Moonflower

Chapter 25: Off to the Priory with Me

Taehyung rolled over and groaned. He'd fallen asleep only to wake himself up by moving. Pain had ricocheted throughout his back as he'd turned over onto it. He moved back to his side and looked at the bedroom door. Mari had been gone a long time. Where was she? It was pitch black outside. He felt certain it must be after midnight. He was starting to feel anxious.

She was his wife now. He wanted her with him. He wanted her to tend to his wounds. The cream had helped. He needed more of it. But he couldn't apply it himself. He needed her.

She'd been true to her word and sent a servant to bring him breakfast. The same servant had returned with lunch and dinner. But Taehyung was beginning to grow hungry again. All three meals had been light fare. He was used to eating heartily. And his stomach appeared to have mended.

He lay for several minutes staring at that door across the room. It was very dimly lit by a small candle burning on a tiny table near it. Suddenly, the door opened quietly and a silent figure slipped into the room. As the candle illuminated her face, he sighed with relief.

"Where have you been all day?" he asked brusquely.

He hadn't meant to sound accusing. But he was irritated that she had ignored her wounded husband all day long. After all, he had these bruises because of her.

She froze. She hadn't expected him to be awake. She had intended to remain with him all day long tending to his wounds. But when she'd discovered he loved another, her heart had been so broken that she couldn't face him. She was afraid her countenance would give her away. And the last thing she wanted was for Tae to know that she loved him.

"I was helping the queen," she lied. Though, she had spent a couple hours with Moonflower.

"At midnight?" he queried sardonically. "Don't lie to me, Mari. I cannot abide liars. Tell me where you were tonight."

Instantly, he realized that he knew nothing of this woman. Perhaps she was in love with another man. A lover she'd had before she met Tae. Had she been having a secret assignation with her lover tonight?

He remembered how someone had remarked that she had been discovered in bed with a man before. Was Mari not a virgin then?

He felt himself grow more irritated. Why was he so disappointed? He didn't believe she should be flogged, but he treasured chastity in a girl. Especially in the one who had married him. He had hoped to marry a girl who had waited for him. As he had waited for her. Of course, he'd also dreamed of marrying a girl who loved him. As he loved her.

"I know you were forced to marry me, but I must insist that you give up any admirers you had. I will not brook any infidelity." His voice was steel.

Stricken to the heart that he would believe her capable of such treachery, she simply stared at him. He had just pushed her another mile away from him.

"I would also ask that you return to our room before nightfall each evening," he continued in that crisp, mellow voice.

But it didn't wrap her in any comfort. She felt like an ocean separated them now. She walked over and stared out the window.

Was it too late to become a nun? Could she move to a place of contemplation and quiet and leave this cold man behind? Could she beg to be released from their marriage to devote herself to religious duties for the rest of her life?

He clearly didn't want to be married to her. They hadn't consummated the marriage. She could prove she was still a virgin. If she did, would they free her?

She decided she would speak to Moonflower about it tomorrow.

"I do not wish to disturb you by sleeping in the same bed with you tonight. I know you must be having difficulty resting due to the pain. I will sleep on my couch."