Page 91 of Emma & Edmund

He was right. It was only a matter of time before Jonathan or the real Gerald arrived home, destroying the barely laid plans of the girl and demon.

As much as she wanted to drink in every inch of her room, committing each corner to permanent memory, she bowed her head and followed the retreating back of her faux father. The restrained sniffles of Heidi followed her.

In the blink of an eye, they had traversed the main stair, crossed the foyer, and left through the door Emma had crossed her entire life. Before her, a black rented carriage and driver awaited to bring her to her chosen fate.

Despite the remorse that filled her heart, leaving the only home she had ever known, she didn't wait for Molek to pretend to have manners and offer his hand. Throwing open the narrow door to the cabin, she lifted her skirts, stepping within.

I'm coming for you, Edmund.

Chapter 27

Molek managed to hold out until just outside of the city limits before he returned to his natural form.

In that time though, they managed to pass a newly wedded couple on the steps of St. Augustine, surrounded by family and friends. William, even more handsome than usual in his wedding suit, locked eyes with Emma for the briefest moment as the carriage passed by.

If she had behaved correctly, she would have been the one in the pale blue dress by his side.

Instead, she was embarking on a desperate journey, fighting for the love of her life.

And still, at that moment, she felt no desire to be the one in front of that church.

Once the trees thickened and the houses began to disburse, the smell of sulfur filled the cabin as her father melted away across from her, leaving only the naked form of Molek.

"What?" She questioned, drawing out the word. "Couldn't hold it any longer?"

"Do you know how much energy I have exhausted today?" Molek shot back, stretching out his long legs and crossing his arms over his chest.

Despite the demon's chiseled body, as if formed from an Italian master, Emma couldn't help but notice how much smaller he was than his son. It was no wonder Edmund acted as the vessel of Molek's power - his arms alone had enough room for the soul of England. "I won't be able to do much for the next day or so. That is, unless, that Lockhart boy-"

Emma had no desire to know the end of Molek's thoughts, holding no sympathy. "What did you even plan? Are we just riding off into the sunset?"

"It's not sunset for hours, love-"

"Do not call me that."

"You're a frustrating conversationalist, aren't you?" Molek's tone suddenly shifted darker. "Do us both a favor and just rest. There's a long journey in front of us, and you don't want to arrive with bags under your eyes, do you?"

Emma eyed him suspiciously. "You'll do something strange while I sleep, won't you?"

"And risk my reward?"

"Why are you even traveling with me, anyway? Getting me out of London was necessary, but you could simply materialize wherever, can't you? Just go back to Belmont; I'll meet you there."

"Did you not just hear me? I usedheapsof energy to help you today. The well is low, so to speak."

Emma opened her mouth to counter but wasn't given the chance before he spoke again.

"Besides, how else am I to ensure you will make it safe and sound? I need you to arrive in one piece just as much as you do."

The carriage rattled along as she glared at him, knowing he was right. He came to find her in the first place, could have killed her in her bed if he wanted to, and yet he was here.

Perhaps, deep inside of the vulgar, pompous mind of Molek, there was a bit of the same spark of light as his son.

It was that glimpse of similarity alone, coupled with the weeks of poor sleep, which had Emma agreeing to lay across the thin bench, tucking her hands under her head in a poor imitation of a pillow. She would never admit it to Molek, but she fell asleep within seconds.

It felt like hardly a moment before her shoulder was violently shaken, pulling her from the blissful black space she was resting in.

"Wake up, we're here."

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