a pretty lie, his voice echoes in my mind, this time directed at Lord Daniel.
Oh Ancients.
I drop my fork and reach for my napkin, using it to hide my scowl.
Clever.
The Prince is fucking clever.
Pry me with alcohol and sit me next to a man who reminds me of Cal, hoping that the familiar resemblance makes me comfortable enough to talk.
