CHAPTER 14
"I could just stay here forever." Daniella sighed dreamily as she and Edward watched the sun rise on the horizon, her back to an old oak tree, Edward lying down, his head by her knees.
"I should never have done it—killing that clown." Edward wondered where his souls were, but put it in the back of his head. This was his last time with Daniella—he nearly left her brokenhearted and abandoned, and he would be damned if he wasted his time caring about them. "I should have given us more time."
"You would have just prolonged it." Daniella caressed his face, ignoring the visible head under. "I'm happy with just now."
Edward reached in his pocket, pulling out the necklace. "The Mordrake heirloom necklace, it's yours."
"It's from your family?" Daniella asked.
"I gave it to Beatrice before we were to marry." Edward explained as Daniella played with his hair. "I had hadn't thought of it after I found out she married."
"You should keep it." She relented. "It's yours."
"No, Beatrice would be damned if I stole something that belonged to her great-great-great-granddaughter." Daniella giggled as Edward got up and then pulled her up to put it on her. He gently wrapped the chain around her neck, kissing her from behind when he was done. "Besides, a trinket so you remember me."
"Of course I'll never forget you." Daniella kissed him back.
"But I do not want you to hold back because of me, is that a promise?" Daniella nodded. "Good, you must continue living, right Daniella? Do not let fear be your enemy, my love. Keep on moving, achieve whatever you want to, because my dear girl, I know you are capable of so much more than what meets the eyes—though you are so very pleasing to look at."
"I'll probably go to London after this." Daniella laughed. "After a murdering clown and a suffocating mother, I think I'll be fine, living in Ellwood Castle."
"Don't forget to visit my home, dear." Edward whispered the name of his family seat and how to get there. At the name of the castle, Daniella's eyes widened, surprised that he and the Mordrakes had once lived there. "I'll look for your room, there." She smirked.
"Excellent." Edward clapped. "And promise me you'll never drive here in the middle of the night ever again? What if I wasn't the one who saw you?"
"Fiiiine," Daniella pouted.
"Now, let's get you home."
Edward sat next to Daniella as they drove home in occasional silence. This is it, Edward thought as they started on the slanting terrain of the hills. He thought leaving Daniella would be the hardest thing to do, and while it still was, he felt light-hearted knowing that he was leaving her ultimately loved and he himself loved in return. When her hand wasn't on that noisy stick that controlled the car and the wheel in front of her, her hand was entwined with his, and Edward felt contented even though he was parting with her for possibly forever. She'll be happy, and I will too, He thought, remembering their brief but joyous time together.
And at last, they drove into the mansion, Daniella cursing softly as she saw Dandy's car was back before hers, which was gone when she left at one in the morning. She easily shrugged it off as they got out of the car, one last goodbye.
"So I guess this is good-bye," Daniella smiled, fighting back the tears.
"I bid you farewell, my love." Edward kissed her passionately. They agreed that waiting any longer for sun down would only prolong their misery of waiting, and agreed to part ways while they still had time. "Even if there are no stars where I shall be—"
"I know, I know, I'm a sun or a star or the night—you know I still haven't figured out what you meant." Daniella giggled.
Edward leaned on her ear and whispered. "You are my everything."
Without another word, Edward tipped his hat at her, and she wordlessly curtsied, watching him as he turned and walked towards the gate. He passed halfway through the roundabout and Daniella, scared she would try to run out to him, blew him a kiss before stepping indoors.
Edward walked away in high spirits. He would disappear as soon as the walls covered him, giving Daniella the last chance to look at him. He turned to look back when he passed the gate, smiling bitterly but gladly that she was no longer by the door. She's a strong woman, He admired. I was wrong to think she will be broken—she is stronger than she looks.
He nearly disappeared when he heard the bloodcurdling scream coming from the Mott Mansion. His instincts took over as he ran back. Daniella!