Marigold’s Pov

The words hung in the air between us after I said them. I love you, Lucien. His body went still against mine. I could feel his heart beat, a fast, hard rhythm against my back. He didn't speak for a long time. I started to panic, thinking I had made a terrible mistake. I had broken the rules. I had said something I wasn't supposed to say.

"Marigold," he finally said, his voice low and serious. He rolled away from me and sat up, turning on the lamp. The light was harsh. I pulled the sheet up to my chin. "What did you just say to me?"

I...