Page 67 of Marks of Rebellion
"It's not a thought. It's a fact. But you don't have to worry about that. You're never going back to him." He sounds so definite I wonder if it's possible.
I open my mouth but snap it shut.
"What?"
"I... I have premonitions."
"What do you mean?"
"I should say nightmares." The hole in my stomach gets bigger.
"Tell me about them, Flower."
A jaguar howls in the distance and I jump.
He draws me closer and strokes my cheek. "Please tell me."
"I... I'm in a wedding dress, and we're in a church. All the important politicians and their wives are there. People from other countries, too. I have to say yes. I'm trying to do it so Carlos and no one else notices that I don't want to, but I almost pass out from the panic."
"Then what happens?"
"I somehow get through the vows, and he has to practically drag me down the aisle after because I'm so distraught. Everyone is clapping and cheering and thinks I'm crying from happiness. We get to the front doors and open them up, and I see red everywhere, but then everything turns to white light, and I'm floating."
Hunter wipes my cheeks.
"So, I think I die. I'm eventually going to have to marry him, and right after, he's going to hurt me so badly, he'll kill me."
The shaking of my body is nothing compared to the shame I feel for all the years I was with Carlos. I let him have more and more control at the beginning of our relationship. Everyone tried to warn me to get out, but I didn't listen.
When he hit me the first time, that was my chance. It was early on in our relationship. I still had friends and family around. I could have had an opportunity to be free of him. Maybe, had I gotten out then, I wouldn't have lost everything that made me the person I used to be.
But I didn't. I let him convince me it was an accident and it would never happen again. And the more incidents that occurred, the more they became my fault.
Hunter moves my head to his chest and he holds it there. "You will not die by his hand."
Being in Hunter's arms is safe. But I know it isn't reality. I've lived on the other side.
"You underestimate him."
"No. We're going to go far away from here, and he will not be the reason for your demise."
"There's no way to guarantee that. And eventually you won't be with me."
Hunter's body stiffens. He tilts my chin up. "Why won't I be with you?"
I twist my hands in my lap. "I'm not ignorant. Once you get me to safety, you'll go back to your life."
"Is that what you believe?"
"What other scenario is there?"
Hunter scowls. "I told you I was yours. I recall you choosing me. Did I hear that wrong?"
"No."
"Are you throwing me away when we get to our final destination?"
"What? No."
