covered me better than the Amadis dress, but I still stayed behind Tristan and kept my eyes only on Jax’s face—I’d seen enough of the rest of him already.
“Who are you, and why were you sneaking up on me?” I demanded.
“You’re a feisty little sheila, aren’t ya?” Jax rubbed his nose, smiled wider, and nodded toward Tristan. “I’m an old mate of his.”
Tristan crossed his arms over his chest. “Hmph. Mate isn’t exactly the right word. Or did you forget who gave you that scar over your eye?”
Jax laughed. “Naw, not forgotten.”
“You must not have learned your lesson, then, sneaking up on us again. Or were you getting a little thrill from my wife?”
Jax shrugged. “She is a bloody ripper. Cracked a fat, all right.”
Tristan’s chest rumbled louder, and he leaned slightly forward. I didn’t understand what Jax meant, but apparently it wasn’t a compliment.
“Just giving ya a compliment, mate,” Jax said.
Okay, maybe a compliment, but derogatory.
“Do you realize who she is?” Tristan growled.
“Hmm . . . you said your missus, right? Why don’t you make introductions?”
“Jax, this is Alexis.” That familiar steel undertone colored his voice, though on the surface it sounded polite. “Alexis Ames. As in Sophia’s daughter, Katerina’s granddaughter.”
Understanding dawned on Jax’s face, and he grinned warmly again. “Ah. So that’s why you’re throwin’ such a wobbly. Didn’t mean to disrespect ya, Miss Alexis. I don’t get out among the Amadis much. So what brings ya out here to the bush?”
Neither Tristan nor I answered at first. Suspicion waved off Tristan’s body, making me uneasy. Jax’s being Amadis no longer meant what it used to. I focused on his thoughts, ensuring Julia and her posse hadn’t sent him. He was mentally kicking himself all over for being “such an arse around royalty,” though a very basic man part of him was thinking about how hot I was, even with the colorful face. I squeezed Tristan’s hand.
“Just passing through,” Tristan finally said.
“Where you going? I hope not west—you’ll end up in the never-never. You can’t flash your way to the west coast before dark.”
All three of us automatically looked up. The sun hung in the western sky, not far from setting.
“No worries about us,” Tristan said.
“Probably not, but since you are Amadis Royalty, I’ll worry anyway. I don’t spend much time around them—not around anyone, really—but mates are mates. You can stay the night at my place. I don’t have much to offer, but it’s better than being out in the bush overnight.”
“Are there Daemoni around?” I asked.
“Naw. Haven’t seen them in donkey’s years. But that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous out here at night.”
I looked at Tristan, relying on his knowledge and experience, since I had none. He still looked suspicious. I probed Jax’s mind again, looking for any ulterior motive.
He’s okay, I told Tristan after listening. A little lonely, wanting to do the right thing for us, but not dangerous.
Tristan glanced sideways at me. I squeezed his hand again, and his shoulders relaxed.
“We’re headed north to Kuckaroo,” he told Jax.
“Hmm . . . you could make it before dark, if you know where you’re flashing and don’t show up in the middle of a dingo fight or a roo cave. It’s risky. Up to you. Offer’s there for you.”
I shuddered at the thought of appearing in a kangaroo cave uninvited. I’d be admiring them from a distance from now on. Of course, we were just as likely to appear right next to a variety of unfriendly animals during the day, and realizing this, I found flashing our way through the Outback sounding less and less appealing.
My desire to stay out of the great outdoors at night may have been irrational. After all, we could see just as well in the dark, and Jax said Daemoni hadn’t been around for ages. But somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I thought I remembered learning that Australia’s nocturnal animals outnumbered their day-loving cousins. I could probably easily defend myself—animals could be electrocuted—but that didn’t relieve the feeling of fear of the unknown. Especially after being pounded in the face by a kangaroo. Besides, a real bed was always a nice draw.
I want to stay, Tristan. He narrowed his eyes at me. We’ll be okay. Whatever your past is with him, he wants to help now. Unless you want to hear me whining all night, because I won’t get an ounce of sleep out here.
Tristan sighed and shook his head slowly. I could hear the reluctance in his thoughts.