Alex shook her head. “How can you still think me a spy?”
“Whom do you spy for?” he nearly shouted.
“I saved your life,” she cried. “And you still do not trust me? Maybe Neilsen told me all of this.”
He threw her away. “You are obviously a spy, and I have known it from the first. Otherwise you would not remain here, when you could leave so easily, or have so much valuable and secret information. Do you work for us—or against us—Alexandra?”
Alex stared, very afraid. How could Xavier still believe the worst of her? She had been so certain that his suspicions were buried along with the past. But she had been wrong.
What should she do now? What should she tell him? How muchcouldshe tell him?
“Answer me,” he said very dangerously.
“I am not a spy. I love my country. I love you.”
He laughed, the sound bitter, mocking.
“It’s true.”
“Everything is true with you,” he said harshly, his eyes flashing.
Alex inhaled, wounded by his tone; worse, frightened and desperate. “Xavier, I am different.”
“That has been obvious from the start.”
She forced herself to remain standing, to keep her shoulders squared. “My real name is Alexandra Thornton, and I am an American, one loyal to my country. I am not a spy. I am …”
“What?”
“A time traveler.”
He looked at her. “I beg your pardon?”
“I was born in Connecticut in November of 1973. When I was last in New York City, where I lived until recently, it was the summer of 1996. I was a graduate student at Columbia University. My specialty was—is—naval history.”
He had not said a word. Now, he laughed. “Come, Alexandra, that is surely not the best you can do?”
“I swear to you that I am from the future. I swear, Xavier! That is why I know so much! I was studying this war, and the one before it, between the United States and France. I read about you. I.…” She faltered. She had already declared her love for him once. She did not think she should make herself any more vulnerable by declaring her love for him again.
“That is absurd,” he snapped. “I am disappointed in you, Alexandra. You could have come up with a better story—even insisting that you work for us.”
“I am not a spy.” Tears spilled down her cheeks.I do love you.
“That will not work,” he said tightly.
“Murad believes me,” Alex flung.
“I don’t give a damn what your slave believes!” He was shouting again.
“You will wake up the entire harem.”
He folded his arms, glaring at her. “And I am supposed to trust you in this matter of escape?”
She stormed across the room, her fists balled, and began to swing wildly at him. He caught her wrists, restraining her. “Yes!” she shouted. “You had better trust me, damn you, Blackwell! I saved your life, remember?”
His grip eased. His expression changed. Something infinitely sad flitted through his eyes. “How could I ever forget?” He released her, turning away.
Alex blinked furiously, watching him reach for the door to Murad’s antechamber. “You’re leaving? Just like that?”
