She finished with the blood transfusion and was now hooked up to a drip giving her fluids and some essential vitamins. Dr. McKenzie said she was almost back to health and her old self, but regaining her strength would take some time.

Katie didn’t feel like her old self, that was the thing. She heard a knock at the door. It was probably Norah with her breakfast.

“Come in,” she croaked. Even her voice didn’t seem like her own.

The door creaked open ever so slowly, and then to her surprise, Alexis popped her head around it.

“Katie, the Principessa said you wanted to see me.”

“Yes, come in.”

“I can come back if this is a bad time—”

“No, no, come in,” Katie said.

She tried to push herself up onto her pillows so that she was sitting upright, but her muscles were devoid of energy.

Alexis hurried over to her bedside. “Here, let me help you.”

Katie felt Alexis’s strength making it easier to move. “Thanks.”

“Your voice?” Alexis said.

“The doctor said it will return to normal soon, amongst other things. Sit down, please.” Katie pointed to the chair by the bed.

Alexis looked at it warily, then pulled it closer and sat down awkwardly. Alexis looked nervous. She didn’t think she’d ever seen a nervous Duca, but then recently she’d seen another first from Alexis. When they’d nearly devoured each other in her bedroom, Katie had seen lust, directed at her.

Alexis crossed and uncrossed her legs and shifted around the seat. Her nervousness almost made her sweet.

“Thanks for coming, Alexis. I wanted to thank you for saving me.”

“I didn’t save you, Bhal did,” Alexis said firmly.

“Of course you did. If you hadn’t come to me, then I would have been too far gone for Bhal to save me.”

“Any vampire would have done the same.”

Grumpy, awkward Alexis was back, and it was bloody annoying. “Look, I’ve offered you my thanks—would you just accept it graciously?”

“Don’t get all upset. Save your strength,” Alexis said.

“Well don’t be so bloody-minded then, and accept my thanks.”

“I’m sorry. Of course I accept your thanks.”

Katie started to cough and pointed to her bottle of water by the bedside. Alexis got it quickly and helped her take a sip.

“Thanks,” Katie said.

Alexis put the bottle down and returned to her seat. She watched Katie pull the covers around her tightly. She didn’t look at all well. Katie’s skin was so white apart from the dark circles under her eyes.

To Alexis, Katie looked so small and helpless lying there. She had an urge to wrap her arms around her and hold her till she felt better. “How are you?”

Katie looked her in the eyes, then stared back down at the pattern of her covers. “I’m okay. Be back to normal in no time.”

Somehow Alexis didn’t quite believe that answer. What was Katie hiding? There was an awkward silence while Alexis tried to pluck up the courage to tell Katie about what really happened last night. “Katie, I…” Alexis hesitated.