Page 105 of Emma & Edmund

When he spoke again, Molek's voice had lost its usual jovial tone. "My power is completely depleted. Poof! I used the last of my reserves, and now hardly have enough energy to speak with you."

"Oh good, so you'll use that up soon too?"

"It's your fault I'm withered to this!" She couldn't find it within herself to be afraid of the malice in the words. "Do you have any idea how much it takes to make a five-day trip into three? Half of what I had went into those damn horses."

Sympathy did not come to Emma. "Where did they go, anyway?"

"Oh, who knows. They fled the moment the cart fell. I've been waiting for you ever since. Where did you find yours?"

"It was tied to a tree." Emma pat the mare's neck gently. Although it had only been a burden the time before, it happily pranced along now. "I found my trunk in a cave as well. I guess it was all just a stroke of luck."

For a long moment, Molek was silent, and Emma didn't mind the reprieve from his quips, bouncing along with her mare. She didn't know if it was just hope creating memories, but she was starting to recognize some of the sights, from one wide field that stretched past the tree line to a home pressed off the road. Her gut told her they were close.

"You say you found all that, yes?"

Emma held back her groan at Molek speaking again. "Yes."

"And that symbol the horse bares?"

"It was there when I found the horse. It was at Annie's house too, and the inn. I heard the symbol belonged to you."

Molek's guffaw came far too loudly, as if it was right in her ear.

"My symbol? I should say not. It appears you have found the witches you sought."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Although dedicated to me, it's the symbol of their coven, and they have given it to you. Welcome to your new sisterhood, Emma Thompson."

Emma sat, riding along without a response. She didn't know what to say, didn't even know if he was teasing her or telling the truth. But something deep inside of her told her that he was right.

It made sense, knowing all the things that fell into place for her to now be almost back with Edmund couldn't happen on their own. She had been given endless unseen help.

She couldn't even find herself upset at the pagan acceptance of her, finding an odd pleasure in the wordsisterhood.

Despite that pleasure, though, Emma couldn't help but turn her chin up at one thought.

"It would be just my luck to be wrapped up in a cult dedicated to you."

Molek's laugh echoed for far too long, following the riding woman further than she paid attention to it.

As the sights became increasingly familiar, confirming their imminent arrival, Emma couldn't find any attention to give to Molek, focused far too heavily on the approaching stone fence, leading up to a tall, wrought iron gate.

Beyond it, guarded by pristine shrubbery and a stone-laid drive, was Belmont.

Chapter 32

Emma didn't need to urge the mare on faster up the drive, already taking off on its own. But as the home drew closer and closer, excitement began to be replaced by fear.

Nerves coursed up her veins, seizing her heart. She had been so solely focused on making it there, she hadn't even considered rejection. She could make it to the front door, only to be turned away, and never allowed to return. Anthony could take one look at her, and bar her from ever seeing Edmund. Edmund himself could throw her to the curb.

Taking a sharp turn, the mare turned away from the front door, trotting on to the stable. Luckily for Emma, the barn was deserted as the horse came to a stop, allowing her to fall off its back without being seen.

The house stood as a formidable figure, taunting her to even try and enter. While the beautiful estate had been her goal all along, the uncertainty had anxiety caught in her throat.

Her eyes darted to the forest line, inadvertently searching for the break in the trees she knew. The house might be too intimidating, but there was one other place she could check first.

In the next instance, she found herself darting across the lawn. She was more than fully visible to anyone who looked out the back windows, but no one came to call for her, to tell her to leave, or even just to gawk. She couldn't help but wonder if the occupants were purposefully ignoring her.

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