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"It’s one of my favorite places," I murmur.Another thing I’ve never told anyone. See, I’m sharing more of myself.
"The scenery is so beautiful." She gazes at the forests we’re passing by. We’ve been driving steadily since we left London. After we cross East Devon, I turn onto a B road, and the scenery grows more wild, more untamed. There’s a ruggedness and yet, a desolation, to the terrain that resonates with that darkness I’m no longer able to hide.
I glance toward her. "It is."
She turns, and our eyes meet.
"I want you to know, I’m on birth control. I decided to get a prescription when I realized we were getting married."
Something streaks across the corner of my vision. I hit the brakes, turn to face forward, and the car screeches to a halt. The impact throws me against my seatbelt. I know she’s wearing her seatbelt because I checked before we left, but it doesn’t stop me from throwing my arm out in front of her.
There’s another flash of white as the rabbit disappears into the undergrowth.
"You okay?" I turn to find the color has leached from her features. Her shoulders tremble. I unhook my seatbelt, reach over and take her in my arms. "You’re good. I’ll never let anything happen to you."
She nods against my shoulder. "Wh-what happened?"
"A rabbit ran across the road. I stopped in time."
"Oh, thank god." She burrows deeper into my chest. I tuck her head under my chin and breathe in her scent. My heart thunders in my chest, echoing hers.
"I’m glad you didn’t hit it," she says softly.
"You sure you’re okay?"
"Yes." Her voice sounds steadier. I hold her for a few seconds more, then release her and scrutinize her features.
"I promise, I’m fine." She half smiles.
I reach for the bottle of water and hold it out. She takes it from me, screws open the top, and takes a sip. Some of the water slips down her chin, and before I can stop myself, I wipe it off.
She flushes a little, and says, "Thanks." She hands it back to me, and I take a few gulps. I put it aside, then take another deep breath.
That scared me more than I’d like to admit. If something had happened to her, if she’d been hurt—my heart crashes into my ribcage and sweat breaks out on my brow—I wouldn't have been able to live with myself. But she’s fine; nothing happened to her. And I intend to make sure it stays that way.
I turn to her. "Ready to go?"
43
Mira
I hear my name and open my eyes. I yawn, then sit up and look around. Lights. The entire place is lit up. We’re in queue behind a long line of cars, and the sign on the side of the road says, "Angarrack: Twelve Days of Christmas."
"I’ve heard of this village. It hosts one of the most famous Christmas light displays in the country."
"It does." He nods.
I sit up, take in my surroundings. Edward eases the car forward, following those in front. We make our way through the quaint village streets. The display pays homage to the Twelve Days of Christmas with the illuminations counting up from the first day of Christmas. The houses are lit across rooftops and at the sides, and there’s even a display on the river over which we drive.
"It’s beautiful." I can’t take my gaze off the lights.
"It is," he murmurs.
I shoot him a glance, but he’s focused on the driving. The sidewalks teem with tourists, families with kids, couples, all taking photographs of the lights. It’s so festive. I feel like I’ve been dropped into the pages of a storybook Christmas. Finally, we pass the display with twelve drummers drumming, for the Twelfth Day. "Oh, I want a picture. Can I get a picture?"
Edward brings the car to a halt at the side of the road.
I grab my phone and step out, then gesture to him. "Can I take a picture with you?"
