22

SIN

I groaned whilst stretching. I clutched the half-empty bottled water that was underneath one of the benches in the garden, uncapped it and downed the content before going on with what I was doing.

The skin on my neck prickled and my back hurt as I felt her presence. Since we had been intimate, the desire to be by her side had grown immensely.

I hadn't felt that way with anyone, not even with my ex that I had marked.

I didn't know leaving the side of a mere human which I didn't even like but had marked would result in me feeling pain.

She was one of the reason's I had left the room earlier. It was becoming awkward and I had also feared that I might do something awful to her if I stayed.

Although I didn't feel the kind of emotion I felt with Adrina towards Artemisia, I had panicked when she fell unconscious after marking her.

That instant, I had thought of a lot of things that happened during marking, but none of the stories I heard had said anything about collapsing.

Even Adrina hadn't collapsed. I wonder if it was because she was a supernatural being herself. That was the reason she didn't.

It was a relief to see her flutter her long lashes after a few seconds of being unconscious.

"Stop drooling, you know that is my husband!"

I shook my head as I heard her hushed voice. My head snapped where she stood with her best friend and little sister. The duo had begged to come even if I was furious at Emma for what she had done to me, she had apologized too.

Also, I didn't think there was any reason to get mad after getting together with her older sister.

Being with Artemisia was meant to be revenge. But thinking about it right now, I didn't know what it was anymore.

It wasn't like I was secretly developing feelings for her now, I felt something changed the instant I marked her.

"That is quite possessive of you and you are beginning to sound like an old lady." Emma asserted.

I doubt if Artemisia was possessive. She had made it clear that the only emotion she had for me was hate which I didn't mind.

I was sure if, given the opportunity, she would rather be elsewhere than to be here.

Artemisia was intelligent and I was sure she had been planning her escape since her arrival here. But, I wouldn't let her do what her little sister had done. My reputation and my mums' might get shattered if she decided to flee.

My feet moved on their own towards where they stood.

Stupid legs, I muttered. I wondered why it kept doing things on impulse when Artemisia was involved.

"Hey, Princess." I smiled, clutching her by her small waist.

"W-what are you d-doing?" She murmured, sputtering.

Her hand splayed on my unclad chest and her eyes went wide as my head dipped.

Before she could say a word, I shut her mouth with my lips.

After a brief second, she shoved me off, but not hard enough to make me release my grip on her.

"Why did you do that?" She mumbled, glaring.

I stared into her captivating turquoise-blue eyes before staring at the other ladies who were watching what was unfolding.

I noticed a blush on her friend Julie's face as she was grinning. Whilst on Emma, I could not decipher what was on it. Also, I didn't care.

"You don't strike me as someone that likes a public display of affection and I think you are breaking your rules." Artemisa pointed out as I released her waist.

I understood the rule she was talking about. But, I had broken it by sleeping with her instead of keeping my distance.

"Well, it isn't my thing." I shrugged, then continued, "And I guess I got to do something for a change."

She tutted, rolling her eyes. She flipped her dark brown hair out of her face, then turned to walk away from me.

"Wait," I mumbled, gripping her hand as I glimpsed the crescent-shaped mark on her neck just before her collarbone.

"What?" She asked whilst I tugged her to me.

I didn't answer her question, instead, I was focused on the mark. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen after her eyes.

It was perfect and just like the kind of mark I had imagined giving to my mate.

The mark on Adrina's neck was a bit blotchy and I wondered why. Even after several months of marking her, it was still the same hideous crescent shape and I had thought it would change to what I wanted.

"What is beautiful?" Artemisia asked yet again. She creased her brows whilst eyeing me.

I hadn't realised I had said that part out loud. Shaking my head, I released her once again.

"Sorry," I mumbled, then nodded towards the other ladies. "I believe they are waiting for you."

"Take your time." Julie hollered, blushing profusely.

My ears twitched as it was sensitive to sound and they were close to us. I didn't see a need for her to yell because I could even hear their thoughts from a distance except for Artemisia.

I marvelled at how she was doing it. Perhaps, she had a shield about her mind like my mother.

But, I knew it was unlikely as humans were quite ordinary and never had anything special about them.

"Sheesh Julie," Artemisia said, "You don't need to yell because we are beside you."

My thoughts exactly, I mused smiling.

"Well, I will see you later." She said, standing on tiptoes. She kissed both cheeks, then my lips.

"I thought you weren't interested in kissing me from the beginning?" I goaded whilst recalling what she had said back at the cathedral.

"You kissed me first." She prompted. "Besides, this is just for a show." She whispered into my ears.

I chuckled, "That's a great explanation for wanting to taste my lips. But, I believe you enjoyed it."

"Whatever." She said, walking away from me.

I watched as she stepped towards the other ladies. They walked towards the opposite side of the castle that led to the huge gate, before going out of sight.

I shook my head and I sniffed. Her scent still linger even after she had left.

Her intoxicating scent, which made me want to devour her.

I groaned, shaking the thoughts of her writhing underneath me like last night away.