Jekyll's Wife

Chapter Thirty Seven - Lovers Look

Maria was tired. Her dress was sure to be ruined and her hair was a mess, but she ploughed onwards. The winter brought with it, the rain which had turned the walk through the forest into a mud pit. She'd slipped, fallen and cursed her way through thus far, but knew that the tree was in sight.

It seemed to watch over the rest of the forest and was clearly the highest point for miles. The town was far behind her now and she knew that Jonathon was close.

As she rounded a fallen tree, she saw him, leant in the shadows against the ageing trunk. He didn't see her at first, allowing her a moment to drink him in.

Even stood in the shadows he seemed to glow. Stood beneath the canopy of leaves, he was a welcome reprise. He hummed safety and comfort, and Maria's heart leapt in her chest, as though trying to reach him before she could.

She stumbled as she hurried to him, which caught his attention. The eyes that met hers were filled with want, need and hope.

Like she was his salvation, he ran to her and gripped her so tightly to his chest, that she thought she might never breathe again. He spun them both beneath the burning sun and inhaled the scent of her hair as he pulled her closer.

Nothing could ever feel this good, and nothing would ever again. They broke apart only enough to stare at each other for a long moment, before their lips met in a greedy and demanding kiss.

Maria threaded her hands around his neck, sinking her hands into his hair. He groaned as she pushed herself up against him and tugged lightly at his hair, urging him closer, as close to her as humanly possible.

On the verge of becoming one entity, they broke apart, laboured breathing providing a beat to the sounds of nature. Before she knew it, Maria was laughing and he quickly followed suit.

For a moment they both laughed hysterically, but her mirth caught in her throat as they straightened up and looked at each other again.

He gave her a look that told her everything she'd ever need to know. That he loved her, longed for her and needed her. She took a few steps before him, but he met her in the middle and held her for a moment.

He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and look down at her with an intensity that sent a burning sensation through her body.

It was love, she realised.

"Jonathon." She whispered, but he held a finger to her lips and gently shh'd her.

"Everything's going to be OK, Mary. Let's just leave, you and me. Let's just get out of here and never look back. I love you, I have always loved and I always will."

A cold cavern inside Maria filled with warmth, without her realising it was missing. "Yes, Jonathon. Let's go. Now." She urged, smiling from ear to ear, she was on the verge of being giddy and she squealed as Jonathon picked her up and spun her around once more.

She had never, ever been happier in her entire life and that is probably why she should have known that it wouldn't last.

As she felt a cold wind gather and brush over them, Jonathon abruptly stopped spinning and set her down on the ground. His eyes fixed on something over her shoulder, his face grim.

She followed his gaze and called out when she saw him. Her husband looked crazy, his eyes flickering over the two of them with a raw possessiveness and anger, but that wasn't what had made her cry out.

In his left arm he held a knife, the blade held tightly against a pale, delicate throat. Maria could only helplessly meet Nancy's gaze as realisation set in. Blood pooled beneath the knife and Maria found herself transfixed on the brilliant red that dribbled from the wound and slid down Nancy's throat, across her collar bone and caught in the top of her dress.

With a sob, Maria flicked her attention to her husband, just as the knife stilled in his hand. He wouldn't cut Nancy's throat, not yet.