Once Upon A [Hidden] Time - [Stolen] Series IV

CHAPTER 37

MYRA
27 JUNE 1415

After dropping Emma off with her friends from class, we walked along the pretty and serene cobblestone streets under the shining sun, going nowhere in particular—just getting used to walking side by side. It was always surprising to me that Edward, being royalty, was never accompanied by his entourage. On the surface, it seemed like he was leading the life of a commoner.

A few moments later, he held my hand—gently and tenderly. It was the most beautiful gesture I had received from him. He was not a person who'd court a woman—not because he couldn't, but because his curse forbade it. Still, knowing how the villagers looked in our direction as we passed the busy market, he seemed to deny their existence altogether. As if we were the only two people here. The world around me faded away into a blissful mist as we crossed the bridge and walked to the other side of the town.

Either I could not hear people calling us, or I was too lost in his magical touch that I didn't bother caring about my surroundings. Nor did he.

We didn't talk, but the silence between us exchanged so many things we hadn't done in the past week. Just like two friends, who didn't need to say anything to ward off their burden—just each other's presence made all the difference. Was he trying to be my friend, and not just a lover? Just as James had, could he feel that, deep inside, I missed having a friend around me?

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice that broke my trance.

"One shilling for the truth," she said. I felt Edward's hand gripping tighter.

Edward ignored her and walked past her, with his firm grip still on my hand.

"Trying to be friends, eh!" she sneered. Edward halted, his face blanched. Did this witch have the power to read minds? "Do not forget, my lord, you two are your own enemies." His grip loosened as he ran his hand in his hair. This was a sign of nervousness. "Nothing will destroy what is between you two—unless you let it."

His face reddened with rage as he grabbed the woman's bony throat. "Know your limits."

There was no fear in the woman's eyes. "One shilling for the truth?"

Inhaling sharply, Edward stepped back. I placed my hand on his arm. "Let's go, Edward."

She grabbed my hand. "One shilling for the truth?" Was she crazy?

"I have no shilling," I snapped. The fear of losing Emma, and her prediction of Edward with her blood on his hands, was still looming like a dark veil between us.

"He will send you back," she warned again.

This time, I grabbed her hand. "Why do you say so?"

"Let us go, Myra," said Edward, pulling my arm. "Pay no heed to this daft woman."

She pulled me by the other arm. "He will send you back."

"Myra, make haste," seethed Edward.

"He will hurt you in a way that you will never be able to look back at him." Her shrilling voice, and the trinkets and wind charms were wailing like a siren in my head before the war.

"Shut your mouth, you wench!" Edward snapped. I was torn between the two, both pulling me with urgency.

"He will hurt you," she repeated. Turning to Edward, she sneered at him. "And she will take refuge in your enemy."

"His enemy?" I asked, shock paralysing my mind. Who was she talking about?

"He will send you back," she repeated like a broken record. And by looking at Edward's blanched face, he knew what she was talking about. "He will hurt you."

Edward pulled me harshly, on which the woman loosened her grip on my arm.

"You two are your own enemies." Her words followed us like a dark shadow.

We strode back to the street where we came from.

"Blood on your hands, my lord," she shouted. "Someone close to you will die in your arms."

Edward's steps increased with urgency.

"She is a crazy woman. Don't listen to her, Edward," I said.

Petulant anger crossed his face. Was he hiding something? Or was he avoiding the fact that whatever she was saying was inevitable, and no matter how hard we tried to run away from it, we couldn't escape?

On our way back, after picking up Emma, neither of us spoke.