You stepped into the gorgeous rose garden, the white ones glowing violet in the moonlight, and the red a deep purple.

You were wandering around the enormous gardens of the Spring Court, wandering into a pretty rose garden you found.

"What're you doing out so late?" Tamlin's voice rang out from behind you, quiet and deep as always.

You paused, sighing softly and just shrugging in response. You wondered why he did all of this for you—cared about you so much, even after you accidentally killed his faerie friend, who was disguised as a wolf in the forest you used to hunt in, before he brought you here.

"My father had this garden planted for my mother when they mated," Tamlin muttered softly, walking to stand by your side. Mated, not married?

"For us faeries, it is often difficult to find out mates. It's more often than not we marry. But sometimes we have a mating bond, and there's no reason for marriage after a bond like that." He shrugged, as if reading your mind. You were starting to wonder his motive in all of this.

"Why—?" You started, only to be met with Tamlin, right in front of you. He took both of your hands in his own, pressed a lazy kiss to each as if that was answer enough.

His kisses moved to your cheek, where he pressed his soft lips against the now pink skin there.

You were so angry. Angry at being taken from your family. Angry at how they probably wouldn't ever give you a second thought.

But not at him.

You couldn't be mad at Tamlin.