Movement of escape from other's grasp only caused sufferings to increase and yet, Sterling felt compelled to pull away from the other's touch.
"If tis thee, Mistress, then all the more sound my reasoning, to tell thee to leave me be. Go away! I want no help from thee."
With a gasp, he managed to free himself from her and push himself upward upon one arm. With other hand, he tried to cradle split skull and stop that blinding pain that coursed through his aching head.
"If it were not fer thee, and the fact that mine own judgment has played me false regarding thee, I would not be in such a place!" he whispered harshly through clenched teeth. "Go, get thee gone from this hellhole. I wish now I had never loved thee."