“Thank you.”
Pulling her cotton robe on, she went to Mani’s room—although she hated to wake him. When there was no response to her tapping, she went to the staircase. From the living room, she could hear voices and quickly discerned that they were having a family meeting.
She didn’t want to pry, but on the other hand, this most certainly was now her business. Down the turn of the staircase, she could see the entry; to the left was the living room.
Lars said, “We need to convince Alex that it is in all of our best interests to go after them now. It’s obvious that…” His voice faded out. Ashamed of herself for eavesdropping, she started to turn, but then justified that it was her business. She wondered about what Lars had said, it was obvious that…what?
Without permitting herself to listen further, she headed down the stairs and cleared her throat. All eyes went to her on the staircase as if they were concerned about what she had heard.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to interrupt…it’s just…Mani, I just…” Mani immediately rose.
“What is it, Valeria?”
“It’s Alex—he’s…he’s back,” she said, surprised that she choked when she said it.
Mani was already walking toward the staircase. She glanced down and saw that all of the family, except Daphne and Paolo, were in the formal living area.
As they returned to the room, Mani checked Alex’s vitals.
“This is a very good sign.” Mani glanced at Valeria. “Have you slept?”
“Yes.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You still have circles under your eyes. I suggest you sleep in the other guest room. It will be a few hours before he is alert.”
“Thanks, Mani, but I’m not leaving him.”
Mani hooked up an IV above the bandages in Alex’s elbow. “This will assist the healing process.”
“What’s he going through?” Valeria asked.
After tapping the IV line several times, Mani sat down next to her on the bed. “Bodies take a very long time to die—even mortal bodies. Cells continue to live some time after the vital organs have stopped. With an oracle, our soul sometimes steps away in extreme conditions. These bodies require a very narrow parameter of conditions to survive.
“For oracles, the difference appears to be what our souls do with these bodies. The DNA of an immortal oracle is different from that of mortals.
“Alex is struggling to repair this body. I do not know if the morphine actually eases the healing process. But he does seem calm—does he not?”
Valeria nodded.
“It has only been eighteen hours and he is already breathing. That is a good sign. But Alex has suffered several severe injuries that require healing. Then he will require recovery from the morphine.”
As Mani was leaving, Camille entered with a tray of food including eggs, bacon, toast, and croissants.
“You haven’t eaten much in days.”
It was near midnight, but Camille was right, it had been days since Valeria had eaten more than a few bites of a meal. Sinking into the rocker, she took a few bites of egg to appease Camille, and then nibbled on the toast. Camille nodded and then left, closing the door behind her. Valeria reached for her Kindle and began reading—attempting, unsuccessfully, to ignore the discussion that she was certain was continuing downstairs.
As the light began seeping through the window, she moved her head and opened her eyes. She craned her neck left and right, attempting to release the tension. As her blurry eyes wandered across the room, she saw the door still closed, Alex’s bandaged feet and the frame of his body under the sheet, his chest, and then the strong chin and his brilliant blue eyes as he watched her. It took her a moment to recognize, with surprise, that he was awake and she let out a cry as she leapt into his arms.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said as a weak smile crossed his face.
Alex wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She noticed that he was warmer than usual and she suspected he had a fever.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, attempting to hold back the tears.
“Some honeymoon, huh,” he murmured as he tried to wake up. “I’m sorr—”
She placed a finger over his mouth and shook her head. “Let me get Mani.”
Moments later, Mani arrived and she could see the relief on his face.
“Sorry for the sleepless night, buddy,” Alex said to Mani, his voice hoarse as he tried to sit up. Failing, Alex looked at his bandaged hands in irritation.
“Nights,” Valeria said. “Mani was on guard duty the night of the fire. I don’t think he’s had much sleep in days.”
“Thanks, Doc.” Alex rubbed the side of his face with the back of his bandaged hand. Then he said, as if it were an effort, “Beautiful, would you mind making me one of your kale concoctions.” She watched as he pushed a smile to his eyes. “I think I’m going to need all the help I can get...for the honeymoon.” He winked and then coughed.
She took his bandaged hands in hers and kissed them.
“Alex...I’m your wife now, and ever since I’ve known you, you’ve had this need to protect me. But this is no longer just on your shoulders.” She stroked the side of his face. “I’m tougher than you think and I can handle it all—as long as you’re with me.” Alex nodded as Lars and Ava walked in the room.
“You’re right, beautiful. Lars, let’s make sure Val’s included in any significant conversations.”
Lars smiled. “Glad to see you back with the living.”
“Lars saved you in the fire,” Val said.
Alex frowned. “Why would you do that?” Then Lars and Alex exchanged a look. “Oh. Well, thanks, Lars. I owe you one.” Then Alex glanced at his wife. “Love, you have to do as Lars says. As you can see, I’ve recovered.”
Steeling her glance she said, “You can ask anything of me, except to leave you. That, I will never do again.”
“Fair enough,” Alex said, struggling to maintain strength in his voice. “Lars, what do we know about the fire?”
Lars brushed his fingers over his eyes. “The fire began over your studio and spread rapidly to the front of the cottage. We checked infrared and it was traced back to one of our guards.”
“I assume you interviewed him,” Alex said, with a raspy voice.
“Yes. Ava and I conducted the first interview ourselves. Yesterday, Tav interviewed him as well.”
“And?”
Alex had the control, but his voice was so weak Valeria was concerned that this was more than he should be doing.
Tavish entered as if on cue and waved a hand. “The man was a patsy. He was extremely low intelligence; easily hypnotized. I think it was
her—
I think she has the evil eye.”
“The evil eye?”
Valeria asked. “I thought that was jealousy,”
“It’s a might more than that!” Tavish added.
“For some, at least.”
Lars narrowed his eyes and said, “Alex, we may have our suspicions, but
there is
one person who can help us find the answers we need.”
“I suggest that we have this discussion after Alex has had more rest,” Mani interjected
“Yes, yes, of course,” Lars said.
“That particular discussion is going to be delayed for some time,” Alex said, his eyes already closing from exhaustion.
The family rose and started to leave when Alex added sleepily, “Doc?”
Mani stayed behind, although Alex’s eyes were already half closed. “Doc, you know I can’t think about that now.” Mani nodded and dropped his gaze to the floor as if some painful memory had been brought up. Alex continued, “Not forever—just not now.”
Again, Mani nodded. “We can discuss this after you’ve slept. I do understand that now is the time for you and your bride.”
“Yes…” Then Valeria saw a hint of a twinkle in his eyes, even though they were half closed and he was nearly asleep. “And, Doc, I am a newlywed. And I desperately need...” Valeria saw the corners of Alex’s mouth pull up in his sensual smile and it caused her to blush. Then he chuckled softly, his voice past exhaustion. “I need...a shower and a shave. I need to clean up.”
“Yes, well, your
‘needs’
will have to wait until you are healed,” Mani said raising a single brow. “You can shower in a few hours. But you still have the morphine to deal with, so I might suggest you wait a few days for your...other
needs
.”
“
A few days?”
Alex said, as his eyes closed completely.
“Yes. You are still recovering.”
By then, Alex’s jaw had gone slack.
Valeria sat down in the chair as Mani left.
Once the door closed, Alex’s eyes opened slightly and he swallowed. “Oh no, you don’t—come here,” he said groggily. She smiled and crawled into bed with him, and laid her head on his shoulder. She kissed his chest and pulled up the blankets around him.
“I’ll be all right soon,” he whispered.
“I know,” she said, and closed her eyes and drifted to sleep again.
∞
There was a knock on the door. When Valeria opened her eyes, Alex was again watching her with a smile, and the spark was back in his eyes. She felt his hand brush the side of her face, and then he turned toward the door. “Come on in, Doc.”
Standing in the entrance, Mani observed Alex and said, “You look much better!”
Valeria got up and moved so that Mani could get to Alex, who swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I’m feeling much better!” He turned a flirtatious smile toward Valeria. “Don’t go too far.” He winked and she sat in the rocking chair by the bed.
“You know there are things that must be done, in regards to this incident,” Mani said, as he tapped on Alex’s palm and watched for a response.
“Feels fine,” Alex said. Mani picked up Alex’s other palm and tapped with no response from Alex. “Doc, I am aware that there is a…
situation.
But really, that isn’t new information. It will just have to wait until after our honeymoon.” Mani lifted Alex’s arm and ripped off the tape.
Alex yelped, “Hey!”
Mani smirked. “It’s better if I do it quickly.” Then Mani ripped the rest of the tape from Alex’s arm.
“Easy there, Doc!”
The gauze was black and red, but when Mani removed it, the skin underneath was completely healed—except for the red strips of hairless skin where Mani had removed the tape.
“You know, sometimes your bedside manner leaves something to be desired,” Alex muttered.
A slight glint crossed Mani’s eyes. “Let that be a lesson about deserting your beautiful bride on your wedding night.” Mani ripped the tape off the next bandage and Alex yelped again.
Mani touched the bottom of Alex’s foot and Mani noticed a slight flinch.
“A few more hours on your feet.”
Alex hopped out of the bed. “I’m fine.” But Valeria could tell he was still in pain.
“You should be gentle with your body. I have not seen you go through withdrawal from the morphine.”
Alex nodded as he leaned on the bed, looking at Valeria. “But as I said earlier, I have gone far too long without,” his face lit in a mischievous smile and she caught the spark in his eyes, “a toothbrush and a shower.” He brushed his fingers over his chin.
“And a shave.”
Mani shook his head at Alex’s attempt at humor. “My friend, you are still recovering! I’ve done all I can do, but you must give your body a chance!”
Alex shrugged him off, with a smile. Mani packed up his supplies and, with another warning glare, left Alex and Valeria alone.
“Do I have any clean clothes here?”
Valeria nodded. “Yes, Camille packed a bag for you. It’s in the closet, but Mani says you need to rest a little longer.”
Alex’s eyes sparkled. “Beautiful, I know Mani will baby me, if I allow it. That’s the way he’s wired. But I would like to clean up.” He brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her nose, taking a deep breath in. “I smell like smoke!”
Hobbling into the bathroom, Alex sorted through the toiletries and pulled out a change of clothes.
“You know, you were right...earlier,” she said. He drew a deep breath trying to remember their discussion. “You do need a kale smoothie and so do I!” She heard Alex’s groan. “You’ll like it. We do have a honeymoon, and based on our first night...we’re both going to need all of the energy we can get!” She offered a wicked smile and then left Alex speechless—and smiling.
By the time Alex headed downstairs, he had only a slight limp. The family stood and cheered as he took a bow.
Valeria handed him the green drink, while she sipped hers. Alex shook his head in acquiescence, clinked glasses with Valeria and said, “Bottoms up!” He took a drink and then nodded, in analysis. “All right, I can live with that.”
As Alex sat down, Caleb approached him looking upset. “I think I just got too caught up in being a best man to be a superhero.”
Valeria messed with Caleb’s hair and said, “You did fine, buddy! This wasn’t your fault and everyone’s all right now.”
Caleb nodded his head then narrowed his eyes in thought before responding, “Cool.” Then he took a seat.
“I hope this seemingly impromptu meeting is about how to get us out of here,” Alex said.
Lars shrugged. “If you insist, but there are some things we need to discuss first.”
Raising his hand, Alex said, “I’m sorry, Lars, we’re not going to have that discussion right now.” Then he glanced at Shinsu and toward Mani. “I apologize specifically to both of you. I know you have a vested interest in this discussion, but it is just not going to happen right now.” His voice didn’t carry his typical strength, but his intention was shining through. “Right now, I only want to know two things: Is it safe for Val and I to leave on our honeymoon, and how are we going to ensure my wife’s safety outside of here.”
Valeria blushed when she heard Alex call her his wife.
Mani stood. “Alex, Valeria, I don’t think you understand the seriousness—”
“Doc, you know I love you like a brother, and normally I would do anything…anything for you. But I want this clear to everyone.” Alex glanced around the room to ensure they were all listening. “The
only
thing I am going to do right now, and the
only
thing I am going to discuss with all of you, is how I am going to take this beautiful woman, my bride, on our desperately needed honeymoon.” Alex looked into Valeria’s eyes and she saw the bright light of love shining through him. Alex kissed her and then rolled his head heavily to the couch and closed his eyes for a moment. When he reopened them, he looked weary. “Lars, can we get out of here safely?”
“We will…figure it out,” Lars said, as he looked away; a clear indication to the others that the discussion was over. “I guess.”
Alex nodded. “Can I keep her safe?”
Lars thought for a moment, and then nodded, resigned.
“Probably. You were safe in Africa—well, reasonably safe in Africa,” he said, glancing at Valeria. “But then, nobody knew where you were. It appears that the less people who know where you are, the better your chances.”
Valeria narrowed her eyes. “You suspect Paolo!”
“Not directly,” Lars said, and changed the subject. “All right, so when do you intend to leave?”
Alex glanced around the room. “I’d leave now if you told me we were safe.”
Tavish spoke, “Laddie, can’t you see that she’s out there? Don’t you understand all of this could be resolved?”
“She?
Who is out there?” Valeria asked. Alex closed his eyes and shook his head as if he didn’t want to discuss it. “Kristiana? Or do you think it was someone from the council?”
“At this time, we have no evidence of Kristiana’s involvement,” Alex said, now weary. “Until we have some hard evidence, I don’t want to begin throwing around blind accusations.”
“Couldn’t the fire have been an accident? We had candles burning earlier,” Valeria offered.
Mani shook his head. “No, Valeria. I was on guard duty. The fire did not begin inside the cottage.” Mani looked at Alex. “I’m afraid I must agree with Tavish.”
“Trust me on this—it’s exactly as the old evil eye!” Tavish said.
Alex looked at them all and nodded. “I understand, and I appreciate your viewpoint, really I do. I don’t mean to disregard all that you have done for us.” He patted Valeria’s leg. “But we need this time. We all knew the wedding was a big risk. And thanks to all of you, my bride is still in one piece.”