Q grabbed my hand, twisting the filigree wings wrapping around my wedding finger. The diamonds glittered even in the dawn, and my heart glowed knowing Q had imbedded a tracker in the gold so he would always know where I was. The comfort knowing he would hunt for me was tremendous. My monster would come. Just like he'd done before.
"You hide so much from me, but you forget I can smell fear." His eyes locked onto mine. "Do you regret saying yes? Have you had second thoughts about marrying me?"
"What? No!" A spike of horror pierced my heart. "Why on earth would you ask that?" Yanking my hand back, I glared. "Accepting you was the best thing that's ever happened to me. If I smell of fear, it's because I don't feel worthy of you."
"Worthy?" Q snarled. "You don't feel fucking worthy after everything you've lived through because of me?" Dragging hands through his hair, he glowered. "You still don't get it."
My pulse thudded. The memories I never allowed to surface bombarded me: the grisly bloody heart Q lay at my feet. The black raven wings he'd worn as my dark angel when I was drugged up and hallucinating. How could I feel worthy of someone so much more than me?
"No. You don't get it. I came to you as a gift. You tormented my mind, turned my body against me, and showed me things I never would've been strong enough to want before you. Not only did you send me away because you thought you would ruin me, but you massacred an entire trafficking ring to save me." My larynx snapped closed with emotion. I wished I could make him see how in awe I was. How much I loved him. Half of my soul throbbed with cosmically bright love while the other dripped in filth and ruin.
"You gave me not only your empire and love but also your greatest fear. Don't you think I know how hard it was for you to let me tie you up and abuse you? You let me be your master, Q. How can I ever repay that?"
I expected Q to scream. To list the ways I'd repaid him in his fucked-up rationality, but instead he propelled himself off the bed and stalked to the bathroom.
The door slammed shut; I waited in the centre of the bed for the shower to turn on or for something to smash as he took his violence out on the amenities.
Seconds after the door rattled in its hinges, Q stormed back out. "I'll tell you how you can fucking repay me. You can marry me. Today. I'm not waiting any longer." Q's melodic accent cut through the room, whipping me with urgency.
"Any longer? You proposed yesterday."
"Don't answer back, Tess. Not unless you want me to drag your delicious body down the bed and fuck you. Having you argue is the worst kind of aphrodisiac, and I know you don't want me." Pacing like a caged animal, he snarled, "The knowledge you'd still spread your legs for me is wreaking havoc with my barometer of right and wrong."
He took all choice away. He was right. I didn't want him. Not while anger poured off him in crimson waves. But I did want the connection. I wanted to be reminded I hadn't pushed him away even though I'd tried so damn hard. I wanted to apologise in more ways than words.
Q spun away and yanked open a dresser. Grabbing shirts and underwear, he snapped, "Get dressed. We're leaving."
I scooted off the bed, obeying instantly. "Where are we going?"
"Away from here. Away from memories."
Stopping at the end of the bed, I frowned. "You can't run from this. Only time will help us forget."
Q stalked toward me. His low-slung cotton trousers defined his hard erection, clinging to his powerful thighs. He bristled, towering over me with authority. "I'm not running from, esclave. I'm running toward. Our future is unwritten. I'm sick of living in the past. It's time to make you mine permanently. I'm taking you to a place where no one can find us."
"Tess. Tu dors?" Are you asleep?
My eyes shot wide, connecting instantly with Q's pale ones. Giving him a gentle smile, I shook my head. "Not asleep." If I could have my way, I would never sleep again. I wanted to quit reliving my nightmares and live in the present where I had so much to be thankful for.
Q scowled, but slowly a soft smile danced on his lips. "We're almost there. I didn't want you to miss it."
My heart hammered against my ribs, affirming I was still alive and the catastrophe of our past was over.
Looking out the oval plane window, I glimpsed glittering ocean and landmasses on the horizon. I'm on my way to get married! Ever since Q placed the ring on my finger, he'd seemed possessed. Rushing forward, dragging me faster and faster toward the moment where we said 'I do.' It was crazy to hurry, madness to marry so fast, but all I could do was hold on and not let go of this magical whirlwind.