The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 154: State of Jasmine Villa

As the fish finished cooking, Jerrick handed her a piece, his fingers brushing against hers briefly. "Here, try this. It’s not exactly a feast, but it should do."

She took a bite, the flavors bursting in her mouth. "This is really good. You’ve got quite the talent for someone who commands bears and makes tea in the wild."

He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I’ve had plenty of practice. You learn a lot when you’re out in the wild... and when you’re avoiding breakfasting bears."

Jessamyn smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the fire. "I can see that. Next, you’ll tell me you’ve got a pet dragon stashed somewhere."

"Not yet, but I’m working on it," he winked, making her laugh.

As they ate, Jessamyn couldn’t help but glance at him from time to time, still trying to reconcile the man who commanded bears with such ease and the one who was now tenderly offering her breakfast. She was beginning to wonder if she’d stumbled into some sort of bizarre fairy tale.

They spent the next few minutes in comfortable silence, enjoying the aftermath of their meal. Jessamyn found herself reflecting on the strange and unexpected turn her life had taken. She was left more confused than ever, but there was a part of her that was grateful for Jerrick’s presence.

He was infuriating at times, but he also made her feel safe in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.

And he saved her life.

As they started their journey once more, Jessamyn couldn’t help but think about the strange accident she’d had. She didn’t remember slipping. She was carefully standing at the edge, not even touching the water, but suddenly she was inside the water.

She had no idea how that happened and how Jerrick had managed to get all the leeches out. She felt salt on her in some places but didn’t think it was enough to get all the leeches. He might have scraped them off, but there was bound to be at least one or two scrape marks on her skin. There were none. The only marks on her were...

She sighed, looking at her chest. Her morning gown was able to cover all the marks on her chest left by that perverted man, thankfully. He didn’t leave any marks on her neck or anywhere visible; just on her chest.

He was clinging to her chest like a baby monkey. Wasn’t he married before? Was he not used to the upper contours of a woman? Granted, Imogen’s weren’t as defined as hers, but still...

With a scoff, she turned to glare at Jerrick. He was traveling at the back. Although it was annoying when he shouted at her for making the wrong turns, she knew he asked her to be in the front to protect her.

"What? You want to make a pit stop?" he asked, his voice full of mock innocence.

"No," she shook her head, rolling her eyes.

Seeing his concerned face, her anger vanished. She too had bitten him, and that left a permanent scar. Her scars will fade, so...

Jerrick watched her with a smile. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her scent still lingered on him and, as if that was not enough, the downwind brought her fragrance to him. He felt like he was in heaven.

Jessamyn felt the weight of his gaze and looked back at him, raising an eyebrow. "What are you staring at?"

"Just appreciating the view," he replied with a smirk.

"Pervert," she muttered, but there was no heat in her voice.

"I prefer to think of it as being attentive," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Jessamyn didn’t want to talk to him anymore. As they got closer to Ravensworth, Jessamyn’s heart raced with excitement and guilt. She clutched her chest unconsciously, feeling a mix of emotions.

"I know a way," Jessamyn said when Jerrick took the path into town. She didn’t have the courage to enter the town with him. People weren’t very fond of her there. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Jerrick didn’t ask any questions and followed her. She used the least traveled road and reached Jasmine Villa. Her heart skipped a beat. With Emily moving out, this place finally belonged to her alone. She could spend the rest of her life here, but she couldn’t forget the cost of Emily’s departure.

The entire place looked green and fresh, as if it had rained recently. The trees and plants had beautiful new leaves. Ethan had told her he had arranged for a couple of servants for the upkeep of Jasmine Villa. They came running to her as she dismounted. They looked anxious.

Jessamyn didn’t like that. When their eyes lingered behind her, she turned to see Jerrick stopping by the entrance with his horse.

Jessamyn walked to him, wondering if he didn’t want to stay. He had mentioned staying at Beaumont Castle.

"You don’t want to come in?" she asked.

"Am I allowed to?" he raised his eyebrows, answering her question with a question.

"You can if you want to," Jessamyn said, puzzled by his hesitation. Then she realized it might be her fault. She had treated him harshly at times when it came to Joar. Considering this place was what Joar left for her, she understood Jerrick’s hesitation.

She felt bad for him and ashamed of herself for making him feel unwelcome. She was treated with great hospitality when she stayed with him. This place might not be suited for the Archduke, but it was all she had to offer.

"Come in!" She led him in, holding his horse’s reins.

His eyes brightened as she invited him in, and her hesitation about whether he would accept to stay in the humble cottage vanished when she saw his grin.

After asking the servant to bring the horses to the stable, she walked through the unkempt garden to the cottage with Jerrick, profusely apologizing for the state of the house.

When she reached the house, what she saw broke her heart.

"Who did this?" she shouted knowing the answer to that question.

The other servant came rushing to her side.