Lily stirred from her slumber, the remnants of their passionate night still lingering in her mind. She felt a sense of contentment and warmth, her body wrapped in the afterglow of their lovemaking. As she opened her eyes, she realized that Lucian was nowhere to be seen.
Confused and a little worried, she sat up, wrapping the quilt around her naked form. The room was dimly lit by the fading embers of the fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the walls. She called out softly, "Lucian? Are you there?"
No response came from within the cottage, but as she listened closely, she heard the distant sound of footsteps outside. Curiosity and concern mingled within her, prompting her to leave the safety of the cottage and follow the trail of footsteps.
The night air was cool against her skin
