*Lupo*
I find her in the library, sitting in a chair beside the fireplace, her legs tucked beneath her. The burgundy fabric absorbs her scent. When she's no longer here, it will undoubtedly become my favorite chair in the residence.
I don't think I make a noise, but she looks up and smiles at me, her lips forming that slight curve that I've begun to crave. "I was not expecting you back tonight."
"I wanted to ensure the horse gets fed properly." Walking to the fireplace, I set my elbow on the mantel, striving to ignore her bruised and battered face. I should have hit Morris once more, just for good measure. No, twice more. A dozen times more.
"How did things go with Morris?" she asks, as though reading my mind.
I look at her. "He and I came to an understanding. He won't be abusing any
