Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Draven and I were wrapped in the warmth of newlywed bliss, our days blending seamlessly into nights within the sanctuary of our shared bedchamber.
We rarely left its confines. Draven would venture out only to retrieve meals kindly prepared by Imalda, returning with a teasing smile and the claim that I had left him utterly ravished.
Most of the time, his touch lingered on my skin—a constant, electric presence that made reality feel like a dream.
The candlelight cast a warm glow over the room as I snuggled close to Draven, his steady breaths a soothing melody in the tranquility of the night.
With gentle fingers, I traced the contours of his jawline, feeling the warmth of his smooth skin beneath my touch, which elicited a sigh from him.
His arm tightened around me, drawing me near as we lay entwined in the tangle of sheets.
“I never want this to end,” I told Draven, kissing his chest. His hand played with my hair.
“Nor do I, my heart,” his voice was barely above a whisper. “I have been thinking,” he added. “I shall visit Dr. Montgomery today and inform him that I am through with his research.”
Startled, I sat up. “Why now? I thought he was helping you?”
Draven’s response was measured, his words carrying the weight of years of frustration.
“I have tried for years to find a solution with him. It always ends with me in pain. Now that we are wed, I cannot afford such risks any longer. Besides, I wish to spend more time with you and truly get to know my darling wife.”
Reluctance tugged at my heart as I brushed aside a lock of his dark hair. “I do not want you to give up hope. I long to feel the warmth of the sun with you one day.”
His fingers trailed gently down my arm, his touch both comforting and reassuring. “Perhaps one day, my heart. For now, I am content with this.”
“Vail might be able to help,” I suggested tentatively, the idea forming in my mind.
“How could she do such a thing?” he mumbled against my skin.
“She has taken to practising witchcraft. I could ask her if she’s come across your ailment in her books at all.”
“Possibly one day.” Before I could utter more, Draven silenced me with a tender kiss. “You must rest, my dear heart. I shall return before you know it.”
Reluctantly, I released my grip as he slipped away, his movements graceful and effortless. As he dressed, he pressed a final kiss upon my lips before disappearing through the door.
The remnants of sleep clung to me like a veil as I ventured downstairs for food that afternoon. It was the first time I had stepped beyond my room in a week, and I couldn’t quite place it, but I felt different somehow—like I had emerged from that room as a woman. A wife.
“You are finally out of bed,” Imalda said when I entered the dining room. I gave her a cheeky grin, and I wondered if I looked different to her. She stared at me for a while as if she was searching for something, but I did not know what.
“Would you like something to eat?” she asked after a long silence.
“Yes, please,” I said, sitting down.
She brought me a plate of eggs, bread, and tomatoes, and I quickly ate them, not realizing how hungry I felt. Imalda did not leave. Instead, she sat next to me at the table, which was odd, but I did not mind having company.
“Where is Draven today?” Imalda asked.
“He said he was going to meet Dr. Montgomery and ask him to pause his research with him.”
“I see.”
“Why do you sound skeptical?”
“Dr. Montgomery is a difficult man to deal with, and I will be surprised if he lets Draven depart from the research so easily,” she said.
“Why is that?”
Imalda stared at me for a while, and I could tell she was wondering if she should tell me or not.
“Draven is a very powerful man, and people often are drawn to him wanting … that power. Dr. Montgomery likely sees an opportunity to gain from his association with Draven. It might not be as simple as payment, but rather a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
I sat there for a moment, not sure how to process that information. I did not want Draven to risk angering Dr. Montgomery.
“I should leave you be. I have a lot of cleaning to do today since it’s almost October.”
I looked at her. “What day is it?”
“The 25th of September.”
My birthday. Today was my birthday, and somehow it completely slipped my mind. Sudden sadness washed over me, realizing that my new husband was not here to celebrate with me.
That afternoon, I began the task of winterizing the garden.
Some flowers still bloomed, but I carefully trimmed away the dying buds and leaves that had succumbed to a week of neglect.
I chose not to mention to Imalda that it was my birthday; it felt rather silly to bring it up, especially with Draven away.
I spent the rest of the day reading by the fire, and before I knew it, the hours slipped by, leaving me in the quiet darkness of the house.
As midnight approached, I finally decided to retire, struggling to keep my eyes open in the cozy glow of the library.
I made my way back to my room and opened the door.
I was startled to see an illuminated shadow on the porch.
Draven stood there, his back to me, staring out into the night.
He whirled around upon noticing me, his expression initially dangerous and angry, but it softened as our eyes met.
He ran a hand through his hair and walked to the bed, sitting down heavily.
“I did not hear you return home,” I said, my voice a mix of surprise and relief. Cautiously, I approached and settled onto his lap, concern etched across my features. “Are you all right?” I reached out, brushing my fingers against his furrowed brow, searching for any sign of distress.
“I fear I may have lost my temper with Dr. Montgomery.”
“He did not take your departure well?”
“He did not. Things became quite heated, and it took some time for him to calm down.”
“You should have told him it was I who prompted your resignation. Perhaps that would have eased his anger.”
“I would not wish to place blame on my beautiful wife,” he said, kissing my cheeks. “I don’t want you to worry. This will not affect you.”
I hugged him, sinking into his warmth.
“Sorry I came home so late,” he murmured, nipping my earlobe.
“I missed you,” I confessed. “Today was my birthday.”
Draven pulled back and looked at me. “Why did you not tell me this morning? I wouldn’t have left,” he said.
“Truth be told, I had forgotten. I did not even realize what day it was until Imalda reminded me this morning.”
“My heart, I apologize that you had to spend today alone.”
“It is all right. We can spend next year’s birthday together, and you will still have a birthday.” Then it dawned on me; I did not know when Draven’s birthday was. I felt rather foolish for never having asked him such a simple question. “When is your birthday, anyway?”
“My birthday is in the spring,” he replied.
“And how old will you be?” I inquired, realizing I had no knowledge of his age. My foolishness deepened, and a wave of shame washed over me.
“Older than you,” he said, trailing kisses down my neck.
“That is not an answer,” I remarked.
“Why does it matter? Will you leave me if I am significantly older than you?”
“Draven,” I murmured, trailing my fingers along the buttons of his shirt. “How old are you?”
He let out a low chuckle, fingers brushing through my hair. “My body is about thirty, give or take. My mind … ah, that is rather more difficult to measure. At times, it feels as though I have lived more than one life. The things I have seen …”
I laughed lightly, though something in his tone made my skin prickle. “You make your life sound terribly dramatic.”
He smiled at me, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Do I?”
“You are avoiding the question,” I said, poking his side. “I simply find it peculiar that I do not know my husband’s age.”
“Speaking of husband,” Draven began, ignoring my question, “I have a wedding present for you, though I think it shall serve better as a birthday present.” He took my hands and led me outside onto the balcony.
I gasped as I saw it. A blue flower, reminiscent of a rose, yet it glowed under the moonlight. Its petals unfurled in the darkness, releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that filled the air. It sat in a pot on the bench, and I reached down to touch its velvety petals.
“It is beautiful,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears of joy.
Draven smiled. “As are you,” he said softly. “I thought you could plant it in the garden, and hopefully it will spread. That way, I can also enjoy your garden alongside you.”
“I love it,” I said, kissing him tenderly.