Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 48: The morning after (2)

"We do not need to go so far. What dress would I be wearing for marks to be seen? A better idea would be to stay in the bedroom a little longer. I can always get Agnes to lie if anyone asks about it. I will go back to bed," Selene decided.

"Why make your servant out to be a liar? I can make one where it can be seen when you travel to see your friend. Or are you too shy to do it?" Xavier said, knowing she would want to prove him wrong.

"I am not shy about doing it. I simply know that this is for your enjoyment, not to show that we are in love with each other," Selene replied, suspicious of Xavier’s reasons for this plan.

Truthfully, she was nervous about being so close to Xavier.

"I know you are lying. I will be quick with it," Xavier promised. "It will spark gossip about our love which should replace all that is said about Gabriel bringing home a human woman and your divorce for now. I cannot promise it will get rid of that gossip forever."

"I do not care about that. I only want it to look like we are in love so I don’t have to face questions from anyone about whether you love me or not. Couldn’t you just prepare a big gift while I am around the town? That would get the ladies talking," Selene suggested.

Xavier tapped his neck. "It was our wedding night. Why are you so shy? It is not uncommon for our kind to flaunt our love. The humans might blush but that is hardly our concern. It is either I make the mark on you or you mark me."

Selene touched her forehead, her eyes closed as she thought it over. It would surely spread like wildfire if she was seen with a mark made by Xavier. Some might think they were truly in love while others might speak poorly of her for marrying so fast and claim she seduced Xavier.

Selene chose to think about how the town thinking they were so in love would protect her. The Blackthorn name should offer her protection but those who fear Xavier would be wary of causing trouble for her if they thought he was in love with her.

"I cannot believe I am agreeing to this. Just one mark where it can easily be seen if someone is close. Just one," Selene held up one finger.

"I know what one looks like," Xavier replied.

Xavier went to Selene and pushed her messy hair over her shoulder. For a second, the thought of biting her crossed his mind but he had to remember it would be a waste to spill her blood.

Selene didn’t know what to do with her hands when Xavier came near. She placed them at her side, lifted them to touch his chest but then moved them once more to be at her side since Xavier was without a shirt.

Xavier smiled and unfortunately let the chance to tease Selene go since she was nervous.

Selene tilted her head to the right so he could fit to place the mark. It was such a silly idea yet it would work to silence some of the town about their love.

Selene reached for Xavier’s arms when his lips touched her neck. She closed her eyes since her sight was partially blocked by his hair. She accidentally squeezed his arm when his lips started to move.

How long would it take for a decent mark to be made?

That would have been important to ask beforehand so she could count it down in her head.

"It’s not done yet?" Selene questioned. Why did it need to take so long?

"No," she heard his response against her skin.

Xavier wrapped his arms around her waist in case her knees were to grow weak or she tried to escape and slip.

"Are you sure you are doing it right?" Selene questioned, opening her eyes to look at him but all she could see was his hair. She needed something to squeeze to pass on what she felt to it.

"I am," Xavier replied.

Selene had to trust his word since she had never done this with anyone but as a little more time went on she became suspicious. "Has it been done for a while now?"

Xavier moved away from her neck so he could reveal his smile to Selene. "I got caught."

"You!" Selene grabbed his arm so he could not get away from her.

"You said one mark and I followed what we agreed to. I simply made sure it would last longer. You look like you want to kill me," Xavier noted and still stood around despite the danger.

"You are lucky that I need you alive. It better be perfect with how long you took," Selene said, touching her neck. She let go of his arm since there was nothing she could do about his trick. "I am going to get ready for a new day. Could you look out to see if Agnes is there? I will need warm water brought in."

"Okay," Xavier replied.

"That is all?" Selene asked and didn’t know why she did. She should be happy he had not made a joke about joining her to soak. "Forget what I said."

Selene could not understand this side of Xavier. He sometimes acted in a way which led her to think he had feelings for her but she had to get rid of that silly belief. They only just reconnected and this marriage did not involve any feelings.

Selene entered the bathing chamber and closed the door so she had a moment alone. She leaned back on the door, her hand going to her neck where the mark was made. She couldn’t be swayed by little things since she would only get her heart broken again.

’It is nothing. He only enjoys teasing you,’ Selene repeated in her head.

This was all fun for Xavier. If there were feelings on his part, he wasn’t shy to not speak of it.

Selene concluded she was only thinking about feelings since Xavier was so nice to her. "Do not misunderstand. I won’t misunderstand."

Still, she could never let him make another mark on her skin. It brought on a feeling which did not need to be there.

"I need to go on a walk to clear my mind. That will help," Selene muttered.

Outside the bathing chamber, Xavier went to the door to get the little one trying not to be noticed.

Xavier opened the door, startling Agnes who did not hear him coming. "You are loud."

Agnes covered her mouth, embarrassed by the sound which escaped her lips because of Xavier surprising her.

"You would make a good mouse. Stay away from witches. What? Is it not good advice?" Xavier asked as he made way for Agnes to enter the room. "She needs warm water prepared and some blood to last her before breakfast. I believe this is when you get moving instead of staring at me like I’ve grown a second head."

"I’m sorry, Lord Blackthorn. I will get it all right away," Agnes replied and then hurried off to tell the others to bring warm water.

Xavier wondered if Selene’s trait of apologising so often rubbed off on her servants.