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

CHAPTER 43

EDWARD
27 JUNE 1415

"I know not how it would be possible, but if that is what you wish, we must save him," I declared, my heart sinking with my own suggestion. "I know I forbade you to visit the chapel, but if you want, we can try to see if you can pass through it."

I knew not how I managed to say this to her, but it hurt deep in my soul. How would I be able to watch her disappear through the mirror?

Now I understood how Steve must have felt when he witnessed her vanishing through the looking glass.

In return, she still stared at me, as if my words had turned her into a statue.

Smiling sadly, I held her hand. "I do not ever wish to be the cause of these tears, but I know you are suffering because of my desire for you." I kissed her hand. "Steve is facing problems because of my greed for you." Gulping the wretched lump in my throat, I continued, "It is neither your fault nor Steve's—it is my doing." She even forgot to blink, but I blinked to hide the tears that were desperate to cloud my eyes. "And I should be the one to fix it." I kissed her hand again and pulled her up.

Quiet and still grieving for her friend, she did not ask me where I was taking her.

Entering the chapel, she finally realised where we were. Her steps halted, but I pulled her to the altar. Avoiding my beastly reflection, I took her hand.

"I will not stand in your way," I said. "Pay no heed to the witch's words. I will never hurt you, but knowing how much you are suffering, and how Steve is suffering...I do not want to cause any pain."

She stayed like a statue, but a few moments later, she blinked and turned to the mirror. Dropping the bag and sheet of paper, she stepped on the altar floor. I knew not if she would truly leave right now, but something urgent demanded me to stop her. If I let her go, she might never return.

"But you should know that..." I grabbed her hand again. "I cannot live without you." Taking a deep breath, I continued, "Know this." I placed her hand on my heart. "It beats because you are here. You make it beat."

"Oh, Edward." Embracing me tightly, she kissed my neck. "How can you think I'd leave you?" She sifted her fingers through my hair. "I'd never risk touching the mirror even if I knew I could pass through." Pulling away, she smiled. "I can't live without you, either, my love."

The heart that had sunk deeper into the darkness finally found its way to swim on the surface. I was able to breathe again.

Unable to control my happiness, I kissed her face senselessly, kissing her lips, eyes, cheeks—everywhere.

"I know I gave you permission to return to your betrothed, but know this: the monster we see in the looking glass needs you more than the Crown Prince of England." Her eyes softened at my words as she passed her warm fingers through my hair again.

"Oh, Edward." Her body melted with such sweetness that if I died at this moment, I would never regret it. I pulled her closer, not leaving enough space for air to pass between us. I wanted to merge into her, never to let her go.

"I will never hurt you," I said, still kissing her everywhere on her face—on her eyes, forehead, cheeks. It wasn't enough. Kissing her was never enough. "I cannot even think of displeasing you." I wanted more of her.

With my passion driving me mad, I pushed her to the wall while kissing her, not realising that it was, in fact, the mirror behind her. We almost fell into oblivion on the other side when I snapped my eyes open and pulled her instantly back before we both fell to the other side. And I did not even know which side it was. Her time, or some other time? The old witch in the market had told her that she had lived in three different times. I knew two of them, but was it now the third time on the other side of the looking glass?

"What the hell," I muttered, pulling her closer. We both managed to catch our breaths.

"How did it..." She turned to face the mirror, but we both turned catatonically silent when we saw what was there in the reflection. I was holding her by the waist, but it was not the ugly beast holding her—it was me.