The end is near... One more chapter to publish before this story is over... I really hope you like it.
Can't wait to read your opinion !
CHAPTER 12
Thomas had managed to get out of the mansion with Edith, without meeting anyone else. It was like a miracle and the baronet was just glad nothing stood on his way to the town. Maybe these stolen hours with his wife, far from his sister or her father, a little piece of peace between the two lovebirds could help him gt closer to her and maybe, just maybe, he could manage to be brave enough to tell her everything. Well, clearly not everything, just a slice of truth about his previous weddings.
The journey to the nearest town lasted three hours on carriage. The snow was falling hard around them and Thomas secret wished the weather to be worse so that he could spend more time with Edith. While he was busy buying some things for his machine, Edith was in the librairy, enjoying being surrounded by books. She was sure that, somedays, her name will be printed on one of them. She was so deep reading a local story that Thomas had no problems to made her jump of scare.
- Thomas, what are you...
He softly kissed her cheek, ending her question. He took between his finger on stand of her hair that had manage to go away of her bump and toyed with it, his eyes never stopping staring at hers.
- I really hate having no money, he whispered. You should have anything your heart desires and here you are, with a man that can't even afford you this book. You shouldn't have to live like that sweet Edith.
- If it's because I was the one who paid for the items you need, she said putting a cold finger on his lips, then I must stop you. Once your machine will work, you'll have plenty of time to pay me back. Futhermore I knew what I was getting myself into.
- I don't deserve you...
Edith laughed sweetly before she put the book on the shelf.
- When should we leave ? She asked innocently.
- A storm is coming. I'm afraid we must stay here until the morning. I've booked a room at the post office.
She leaned on him and sighed happily.
- We will finally have some time for us. Oh Thomas, I'm so happy.
The bedroom they rented was dirty, full of dust and pieces of woods but it was warm. Warmer than all Allerdale Hall. The bright light of the cheminy illuminated the all bedroom and gave a friendly and home-like atmosphere. Edith sighed with content, dropping herself on the tiny bed.
- I wished we could stay here, she whispered dreamilly.
- You would trade a manor for this dusty room ?
- If it means to be with you, yes.
She sweetly kissed his cheek and began to undo her hair. Thomas looked with fascination as her gold, almost white, hair soon surrounded her beautiful face, falling into waves to her waist. Her eyes widened with mischief as she turned her back on him, taking her hair to reveile her gracious white neck.
- Could you be so kind to help me with my dress ? I can't unbuttoned it myself.
With shaking hands, he began to work out the small buttons that ornated her gown.
- Why are you shaking my love ? Don't tell me you've been drinking again...
He laughed softly and kissed her neck.
- I can assure you I will never ever touch liquor again...
She shivered at the sensation of his lips against her flesh and turned back, making her gown dropped on the floor in the process, leaving her with her undergaments dress.
- I'm not angry you know. It would gave been easier if you have just told me...
He took her hands and look into her big blue eyes.
- I am not like my Father...
She smiled softly, carressing his cheek with her hand. He took it lightly and pressed his warm lips on it.
- We should get some rest. We need to leave early tomorrow morning, he said firmly.
He turned back and quickly took his jacket off, leaving himself with just his white and almost transparent shirt and trousers. She couldn't help herself but touched his back, slipping a cold hand inside his shirt to feel his bare skin.
- Why are you doing that to me ? She asked, her voice softer than a whisper.
He turned to face her and took her face in his hands, looking at her with a fiece intensity.
- There are thing you don't know about me... things from my past.
- Don't look in the past Thomas. You won't find me there. I'm here...
He put his forehead to hers, breathing deeply before he kissed her. A kiss full with a growing passion. A kiss that was denying for so long. A kiss full of promesses. A kiss full of hopes. A kiss that was forbidden to him. They both dropped on the bed and his lips went to her throat as her hands were lost on his black curls. The weight and the moves of his body on hers was maddening
- You'll be the end of me, the young man managed to say between kisses.
The morning came to fast and the trip to Allerdale Hall hadn't last enough at Edith's taste. She snuggled near her husband as the carriage brought them to the mansion, breathing deeply his scents. She blushed as she remembered the memories of last night, all the wonderful things he finally did to her. Now she was really a woman, his proper wife. His left hand laid nonchantly on her thigh, tracing little circles with his thumb. Thomas smiled softly as he saw the colors on his wife's cheeks and went to kiss her cheek. He put his forehead near her ear, whispered things that she alone could hear.
- I too wished we could have staid in that room. You don't know how much efforts I had to summon to get out of your arms this morning. I can't wait for us to be alone tonight.
She blushed even deeper, her eyes locked on his wedding ring, the very one she had given him what seemed to be yesterday. As the carriage stopped, the baronet wrapped himself on his coat, trying to stay warm and jumped outside. He sighed as he stared at the building, knowing his dream he just lived in town was over. In a last attempt to make in last a litlle more, he took his beloved in his arm, lifting her just like the first time they had arrived. She giggled as he put his face on her neck, breathing deeply, tickling her sensitive spot with his nose.
Once inside, he put her down, the couple both laughing. It was too late that he saw the whole assemble who was awaiting them. The hard fist that collided with his face was the first thing he saw of his father-in-law. Holding his now bloody nose, he winced in pain as the old man spoke with poison on his voice.
- Stay away from her, you freak !
Edith rushed in front of her husband, trying to protect him from her father's rage.
- Father, what is the meaning of this ?
- Ask that to your liar of a husband !
Thomas's eyes scanned the group of people, searching for an answer, for some help. Lucille was staring at Edith with disgust but clearly avoided to look at her brother. Crowley had a little smirk on his round face, watching the baronet with dare. Dean's look of pure revulsion toward him made the young englishman shivered. The old Cushing was struggling not to hit him again, afraid to hurt Edith. The woman turned to face her husband, questionning him with her big beautiful eyes. He paled as he knew he was about to hurt the only person he truly cared about. He knew now that the feelings he had for his sibling was not love.
- Edith, my love, please, know that I didn't know what I was doing...
- What are you talking about ? She asked, her voice quivering.
- He had 3 other wives and he murdered them all, Crowley answered, enjoying to cut Thomas before he could speak. And he has poisoned you, my dear.
Edith's head began to turn, her environnement shaking, her vision bluring, her ears humming. She clinged to Thomas's arms, pleading him.
- Thomas, tell them it's not true.
He took her delicate face between his palms, covering her cheek with his blood and stared at her with adoration, trying deseperatly to anchor all of her traits in the memory.
- I am so sorry.
He had spoken softly, his voice barely hearible. She took several steps back, distress, fear, rejet, betrayal written on her eyes. She was unable to look away from him as she was going away of his loving arms.
- The tea was poisoned, Princess, Crowley felt the need to add to bury the baronet even deeper. It's his wifes that are haunting this place... them and his mother...
She turned to face the strange little man as he put a friendly hand on her shoulder.
- But you don't have to worry anymore, he continued. I don't thing his Highness will have the guts to kill the heir of the Sharpe family.
He eyed at the young woman belly, smiling wickedly. The revelation was like a slap on her face as she put a shaking hand on her stomach, the memory on the actions of the previous night playing in her head. She didn't saw her father rushing to the baronet and knocking him out, punching him several times on his face, screaming :
- You knocked my daughter up ? You bastard !
Dean went to stop the old man, holding his arms on his back.
- She is not your daughter Bobby ! Calm down.
Edith felt on her world fall apart as she looked at her father pleadingly. This was surely a dream, just a horrible nightmare. She was going to wake up. Still looking at the man ske knew as Father, the blonde woman didn't saw Lucille came near her, rage written on all the traits of her face. The brunette quickly took the dagger off her hair which maintian her complicated hairdressing. She came rushing to the trembling Edith who still clung to her belly, knife on her hand, ready to strike and dagger her. Dean quickly unleached his mentor to try to save Edith from the small weapon. He managed to hit Lucille on the knee with his foot and she stabbed Edith on her thigh instead of on her heart. The blonde let out a scream of pain, falling on the floor. The young hunter punched the brunette hard, making her fall into inconscience and came to Edith, taking the dagger off her thigh with shaking hands. The poor girl was sobbing, didn't know what was just happened.
- We gotta get out of here, Bobby declared, his fist red with Thomas' blood.
- Afraid we can't, old man, the demon cut, pointing the snow storm fast approaching. We have to stay here.
Dean took Edith in his arms, carrying her in her bedroom. Her eyes were lost, she was shaking, didn't respond at everything they could say. She needed rest. The hunters didn't even think about asking Crowley to heal her, preferring her to sleep and forget for a small amount of time all what she had been through. They put without gentleness the two noble siblings on Lucille bedroom, closing the door firmly shut but not caring to lock it. The people inside was in such a bad shape they couldn't go far away on their own.
When Lucille finally opened her eyes, the night was slowly rising, the moonlight bathing her brother's face with a gentle touch. The blood on his cutting lips and under his nose was dry and some bruises had began to appear on his left cheekbone, circling his right eye. She took a moment to stare at him, appraising his sleep, the trace of the fight on his face strangley making him even more handsome. As she stroke one lock of his hair away from his forehead, he slowly opened his eyes, meeting his sister tender glare.
- What did they do to you, my beautiful brother ? she whispered, laying to kiss the bruised cheek.
He winced in pain as she moved her kisses to his lips. He tried to turn his head away but she gripped his hair with fierce.
- You promised, Thomas... she muttered between kisses. You are mine and mine alone...I am the only one who knows you... What you like... What you've done...
She was mad, completly and utterly crazy. He knew now that what they shared was just lust, that she was just using him with sweet words and tender ministrations.
- Lucille, please... he began, with voice low.
She must had take that as a sign of appreciation as her hand snaked inside his pants. He was about to roll away from her when he heard a small gasp and his eyes met blue ones, the eyes he's been dreaming about, his wife's, Edith's. She stared at them with horror and Lucille smirked at her.
- Thomas had never belong to you, my dear, the brunette said with venom in her singing voice. He even bet he had not enjoy himself last night as much as he does with me.
Edith took a few trembling steps back, the injury of her legs hurting her every walk. Lucille stood up, walking to her.
- Now you know who we are ! You finally know who your dear husband is ! Lucille said triumphantly.
- You're not his sister, Edith managed to say, fighting the urge to be sick.
- Oh but, that's the beauty of it... I am !
She kept walking to Edith, the poor blonde kept backing up. She soon felt the fence of the stairs on her back, her breathing went fast and hard, a clear show of her fear. Edith looked at her husband, eyes filled with disgust and incomprehension.
- You lied to me ! She accused the baronet, a hint of despair in her sweet voice.
- I did, he conceided.
- You poisoned me !
- I did...
- You said you loved me, she screamed back at him, coudln't believing what's was just happening.
- I do, he said back without even a second of thinking.
Lucille looked at him with disbelief. The agony on her face was killing him. She was still his sister, still the only person that took care of him when he was a child. He didn't want to hurt her, but to free her from this poisonning relationship. She deserved better.
- This day had to come, Thomas spoke softly at his sibling.
- But, you said you would not fall in love with anyone else, she whispered, her breath hitching.
- Yes but it happened.
With a scream of pure rage, she hurled at Edith, pushing her with all her strenght. Thomas saw his wife falling in slow motion, her hands outstreched at a deseperate attempt to be saved. Her blond hair flied around her face twisted with fear, making her look like an angel. He roared at despair, watching her meet her inevitable death. At mere centimeters of the ground, the time stopped, Edith seemed like flying. Lucille looked with horror at the "miracle" and hurled to her brother, stabbing him in the chest. He tried to grab the knife but she kept stabbing him several times. He crambled backwards, his hands near his heart, trying to stop the blood from spilling out of his body. Besides his sister was the ghosts of all the women of his life : his Mother, Enola, Margaret and Pamela. His son was soon near him, lying on the bare ground, looking at him with adoration. They were waiting for him to join them in their eternity of misery.
- Oh sister, he managed to say, blood dropping of his mouth, you killed me.
He could felt a sharp cold surrounding him like a blanket. His vision was blurred and he heared from afar the voices of his only friend and his father-in-law, yelling at Lucille. Without a warning, Crowley appeared next to him, not caring about the fuss the two hunters were doing to Thomas' sister or to the ghosts who were trying their best to just protect the baronet. He kneeled near the dying man, handing him a white handkerchief. Thomas coughed blood and the demon sighed.
- So... Your Highness... ready to make that deal now ?
In the distant recesses of his mind, he heard the lullaby Lucille used to sing when they were just children. His vision began to fade as he gazed at the strange man eyes. He must think of Edith, saved her, saved his child-to-be...
- Yes, he murmured as he fought to not close his eyes.
He remembered what he had said to Edith, before their first dance together : "I've always just closed my eyes to things that made me uncomfortable. It works wonderfully. Won't you try it ?". Her fierce answer, the truth of her words kept him awake, struggling on the pool of his blood : "I don't want to close my eyes. I want to keep them open". Thomas wasn't aware of what was happening around him, trying desesperatly to hold to that memory. He didn't saw Crowley took a fist full of his dead wives hairs of his pocket and with a snap, set them on fire, He didn't saw Dean taking quickly his Mother's cane, salting the item before incinerate it. He didn't saw the ghosts burned as they did so. He didn't saw all that before he fainted, drifting into oblivion.