I'm really happy today! So here is the next chapter... da dummm! I hope you all like it!
Thank you to all your reviewers! :D
Disclaimer: Narnia belongs to C.S. Lewis.
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DEFINITELY DESTINY
– – CHAPTER 35 – –
.
"Tie the horses," Edmund told Chad, pulling out his sword. His eyes moved around the place.
It was dark. The sun had set and the tall trees blocked any light that the moon emitted. He could hear animals and insects in the forest, but other than that - all was quiet. Snow shined on the floor, making it eerie and difficult for them to move.
Chad tied the horses to a tree where they nibbled on the little grass patch before walking over to Edmund. "It's a five minute walk from here," he said. "Follow me."
"There are marks here," Edmund pointed at the foot prints in the snow.
The two walked in silence, their senses alert and their eyes scanning any shadow, any form keenly.
"There," Chad whispered, pointing towards a hut shaped form, covered with wild plants and flowers. It looked like a carcass of what once would have been a fine home to someone.
Chad had been right. The place was barely noticeable. Anyone who was just passing by would never have noticed it.
But that was not what Edmund was looking at. From the window covered with ferns, light could be seen.
"Someone is inside." The Just king said and slowly moved forward. "Come."
Reaching close enough, the two peeked in.
Adeline lay on the dusty floor covered with straw and shattered glass. Her dress was torn and the side of her face was bloody. Her hands and feet tied tightly with ropes.
She was awake, Edmund noticed with relief, her eyes fearfully on someone he could not see.
And then the person moved in his view. Sure enough, it was Alfred's friend – tall, which hair that fell to his shoulders. Edmund recalled him as Bayard.
He grasped Adeline's hair and pulled her up, ignoring her weak cries. The smirk on his face made Edmund see red.
The other friend stumbled towards them, a bottle of rum in his hands. He grinned at Adeline as he ran a hand through his short blonde hair, his eyes raking her body.
"Why do you keep on asking us to let you go?" he asked. "Don't you like it here, pretty?"
Adeline looked away in distaste. Her lower lip quivered. "Let me go."
"But we don't want to."
"Stop it Emery," Bayard said. "We're not having any fun without Al."
"Let me go," Adeline repeated.
"Why not?" Emery slurred. "He has a wife. He has his fun with her."
"Emery," Bayard warned.
"Let me go!" her voice was a scream now.
Annoyed, Bayard slapped her. "You're so loud," he shouted. "Why don't you understand that no one will come to save you here?"
"Someone will," Adeline spat, her hand on her cheek. "And then you'll pay for your crimes."
"And who will make us pay?" he mocked. "You lover-boy Edmund?"
"That is not happening." Emery snorted. "Not after how easily he announced that he loves Estella and has nothing to do with you anymore!"
"... He said that?" Adeline whispered with horror.
It pained Edmund to see how easily she believed them. Slowly, he moved away from the window and towards the door, Chad trailing behind him.
Bayard blinked his eyes in mock worry. "He did. Does that make you sad?"
"Then you have no reason to keep me here," Adeline told him. "Let me go!"
And she shrieked as Emery splashed the remained alcohol in his bottle on her.
"You need to shut up," he said, leaning down so that his face was inches from hers. And Edmund watched with repulsion as the man licked her cheek. "Or I'll make you."
And that did it. That broke any limit of patience in the Just King.
"I'd like to see you try."
His head held high and his sword ready, Edmund stepping into the room, coolly glaring at the men.
The two men looked surprised for a moment and then they pulled out their swords.
Helpless, Adeline looked at him with her gray eyes that were wide. And then she cried out as the cool metal blade came to rest on her throat.
"Don't you dare hurt her," Edmund warned Emery, who was smirking, holding the sword to her neck as if that would lead him to victory.
"Take a step forward and I will," Emery sneered.
Bayard glared at Chad. "You traitor! How dare you lead him here?"
"I did what was right," Chad replied. "Let her go."
"That is not going to happen," Emery said. "In fact, if you want her to remain alive, you'll leave right now."
Edmund shook his head. "Enough is enough. I will not be blackmailed anymore. You leave her or I will kill you."
"You don't really care," Bayard said.
"I don't," Edmund lied. "I'm a king and she is my subject. I will not let you harm her."
Emery snorted. "You want her back now that Estella has gone back to Alfred, right?"
"How do you know if she has gone back or not?" Chad questioned.
"You all had no choice," Bayard shrugged. "You had to send her back if you wanted your niece back."
"Why kidnap Adeline then?" Edmund asked as he took a step forward.
"Back up plan," Bayard simply replied. "And I can see that you're moving forward."
"Good observation." Another step forward.
"I'm warning you," Emery said, pulling Adeline close to him and pressing the dagger to her skin.
"Are you now?" Another step.
"Yes," With that Emery smashed her head into the wooden pillar.
Edmund saw her wound open and blood fall down the side of her face. Her lower lip trembled with pain. And she held her breath as the blade returned to her throat.
"Let that be a lesson," Bayard said. "Now leave."
"I don't think I will," Edmund said.
Emery narrowed his eyes. "I don't think you're taking my threats seriously."
"I'm not."
"You should," he said. "What my friends and I say, we do."
"I'm impressed with your courage then," Edmund tilted his head to the side. "Leave her."
"This is the last time I'm saying this. I shall not repeat it again. Don't move any closer to us."
"Why don't you stop me." Edmund said and took another step forward.
"I will," Emery said and he slit her throat.
Edmund froze.
His own throat constricted and he realized that he couldn't breathe.
The time slowed.
He watched at the silver blade reddened as it moved across Adeline's throat.
Her mouth opened – but not to scream or cry, only to take in a breath.
Her eyes widened in shock and they looked straight at him. He realized that in this one moment – he could read them very well.
She loved him, she was afraid, she was in pain, and she knew that she was dying. But she did not regret it – she did not regret the past. She loved him…
And then time returned to its normal pace.
With a thud, Adeline hit the ground, her eyes closed.
Edmund watched, helpless, as blood poured out on the wooden floor.
Aslan! His heart shouted.
And he heard it. Deep within his heart. The roar of the Mighty Lion.
Blinking back the tears that were threatening to form in his eyes, he stared, as Adeline breathed.
She was not dead.
Not yet.
She was hurt, she was bleeding, she was weak, but not dead.
Her hand that rested right next to her face trembled.
And slowly, she opened her eyes.
Pain.
That was all that was there.
And Edmund knew that she didn't have much time.
But she was not dead.
Not yet.
Edmund forced himself to look away from her and to the men who were charging towards him.
Allowing the anger pulsing in his veins to take over him, he raised his sword.
Not was not the time to think.
It was the time to fight.
His sword clashed with Emery's.
Attack. Defend. Attack. Defend. Attack.
The two remained indulged in their fight for a few minutes.
Duck. Slash. Dodge. Parry. Slash.
Edmund aimed for his shins and then turned midway, slashing his blade into Emery's side.
Emery seemed stunned.
Pulling out his sword quickly, Edmund punched his jaw and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
The Just King looked around.
Chad was fighting with Bayard. There was a cut on his cheek, but Edmund was impressed with the deep wound on Bayard's arm.
If polished, Chad would make a fine fighter.
Edmund watched as Chad quickly stepped back to avoid a blow and stumbled, falling back.
Bayard, seizing the opportunity smirked and brought his sword down, aiming straight for Chad's heart.
Rushing forward, Edmund pushed him aside, indulging in a battle with him.
The two circled the room, swords meeting and leaving. The clang of metal meeting metal echoing.
Attack. Duck. Slash. Parry. Slash.
And then the Just King's eyes fell on Adeline, whose eyes were now shut.
He faltered for a moment.
And then howled in pain as Bayard's sword cut into his arm.
He retaliated, swinging his sword.
Bayard ducked and then attacked.
Edmund stepped back quickly.
Before he could attack his opponent again, Chad pushed him away and Bayard smashed into the window, glass shattering.
They heard a crack as his head made contact with the hard wooden frame and his body went limp.
Chad walked over to him and looked for his pulse. "Not dead." He stated.
Edmund barely listened. He ran over to Adeline and getting down on his knees, he turned her on her back.
He wanted to cry out in relief when he saw her chest rise and fall. Her breathing was shallow, yes, but it was there.
Her throat was bleeding profusely.
He took his sword and cut the ties on her hands and feet before placing his shaking hands on the wound, looking around in vain, wondering what to do.
"The cut is deep," Chad noted as he leaned down next to him. He placed his hand on the side of her head. "She was hit on the head pretty hard and the wound reopened."
"We cannot take her back," Edmund said. "She'll die on the way."
"I know," Chad agreed, his voice solemn. "What can we do?"
"Adeline," Edmund said, his eyes on her. "Adeline, can you hear me?"
Slowly, she opened her eyes. Her hand moved, shaking.
He took it in his own blood-covered hand.
"Adeline…" he said. "I'm so, so sorry."
She tried to speak, but could not. Instead she coughed and blood poured out of her mouth.
"Chad!" Edmund said helplessly. "Do something!"
"What?" the boy was just as powerless as the king.
"Wait," Chad said suddenly. "There might be some bandages in the saddlebags. I'm not sure."
"Go, see if you can find anything. Any herb, any cure that will help us until we get her to the city," Edmund ordered.
His brown eyes returned to Adeline when Chad had ran away. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
She looked up at him, still wanting to say something…
"Don't," he told her. "Don't try to speak. You're hurting yourself."
Her hand left his, shaking, she moved it higher towards his face.
Realizing what she wanted, he leaned in, allowing her palm to cup his cheek and smiled. "I missed this," he said.
And her hand dropped.
She took in a deep, pained breath. Her eyes went wide, tears leaking from their corners.
"Adeline?" he asked, alert.
She coughed out some more blood, shutting her eyes tightly.
"Adeline, are you –"
He was not able to finish his question when her body shuddered once, and went still.
"Addy," he shook her lightly. "Don't be dead, please, don't be dead."
He placed his head on her chest, hearing out for a heartbeat.
He heard it, but it was fading away into nothing.
Life was leaving her.
"No, no, no!" he said, tears forming in his eyes. "Please don't go, Adeline. Stay. Stay! Please…"
Aslan! He thought miserably. Please don't do this. I beg you. I know how much I've hurt her and how bad I've been with her but don't punish me like this. Please, help me. Help her. Please…
He heard footsteps behind him.
"Chad," he called out in despair, "She is dying!"
"I'm here."
And relief coursed through him.
"Lucy," he whispered.
The Valiant Queen sat across from him, looking down at Adeline. As quick as lightning, she pulled out her cordial from her belt.
Chad came to sit next to him. "She was out in the woods, searching for us," he explained, disapproval in his tone. "I heard her voice calling out to us."
"It was dangerous," Edmund said, detached.
"I know," Chad agreed. "She decided to come after us instead of waiting like she should have."
Adeline's body remained still after Lucy administered the cordial.
"Was she… dead," Lucy looked at his brother, "Before I came?"
He shook his head. "I don't know."
And Adeline jerked.
"She'll be fine," Lucy said with a small smile.
"Her wounds are healed," Chad noticed with wonder. "It's like a miracle."
Lucy smiled at him as she replaced her cordial. "It is a miracle."
"Adeline?" Edmund asked.
"Edmund," she opened her eyes slowly.
Laughing out in joy, the Just King pulled her up in a tight hug. "I thought you had died."
"I thought the same," she mumbled, her arms around him for a moment before she let go and pulled away. "Thank you for saving me."
Edmund noticed her formal tone.
Instead of responding, he turned to his sister. "How long has it been since we left?"
"About four hours," she replied.
"Peter?"
Lucy smiled. "He returned with Irene. She was so happy. And finally, Isabel stopped crying too," she said. "Irene was asking for you."
"I'll see her."
"You need to return to the city," Lucy said in a low voice. "It's time you..."
"Get Estella back," Edmund completed when she had trailed off. "I know."
Chad glanced at Emery and Bayard. "They are not dead, just knocked out."
"They will wake up soon enough," Edmund pointed out. "It would be better to get them to the palace before they do."
"I brought an extra horse with me," Lucy said. "We can tie them on it and then take them."
"Lucy and I can do it," Chad offered. "And Edmund can take Lady Adeline to her home before coming back to the palace."
Edmund stared at Chad intently. The boy knew that Edmund wanted to be alone with Adeline for a while.
"I'll do that," the Just King agreed.
"You can take my horse if you want," Chad offered.
"No," Edmund shook his head. "You'll need it."
Lucy placed a hand on Adeline's shoulder. "Are you alright, Adeline?"
"Y-yes," she nodded, dazed.
"You need to rest," Edmund declared, standing up and holding out a hand. "Come, let's get you home."
Adeline hesitated before taking his hand and slowly standing up.
"You two be careful," Edmund told Chad and Lucy.
"We will be."
"I'll see you at the palace."
"Edmund," Lucy called. "Don't go to Alfred's place before you have discussed it with Peter."
Edmund nodded and turned.
He walked outside in silence, with his hand firmly on Adeline's back as he led her towards the horses. Once they reached there, Edmund untied his stallion.
"E-Edmund," Adeline asked hesitantly.
"Yes?"
"Do you have some water?"
Edmund blinked. "Sure," he pulled out his water-skin from the saddlebags. "Here you go."
Taking the water-skin, Adeline gulped down water.
"Didn't they give you anything to eat or drink?"
She shook her head. "I haven't eaten anything or had a drop of water since last afternoon."
Edmund frowned. "I thought you were kidnapped last night."
"I skipped dinner last night," she mumbled sheepishly.
He narrowed his eyes. "Are you starving yourself because of what I did to you?"
She did not reply.
"This is wrong," he stated and then shook his head. "There is dried blood all over your head and throat."
Adeline looked down. Sure enough, there were blotches of blood on front of her dress too. "I'm fine." A pause, "We should leave."
Edmund silently helped her on the horse before sitting behind her and taking the reigns.
As they rode through the trees, he felt her lean against him, her head on his chest.
It reminded him of that morning, when they had spent a long time talking to each other in his bed…
"Are you alright? He asked.
"Just tired," she said, turning to look at him. And then she gasped. "You're hurt."
Edmund looked down at his bleeding arm. "It's nothing."
"Look at all the blood," Adeline said. "You should have taken Lucy's cordial."
He smiled slightly. "I've had worse."
"But it's bleeding and you'll need your strength when…" she trailed off, "When you go to get Estella back."
He looked down at her. Her face was a mask and he could detect no emotion on it.
She looked away.
So did he.
A few moments passed in silence when he heard the sound of cloth tearing.
"Did you just tear your dress?" he asked her.
"It was already torn," she replied holding out the strips of cloth as she turned towards his arm. "Here, let me tie them around your wound. It might help stop the blood."
"You didn't have to."
"But I did. You saved my life," she said simply, her voice blank. "I owe you."
"Then you should probably listen to all that I have to say." He said. "Let me talk."
"I don't think there is anything left to be said."
"There is," he said.
She fastened the pieces of cloth before looking away. "We don't have time to talk. Life is moving on."
"Then it will have to stop."
"Life doesn't stop for anyone."
And he didn't say anything else.
Sure, he wanted to talk to her. And no time could have been better than this, but he was too worried about Estella.
Now is not the time, he decided. Right now, there was so much to do, so much to see, so much to worry about...
[][][][][][][][]
"Alfred, have some mercy please!" Estella screamed, falling down as he punched her again.
"Mercy?" he asked, leaning down. "Why would I use that?"
"You've had your fun!" she cried, staring down at her torn dress and at the mess on the bed. "Why are you hitting me now?"
"You caused me so much trouble." He hissed. "So much trouble."
"There would have been no trouble if you hadn't hit me that day in Daelhr," she replied.
"How dare you talk back to me?" he slapped her, hard. "Did Edmund teach you that?"
"Yes he did," Estella replied, pushing him away. "And you should know your limits. I'm your wife, I love you and I'm yours – but that does not mean that you can use me however you want."
"Oh yes I can," he sneered. "In case you have forgotten I've just – what was the word they used in the court? – raped you, and I can do it again whenever I want."
With that, Alfred took her arm.
She pulled it away, "Not anymore."
Fury burned in his eyes as he punched her. "You bitch!" he thundered. "I'll make you pay for behaving like this with me!"
And he did, no matter how much Estella tried to resist and fight back…
[][][][][][][][]
"Mother!" Adeline ran into her arms, crying.
"Oh, my child!" Lady Agatha wrapped her arms around her daughter. "All this blood, are you hurt?"
"No, mother," she sniffed. "I've been healed."
"How –?" she began and stopped when she saw Edmund standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Oh my!"
"It seems," Lord Niall said as he hugged Adeline, "that I am in debt to you, my king, for bringing my daughter back."
"It was my duty," Edmund said. "She was captured because she spoke against Alfred and it was my fault. I'm sorry."
"No, please don't apologize," the Lord shook his head. "And please come in."
Edmund nodded, walking into the living room and sitting down on the comfortable sofa. "Can I have some water, please?" he asked politely.
"Of course my lord," one of the maids said and ran away quickly.
"Jule," Adeline asked. "Where is she?"
"Upstairs, resting," her mother replied.
"Is she hurt? The men dragged me away before –"
"No. She sprained her ankle but otherwise she is fine."
"Thank goodness."
"Thank King Edmund," the lady smiled. "He has had search parties out looking for you. He didn't reast until you were found."
Adeline looked at him.
"He's the reason Adeline has been such a mess in the first place," Juliana said, standing at the top stair.
"Jule!" Adeline rushed upstairs to hug her sister. "I've been so worried about you."
"And I you."
"Juliana!" Lord Niall scolded. "Do not speak such about the king, he saved your sister."
"Even though things didn't work out for them," Lady Agatha hesitated, "And they are no more courting, he risked his life for her."
"He owed her that much," Juliana said, her eyes moving to Edmund. "Forgive me, my king. I respect you very much and I thank you from the core of my heart for bringing Adeline back. But I just spoke my mind."
"I know," Edmund inclined his head. "And I respect your opinion for it is the truth."
His eyes moved to Adeline who was staring at him, her face blank.
He hated that blank face… He loved it when it was full of emotions.
All that had happened over the past week had truly hurt her, scarred her heart… and he hated that.
"I have to go," Edmund said. "I have important matters to attend."
Inclining his head, he turned.
"Edmund," Adeline called.
He looked back at her, his heart filling with some strange kind of hope.
"Thank you, my king."
He nodded and walked out of the house, towards the palace.
[][][][][][][][]
Edmund walked into the palace and came face to face with Caspian in the hallway.
"Lucy?" Edmund asked.
"She is in her room resting. So is Chad," he replied.
"And those two men?"
"In the dungeons for now."
"Good." The Just King paused. "Where is Irene?"
"With Isabel. She wouldn't let her go out of sight."
"Understandable." Edmund hesitated. "And… Peter?"
Caspian looked at him. "He is in his room too."
"Thanks. Go to Susan."
"I will. She wasn't feeling so well too."
"Anything serious?"
"No. The doctor checked her. Said that Susan shouldn't take so much stress in this condition," Caspian said. "So I think it would be better to keep her out of the matters."
Edmund nodded in agreement and then walked towards the High King's chambers.
Once reaching, he knocked.
There was no reply.
He moved to knock again when he realized that the door was unlocked. Turning the knob, he opened the door and walked in.
And what he saw made him smile.
Irene lay in the middle of the bed, fast asleep. She shifted, kicked something invisible in her sleep and then turned over.
Next to her lay Isabel, sleeping as well, and for the first time since the moment Irene had been missing, Edmund saw utter relief and peace on the consort queen's face.
Peter was sleeping too, though in a sitting position. His head lolled against the bed post, one hand on Isabel.
Edmund decided that it would be better to leave them alone. He turned and moved towards the door when –
"Ed?"
He stopped, turned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"You didn't," Peter replied in a low voice as he stood up. "I didn't realize when I fell asleep."
Edmund chuckled. "It happens."
Peter looked lovingly at Irene and Isabel and then motioned towards the terrace. "Let's not disturb them."
Edmund nodded and followed his brother out in the open air. He admired the view from the balcony for a moment before turning to Peter. "What happened there?"
"Exactly what we had expected," Peter replied. "Alfred was the nicest man, offering us tea, making us feel comfortable. Then he apologized for taking Irene, hoping that it would not affect our wonderful friendship."
Edmund snorted. "What a hypocrite."
Peter agreed. "Then he asked Estella to come over and sit with him. I didn't let her. I wanted Irene first. So he went to this room upstairs and brought down Irene." Peter looked at him. "But before he gave me my daughter, he made me swear that no one will hurt him because of what happened."
"What?" Edmund asked, enraged. "I cannot believe that you would swear –"
"I swore that I would not hurt him or meet him unless I had to," Peter said. "This promise does not include you."
"Oh."
Peter shrugged. "Besides, starting another argument with him would not have helped. I wanted him to stay calm so he would not suspect that we would try to take Estella away from him."
"Right."
"Then, he gave me Irene. While I hugged my daughter, the bastard hugged his, acting as if it was the happiest moment of his life. And then he…" Peter glanced at Edmund. "He wrapped Estella in a tight, loving hug and kissed her."
"He. Kissed. Her." Edmund said through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry."
He shook his head, even though jealousy and anger bubbled in his heart. "There was nothing you could do. They are husband and wife."
Peter nodded. "Alfred ordered his servant to make a wonderful dinner. He offered me to stay but I refused and left."
Edmund sighed. "I'm just glad Irene is back safely."
"Where were you?" Peter asked. "And why is your arm bleeding?"
"I was rescuing Adeline," Edmund replied. "Long story short – I found her with Chad's help. Lucy healed her with the cordial. I dropped her at her home. And Bayard and Emery, the ones who kidnapped her are in the dungeons."
"That is good news."
Edmund nodded. "It wouldn't have been possible without Chad."
Peter shook his head, a small smile on his face. "No matter how much I want to hate that boy, I cannot bring myself to." he chuckled. "I'm still trying though."
"So am I," Edmund admitted, slight humor in his voice. "Lu is my little sister. I won't be a nice brother if I let him have her so easily."
"Is Adeline fine?"
"She is. I really caused her so much trouble and pain, in more than one way."
Peter slapped his arm. "You never intended to."
"... I should go get Estella."
"You should," Peter said. "Take some troops with you. Things might get dirty when you demand her back."
"I will."
"And do something about your arm first. The wound is bleeding and…" Peter looked closely. "That is a pink cloth."
Edmund chuckled. "It is a piece of Adeline's dress. She tied it to stop the bleeding."
"She cares."
"She tries not to show it."
"You love her and you try not to show it."
Edmund blinked. "That is true, I guess."
"Edmund," Peter said. "I know now is not the right time but you cannot travel forward in life with each of your leg in a different boat. You need to choose."
"I've chosen, Pete," Edmund said. "It is Estella. She is the one I loved first."
"That doesn't matter," Peter said. "Who is the one you love more?"
Edmund hesitated.
"Think about it." Peter paused. "And get your wound bandaged."
Edmund nodded and was about to walk away when –
"Hey, Pete?"
"Yeah?"
Edmund smiled. "How's your lip now?"
Peter smiled back. "How is your nose?"
"It hurts."
"Mine too."
"I'm sorry."
"Me too."
"I shouldn't have hit you, Peter."
"And I shouldn't have hit you back."
"It was stupid and naïve."
"Not to mention, pointless."
Edmund nodded. "Do you forgive me?"
"I do. And you?"
"I never was angry at you." Edmund paused. "And Irene matters to me –"
"I know," Peter said. "I remember how insane I went when I wanted revenge from Vane for hurting Isabel. I understand how you feel about Alfred. I should have made my plan clear to you."
"I shouldn't have made you feel as if I don't care about Irene."
Peter hugged Edmund. "We should stop apologizing. It is beginning to get on my nerves."
"Aye," Edmund laughed, hugging his brother back.
"Off you go then," Peter smiled, pulling back.
"I'll see you later," Edmund said and walked away.
[][][][][][][][]
As her head smashed against the vanity glass, Estella decided that this was the worst she had been beaten ever since she got married.
A few of her ribs were definitely broken, her body was bruised, Alfred had raped her twice, she was sore, her head bled, as did her lip and arm and she ached, all over.
"Stop it!" she shrieked, wondering how she still had the energy to do so.
"Why?" he spat. "Why should I stop? You – my wife – humiliated me in front of the court of Narnia, forced me to kidnap the princess and now my lordship is in danger because of you!"
"What about the humiliation I had to go through?" she shot back.
"You whore!" he slapped her and she fell.
As she hit the hard floor, she heard cries.
"Alfred," she said, quickly getting up. "Alys is crying. I have to see her."
And she ran past him and into the room where the child lay in the cot, crying loudly. Before she could reach the bed, a hand grasped her hair and pulled her back.
"Do not walk away from me, ever!" Alfred whispered in her ear.
"It's our daughter," she said. "She is crying. Let me see to her."
"I see that Edmund has taught you how to use your tongue," he said, his voice dangerous. "Now, you better stop using it before I cut it out."
"Do that!" she retorted and elbowed him in his gut. "My daughter needs me."
"Oh, no she doesn't!" he pushed her away.
She stumbled, clutching the curtains for support. They tore and she fell down, toppling the table nearby.
As Alfred pulled her up from her hair, she saw from the corner of her eyes, the lantern falling and breaking. The curtains quickly caught the fire.
"Alfred," she said, coughing as his hands wrapped around her throat. "Fire!"
"I'll burn you in it," he promised, dragging her out of the room. "You bitch! You ruined my life. I should have killed you a long time ago."
"And I should have told everyone about you a long time ago!" She managed to retort even though he was choking her.
Fire burned in his eyes, just as it burned in the house. Picking up a metal vase, he swung it. It hit her head and she fell –
– down the railing and onto the floor of the living room in the lower storey of the house.
She heard a sickening crack and was sure that it came from her. She was not sure which bone it was – the pain made it difficult to feel.
She couldn't hear anything anymore.
Her vision had gone black.
She didn't have the energy to speak.
She didn't even know if she had a voice.
She could feel the heat as the fire spread... or maybe that was just the agony her body was going through.
And it may have been a dream, but she opened her eyes.
The ceiling swam before her.
She turned her head. Alfred descended the stairs.
She turned her head to the other side. The wooden door opened and a pair of legs entered. She wondered if those legs had a body over them.
They did!
She moved her eyes upwards. It hurt, but she was curious.
And then the face of an angel came into her view. Her savior. Her protector. Her one true love...
His brown eyes were wide, his mouth slightly open as shock radiated from every inch of him.
"Edmund!" she managed to say. But she was sure that it was barely a whisper. She couldn't even hear her own voice. But then again, she could hear nothing.
Her vision blurred.
The pain climaxed.
And she submitted.
Closing her eyes, the darkness wove a blanket so tight around her, that she fell – fell deep within it, fell deep with it.
There you go.
I have not started working on the next chapter but I'm pretty sure how it is going to be... so it shouldn't take much long. I'll try to post it as soon as I can.
Until then,
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