“There is.”
“And?”
He squeezes the tops of my toes through my boots, still watching me closely, “and I’ve just always had a feeling that something was wrong with the current situation of the Kingdom, between how it treats those with magical abilities and those without.”
I’m slightly confused now, “but Disce has a high population of humans in our Kingdom, and your father welcomes us all with open arms. I have thrived here, as have countless others…”
Keane’s smile is soft, the gesture not quite reaching his eyes. “If all the cities and lands of Disce could mimic those of Warrior, then I would rest easy. But you have not traveled to Woodlands, Alexis,” he glances at me with a new seriousness, “because if you had, you’d know that they have a stark separation between their two people. If you had, you would not so easily hold the same sentiment you just gave me now…”
“Stark separation?” I repeat in more confusion, completely dumbfounded. What in the Ancients does Keane think he’s alluding to? I’vemet a handful of humans and Discerni from Woodlands. Not to mention I’ve engaged with his brother. There was no separation then.
I shake my head at the Prince, “you’re wrong.”
He passes me the whiskey with a grimace.
“I wish I was. But your travels have not taken you into Woodlands Court yet, Alexis, and I can’t help but think that my father has done that for a reason.”
I lean forward and grab the drink with a small frown. “What exactly do you mean when you say separation?”
Keane runs his hands down my boots, his fingers dipping to my calves as he gives them a hard squeeze. The touch is meant to calm the tension from my body, but I find myself pulling away from that feeling of comfort and focusing back on him.
“What do you mean by separation, Keane?”
The Prince’s eyes widen for the briefest of moments before he gives me a small smile. I realize, then, that this is the first time I’ve used his given name, and the look in his eyes tells me he’s noticed it as well.
“It’s not exactly a secret, Alexis,” he shakes his head, brown eyes returning to their seriousness, “or perhaps it is. Anyone can take a ride into Woodlands and see for themselves. But it’s also not a situation for me to just talk about. The Court needs to be experienced to actually understand the full extent of what is happening. Just know that Loughty is a nice ride in the park compared to what humans experience in Woodlands.”
My eyes widen in disbelief, truly not believing a single word that leaves his mouth.
“Your father…” I shake my head.
His father wouldn’t let something like that exist.
Keane gives me a tight smile, his eyes soft as he watches my reaction, “my father does his best with the Court politics that are handed to him, but does not have complete sway over Woodlands. So long as the humans are not physically harmed in those lands, there is nothing more for him to do.”
I sit completely silent, trying to process everything he’s saying.
“Why do you think there is such a large human population in Bardot and the Palisades?” he continues, “ in Loughty? Even Brierman and Agnor...”
My thoughts drift to Troy again with a frown. I’m unable to reconcile him with the Court his brother is alluding to. None of this is making sense, but I also know that Keane wouldn’t make something like this up on a whim. If there’s even a sliver of truth to his words, then I need to go to Woodlands for myself and see.
“I’ll make the travel after Pyre,” I state simply, more to myself than to Keane.
“I will accompany you,” he replies steadily, hands still gripping my calves.
I appreciate the offer but remain silent for a long a while, falling into my thoughts as Keane continues to massage my legs. I start to envision maps of Woodlands in my mind, already planning my travel through every one of its cities. His sister lives in that Court, in the temple city of Alston, I believe. Perhaps I could call on her and-
“What can I expect from you and your crew once we arrive in Red Falls?” Keane breaks the silence between us.
I sigh and take another small sip of the whiskey, then stare down at my lap as I think of all the times my three men have walked me to the foot of a different library.
“At some point early in the trip,” I glance up and meet Keane’s gaze, “I’ll be escorted to the city’s library, it’smysticallibrary. You’ll watch me walk in and not return until my search is complete. Sometimes that can last fortnights, while other instances have only lasted days.”
Keane’s eyes narrow on mine, his hands grasping my calves fiercely.
“You’re allowedintothe library?”
“Yes,” I nod quietly.
