The jab of Draven's knee between her thighs snapped her back to reality. Chiding herself for reacting to him with such passion, she composed herself.

"Forgive me," she said. "I've heard that creating a child can be a wondrous experience. It's just that—"

She blinked against a bright light. Shifting her gaze to the window, she saw that a full moon had emerged through a pair of parted clouds. As the ivory cast spilled across Draven's face, he pulled away from her with eyes that flashed a profound fear. "I must inform you that I have no intention of fathering any offspring," he said.

The admission couldn't have knocked Isabella more off balance. "I...I don't understand."

Draven bolted out of bed. His entire body began to shake. "I have personal reasons for not wanting a child. But what you need to know is that we will use a modern form of prevention."

She pulled herself to a sitting position. "You choose this moment, our wedding night, to inform me of this? Didn't you think I should have a say in the matter?"

As the veins in his temples bulged and pounded, she recoiled against the headboard.

"Something is happening to me," he said, spinning away from her. All at once, his shirt split up the middle of his back and fell to the floor. Then, with his face hidden from view, he picked up a chair and hurled it through the window.

Isabella whipped back the bedsheet, her hand pressed to her mouth in horror.What is happening?

Fearing for her safety, she rushed inside the dressing room and locked the door. Through her sobs, she heard a loud cry then more breaking glass. A minute later, all was quiet. She grabbed Draven's wool coat and draped it on over her negligee. Turning the doorknob over with a quaking hand, she forced herself to peer into the bedchamber. Wind whistled into the room through the shattered window and the fire in the hearth had all but died out. But Draven was nowhere to be found.

Seizing the chance to flee the room, Isabella escaped into the corridor and raced downstairs. She'd known this loveless marriage was a bad idea, but now she was truly frightened. Refusing to stay at Thorncliff Towers a moment longer, she ran for the stables. And with every step she took, she vowed never to return.