Chapter 10

10

E rica could hardly believe what had happened—the soft, unexpected gentleness Hunter had shown when admiring the paintings. She never thought him capable of picking up on anyone’s cues, let alone her subtle signals, but he had.

The way he had patted her head and brushed his fingers over her cheek had left her feeling dizzy. She replayed the moment in her mind, the warmth of his hand still lingering on her skin. As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to know more of him—this gentler side, and the other parts of him that he kept hidden behind his stern exterior.

That night, after tucking Lily in, she retreated to her chamber, sighing as she stepped inside. But then she stopped short, her gaze falling on an unexpected sight—a bouquet of wildflowers, their soft petals shaded in pale purples and deep greens, rested on her bed. Beside them lay a small, folded piece of paper.

She blinked, hardly daring to breathe as she picked up the note and read it.

These remind me of you and your scent.

Her heart skipped a beat. Hunter’s rough handwriting sent a thrill through her that was both exhilarating and unsettling.

These remind him of me?

She glanced back at the flowers, her fingers grazing the delicate petals. The wild scent that wafted from them was fresh, earthy, and just a little sweet—qualities she hadn’t expected him to notice about her, but ones that now made her pulse race. It was almost absurd, how a few simple words and a handful of flowers could make her stomach flutter madly.

As she sat on the edge of the bed, she heard a girlish giggle in the hallway. Lily poked her head around the door, wide-eyed and curious.

“Ye are supposed to be in bed,” Erica said with a raised eyebrow.

Lily blushed but pushed the door open further and stepped inside. “Well, I forgot to tell ye somethin’.”

“What’s so funny then, hmm?” Erica asked, though she couldn’t suppress her smile.

“Uncle Hunter likes ye!” Lily squealed as if she’d just uncovered a grand secret.

Erica’s cheeks reddened, but she laughed and beckoned the girl over. “Ye reckon so, do ye?”

Lily nodded emphatically.

“What was it that ye forgot to tell me, lass?” Erica asked, catching her in her white lie.

Lily hummed before her eyes lit up with excitement again. “Do ye think we can go on a picnic together? Ye and me and Uncle Hunter?”

She definitely is quick on her feet for a child.

The idea struck Erica like a breath of fresh air. It was something she hadn’t thought possible before, but after the events of today…

Yes, it might just work.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she replied, her heart feeling full at the sight of Lily’s wide grin. “We’ll ask him tomorrow, shall we?”

“Aye!” Lily said, her joy overflowing as she sprinted out of Erica’s room.

The girl’s excitement was contagious, and as Erica lay down in her bed that night, she found her own anticipation growing, her mind racing with thoughts of how the picnic would go.

The night was still as she settled into bed, though her mind was anything but. Sleep came, but it was fitful, her dreams haunted by Hunter.

He was there in the shadows, his eyes dark and full of intent. She could feel the weight of his gaze as he stepped closer, his presence filling the space between them until she was enveloped by him. His hand rose to her face, just as it had in the garden, but this time, it lingered, his fingers tracing her cheek slowly, deliberately. Her skin felt like it was burning beneath his fingertips.

He pulled her closer, his hands sliding down to her waist as he leaned in, his breath warm against her neck. She felt herself shiver, her heart rate quickening as his lips grazed her skin. The way he held her, the way his mouth moved against her neck left her breathless.

He murmured something, muffled by the curve of her collarbone, words that she couldn’t quite make out but that made heat pool low in her belly. And then his mouth was on hers, his kiss rough and frenzied, as though he’d been holding back for far too long.

Her blood pounded in her ears, and wetness pooled between her legs. Her hands tangled in his hair and her lips parted, letting out a moan as he deepened the kiss. She felt her whole body light up like a match beneath his calloused hands. She wanted more, needed more?—

Erica’s eyes flew open. Her heart was racing, her skin prickling with a warmth that refused to fade.

“What were ye dreamin’ about, lass?” That dark, familiar voice raked down her spine, making the hairs on her arm stand on end.

She bolted upright. “Hunter? What are ye—” she started to say as her head whipped around, blinking furiously to see him more clearly.

“Ye are me wife, it’s time I came to claim ye. Do ye nae think?”

“I—” she stuttered, the words caught in her throat.

“I heard ye say me name. I think I rather like me name on yer lips as I pleasure ye, though I’d rather it be in real life and nae a dream,” he said, chuckling devilishly.

Still unable to see him clearly, Erica felt the words hang on the tip of her tongue. Her limbs refused to move.

What’s happenin’? Where is he?

“Where—” she managed to say before he interrupted her.

“I’m right here,” she heard him say right next to her ear.

Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest as she woke up with a start.

How real that last dream was. Christ above, it was like he was here…

For a moment, she lay there in the quiet darkness, catching her breath. She felt her body relax into the ghost of his touch, his nearness still lingering. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, feeling her heated skin.

What on earth was that?

A mix of desire and confusion washed over her. Her dreams had never felt so real, so consuming. She forced herself to calm down, to steady her breathing. But as she closed her eyes again, her thoughts continued to drift back to him.

The next morning, Erica found herself smiling despite the sleepless night she had. She waited until Kara came to her chambers before she approached her with the idea.

“Would ye help me prepare a picnic, Kara?” she asked, thinking of how much Lily was looking forward to it.

Kara’s eyes lit up. “Of course, Me Lady! In fact, we could even head into the village to pick up a few treats if ye wish. I think Miss Lily would love it.”

Erica’s smile widened. “That’s a wonderful idea,” she replied, already picturing the excitement on Lily’s face.

The prospect of going into the village was unexpectedly thrilling. It was a rare opportunity to venture beyond the castle walls, and she found herself looking forward to the outing more than she’d anticipated.

Erica walked to her dresser and pulled open the small drawer where her pouch was tucked safely in the corner, hidden beneath a stack of linen cloths. Her fingers traced the leather, rough and weathered from years of careful handling. That pouch contained all her savings.

For a moment, she held it close to her heart, letting her fingers tighten around the cord as memories flooded back. The night before the wedding, she had been filled with fear and fierce resolve, her thoughts focused on escaping. She’d been so sure of what she wanted then, or at least of what she didn’t want.

But now, as she loosened her grip and felt the leather against her skin, she couldn’t help but smile, a small chuckle escaping her lips.

How far we have come .

She glanced over at the flowers Hunter had sent her last night. A warmth pooled low in her belly as she recalled the look in his eyes when he’d caressed her face. His touch had ignited a fire within her that she knew only he could put out—although she wasn’t sure she wanted it to be put out.

His kiss had been the most surprising. Hunter was not the same man she had once dreaded meeting and marrying—nor was she the same woman who had clutched her pouch with plans to escape. Before that night, she had planned to use her small savings to open a school. And that dream had vanished when this marriage was thrust upon her. But today, the world felt different.

The weight of the pouch in her hands felt like a gift, something to help her carve out a place for herself here, in the castle she was beginning to see as her home. It wasn’t much, just a modest amount, but it was enough to buy a few treats and things to brighten Lily’s day.

Tying the pouch carefully to her belt, a soft smile lingering on her face, Erica turned to leave.

“Ready?” she asked cheerfully as she skipped down the last few steps, meeting Kara outside the castle gates a few moments later.

“Aye, Me Lady,” Kara said, and together they made their way down the cobbled road toward the village.

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers, and the sun cast dappled light through the trees. Erica felt lighter, more alive than she had in days.

They hadn’t walked far when Kara, who had been unusually quiet, hesitated as if she wanted to say something.

Erica glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. “What is it, Kara?”

Kara opened her mouth, then paused, shaking her head with a small smile. “It’s nothin’, Me Lady. I…” She started chuckling nervously. “I was just tryin’ to remember what I was goin’ to say, actually.”

“Hmm… all right.” Erica shrugged.

Her curiosity was piqued, but she didn’t press the matter further. She knew that Kara would speak when she was ready, and the thoughtful look in her maid’s eyes told her it was something of importance.

They continued down the road, the morning birdsong filling the silence. The thick fog retreated into the depths of the forest, and the sunlight filtered through the canopy above them as they entered the village. Kara asked a few villagers where the market was and then led the two of them through the slightly confusing twists and turns.

It happened quickly as they approached the hustle and bustle of the market. Erica felt a prickle on the back of her neck. She glanced around, certain for a moment that someone was watching her. Her eyes scanned the darkened door stoops and closed windows around her, but she saw nothing out of the ordinary.

She scanned the alleyways on her right and left, but they were both filled with villagers going about their daily business. Not one of them had been paying her or Kara any mind.

Strange…

She then dismissed the feeling, shaking her head sharply and taking in the splendor of the market.

The marketplace was lively, filled with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to small trinkets. Erica and Kara moved through the stalls, picking up a few pastries and a selection of cheeses.

Meanwhile, Erica’s thoughts kept drifting back to the dream she had the night before. The memory of Hunter’s touch, the roughness and gentleness, sent a fresh wave of warmth through her.

“There’s a twinkle in yer eyes today, Me Lady,” Kara observed with a grin as they paid for a small bundle of sugared nuts.

“Och?” Erica murmured, feigning innocence. “It must be the excitement of the picnic.”

Kara gave her a knowing smile. “Or the thought of the person who will go with ye?”

Erica blushed, glancing down at her feet. “It’s only that… Lily deserves more of Hunter’s attention,” she replied, though she knew it wasn’t at all the truth.

“Och, aye. Miss Lily,” Kara muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Erica to hear.

In truth, Erica was excited about the picnic and the chance to see Hunter again. She wanted to ask him about the note he left her. She wanted to be around him again.

The memory of his touch and the warmth of his hand lingered in her mind, and she felt that tugging sensation behind her navel that she couldn’t ignore. With each step that she took, she thought of Hunter.