Hey guys, sorry for the wait!! I wanted to upload two weeks ago (wow that's a long time) but I didn't realize that teachers like to give study guides five days before Exam Week, so I didn't have time at all, so I apologize.

Anyways, please enjoy the chapter, I tried to make it as long as possible and even put some action in it . . . just a bit!! I hope you enjoy it! Have a good winter break everybody!!

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- Lao Tzu

Rhea sighed and leaned back against the sofa she was sitting on, gazing longingly outside. How wonderful the outside seemed. She reckoned it was quite a beautiful day out there. She smiled softly, thinking of the times when she had spent the time with her friends, exploring the world; of course, not too far whereas their parents could not see them.

A frown graced her lips. It felt like it had been a century since she'd been outside during this time when, really, it had only been a little over a year. She wondered if Hadrian would accompany her outside. She let out another frustrated sigh.

Hadrian had been acting very paranoid, as if someone would attempt to push her out in front of another carriage. Admittedly, Rhea was likewise frightened. She knew someone had pushed her; she was sure of it.

At the moment, she regretted not notifying Hadrian and confirming what he firmly believed, but what good would that do? She may have been exaggerating the incident. She was reluctant to make an unnecessary scene that would make her seem foolish.

Hadrian already had enough madness going on, she saw no need to add to it with her petty problems. She quickly shook off the issue and closed her eyes. Immediately, an image of Hadrian came to and she felt her heart stop.

Oh, but he had been quite the gentlemen as she had been recovering. He had stayed by her side and fed her, cared for her, read to her. Just the other night, he had laid by her, touching her so tenderly that she had cried softly.

She was unsure of this change in Hadrian. He made it as if she was a fragile glass doll, as if he were only treasuring her, hiding her away.

She did not want to be a token nor did she want to be a fragile doll.

She wanted to be his wife. Someone who he believed he could share himself with freely, where he could draw strength from her and not fear that he had taken too much, she wanted to be loved fiercely, with a passion, not with fear that she might break with the slightest touch.

It seemed that the more Hadrian believed she was breakable, the more he drew away, confining himself away from her, locking up his heart.

Rhea had watched it with helplessness, the incident had changed him, and it may feel that it was for the best, but he no longer talked to her in a way that he assumed she could not handle. Granted, it had always been this way, but he seemed even more guarded.

"Rhea?" Rhea's eyes came open as she heard her husband's voice. She glanced about the room, unable to locate him. He called again and she realized he was outside the parlor room. She stood, unsteadily at first, but then regained her balance.

"Rhea, my love?" Hadrian called out again. Rhea rolled her eyes.

The man acted as if she could not hear him for a mile.

"Yes, Hadrian, I'm coming," she responded. She made her way to the door but she already heard the impending footsteps. She could not resist the smile that came to her when she was faced with Hadrian's figure.

He came into view and, yet, again she felt the breath being sucked out of her at his beauty. Hadrian did not seem to know how handsome he was, his dark charisma adding to his beauty. He was beguiling and possessed this ability to wield it to his will.

"My love, I have been looking everywhere for you," Hadrian announced. Rhea quirked an eye brow and nearly winced at the headache that formed.

"I don't doubt that, my lord. Where else would I be but here?" Rhea wondered with a grin.

Hadrian smirked, "With me, in my bed, I would hope."

Rhea turned crimson, the man was quite blunt! "My lord, you mustn't say these things, the staff might hear you!"

"So what, little one? You are my wife after all, and my staff knows better than to sneak around in my house."

Rhea glanced down to the floor and then back up, meeting his gaze. "Where were you, my lord? I thought you had business to do?"

"As it is, wife, I have finished early and wanted to inquire if you would do me the honor of accompanying me out to the garden," Hadrian asked softly. Rhea's heart stuttered, it was as if the man had read her mind!

She nodded eagerly, "I would love to, Hadrian. It looks magnificent from the inside."

Hadrian turned her around to the doors that led out to the pathway to the garden. Before the incident, Rhea would wander around in the garden, reveling in the beautiful flowers that graced the grass.

Though winter is not very far away, many of the flowers still bloom and shine throughout the day and night. Hadrian slipped on her coat for her and opened the doors. She stepped out into the brisk air of London and inhaled softly.

It had been quite a while since she had come out and walked around outside. Hadrian had kept her inside and warm, letting her heal progressively.

"It's beautiful this time of the season, don't you agree, my lord?" Rhea inquired. She glanced sideways to see his smile.

"'Tis very beautiful, my love, but never as beauteous as you," he confessed. Rhea flushed from the compliment and rewarded him with a smile.

"Thank you, my lord, but I do believe that it is quite the competition. This season can be very wonderful. I remember as a little girl, the different colors that I would see, the smell of the autumn air. My family and I would travel to the country and stay with my aunts and uncles and we would rejoice during this time. We were grateful that God had given us such a beautiful gift, that he would think to put such vivid colors," Rhea paused, realizing that she had ranted on. She looked to her husband and curled her lips. "What about you, husband?"

Hadrian gazed at her curiously and then turned away, facing forward and they continued to walk in silence. Rhea was afraid that he wouldn't speak at all and started to curse herself for her stupidity when he spoke.

"When my mother was alive we would walk in this very garden, her and I, and we'd talk about what we loved most during certain seasons. She would sing me lullabies and tell me stories," he stopped abruptly.

Rhea bit her lip, understanding that he would speak no more. She rejoiced over the little she had gotten from him and tried to ease his apprehensiveness, "Well, it sounds like she was a wonderful mother and a lovely woman."

Hadrian exhaled loudly, "She was."

They continued to stroll along the path of the garden in silence. Hadrian had taken possession of her hand when they entered outside and despite what occurred, he still held firm of her hand.

She shifted herself closer and inhaled his freshness. Hadrian tensed, not expecting her to lean her head on his shoulder. Soon enough, though, he eased up and kissed her forehead.

Rhea did not know how long they walked for but when they stopped they were at the end of the garden. It was darker outside, colder, but she did not feel it.

A bench rested on the edge of the garden, facing towards them. Hadrian turned them around and sat them both down. They faced the side of the house and the entire garden.

Hadrian pulled her closer to him and took her hand in his. One of her hands rested on his chest and she stared up at him until he turned and looked at her.

"How do you feel, my love?" Hadrian asked.

"I am fine, Hadrian, better than I was yesterday," Rhea promised.

"And the headaches?" Hadrian prodded.

"Not as prominent, but when I apply the balm and drink those herb tea's they go away."

"Good," he sighed. He seemed to be lost in thought before speaking again, "I'm sorry I wasn't there, Rhea, I should've accompanied both you and Annabel."

"Hadrian," Rhea sat up, forcing him to look at her. "There wasn't any indication that the incident would have occurred. Do not be sorry for something that is not your fault,"

Hadrian gazed at her for a moment more before he nodded, pulling her close to him. He stroked her arm down to her fingers. Rhea shivered, though it wasn't from the cold.

"Hadrian," Rhea whispered. Her eyes felt heavy and her abdomen was swimming with desire. It had been a while since Hadrian had made love to her. He had refused to do so when she was injured.

Hadrian skimmed his lips along her temple, his hot breath bated against her, rising the hairs on her skin. Hadrian's other hand wandered down to her waist, shifting her so that she was nearly on top of him.

Rhea belatedly thought about the fact that they were outside, but the thought completely vanished when Hadrian kissed her cheek, down to her lips.

Rhea exhaled shakily, holding onto Hadrian's forearms, bracing herself against him. She held onto him tightly as he tentatively kissed her lips. Rhea responded slightly and that was all it took.

Hadrian soaked her in, pulling her to him with such force that she wondered who this man was and what he had done to tender Hadrian. She moaned softly as he ravaged her lips with his, beckoning her lips open.

She granted him entrance to her mouth and he took advantage of it, letting his tongue softly stroke her own, igniting a fire deep-seated in Rhea's stomach.

She had waited too long for him to do this to her. A fortnight for him to kiss her as he did just then. She revealed in his force and urgently to claim her as his once again.

"Hadrian, oh, please," Rhea pleaded. She wanted him with a passion. The past fortnight hit her with such savageness that she was clawing at him to love her.

"Shh, my love, I know," he whispered, pulling back to speak. He let his fingers stroke her stomach. They stroked upward, towards her chest. Her breathing stopped in anticipation.

He prolonged the moment, building her desire until it was too much for her to handle. She practically screamed in frustration, only to hear Hadrian chuckle in amusement.

He was so close to her breasts, a whisper away, when he stopped suddenly. Rhea groaned in frustration, she started to pull back and look at him but he held her back firmly.

"Hadrian?" She asked, her voice quivering.

"Shh, my love, it's alright," he whispered.

Rhea's brows furrowed. Why was he whispering? She shook her head, trying once more to pull away and look at him, yet still, he did not allow her.

"Don't, Rhea. Stay still," he commanded. His voice had changed. Rhea clutched at his arms. He sounded colder and dark. What was the matter? Did she do something?

"Hadrian? What is the matter?" she asked. Hadrian softly stroked her back, calming her for an instant.

"Someone is watching us."

Rhea's heart turned cold and icy fear seeped into her bones. How could someone be watching them? Where were they? She burrowed closer to Hadrian, suddenly feeling the crisp, cold air assault her.

"W-where?" she whispered.

"The borderline of the woods, about a few yards off," he replied, continuing to stroke her softly. "I'm going to get you inside, alright?"

Rhea nodded slowly. She started to shiver from the cold now, and felt Hadrian clutching her closer to him. He leaned down to kiss her and gave her a reassuring smile. Rhea kept her gaze fixed on his smile, finding strength from it.

How could he be so calm from all of this? How did he see the man in the dark so far away? All these questions bombarded her as she let Hadrian lead her away from where the man was watching them.

Rhea wondered if the man was still there and turned to see if he was, but Hadrian captured her face in his hands, kissing her softly and pulling away softly to murmur, "Don't look, he'll see you, he doesn't know we can see him yet, just keep walking, love,"

Rhea squeezed his forearm and continued to walk by his side silently as Hadrian talked to her quietly, giving her small compliments, assuring her how well she was doing.

When they finally made it to the doors leading inside, Rhea exhaled in relief and nearly collapsed in Hadrian's arms, noticing that she had been stiff the entire time walking there.

Clarke came out to assist them, "My lord, we've noticed someone at the far end of the woods."

"So have I, Clarke, I shall be with you in a moment," Clarke walked away and Hadrian faced Rhea. "Are you alright, love?"

Rhea nodded vigorously, "Quite fine. What're you going to do?"

"I'm going to find the bastard," Hadrian stated calmly, but Rhea could see the dark glint in his eyes. Rhea's calm had flown out a while ago and she clutched at Hadrian.

"Please, Hadrian, leave it. What if you get hurt?" Rhea pleaded.

"I will not, I'll be fine, I'm taking Clarke with me," he said, stroking her arms softly.

"Hadrian, please, leave it for the constables," Rhea begged.

"Rhea, my love, 'Tis alright, I shall be fine. I will only be gone momentarily."

Rhea gazed up into his eyes, watching him closely. She felt her hands shake from fear and imagined a thousand ways of Hadrian getting hurt. He could not get hurt, he couldn't.

"You promise? You won't be gone long?" Rhea asked.

"I promise, love," Hadrian nodded firmly, Rhea nodded. Hadrian pulled her close, kissing her softly. When he pulled away Clarke had entered the room and was holding something in his hand.

Rhea only caught a glimpse of it before turning back to Hadrian.

"Come back quick, Hadrian," she ordered.

"Yes, my love," he grinned reluctantly.

Not a second longer, Hadrian and Clarke vanished into the night.

Rhea bit her lip and wrung her hands, worriedly. She had waited for Hadrian and Clarke to return for a while now. She was starting to become anxious that something had occurred and Hadrian was hurt.

She started to get up to assimilate a group to find them, when the door flew open and Clarke and Hadrian entered. Rhea let out a cry and flung herself into Hadrian's arms.

Hadrian held her close, kissing her forehead. Rhea pulled back and slapped Hadrian's chest, glaring at him.

"You said only a moment," she accused. Hadrian held her hands in his.

"I did, it was a moment, my love. Come, do not be cross," he murmured, kissing her gently on the lips.

"What happened? Did you find him?" Rhea questioned.

"No, the man left before we could reach him. But I swear, it won't happen again, my love, I promise."

"As long as you're safe, it doesn't matter," Rhea said. Hadrian kissed her once more, lifting her into his arms. "Where are we going?"

Hadrian continued to kiss her, climbing the stairway up to their bedroom. "I'm making up for my failed promise. We, my love, are going to finish what we began."

Rhea looked up at him and gave him a breathtaking grin as he kept his promise and made her forget what had happened.