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Annalise’s mind tried to follow, her memories distorted and her eyes distracting her thoughts. Though the room—wherever they were—was dark, she could see every nick in the wall, make out every feature on his face.
Adam wouldn’t look at her.
Her ears twitched as she tracked the slow slither of a worm working through the plaster stockades, the tiny ticks of a centipede’s feet marching along the rafters. They were underground, but she could hear the soft prattle of drizzle on every slender blade of grass several feet above.
Her senses pulled, distinguishing the climb of the sun, and the heat of its approaching rays. Her body dialed into its energy, like a clock winding for the day.
An incredible calmness twisted through her, coiling with expectation and vitality. Her legs shifted, muscles bunching with an urge to run.
But Adam wouldn’t look at her.
She breathed, scenting the earth’s mantle and the pheromones intruded on her sensory exploration. Her eyes narrowed on Cain. That scent came from him.
Where were her clothes?
Her gaze shifted to Adam. “How did I get here?”
His head hung low, his gaze on the opposite wall. “You were injured. I lost control. I injured you with my carelessness. I had no choice but to start the bonding—”
“And marry me while I was unconscious.” She could just imagine the male dominant horseshit they consented to on her behalf.
“Without consummation, we can see about having the marriage annulled.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why is Cain’s blood on my lips?”
“You were hurt. You lost a lot of blood and when the resting started, your pulse stopped. Your body would have died if not for...”
She glanced at Cain. “Your blood saved me?”
Cain nodded.
More imposing than gravity, Adam’s emotions weighed on her like a lead blanket. Fear, regret, sadness, relief, gratitude.
“Adam,” she snapped and he flinched. “Look at me.”
His head lifted and the emotions hit harder. His agony twisted her insides. “Who am I?”
He swallowed. “You’re Annalise.”
“Try again,” she gritted.
“You’re Annalise Hartzler.”
That sounded strange, but right. “Say I’m your ainsicht.”
His eyes wavered under a sheet of tears. “I can’t,” he wheezed.
She hadn’t realized she moved, until her hands gripped the bars. “No! You look at me—in the eye—and tell me I belong to someone other than you.”
He held her stare, but said nothing.
“I’m your ainsicht. Say it!”
“You’re my ... wife.”
“What else?”
He shook his head and she shoved him, once again not realizing she moved, and underestimating her strength. His back hit the wall, a splitting crack crawling up the plaster.
“Cain, control her,” the Bishop guy said.
She spun and growled at the stranger, but he growled back with startling authority and she scurried back a step, sort of like a kitten trying to take on a tiger. Okay, he was scary. She didn’t like him and his by proxy bullshit.
Footsteps shifted behind her and her scowl cut to Cain. “You lay a hand on me and I’ll rip it off.”
He smirked and dropped his arm. “Feisty.”
“You have no idea.” She turned back to Adam. “Adam, you either own this right now, or you don’t deserve me. Screw the rules. Everything you wanted is right in front of you. I did this for you. Not them.”
Silence.
His refusal to claim her sliced her in ways she didn’t realize a person could bleed. Her insides twisted, his rejection scoring her heart with permanent scars. Not only were her senses heightened, her emotions were running on full octane. She needed to get out of there.
She needed to escape the pain. “I see.”
Her chest restricted as she stared at him, the crushing sense of rejection stabbing deeper than she could bear. Where would she go? Who would she be?
Her hand went to her stomach, penetrating regret for their unborn child cramping through her. Tears rushed to her eyes. “You should have let me die.”
A growl vibrated from his chest, but it only heightened her anger.
“I thought you were stronger than this. I thought you loved me.”
His face pinched as he stared at the floor.
“I loved you,” she whispered, her heart shattering.
“I’m sor—”
“Don’t! Don’t you dare apologize to me when you promised never to hurt me.” Tears slip past her lashes unchecked, and her voice broke. “I trusted you.”
He responded with gutting silence, and his indifference slayed her.
“Get out,” she hissed, pointing down the hall. “Leave!” When he didn’t move, she slammed him into the wall. “Get out of here, you coward! I can’t bear to look at you!”
Cain caught her arms and she shouldered him off.
“Don’t touch me!”
“Annalise, stop!”
Her hand closed over her mouth as she stared at him in utter disbelief. “You said you’d always want me...”
Cain’s voice spoke over her sobs. “Take her to the house, Grace.”
Grace pulled her along, holding tight to her shaking hands. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
But Annalise had no home. She had nothing.