The Archduke's Songbird

Lady Jessamyn brought home a ten-year-old orphan when she was eight. He was handsome ^_~. She provided him with a place to stay and warm meals. As they grew up, she desired to marry him, despite their differing statuses. As war raged, he signed up for the military, promising to ask for her hand when he was worthy. Two years later, he became more than what he promised he would be. He became the Archduke of Ayberia. But he broke her heart by marrying her friend. Years rolled away; life happened. She married a man who loved her and fell madly in love with him. She didn't think of him again. But fate was cruel; she was widowed at the age of twenty-one. She lost everything. Seven years later, she met a mysterious wolf while she was out at work in the Archduke's fief. She had a fall. The next morning, she found herself on the Archduke's bed. Did fate bring them together again? Or something nefarious is at play?  Is this a chance for a second love? Will she find out why he abandoned her in the past? Is it possible to rekindle their old love, or is it too late? ----- "Is this punishment?" Jessamyn asked. The man standing by the lamp smiled. A gentle breeze blew bringing in the scent of flowers. She couldn't figure out the flower from the scent reminding her once again that she was in an unfamiliar place--his fort. She observed him. The shadows flickering on his face concealed his expression from her. "It's atonement," he said, his voice shaking. Jessamyn let out a scoff. It worried her for the better part of her life when others blamed her for everything. Thankfully, Joar taught her to ignore what others thought of her. She knew who she was and didn't want to change herself for them. "Atonement? What did I ever do to you?" she asked. She wanted to know what "sin" she had committed that warranted such humiliation from him. He scoffed. His throat bobbed and he turned to face the full moon out there. She waited for him to answer her. ----- Join me in this journey. Your comments and votes are appreciated. Gift me to motivate me. Updates will be daily.