Free The Second Life of Magnolia Mae by Angela Schroeder Page B

his question which sounded more like a statement now that she thought about it.
    “Gordon.” Again, a statement not a question.
    Another muttered response was all she gave.
    “It will get better. I will make him pay for what he did to you.”
    “It wasn’t me, not in the nightmare.” Magnolia’s voice sounded small and fragile.
    The fire was dying out, and a chill was creeping into the room. Jaceson moved to toss a few logs onto the fire, restoring it to life. He filled the cup with water then went back to where he had been sitting just a moment before.
    “Who then? Do you think he will go after this person?”
    She listened intently to his voice, such familiar soothing qualities.
    “The man looked like you.” It was not a lie, since he did look a lot him. “I couldn’t move. I was stuck. I couldn’t stop him. It all happened only a few feet in front of me, and I was helpless, trapped.” A single tear rolled down the side of her face to her ear.
    “Ah, it was just a nightmare. Nothing to worry about.” He trained his golden eyes on the door that he had left slightly open. “You should have let me go after him. Then you wouldn’t have to be worrying if he came back or not.”
    “I am not worried for myself.” Her voice grew stronger. “If you had killed him, then whoever sent him after me simply would have sent someone else in his place. No, it is better that he not even know that I am alive. Do you think he would have gone back to Marcello?”
    “I am certain that is where he’s heading. Whoever he was working for would want to know if the deed was done. He’s probably on his way to collect his bounty.”
    Suddenly it hit her. She sat up, causing Jaceson to look at her. “We need to send men to follow him. One or two — more than that would be noticeable. It cannot be any of my people. It would seem curious that they would leave their new home so quickly.” She found his golden eyes searching her green ones. “Don’t you see? If someone follows him, and he’s on his way to collect his bounty, then we can discover who’s truly behind this.” She nearly exclaimed the last part.
    “That may work. I will send two of my men at first light. Get some rest m’lady.”
    He turned so that he was facing the door. Across the room in less than a second, he flung the door open to reveal an infuriated Alistair on the other side of the door. “Why are you standing there?” he asked as he turned away and took up his self-appointed sentry post next to the bed.
    “I should be asking why you are in Princess Daciana’s bedchambers alone.” Alistair stepped into the room. Shadows fell over his handsome face, concealing it from her eyes.
    “I had a nightmare and called out in my sleep as I fell from the bed. Jaceson helped me. I needed someone to speak to. To chase away the nightmare.”
    “I could have done that, or better yet, Nonna.” There was a softness in his voice. He sat in the high-backed chair next to the bed that Nonna had been sitting in earlier that day. His gaze fell to her face. “Do you need anything? Something to eat?”
    She shook her head no. She really just wanted to sleep. She felt more at peace now with them all in the same room. It somehow felt normal.
    Magnolia closed her eyes as she listened to Jaceson relay the plan to follow Gordon. The two brothers talked in low whispers to try to allow her to get some rest. They had been told by Nonna that she would need to stay in bed for a few days, that she would need to stay warm so as to not catch a chill. Sleep was approaching slowly as she listened to them discuss how they could best protect her until she was well again. It was decided that at least one of them or Nonna would stay with her at all times.

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    D AYS PASSED WITH HER stuck in that room. Restlessness drove her near crazy. When Jaceson entered the room, he found her sitting at the window, longingly looking out of it, gazing toward the sea and, just off to the