Her face was smooth and void of emotion. “He speaks the truth. I have chosen him.”
Hawk gaped at her, stunned. Not so much as a flicker of emotion in her silver eyes. “How is he making you lie, lass?” Hawk refused to believe her words, clinging to his faith in her. “What is he threatening you with, my heart?”
“Nothing,” Adrienne said coldly. “and stop calling me that! I have never been your heart. I told you that from the beginning. I don’t want you. It was Adam all along.”
Hawk searched her face. Cool, composed, she sat the mare like a queen. Regal and untouchable. “And just what the hell was Uster, then?” he growled.
She shrugged, her hands palms up. “A vacation?” she replied flippantly.
Hawk tensed, his jaw gritting. “Then just what were the stables this afternoon—”
“A mistake,” Adam cut him off flatly. “One she won’t be repeating.”
Hawk’s gaze never wavered from Adrienne’s. “Was it a mistake?” he asked softly.
Adrienne inclined her head. A pause the length of a heartbeat. “Yes.”
The Hawk saw not so much as a flicker in her face. “What game play you, lass?” he breathed, danger emanating from every inch of his rigid stance, charging the air around them.
The night hung still and heavy. On the ridge not one person moved, riveted to the terrible scene unfolding.
“No game, Hawk. It’s over between us. Sorry.” Another nonchalant shrug.
“Adrienne, stop jesting—” he growled.
“ ’Tis no jest,” she interrupted him with sudden anger. “The only joke here is on you! You didn’t really think I could stay here, did you? I mean, come on!” She waved a hand dismissively at the splendor of the wedding feast. “I’m from the twentieth century, you fool. I’m used to luxuries. It’s the little things that spoil. Coffee. Steaming showers, limousines, and all the glitter and hubbub. This was a lovely diversion—quite a little getaway with some of the most fascinating men….” She smiled at Adam, and it took every ounce of the Hawk’s will not to leap at the smithy and choke the life from his arrogant body.
Instead, he stood like a marble effigy, hands curled at his side. “You were a virgin—”
“So? You taught me pleasure. But the smithy gave me more. It’s that simple.” Adrienne fiddled with the reins of her mount.
“Nay!” Hawk roared. “ ’Tis some game! What have you threatened my wife with, smithy?”
But it was Adrienne who answered, in that same calm, utterly detached voice. That husky voice that made him think he’d gone mad, for the words tumbling forth must surely be lies. Yet she didn’t look as if she was being forced. There was no sword to her throat. No shimmer of tears in her eyes. And her voice, ah … it was level and calm. “He has threatened me only with greater pleasure than you ever gave me. He has true magic at his command. Don’t waste your time hunting for us. You won’t find us. He has promised to take me to places I’ve never dreamed existed.” Adrienne nudged her mount closer to the smithy’s.
Adam flashed a blinding smile at the Hawk. “Looks like you lost after all, pretty bird.”
“Nay!” Hawk roared, lunging for the smithy and drawing his sword in one fluid sweep. The charger bucked at the Hawk’s bellow and sidestepped wildly.
Rushka grabbed the Hawk’s arm and cleaved his blow down so hard that the sword lodged in the earth at his feet.
Adam raised his hand.
“Nay!” Adrienne quickly restrained the smithy’s hand. “You will not hurt him! No bloodshed. You prom—it’s messy,” she appended. “I don’t like blood. It makes me ill.”
Adam cocked his head and lowered his hand. “Your wish is my command, Beauty.”
“Is this truly what you wish, lass?” Hawk’s eyes were black and soulless.
“Yes,” she said softly. Carefully.
“He is not forcing you?” Tell me, just say the word, wife, and I will kill him with my bare hands.
She shook her head and met his gaze levelly.
“Say it,” Hawk gritted. “He’s not forcing you?”
“He uses … no coercion against … me.”
“Do you … love … him?” He hated himself when his voice broke roughly over the words. His throat was so tight he could scarcely breathe.
“I love him the way I loved Eberhard,” she sighed. She smiled vapidly at Adam, who suddenly narrowed his eyes at her last words.