"Chester Delgado, you and I are finished. If you want a blessing charm, go get it yourself."
I dragged myself off the bed, trying to leave this wretched place.
He blocked my path.
He scooped me up, ignoring my thrashing, and threw me onto a horse. He rode hard until we reached the foot of Serenity Abbey.
"Take her up the mountain."
Two guards seized me by the arms, one on each side. I hauled my broken body forward, dropping to my knees and pressing my forehead to the stone with every step.
Two days without food or water, fresh from a miscarriage. I passed out and woke and passed out again along the way.
I don't remember how I obtained the blessing charm. All I know is that when I finally saw Chester at the bottom, my legs gave out and I collapsed.
He caught me and gathered me into his arms.
"Stella, you've suffered so much. I promise, even after I marry Shelagh, you'll be the only one in my heart."
I closed my eyes slowly. Three days ago, I might have believed those words. Now they made my stomach turn.
"I got you your blessing charm. Let me go."
He ignored my plea and carried me back to the cottage.