- Don't worry! You said it with a laugh right after that. - I'll find her even in hell. Word of a MacBride!
Before Rose said anything, I walked through the door of the hall and left in a hurry towards the lake. I just hoped Alec was really there and didn't do anything stupid.
Chapter 21
Alec
I leaned my head against the rock on which I was leaning. Looking at the Bourbon bottle from the half it held, I just sipped a sip. Now that I could breathe, I didn't know if you really wanted to drink that liquid. I'd taken the bottle on an impulse. Since the last time, when I ended up with broken hands for punching the walls of my quarters after drinking too much, I decided I would never do that again. My mother was terrified, as was Alistair. My father had said that I just wanted to get attention and I felt terrible about it. Drinking wouldn't bring Cora back. Getting angry, neither. What I could do is recover and go after the idiots who killed her! That's exactly what I did. The problem was that it took too long for me to fully recover and become rational again.
The news that I'm going to be a father wasn't what I expected to hear. There was a war about to end and I didn't want to put a child in the world under constant threat. I wasn't ready for that, especially not knowing that Mom will be Rose. There were two facts that I didn't like and I had no idea which one bothered me the most. If my becoming a father or Rose's being a mother... I've always known Rose's ambition to catch one of us, preferably Alistair, but this time she had crossed all plausible limits.
- Alec?
Aila's voice echoed in the little cave she was in. He had found that place during a game of hiding. Nobody could find me and I always ended up winning in the end. After I grew up, the place became my refuge. One day Alistair followed me and saw me coming in. I bet he's the one who told Aila.
- He made you a guinea pig, didn't he? - he said with a laugh.
- Actually, I volunteered. - she answered. - How are you feeling?
- I'm not sure yet, but I'm a little scared of the news. - said sighing.
Aila let out a laugh. She was trying to make me comfortable. We hadn't been together for a long time, but I already knew her a little bit about her way of expressing herself.
- Can I come closer or do I have to call an army? - she asked in an ironic voice.
I took a deep breath in a face. I knew the reason for the question, but I decided to join the game.
- Why would I need an army?
- I don't know! - she laughed. - How much have you had to drink?
- Not much, but enough to get slightly relaxed.
- So I'm safe?
- Maybe! Do you have your daggers?
- No. - She sighed in a wailing tone. - I brought only my sympathy and charm.
- What a thief! - he said in an ironic way. - That's my line.
- I don't see your name written anywhere, so I can perfectly use it.
I kept laughing and closed my eyes, leaning my head against the stone. I signalled with my hand for Aila to come closer. She obeyed, walking slowly to where I was. She was wearing a simple dress I didn't know about. Maybe it was borrowed from your sisters. It was emerald green like his eyes. Her hair was loose, but crimped by the mark on the braids she wore that morning. The fine curls fall down your shoulders and your face. She was the vision of an angel, but I knew very well that she could take me to hell in a matter of seconds.
- Hello - that's all she said as she crouched in front of me and leaned her elbows on her knees. - You want to talk?
- I thought we were already. - said dry.
Aila took the bottle from my hands and carried it to my lips, so she sat next to me.
- What kind of horrible Bourbon is that? - she said making a face. - That tastes like cat pee.
I had a laugh.
- I didn't know you'd ever had cat pee in your life.
- As a child. - she answered. - If you tell anyone, I'll kill you!
- Your secret's safe with me, princess. - he said laughing.
Aila gave me a half-closed look, which made me laugh even more. I was glad she made me forget my troubles.
- Tell me about Rose. - she asked for it. - When was the last time you saw her?
Grabbing the bottle of booze that was in his hands, I gave a sip in the strong liquid and took a deep breath.
- At Alistair's wedding. - I answered. - I was trying to get her out of his arms. My brother was very drunk and could barely stand. I didn't really know the reason at the time, but I thought it was inappropriate.
- So that's where you lay with her?
Although it might seem, Aila's question was not asked on an accusatory note. She just questioned it.
- No. - I said shaking my head. - My father called me and I lost sight of them. I tried to distract myself as much as I could, because I didn't want to think
