Longing for You, стр. 29

They travelled into the forest, and the trees became denser asthey went. This was a perfect place for witches to have a coven. Deep cover onancient ground, a perfect match for magic and mayhem. The Rolls-Royce went downa side track, not especially easy for a car such as that.

Finally two log cabins came into view, and the line of cars parkedup. The rest of the guards would be staying at the hotel under Bhal’s command.

The car came to a halt and Alexis jumped out and opened Byron’sdoor. Byron stepped out and looked down at her expensive leather shoes, nowcovered in mud and God knew what else.

“Welcome to the country, Principe,” Alexis joked.

“Indeed,” Byron replied.

Amelia joined them and laughed. “It’s the perfect chance for youto try the new country clothes I got you.”

Byron rolled her eyes. “I can’t wait.”

Alexis looked over at Wilder helping Katie out of the car, andbefore she could say anything, Byron said, “Go, Duca. Look after her.”

“Thank you, Principe.”

She hurried over to the SUV. “I’ll take it from here, Wilder.”

“Yes, Duca.”

Alexis took Katie’s arm, and she shot Alexis a look. “You want tohelp me too now?”

All the other guards were looking at them, so she decided to waituntil they got inside.

Alexis said to the guards, “You’re dismissed. Go and check in atthe hotel and keep your heads down with the locals.”

“Yes, Duca,” they shouted, and the line of cars began to back upand leave.

“Why aren’t you going with them?” Katie asked her.

She was clearly annoyed about her disappearance over the lastweek. “Didn’t the Principessa tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Katie said.

Faced with Katie’s clear annoyance, she lost some of her usualconfidence. “I’m staying here with you. To look after you.”

“You? You want to help look after me? You stop visiting me anddon’t even check how I am, and now all of a sudden you want to help take careof me?”

Alexis felt so awkward and put on the spot. Luckily, Amelia came overto them and put her arm on Katie’s.

“I can explain—”

Alexis interrupted, “Let’s get you inside.”

“I’ll get the bags,” Byron said.

Alexis snapped her head around. The Principe should not becarrying luggage. “Just leave it, Principe, and I’ll come back out and get it.”

“Relax, Duca. I can carry a bag from time to time,” Byron said.

Amelia laughed. “Yes, we need to put her to work for a change.Come on, Katie.”

Alexis had no choice but to follow, holding Katie by the elbow.

They walked up onto the porch, and Alexis did the honours,unlocking the door and holding it open.

The cabin was simple and cosy looking, even without the firegoing. They walked into an open plan living area and kitchen off to the side.The living area had a comfortable couch facing a fire, and the kitchen was justto the side. At the back of the living room was a corridor, which led to whatAlexis presumed were bedrooms.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” Amelia said.

“It’s really sweet. Thanks for bringing me along,” Katie replied.

“Couch or bed?” Amelia asked.

“Couch, I’m sick of lying down.”

Byron came in with the bags. “I’ll put them into the bedrooms.”

Katie got settled on the couch, and Alexis stood awkwardly, unsureof what to say or do. Then the fire caught her eye.

“I’ll light the fire.” She kneeled down and arranged the logs froma basket beside the fireplace. She was so glad to be facing away from Katie.Katie was clearly annoyed with her. If she was annoyed at her not visiting fora week, then what was she going to think when Alexis admitted to nearly turningher?

After chatting for about ten minutes, Amelia and Byron started toleave. Byron said, “If you need anything, just call me, but I’m sure Alexiswill look after you.”

Alexis could hear Katie sigh under her breath. But she ignored itand walked the Principe and her wife to the door. When the door shut, and theywere alone for the first time, Alexis felt nerves fill her.

How on earth did she think she could ever do this? The last personshe had looked after when she was ill was her mother, and then they had ahousekeeper to help.

But despite her nerves and worry, she was determined to take careof Katie. It was her duty to try to make things right as best she could.

Alexis gulped and said, “I’ll just finish making the fire, andthen I’ll get you a cup of tea. Okay?”

Katie hugged her blanket from the car and nodded. This wasawkward.

* * *

Katie watched Alexis making the fire with ease, as if she’d doneit a thousand times. She couldn’t believe she was here with Alexis like this.This kind of behaviour, looking after someone, was not usual for Alexis,although since her attack she thought Alexis had softened, visiting her everynight. But then she disappeared. What was going on with her?

“You seem to know what you’re doing,” Katie said.

Alexis looked around. “What, you mean the fire?”

“Yeah.”

“Remember, we didn’t have heating when I was a young woman. I’ve litfires like this for years,” Alexis said.

“I can’t imagine you living in the past,” Katie said.

Alexis got up and turned to Katie. “What do you mean?”

“Every time I try to picture you back then, it just doesn’t work.I mean the type of strong, tough, butch soldier, in a time of petticoats andcorsets. It was such a restrictive time.”

“I got away with breeches most of the time when I lived at homewith Mama, but if anyone came to stay, or Father came for dinner, then I had tosuffer the whole corset and big dress affair.”

Katie was surprised that Alexis mentioned her family again. Alexiswas so closed off and guarded Katie almost thought she didn’t have a family.

Wait, Father came to dinner? That was a strange thing tosay.

* * *

Byron could feel Amelia’s tension as she lay with her head onByron’s shoulder.

“What are you thinking?” Byron stroked Amelia’s long brown hair.

“I’m thinking about too much.” Amelia sighed.

“Well, pick one thought, and tell me about it.”

“Why we’re here, I suppose. How we’re going to find out anyinformation about my past, and if we find the