At long last, the festival the Spring Court had been eagerly awaiting had arrived. Calanmai, a spring celebration that ended with your lover, Tamlin, getting as powerful as possible from the magic of the earth and choosing a woman presented to him to spend the night with.

He had, Lucien and your maid Alis had all warned you not to show up, very specifically telling you that when he got that magical and sensual, his common sense left him, making him a being of pure lust and desire for the night.

But your curiosity has gotten the better of you, and you managed to sneak out of the manor everyone had left you in to watch the celebration. Luckily, Lucien caught you before Tamlin could see you and lose his temper. Lucien returned you to the manor with a final warning to stay inside.

Much to his approval, you did listen. You went to bed a while later, the sound of drums outside rumbling like thunder in your bones. When you woke, it had only been three hours. Since you were hungry, you ventured downstairs to the kitchen for a late night snack.

Just as you reached the dark kitchen, a tall and strong figure pins you to the wall. Before you freak out, you recognize his smell. Like oak and violets with a hint of ash. Tamlin's breath warmed your face, his green eyes glazed as he stares into yours. He wore not shirt, only a small leaf circlet around his waist and paint that traveled up his biceps.

"Where were you?" He growled in your ear, the sound sending shivers up your spine.

"I smelled you. I smelled you, and you weren't there." Another low rumble builds in his throat as his hands press onto your hips, his body warm.

"I hunted. I ran through the woods like an animal to find you. You weren't there. And I had to find you. Had to leave and come here, for you."