He'd cleared his throat, but the hard lump in his stomach had merely drawn tighter. "I have something I need to speak to you about."
She set her parcels on the table. "As do I. I—"
"No, please, let me speak."
Frowning, she'd frozen in place. "I don't like your tone, Strykerius."
She'd never liked to hear sternness in his voice. It was why he'd tried so hard to never show her that side of himself. "I know, but what I have to say can't wait."
She'd flounced to stand by his side and smooth the scowl on his face with her delicate fingers. "You look so serious."
His tongue had felt so thick in his mouth that he feared it would choke him. All he wanted was to pull her into his arms and hold her forever. Instead he was going to break both their hearts. It has to be done. An image of her being attacked tore through him with a ferocity so raw it made him flinch. He had no doubt his father would carry out that threat. Taking a deep breath for courage, he forced himself to speak. "I'm leaving." "That's fine, akribos . When will you be back?"
He placed his hands on her upper arms to steady himself. "I won't be back. Ever."
The light had gone out of her eyes and struck him like a fist in his gullet. "What?"
"My father has a wedding for me planned tomorrow. If I don't leave and divorce you tonight, he'll kill you and the baby."
Rage had twisted her beautiful features into the mask of a gorgon. "What!" she roared. She shoved him away from her.
He'd reached out toward her. "I'm sorry, Phyra. I have no choice." She'd slapped his touch away. "Yes, you do. We all have choices."
"No, we don't. I won't stay here and watch you die."
She sneered as she raked him with a repugnant curl of her lips. "You're a worthless coward." That had set his own anger off. "No, I'm not."
She slapped him hard across the face. "You're right. Being a coward would be a step up for you."
Stryker had stood there, his cheek stinging as she railed against him. He couldn't even really hear all the insults. Only the words "pathetic," "worthless," and "coward" rang in his ears over and over again.
"I'm doing this to protect you and the baby. I'll make sure you're both taken care of."
"There is no baby," she spat at him. "I miscarried it."
He staggered back. "When?"
"This morning."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I just did. So don't worry about it. There's no baby in need of a coward for a father."
"I'm not a coward!"
She shoved him again. "Get out of my sight, you pathetic excuse for a man. I don't want you here. Gods, I can't believe I was stupid enough to let you into my bed. Stupid enough to trust you."
"I love you, Phyra."
She'd grabbed a bowl from the table and flung it at his head. "Liar! You disgust me!" She'd literally beat him out of the door and then slammed it shut in his face. But not before she hurled her wedding ring at him. Stryker had stood on the other side as he listened to her breaking and throwing things inside. He splayed his hand against the wood, wanting desperately to open the door. But why bother? She hated him now.
But not nearly as much as he hated himself.
"At least you'll be safe." He'd left her plenty of money. "And if you hate me, at least you won't miss me." He let his tears fall as he leaned his head against the door and clutched at the knob, desperate to open it and return to her. If only he could.
He took her tile from his purse and looked at her face before he gave it one last kiss, then turned and walked away. Zephyra gasped as Stryker pulled out of her mind and left her with the lasting image of him clutching her tile in his hand as he turned and left their cottage.
She narrowed her gaze on him. "Your father was going to have me raped?"
"It's what he said. I had no reason to think he was joking."
Her anger vanished under a wave of astonishment. "You were protecting me."
"It's what I've been trying to get through to you. Why else would I have left you when you were the very thing I lived for?"
Angry at the world, she kneed him in the side.
"Ow!" he snapped. "What was that for?"
"For being such an asshole. You ever keep a secret from me like that again and I swear I'll gut you over it."
"You were fourteen," he said defensively. "I thought if I told you what my father threatened, you'd be terrified."
He was right. Especially given the fact that she'd been attacked before him. That was why she'd loved him so much. He'd kept her safe, and it was why she'd hated him for leaving. Fear of being on her own, of not being able to protect herself or Medea . . .That was also why she had merged with the gallu. She'd wanted the strength to protect her daughter. To make sure no man ever forced himself on her.
Still angry, she slapped at his chest. "I could beat you senseless."