*****
The trip back to Empire was subdued. Cleo had, for the first time all weekend, stopped talking, and was lightly dosing with her head propped against the window. Bas was silently staring out, watching the scenery go by, and presumably contemplating all he’d learned and discussed with Anderson over the last two days. Anita was sure they’d see each other again; she’d never seen two people get on so well after such a short acquaintance.
Anita had been trying her best to avoid speaking to, looking at, and certainly being alone with Alexander. She was so confused about what she should do, what she felt for who and how she should proceed, so she too spent the journey looking out of the window, feeling a little empty as she considered her options. Alexander was desperately trying to glean anything he could from her energy, but it was as steady as a rock, not giving anything away. He was fighting an internal battle of what to do next, but now, in a car full of people, was certainly not the time for action.
The problem as Anita saw it was that she obviously had feelings for both Marcus and Alexander, her energy reacting distinctively to each of their special allures. Marcus was, for the most part, fun and care free, flirtatious and frivolous in a way that Alexander could not be. After all, Alexander was a ruling Descendant, whereas Marcus was yet to assume the heavy burden of responsibility, living instead under the ominous cloud of his power-hungry father. Alexander seemed to carry that weight around with him, possibly as he had some understanding of the perilous position the world was in, and that it was his duty to address it. Marcus, on the other hand, seemed light as a feather, as though there was nothing in the world that should be worried about with any kind of gusto.
Whereas Alexander was closed and protective of himself, Marcus had opened up to Anita, told her about his family and to some extent discussed his past. However, Marcus was a protective person who’d already become possessive of Anita and it was wholly possible that he could get worse over time; what if he did turn into Austin? At least Alexander wasn’t trying to force her into a relationship with him; he was trying to do what he thought was best for her, but the way he was doing that was by staying away from her, so maybe his feelings weren’t that strong after all. Anita silently pondered all the way back to Empire, but felt more confused at the end of the journey than she had at the beginning.
They arrived back in Empire and dropped Bas off first, then Cleo, Anita feeling Alexander turn to look at her when they were finally alone in the car, Alexander glad of the closed glass screen separating them from the driver, and Anita annoyed that it wasn’t open. ‘Is everything alright?’ he asked nervously, trying to hide his uncertainty.
Anita turned to look at him and searched his glorious blue eyes. ‘Not really,’ she replied evenly, dropping her eyes to her lap, surprised at her honest response. ‘I think I need some time to work all this out. I’m confused and have no idea what to do. I have feelings for Marcus. I feel guilty and I don’t want to hurt him.’ She paused and looked out of the window before meeting his eyes again. ‘But I don’t want to hurt you either.’ A horrible thought suddenly erupted in Anita’s head and her eyes widened a little. ‘Sorry,’ she said, her cheeks reddening, ‘that is, making the presumptuous assumption that you feel anything for me…’ Luckily, at that moment, they pulled up outside Cordelia’s house and Anita made for the door. As she swung it open, Alexander grabbed her hand, gentle tingles spreading underneath her skin, so she turned and looked back at him.
‘Your presumptuous assumption is correct,’ he said huskily, whispering, so the driver, who was now unloading the bags, couldn’t hear. A car turned into the end of the road, and in the twilight, Alexander recognised it as one of Austin’s. He begrudgingly let go of Anita’s hand. ‘Looks like you have company,’ he said bitterly, nodding in the direction of the oncoming vehicle. She turned to see the car stop and Marcus’ long, lean body throw open the door and move rapidly in her direction. ‘See you soon I hope,’ said Alexander quickly, as Marcus happily reached his target and protectively took hold of her hand.
‘Alexander,’ Marcus nodded curtly, clearly indicating that he would take things from here.
‘Marcus,’ Alexander nodded back, pulling the car door closed and stealing one last look at Anita before his driver pulled away.
As soon as Alexander’s car moved off, Marcus turned so his body faced hers and kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘Time for you to get changed, we’re going to a party.’
Anita’s energy lifted immediately and she smiled up at Marcus, exasperated at his order, yet excited to see where they were going. ‘Are we?’ she asked, reproachfully. She wanted to make him work at least a little.
‘Yes,’ he confirmed unwaveringly, flashing his eyes fearlessly.
What the hell, she thought, reaching up and stealing a flirtatious kiss, before turning and sauntering towards the house. ‘Then you’d better tell me where we’re going so I can find something suitable to wear.’