“So let’s continue to live, Alexis,” he extends a hand down to me, “I know I will like where it takes us.”
Keane and I are packed and saddled on our horses by mid-morning. I take one last look at the Shadow Oak behind me and commit its beauty to memory, unsure when I’ll be seeing it again. Keane leads us through the woods and remains quiet as we ride, the two us departing at a leisure pace.
I take the time to watch his tall, dark figure in the saddle from behind, admiring his broad shoulders that stand so prominently under his black long sleeve. His muscles are cut perfectly around his arms and back, the fullness of them all showing through the flow of his shirt. He has a great body, and I feel no shame in blatantly watching him move as we make our way through the woods. I even get a bit disappointed when we reach the edge and he brings Ash to the side in a gesture for me to ride next to him.
“But I was having so much fun watching you from behind,” I laugh, bringing Millie up to his left.
Keane’s playful brown eyes meet mine with a grin, “as was I when you wore that dress last night, Lady.”
My cheeks flush at the comment, making Keane chuckle in amusement.
“Can all Discerni summon moonslight?” I ask, thinking of the easy flick of his hand last night.
“For the most part,” he nods atop Ash, “many can in Knowledge and Woodlands. It doesn’t require that much magic and is one of the basics in summoning.”
“But most in Warrior prefer the light of fire and candles over it?”
“I do,” Keane replies casually, nodding to a few soldiers as they walk by, “Warrior used to have the bottled lanterns throughout its cities until I exchanged them for torches.”
“Why?” I ask in genuine curiosity.
The Prince finds my gaze with a small smile. “Any presence of magic is a reminder to humans that they are not able to wield it.”
The answer makes my heart skip a beat, but there’s also something missing from it…
“I’m surrounded by magic every day in Bardot,” I shake my head, “and I’m always in awe of what it can do.”
“The magic within usisawe-inspiring,” he nods in agreement, “and great, and terrible, and beautiful. But that doesn’t mean such power, whether large or small, needs to be flaunted at every chance. I think that’s something the Knowledge in you can agree with.”
“But that also doesn’t mean it needs to be hidden,” I frown, not quite agreeing with his words as I think of the magical staircases of the Palisades. Without that flaunt, the mountain would be completely inaccessible to travelers like me.
Keane watches me thoughtfully, remaining quiet.
“That can’t be your only reason for all the fire, though,” I smile, thinking of all the wood and iron crates that line the roads of his city, “you’ve revived an old economy.”
His brows dart up in surprise. “Perceptive, Alexis.”
I shrug my shoulder as he continues.
“But yes, you are correct. While the candle and wood-burning methods are a bit outdated, their businesses and economies have thrived in my Court and have benefited both humans and Discerni with livelihoods and income. Moonslight just seemed to be too easy of a crutch after that.”
Ancients.
Formidableanda good man.
We move down the hill and into the next rise of wood and poultry, Keane smiling and greeting the patrons of his city as they pass by. Eventually we reach the large gate in the rise leading down to Warrior’s Row and take the main road through all of the bustling blacksmith vendors, the sharp smell of metal, wood and pepper spreading through the air.
“There’s a woman here who sells smoked peppered trout,” I glance at Keane, noticing that he’s already leading us in her direction.
I roll my eyes and receive a quiet but knowing side smile. He truly was watching me with his summoning yesterday.
“You’ve come back.”
The woman grins in appreciation when we stop at her storefront.
“I promised I would,” I smile in answer, watching as Keane passes her some cinerin.
“Thanks, Dora.”
