**
He shook his head, bringing him back to reality. As Dominic prepared to leave with Matias in tow, Alannah could no longer contain herself. Hearing Dominic talk of the torture was just too much for her and she had to know, "Dominic wait," she blurted, "please tell me that you're not really going to torture him, are you?"
He gave her an amused look and said "Don't fret my love, he has been tortured enough. If he is locked up, it will be for his own safety at this point." Before she could recover from what Dominic had just told her, Dominic took her into his arms and kissed her something much more passionate than what they had shared in the past, whispered in her ear and then left.
Alannah stood completely still for several moments barely noticing that the others in the room began to move. Maria walked by Alannah, putting her hand on her shoulder and walked upstairs to draw the curtains and secure the floor, The room was a buzz with movement and the only thing Alannah could think about was Dominic. The Señora clapped her hands to bring Alannah out of her daze and went to the hearth to boil water in order to make tea, there she discovered that the fire, had gone out.
"He … he kissed me . . ." Alannah said, touching her lower lip
"You act surprised, I know the two of you have kissed before" the Señora said matter-of-factly. "Would you be kind enough to fetch us some kindling so I can re-light the fire?"
"Yes ma'am. We have, but never in front of anyone and never like that. I always thought … never mind, I'll go fetch the kindling." Alannah said as she hastily took the empty kindling box from the Señora and left. Señora Beringer, meanwhile, sat down in one of the armchairs, waiting for Alannah to return. Jakob walked out with her, making sure that nothing happened to Alannah. Despite the evenings events, she found herself unable to contain the smile that appeared on her face.
As the hours ticked by, Alannah was no longer able to fight off sleep, she yawned and stretched her arms, "Do you think they have arrived in Port Lira? Do you think Dominic is safe? I have never been on the road to Port Lira."
"Alannah, they will be fine, Dominic knows this island better than anyone here. There are other alternative roads to Port Lira not just the main road," Patrick told her with a smile. "The question is, which one did he take? As for the would be assassins, if one of them is indeed your brother Eraldo as Erik fears. . . they are in far greater danger because they are threatening you. They are the ones that should be afraid of Dominic, you should not be the one afraid of them."