“Did you want to tell me something?” I asked.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologise again. You weren’t in control when you bit me.”
“No, I mean…” He released a long breath. “I’ve left you alone. I should have guarded you. Instead, I was so worried about losing control with you that I didn’t visit you, and I let myself be absorbed by my duke role. I wanted to see you, but the longer I postponed doing it, the harder it became.”
The bond was relaxed between us.
A corner of his mouth quirked up. “Would you have believed me if I’d told you what I was?”
“No, I wouldn’t. Learning the truth was a shock after I’d become a wili. Without any clues on the existence of a supernatural world, I would have been terrified of you.”
“But Sean wouldn’t have hurt you.” There was a quiver in the bond. Sorrow? “I would have…” He pressed his lips together.
“What?”
The sunlight, growing stronger as the sun rose, hit his face, and he winced. “Damn.”
“We should return to the mansion.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I want to show you something first, if you don’t mind walking a little longer.”
“Not at all.”
As I strolled with him through the garden, he kept to the shadows. The path became steep. He cast glances at me and fleeting smiles. I wondered if he was embarrassed for some reason. His heady musk mingled with the scent of pine trees, and I inhaled deeply.
“What problem do you want to overcome?” I asked.
“Pain. I’m often in pain.”
“Where?” I studied him, searching for a possible source of pain.
“I’m not ready to say.” His voice dropped an octave.
“Of course. I didn’t mean to push you.”
He tugged the blanket more tightly around himself. “It’s all right.”
Still, I wouldn’t deny I was curious. He seemed indestructible and strong. That proved how little I understood of the supernatural world and of him.
On top of the hill, rows of graves and tombstones came into view. Not what I’d expected.
“A cemetery.” I’d noticed it from the mansion but never thought about seeing it.
“It’s Willow Grove.” He took a side path bordered with lovely white tulips and purple clematis. “I thought you would have found it comforting.” He paused in front of a simple grey stone. The sunlight glinted off its polished surface. My father’s name was engraved in it. “You don’t have a body to bury or a place to mourn.” He seemed to disappear into the blanket.
“My goodness.” Tears blurred my vision, and sobs shook me.
Bushes of petunias grew around the grave. Their crowns nodded in the breeze as if greeting me, and I cried harder.
Alex drew in a breath. “Hell, Irene. If I crossed a line… I just meant to do something for you. I’ll have it removed if it’s too much.”
“No, please don’t.” I wiped my face and sniffled. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
His expression transformed from concerned to relaxed. “I’m glad you approve.”
“Oh, Alex. I missed you so much.” I moved to hug him, but he inched away.
