“My pocket. My phone.” I then heard the vibrations. I took it and handed it to him. He answered it with a moan. I stood wetting the cloth again as he stood. He took the cloth and ran it all over his face. “That’s none of your business.” I handed him the water and pills and he drank the water taking another glass to down it and the pills. “No, I am busy at the moment.” He handed me the glass as I refilled it. “It’s one am in the morning, man!” He yelled into the phone as he took another drink. I watched as the muscles at his chest tightened. Whoever was on the phone definitely made him nervous. “Well, I hope you got what you deserved. No they don’t.” I slipped out of the bedroom and went into the big bed room. Alora had hugged the blanket, her thumb in her mouth, and she was fast asleep again. I ran my hand on her head as exhaustion took place. I turned as Edward came out of the bathroom. His hair now wet but his ear to the phone. “Look, even if they still existed do you really have to go on looking? I mean, when father destroyed them, wasn’t that enough. Who cares if one more still walks this earth.” I froze. Brother? Destroyed? One more? He didn’t look up at me as he sat on the couch. His body bent forward as he still spoke on the phone. “I think your making that up. How come after years of looking after the church you now have found her?” I moved to where Edward couldn’t see me. My breath moving ruff as I listened to the one sided conversation. “You didn’t find evidence at that church. All you did was scare a few nuns and the priest there-----All I am saying is you are chasing a dream. Someone who doesn’t even exist anymore---- yea only in your head---- Alora is doing good---- No, no wife yet---- Man, you change the subject too much. When you actually have proof that this person really does exist, that’s when you call me. Then you can tell me I was wrong like always.” With that he had cut the phone tossing it on the couch. I took a deep breath, grabbed one of his t shirt to pretend as if I was looking for it for him and left the bigger bedroom. I stood in front of him as he looked else ware. “Ever hear of Virgoians?” My heart quickened. If he was looking at me the heart race would probably have given me away.

“Yes. I think just about everyone has.” The want to twirl the pendant at my neck grew as I fought to not do it.

“My brother thinks that one still lives. But, as far as father and his men were concerned they killed them all.” He leaned back in the couch as I sat next to him. I held unto the shirt tight as he spoke.

“Your brother and father?”

“Yea, Lord Seymour is my half brother. He is fathers first son from his first marriage. I am the second from the second wife. Father’s poison bleed into Seymour’s head as a kid about how magic was evil if not used by us.”

“So, you can use it?” I asked curiously and trying so hard to make him think I knew nothing about it. I knew Seymour could use it. I didn’t know they were related. If they were, that meant I had to leave as soon as I could. Get Alora attached to him, hope for the best and leave again. Preferably before Edward’s drunk wants go any further. If so, the man would be having my heart sooner but not giving back his.

“Some. I didn’t dab into very much. The more innocent the mind is the better. Alora might be able to if I was to teach her.” Or if I was to. I thought to myself. As long as Seymour doesn’t visit…

“How often does he come to your place. I have never seen him.” Edward laughed.

“I can set up a meeting.” He looked over at me as I tried so hard to hide the fear that enveloped my heart.

“No, that wont be necessary. I hear he isn’t worth getting to know anyways.” Edward nodded.

“He come and goes as he pleases. I prefer the fast pace of technology where he is still stuck in the carriage age. Most of his lands don’t have the technology I have. If you cross the boarder between his land and mine then you will tell a difference.”

“So, you’re a Lord too?” He nodded again.

“I… didn’t want that leaked.” I blushed.

“I wont tell on you.” he looked down at the floor.

“Go to bed. I think we both need it.” With that he stood a bit wavering as he did so. He went into the big bedroom and closed the door. I went to the small one and did the same. The darkness encasing me with fear and doubts. I realized I wouldn’t be able to be with Edward now. Not that it mattered. He didn’t want me for a wife or a mother for Alora. Just someone to take care of her till he says so. I curled up in the blankets closing my eyes. Surprisingly sleep found me pretty fast.

I woke to a small baby face in mine. The thumb in the mouth, the finger on my ear lobe. Then came the smile. Then, came the bigger arm around my waist. I gasped and turned expecting to smell whiskey but all I smelled was the musk of the cologne and aftershave as Edward was looking down at me. His hand on the side of his head, his arm supporting his weight. I rolled on my back as it made the contact more intimate. Definitely not what I wanted. Alora made sure that it was broken when she flung herself over me giggling.

“DA, Ma.” Was all she said as her little arms swung around both of our necks. She pulled us together as Edwards and my head hit each others. Alora then crawled off the bed and sat on the floor. She was playing with her favorite shape block. Then, unexpectedly Edward was sitting over me again sitting across my middle with his hands on either side of my head trapping me between the bed and him.

“Edward!” I exclaimed. He placed his finger on my lips and formed a Shh with his lips.

“Alora is playing on the floor. Don’t grab her attention.” I swallowed as he leaned forward just a little. “I know I was drunk last night but I know what I was saying.”

“Are you going to apologize again?” He shook his head.

“No. I can not apologize for something that was the total truth.”

“What about loosing your control? That’s what you said sorry for last time.” He shook his head. His green eyes clear, No desire set in them what so ever. As if the only way he will ever have that look is if he was drunk. I started to wonder if he used that look on anyone else since his wife. He only drank at home but for some odd reason he wouldn’t use that look on me while he was sober.

“Not even for that.”

“Then why are you sitting over me?” He looked down at the many many valleys and curves of my body then looked back up at me. The look still wasn’t even there.

“I thought it to be amusing.” He just smiled. The dimples on both sides of his face showing.

“Well, I am glad you think its amusing.” I wasn’t getting at all angry at him but frustrated. His eye brows arched in as he rolled to the other side of the bed. I stood fixing my shirt.

“Jaq, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I said. There was a million and one things going through my head. Seymour was still close by. He wouldn’t hurt his own family would he? What if Edward found out who I really was? What if Seymour came for a unexpected visit? How would I hide? How would Edward take that he has been living with the last remaining Virgoain? Should I just tell him? Why doesn’t he give me the desire look when he isn’t drunk? Control? Why did I have to love him so much? Why did I let him kiss me last night? What would he say if I told him my feelings? Laugh? Think it’s a joke? If he wanted a suitable mother for Alora why didn’t he ask me? Specially if his bed was not my concern in the deal?

“Your mind is a million miles away.” He said. No husky drawl. No incantation about anything bothering him or about what he was thinking or feeling. That was one skill I would not use. Only to find someone I used it for.

“Did you love your wife?” I asked standing there not turning to look at him.

“Yes, of course.”

“Did you give her those looks willingly or did you have to be drunk?” I heard the bed creek as he got off of it. I heard his booted foot steps but he did not come to me. He stood at the door way of the room but he was turned to me. He blocked any light coming into the bedroom. I looked down at my hands.

“All the time. But, never did I want to feel her skin against mine as I want to feel yours.” I had to hold a gasp and looked up at him. His eyes were on me but I could not read his face. Great! So if he was looking at me that way there was no way I could see it.

“Your just saying that. You have been without a female company for almost two years. I bet you can pick up any girl and want them to share your bed.” Why was I having this discussion with him. I shouldn’t have even said anything to him. I went over and picked up Alora. “I am sorry. I totally stepped out of line.” He moved for me to go through the door. I set Alora down on the couch but she just crawled right back off and followed me into the kitchenette. I took from the diaper bag a bottle of formula and a jar of food. I picked her up with everything in my hands, ran water in the bottle to warm the formula and to mix the powder. I turned as he had not moved from the door way. I took Alora back to the couch and sat her down. I continued to feed her as she ate the whole jar. Edward didn’t move as all he did was watch me. She was done eating so I took her into the main bathroom and gave her a bath. She played in the water. I took her out, diapered her and went back into the living room area. He still stood by the door. “Edward?” He looked up at me. His arms over his chest as his eyes met mine. “You have been standing there for over thirty minutes.” he didn’t say or do anything as I continued to dress Alora. “Are the roads clear?”

“Yes actually they are. Its not snowing anymore so if we leave it shouldn’t be bad. It will take us the rest of the day to get home.” His voice even wasn’t changed. I nodded.

“Lets get going then.” He nodded himself. He went into the bedroom and gathered his stuff. I picked up the bundled baby and followed him outside. It was bright and cheerful. I placed Alora in her car seat as he went back in after placing the suit case and bag in the trunk. He came back out, got in and started the car. It had a huge dent on the front witch my guess was caused by the crash last night. I stayed silent as he drove. He didn’t say a word as his eyes were on the road. Even Alora was quiet.