Page 37 of Emma & Edmund

"Well then," Emma said, watching him remove the mask, showing off a triumphant smile, "I suppose I shouldn't have worried. We should probably seek a dark corner of the pub, though, just in case."

"Then we're off!" Edmund offered his staff one last smile before turning on his heel, beckoning Emma along with him. With a last thank you to Millie, she was taken aback by the aghast look on Anthony's face.

"But...but," he stuttered, "alone? Surely you can't-"

"I cannot be a common man with you following me about, Anthony."

"Do you know the way? What if-"

"If we're not back in...what do you think Emma? How long do you think we'll be?"

"Ah, three hours?" She offered, trying to gauge when her roommates may retire, keeping in mind the time to return to her normal state.

"If we're not back in four hours, you may come looking for us."

Still tightlipped, Anthony said no more, although his heavy frown fully displayed his displeasure.

Taking the opportunity, before another objection could be lobbed, Edmund stalked off into the orchard, throwing one last wave over his shoulder. Eyes locking with Emma's, she could practically hear his unspoken plea for her to hurry along before they could be delayed further.

As she ran to catch up with him, Emma almost admired how much faith he had in their plan, wishing she could feel the same.

"What will we need four hours to accomplish?" Emma gasped out once she finally reached him, eyes only barely adjusting to the darkness.

"I wanted to give us some time. Just in case we start to enjoy being...not ourselves," Edmund shot her a grin, the still drawn hood hiding much of his face in shadow.

"Aren't you the least bit nervous?"

Edmund was quiet for a long while, crossing the threshold to the woods. In the thin brush near the house, it was easy for Emma to discern it was not the same path that led to his cabin but knew no more than that.

Walking side-by-side, Emma wondered if he was ignoring her question. Turning up to him to repeat herself, the words dried as she unexpectedly met his gaze.

"I'm terrified," Edmund finally admitted in a whisper, leaning in close to Emma. "Although, I can't help but think how exciting it is, as well. I have never been to town. I doubt I have ever gone four hours without Anthony knowing exactly where I was my entire life. Have you ever been to a pub?"

"Certainly not! I'm not so stupid as to be found in such a place."

"That is exactly what I'm excited for!" Edmund continued, gesturing with his arms excitedly as he spoke. "We will likely never have an opportunity to break the rules so extravagantly as we are right now."

"I'm not so sure, I feel like I have broken rule after rule since practically the moment we met." She didn't mean it with any vitriol, but Edmund still cast her a look, disheartenment all over his face.

"I know," he said sincerely, "and I have never been more grateful to a single soul."

"Even Mr. Anthony?" Emma joked, ignoring the rising beat of her heart. There was something about his reverent tone that wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

"Well, I suppose I've never been more grateful toanothersingle soul." Emma finally allowed a laugh.

With tension eased, even ever so slightly, they walked a distance in comfortable silence, the thick cotton clothes keeping Emma warm in the dipping temperatures of the night. She even got used to the shoes, her gate changing to accommodate the new shape. Somewhere along the way, she reasoned the clunkier walk would help to sell their lie even that much more.

Not too long after that thought, the light of flickering streetlamps broke through the trunks and branches, betraying how close they now were to the town - and how far they were from safety.

Whatever amicable comfort had overtaken Emma was stripped away at the sight of people moving through the streets. They wouldn't be able to spot the pair in the dark sanctuary of the trees, but with alarmingly quick escalation, Emma could make out distinct features and movements.

There on the narrow path, the hidden pair came to a stop. Emma couldn't hear much over her stuttering breathing and deafening heartbeat, but the occasional bursts of laughter or yelling that sounded through the night did not help her nervous state much.

Until that moment, it was just a silly plan, probably without an outcome, but now she had to prove her words true. She had to waltz out of the woods, pretend to be a man, and meet a potential witch in a pub. And do so all while those dearest to her think her ill - or possibly half-crazed. She couldn't blame them for the latter.

Emma's throat squeezed as a hand slipped into hers, engulfing her fingers in a strong, unyielding grip. While propriety demanded she shake off Edmund's hold, she could hardly acknowledge the fact when she felt the tremble of his touch through their matching gloves. Edmund, for all of his excitement, was just as frightened as her.

Glancing at him through her eyelashes, Emma saw his tight-set jaw, the furrow of his brow. He had so much more to lose than she, with his very life on the line. Her heart tightened at the thought.

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