Lily's POV Stirring awake as the first ray of sunlight filtered through the small window, my head throbbed with a dull ache. I groaned and sat up on the cold floor where I slept. Leaning against the cool stone wall, I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, trying to ease the pounding in my head.In that brief moment, memories of the previous night flooded my mind. After leaving Marcus's room. I roamed the west wing looking for Amelia, the scar-faced head maid. I had gone around in search of where she might be as the head maid, but I did not find her.And everywhere I turned, I was met with disdainful glances and whispered insults by the servants and slaves who saw me.“She is dressed like a whore.” I heard one say.“How can she be so shameful? She is proudly walking around with a fake wig and wearing Master Marcus's favorite shirt.”I heard their murmurs as I passed by, but their words meant nothing to me. Even if they called me a whore with fake hair color, mocking the shirt I wore

Marcus’s POVLeaving her presence did no good because I still found myself lurking behind the trees.I watched her with a sense of unease gnawing at my insides. She sat by the graves and sobbed. I had expected she would wail like her life depended on it.Maybe she was exhausted from screaming at me from earlier on. “Hmm. Silly girl thinks I wanted to kill her.” I muttered under my breath.If I wanted to, she would have been dead a long time ago.But no use wasting my time on someone who is not a threat to even a child born by a human.I noticed her getting up after a long while. She walked towards some wild lavender and plucked them. She placed them on the graves I am now sure belong to her parents.Watching her began to stir me up in ways I could not understand. I felt my chest tighten with grief, my fists clenched in anger and my heart went out to her but my mind refused to allow my emotions to control my actions.I have to get out of here. With a mixture of emotions, I tore my g

Marcus’s POV Seeing Shadowvale hold her in his arms stirred up a series of emotions in me. I eyed him.Was it jealousy? “Quite a beauty huh?” Shadowvale said, staring at her face.I ignored his remark. “What do you want? Or is looking at her face enough to let us go?” I asked coldly.Shadowvale turned slowly and looked at me. After a while, he began to laugh. “Easy there wolf. I am not going to eat her up.”“So?” I asked. I just wanted him to name his price so I could leave his presence. I did not like the sight of him holding her and I could neither ask for her from him. I could not allow her to seem valued, or else she would become his price. “Who is this pretty lady here?” He asked after catching his breath.“Does it matter?” I asked back, slightly irritated by his question.He laughed again. “Yes, Marcus. She does matter and seeing from your expression, I can feel there is something about her you do not want to let go.”“Stop sprouting what you do not know and name your goddamn

Marcus’s POVWhat the hell did she think she was doing?I struggled to calm my ecstatic breathing as I left Lily’s room. I had to make sure she was comfortable enough, especially after what she had been through.I had no idea I was to decide where she would stay. I had always hated having slaves around me, so I never bothered learning the rules binding them to their masters.I walked into my chambers in no time. I had no other choice than to lodge her in my wing.Of course, there were a host of choices. I just wanted her closer to me.I sat on my table and undid a few buttons on my shirt. I sighed inaudibly as my mind went back to the kiss from earlier on.“What in heaven's name was happening to me?” I murmured to myself. I was supposed to be staying away from her and not getting closer to her. But the more I tried to stay away, the closer I became to her.The door creaked open and Winston came in. “Master Marcus.” He called. “You are already back.” He bowed slightly.I nodded. “What

Lily’s POVOn Amelia's leaving in a vexed mood, I smiled and walked closer to the window to take in the beautiful view of Marcus's garden.I did not think someone as cold and unfeeling as Marcus would own a garden, but there it stood, filled with lavenders, corianders, sunflowers, pines, and lots of beautiful flowers.My mother grew the most beautiful garden I had ever set my eyes on. Her garden had herbs, flowers, and spices. She was an excellent florist and usually made alluring scents out of them.Her ointments were precious and sweet smelling. I could never have had enough of them.Letting my desires get the best of me, I put on a pair of comfortable shoes and walked out of the room.I looked across the banquet hall to where Marcus's room stood. I sighed and made my way down the curvy steps.I arrived at the garden and began playing with the flowers. I walked from flower to flower perceiving its beautiful fragrances.For a moment, I felt closer to my mother than I had been since t