A moment later, the figure emerged from darkness, revealing itself in front of the flickering flames. Only Rosalie recognized the man who had come to save her, single-handedly.
“Rosalie!” Edmund shouted, as she walked past Hercules and ran to him.
His arms spread wide, welcoming her into a loving embrace. She dug her face into his chest, breathing in his smell, the same smell that had lulled her to sleep on so many nights.
“What… what are you doing here?” she asked when she finally lifted her head from the warmth of his body, unwilling to let go of him, for fear that he was merely a mirage and not a man of flesh and bone.
“I came to find you,” he whispered, cupping her chin, his eyes gazing at hers. “I asked everyone on my way about the House of Wonders. Finally, a man knew the right way.”
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she trembled in his arms. Then, she turned to her friends. “This is the man I’ve told you about.”
“Where is Loveless?” Edmund demanded to know, skipping all the decorum of social greetings. There was no time for any of that now.
He walked over to the still slumping body on the floor and kicked it hard with one single swoon of his boot. Loveless doubled over, burying his face into the dirt, and moaning and hissing.
“Edmund!” Rosalie reached him in time to prevent another kick. “Stop!” She grabbed him by the shoulders and urged him not to continue.
She knew he needed to be calm and composed for what she had to tell him. If he were to be overtaken by grief and anger, he might murder this man. However, she needed to tell him now. Later might be too late.
“You are a disgrace!” Edmund spat angrily at the man, who was probably in too much pain to even listen.
Rosalie’s friends looked on, curious as to what would happen next. But none of them decided to interfere, and Rosalie appreciated it. This was her matter to settle. Hers and Edmund’s.
“Edmund…” she spoke softly, aware that the moment was nigh. The longer she hesitated, the more painful it would be. “I must tell you something…”
“If it is an apology, I won’t hear it, my love,” he took her hands into his hand, and showered them with kisses. “It is I who owe you an apology, for not doing anything when this beast dragged you out my home.”
For a moment, she thought he was about to strike the lying man once more, but Edmund somehow managed to refrain from doing so. Rosalie knew it was solely because of her.
“Edmund,” she tried to smile, but it was only a weak effort. “There is something urgent you need to know.”
“Urgent?” he asked.
“About this man,” she pointed at Loveless, who tried to get up, but Hercules shoved him back into the dirt. Back where he belonged.
“What could you tell me about him that I don’t already know?”
“He and Mr. Goosevelt are…” she bit her lower lip as she spoke, endeavoring to buy herself more time to come up with the perfect words that would convey the message. But she could think of none. “They are responsible for your brother and sister-in-law’s death.”
Edmund’s mouth dropped open. His eyes widened in shock. She grabbed him by the shoulders once more, feeling his body shiver under her touch. A storm was brewing inside of him, and she was afraid how it would manifest itself upon exiting. She anticipated something violent, something that might destroy Edmund himself, and her with him.
Patiently, she waited. There was nothing else she could do. Her friends waited, as well. They finally understood everything. Loveless had wronged them all, but it was not their place to punish him. Loveless had taken a life, two lives in fact, and it was Edmund’s right for vengeance. As the Old Testament claimed – an eye for an eye.
Rosalie knew well that vengeance never brought anyone any good. It would only bring forth more hatred, more pain. An eye for an eye would leave everyone involved blind. She breathed heavily, waiting for Edmund’s next action.
Finally, Edmund dropped down to his knees. His chest heaved. Rosalie could not even begin to comprehend how difficult this must be for him. But she was grateful that she was by his side.
“He must pay for what he’s done,” Edmund suddenly growled, getting up off the ground.
He marched over to Loveless. Hercules tried to stop him, but Edmund, possessed by unparalleled strength, pushed Hercules away so hard, the strong man almost fell down backwards. Edmund proceeded to grab Loveless by the throat, propping the man onto his knees. Rosalie watched in dismay, as Edmund leaned down at Loveless and whispered something into his ear. Loveless immediately nodded, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. Rosalie could see his lips moving, but she could hear nothing. If Loveless actually did say anything, it was meant for Edmund’s ears alone.
Abruptly, Edmund let go of the grip he had on Loveless, allowing his body to slump back down, while he himself trudged over to Rosalie. His worn-out eyes told her that was enough for tonight. More than enough.
“I’ll go fetch the Constables,” he told her. “Can your friends look after him?”
Hercules nodded in assurance, before Rosalie could explain.
“Can you find the other man?” Edmund asked Hercules.
