Warm.

“They are not ready, Alex.”

“I know, Kylie. I’ve seen it. They are still too angry, or apathic, or too afraid to venture out into the forests. We can’t keep them apart from the rest. We can’t harbor them in our cave systems, it would be... a disaster for them. Look, set up a buddy system. The Ravens with the Falcons, the Falcons with the Younglings, each in one house, forming a separate family unit. They have been comfortable together, so let’s keep the Birds as one section. Let Ambra, Clara and Emma check upon them, daily, while you keep the lessons going.”

“Okay, thanks, Alex. What about Elfie?”

“Yes, she will stay with us during the winter. She is too good for this group and although extra responsibility wouldn’t hurt her, she’s not ready to be in command of a group. We’ll integrate her with Ambra, Clara, Ella, Emma and you. Mia will remain in the village, she has made friends over there again, and has taken up responsibility over the new orphans for now. The lessons to the villagers... I’m not really happy with it. Perhaps we have nurtured the villagers too much... The volunteer squad shows promise, but that’s about it.”

“Okay, come Alex, let’s get inside. It’s cold outside.”

“It could be a long winter...” I sighed.

“Well, we’ll just have to warm ourselves...” Sophia smiled naughtily. “You’re not totally obsolete...”

“Oh the Fates...” I groaned.

“Yes, Elfie, this is your room. It’s close to my office, should you need me for something real quick during the day.”

“Can I decorate it?”

“Of course you can, we have plenty of supplies in Mia’s library. Now, you do know about the candle rule? If you have private conversations, or private business and you don’t want to be disturbed, and the same goes for us.”

“Yes, Alex, I know all... about it.” She grinned at me.

“Please respect them, Elfie. Without it, this winter can get stressful very fast if it is way too cold outside.”

“Don’t worry, Alex, your girlfriends have enlightened me all about you...” Still smiling.

“Of course they did...” I muttered.

“Alex?”

“Yes, Ambra?”

“Can I fall asleep with you in the big bed?”

“Hmm... Sure, but you will probably have to share the bed with others as well.”

“That’s fine, Alex. I know Clara has asked you the same. And Ella.”

“And that’s no problem?”

“I know you want to protect me, Alex, but I am not a child... Well, not a child as before. I’ve seen them naked before. I will be in my pajama’s for you to feel safe. But know, that I feel safe with you no matter who is with you.”

“Oh... Ambra... You make me feel so special sometimes... Come, let me give you a hug...”

“Sure, Alex, but may I give you a kiss on your cheek afterwards?”

About to happen, Alex... At least she is taking small steps...

“Okay, Ambra.”

So we hugged, felt each other’s warmth and then she stood on her toes and kissed my cheek.

“Thank you, Ambra.”

“No, Alex. Thank you.”

“So, she finally kissed you, on your cheek, but still... she finally kissed you?”

“Yes, Kylie, she did. And she knows, Kylie. She knows she has to wear pj’s for me to feel safe. To not feel overwhelmed.”

“Of course she does, Alex. She’s not only very smart, but also very empathic once she loves someone. Just like you are, Alex.” Kylie confirmed my giving’s about Ambra.

“Now, what about Elfie?” Kate asked.

“You know damn well how I feel about Elfie, Kate. You set me up with her. You all did.” I frowned lightly. I wasn’t all too happy about it, but I couldn’t stop myself anymore. It was odd, it felt like my inner walls were crumbling around me.

“Come on, Alex, you admired her strength the moment you heard her talk, only minutes after you rescued her. And then at the hospital, ordering her to stay in bed, like that. You already were nurturing her, like you did with Sophia after her... experiment. Seeing that, I just gave you a nudge. She was compliant until the moment you stepped into the hospital. Then she was suddenly complaining and contrarian. But only to you. So I simply played Cupid, like you did with Didier.”

“I have to admit, Alex,” Sophia added: “It was simply adorable to see you two fighting constantly, it was like in those romantic comedy movies... You kept complaining about her, but you made damn sure she was safe at all times.”

“Ha, and that time you carried her all the way to the top of the hill... Just to make sure she wouldn’t fall or get too tired...” Kara was smiling brightly.

“And the second time, Ella tried her practical joke... Just moments after you scolded Ella for blackmailing you, you ran towards Elfie at neck-breaking speed to stop her from climbing the hill on her own.” Kylie was laughing out loud. A pleasant laugh, but it still stung a bit.

“And instead of simply ordering us to take up her training, you kept complaining and deep down knowing we would refuse the requests, you finally started her training yourself, impressing you before you sent her to Didier.” Kate was grinning.

“Complimenting her... You know how long we waited to hear a compliment from you...?”

“Fine... But even then... Her father is still missing...”

“Yes, we were unable to find him. And she feels bad about that. She feels bad about what she has experienced in the hands of the Russians. And you saved her from it, yes, it could be feelings of love out of gratitude. Then again, what’s wrong with that?” Kylie was squinting her eyes at me.

I sighed.

Another battle lost...

“Didier seemed a bit more stressed lately...” I was changing the subject.

“Yes, so are you...” Sophia changed it back.

“And Tom... How do I put this...?” I tried changing it again.

“I know what my brother is doing. I’m fine with it, as long as he is fine with it. I told him he should be fine with it as long as they are fine with it, anything else?”

You’re a lion, Alex, a lion...

“Right, okay then, time for me to go to bed. To sleep. I had a long two months...”

“Yes, Alex, you had. But, remember, we had too...” Kylie warned me.

“Stop it, Kylie, you are frightening him...” Kara hugged me. “And before you ask, Alex, I’ll keep Elfie company in her room.”

“Thank you, Kara.”