Carpathian 03 - Dark Gold

happened to Alex's face?" There was a hint of suspicion in his voice, and he seemed to retreat into some private torment.
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    "Aidan?" Instant fear caused Alex's voice to tremble.
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    Aidan simply caught and held Joshua's gaze with his own. His voice dropped an octave, becoming like pure running water rippling over the child, seeping into his mind. "You remember Alexandria falling because she was so weak with illness, do you not, Joshua? Remember? She ruined her beautiful suit when she fell on the path. You were very upset until I came and carried her to the big black car and brought her here to our home."
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    Joshua was nodding in agreement, the suspicion and tormented look gone as quickly as they had come. Thankful, Alexandria held out her arms for the boy.
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    Aidan shook his head. "We will go into the living room and sit down before you hold him, piccola . You are still shaky."
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    His voice felt like a caress, yet she knew it was a command. Velvet in iron. He was clearly in charge. She tried not to let it annoy her and meekly followed him down a wide hallway. She stumbled several times because, instead of watching where she was going, she was staring in awe around her. She had never been in a house as beautiful as this one. The woodwork, the marble floors, the high beamed ceilings, the paintings and sculptures were all magnificent. A Ming vase sat gracefully on an antique mahogany stand near a wide stone fireplace. Aidan had to catch her arm twice to keep her from walking right into a wall.
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    "It is customary to watch where you are going, cara mia ," he reminded her gently. "It is not as if you have never seen the house before," he added wickedly to make her smile.
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    She made a face at him. "Don't you think this is all a bit much? What if Joshua comes tearing through the house and knocks over the Ming vase? Somehow, I'm beginning to think we made a big mistake in accepting your hospitality. Some of these things are priceless." Two could play at his game.
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    "I believe we already had this conversation," he said smoothly, steering her into the living room.
    "We agreed that if Joshua broke anything, we would not cry over spilled milk." His golden eyes gleamed at her, daring her to continue.
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    "Aidan, really, a Ming vase?" Horrified at the thought of destroying such a treasure, Alexandria considered grabbing Joshua and running from the house.
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    Deliberately Aidan leaned close so that his warm breath stirred the tendrils of hair falling over her ear. "I have had centuries to admire the piece. Losing it might give me the incentive to patronize a modern artist."
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    "That is sacrilege. Don't even think it."
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    "Alexandria, this is your home. This is Joshua's home. Nothing in it is as important as the two of Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    you." His golden eyes glittered at her as his gaze ran up and down her body. "Now sit down before you fall down."
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    She swept a hand through the hair tumbling across her forehead. "Would you just try not to sound like a drill sergeant? It's getting on my nerves."
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    He looked unrepentant. "One of my annoying habits."
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    "And you have so many." Alexandria chose a leather recliner to curl up in, and at once she realized just how weak she really was. It felt good to sit even after a short walk. Joshua immediately came to sit in her lap, needing the closeness to her as much as she did to him.
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    "You look so white, Alex," Joshua pointed out with a child's candid nature. "Are you sure you're all right?"
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    "I'm getting there, little buddy. It takes time. Do you like your room here?" She again examined him for marks.
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    "It's great, really big. But I don't like sleeping up there without you. It's kinda too big. Marie and Stefan let me sleep downstairs near them." He hugged her bruised, lacerated neck and didn't notice when she winced.
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    Aidan's golden eyes narrowed to slits. With deceptive indolence he reached out a lazy hand and drew the child to his side. "We have to be careful of Alexandria for a while. Remember what I said? She needs tender care. It's up to you and me to see that she gets it. Even when she rebels, as she's thinking of doing now."
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    "I'm okay," Alexandria said resentfully. "If you want to sit on me, Joshua, of course you can." No one , except her, told Joshua what to do.
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    Joshua shook his head, his blond curls bobbing in the way that always made her heart