“Alex…” Irene fiddled with her gold cross. “What Logan said about me being your slave…”
“You aren’t my blood slave. I don’t have slaves,” I clarified, lest she believe I’d lied to her. “You’ll never be anyone’s slave.”
She exhaled. The fact she’d believed, even for an instant, that I was capable of forcing her into being my slave, hurt me intimately.
“You were crying this morning.” I caught her gaze.
“I was upset.”
“Was it something Darius said?”
She shook her head. “Not intentionally. He reminded me of… Nothing.”
“Tell me.”Please trust me. Please.
“I can’t.”
“But you could with Darius.” The words rushed out of my mouth without my permission, but they were true.
She flushed, and her scent wafted. “It’s different. I mean, Darius is…”
“Not as frightening as I am.”
She closed her hand around the cross, her pulse quickening. “I’m just still shaken by what has happened. You’re very kind to me. Please don’t think I’m not aware of that. But I’m…sensitive.”
If I focused, I could hear my heart cracking.
I swallowed past the knot in my throat. “Keep the cross with you always.” I pivoted and headed for my study, feeling as if she’d ripped my chest open.
I had to do something for her. Something that made her understand how much I cared for her.
23
COLD WATER AND STONES
Irene
There was nothing I liked more than taking a walk early in the morning, as I’d done with my papa.
Although just reaching the front door from my bedroom was a five minute walk. And the gardens were twice the size of Hyde Park.
The trees had to be ancient, so tall and wide they were, and the variety of bushes and flowers gave the illusion of visiting a distant land. The sky was blushing with the colours of dawn, giving the garden a magical touch.
“Irene.” Darius joined me, his beautiful aura glowing with different hues. Speaking of magic. “Care for an early morning promenade?” He offered me his arm.
I took it. “Beautiful morning.”
“Your company makes it even better.”
I chuckled. “You’re such a flirt.”
We walked slowly along the path. Dew glistened on the roses, and a flock of wild geese flew overhead with the light of dawn on their wings.
I relaxed next to him. “I’m glad you stayed with Alex. He needs your help.”
“Please repeat these wonderful words to him every time you see him.”
I laughed as we took a white gravel path snaking through rose bushes and daffodils.
