Page 111 of Emma & Edmund

He wasn't well for weeks. Molek whispered in his ear how foolish he was, how he could get revenge if he wanted, but even then, he survived.

He would always wait as long as he needed to. Let her run, but she needed him as much as he needed her. Like a moth to a flame, she was destined to return.

A sudden creak of wood threw his attention back to the study doors, meeting Emma's gaze as she first peeked out the door before slipping through entirely, closing it with a click.

He couldn't quite decipher the soft smile and downcast eyes. He had seen her determined and angry, with her chin held high and a scowl that was truly more of a pout. But he had also seen her shy and overwhelmed, where she looked much more so like she did now.

"Are you all right?" Emma asked when she approached him, taking the mask in her hands, slipping it off.

"Are you?" She sighed deeply, and his heart sank. "Emma, if you don't-"

"It's not that," she cut him off, glancing over her shoulder to the still-shut doors, "he's just...a bit unnerved, I think. It's been a long few months, and to him, this all seems very sudden. He's more concerned about what your intentions may be than anything else. Although, I only mentioned you may not look like he imagined, but he promised to hear us out."

Cupping her cheeks in both hands, thumbs meeting under her tiny chin, Edmund thought - not for the first time - how easily it would be to snap the bone beneath his palms.

Even if she also felt the risk, Emma didn't pull away. She hadn't since the moment she promised herself to him. The way she melted into his touch made his heart skip a beat, filling him with a fresh wave of love.

And he would spend the rest of his days repaying her for bringing him such a feeling.

"After today," he started lowly, holding her soft, stormy eyes, "he will never doubt my intentions again. He can hate my face until his final breath, but he will never be able to deny my love for you."

Her face turned hot and red under his hands, but he felt her fighting off a smile that threatened to break over her cheeks.

"So, you're certain, then? He could call the mob and pitchforks the moment we leave."

"He's your father, do you think he would?"

Another sigh from her perfect lips, their bow shape distracting him for the briefest moment while she took his hands in hers, holding both tightly to her chest.

"I just don't know. And I'm frightened."

"Well, I'm not," Edmund lied without regret, puffing his chest, "Anthony is waiting in our getaway cab, just in case, and I have never seen anyone outrace that man."

"My love, I don't believe you have seen very much of anyone at all."

He hadn't meant to laugh as loudly as he did then, but it reverberated off the walls and windows, nonetheless.

When he regained himself, Emma looked neither put out nor perturbed, only blaring her white smile at him as if overjoyed by the sound.

"You can show off your excellent wit later, my Emma. For now, I need to add one more person to my small tally."

"Regardless of what ends up transpiring, know that I love you." She looked up at him with all the seriousness her precious face could muster, her intensity bringing a stir to his loins.

He now knew well the depths of passion those eyes could throw his way, and how glorious the sounds she made turned as she expounded her love.

A simple grip at her waist brought her in close, and it wasn't a moment later that his lips covered hers in a feverish kiss. All they had to do was this one simple task, and then he could have her to his heart's desire.

"For now," he breathed as he pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers, "try not to say things that'll whip me into a frenzy. The last thing we need is to pair my face with a hardened cock."

Oh, how he wished that wicked smile didn't dawn upon her.

"I don't think that would be so terrible."

With another bursting laugh, it took only a bend of the knee and swoop of the arms to cradle her against him, her chuckles heaving her firm breasts, the round of them peeking out from the curve of her bodice. It did little to help his cause.

"Then, dear Emma," Edmund said before taking her lips in one more bruising, welcomed kiss, "I suppose there's only one thing left to do."

In quick, bounding steps, Emma wrapped in Edmund's arms, they crossed the small room. Without a breath more of hesitation, she knocked against the heavy door.

End.