Page 20 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
Scarlett shudders in his arms.Glistening tears spill down her neck and soak the ribbon around her throat.She begins to shake violently.Teeth clatter with each broken sob.
Richard sighs and shakes his head.
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple.”The other two men come up to flank him, ready to cut Krane down.“An alarming report that you have spoiled my daughter has reached the duke and his son.If that is the case, then payment must be taken.In whatever form her intended demands.”
The Headless Horseman has to scoff.There was no report.Earl Richard had caught the two of them nearly a month before.He hadn’t cared for the rumors swirling about his daughter and Krane until it would somehow impede the money the duke was willing to give him.
Then retribution had to be taken.
To his credit, Earl Bram looks bored.The hand on his dagger is loosely wrapped.He merely shrugs as the other two men look towards him.
“Let the poor bastard go.I care very little about fucking a virgin on her wedding day.”
Duke Marc growls at his son.
“Your flippant attitude is unbecoming.”His blue eyes bore into Richard’s.“We seek the stable boy’s head as payment.”
“No!”
Both Krane and Scarlett scream the word in tandem.The Headless Horseman ensures her eyes are open.She will bear witness to everything that comes next.
“Please, sir.I beg you.I’ve been with your family for years.I’ve been loyal, I’ve?—”
“Hush, dear boy,” Richard coos.“It will all be over soon.”
Quick as lightning, Earl Richard Crest unsheathes his dagger and embeds it into Krane’s abdomen with a sickening squelch.Scarlett screams in his arms, thrashing against his hold.Krane huffs in pain, clutching his stomach as Richard removes the blade now coated in crimson.
Duke Marc appears behind Krane as he staggers back.He wastes no time tripping the younger man and kicking him into the dirt.Krane groans and grunts at each sharp pounding of the duke’s steel-toed boot.Once both of his green eyes begin to swell, the duke bends down and hefts him onto his feet.His deadweight is cumbersome, but somehow the duke manages.
“Do it, Bram.Sink your blade into him.”
“Father, is this really ne?—”
“Do it!”
Rolling his eyes, Earl Bram stalks behind the bleeding Krane.Unsheathing his ornate dagger, he embeds it into the man’s back.His screams echo throughout the woods.Birds and creatures take refuge in the surrounding trees to hide from the mutilation.
“Good,” the duke purrs, releasing Krane.
He stumbles forward a step, miraculously still on his feet.Trying to open his swelling eyes is useless.Blood pours from his nose and mouth.The wound to his stomach weeps through his open hands.Krane carries the scent of death with him.He already looks more like a monster than a man.
Earl Richard unsheathes his sword—the silver metal glints in the moonlight.
“Krane!”Scarlett screeches, trying to reach for him.
The Headless Horseman snarls at her.How dare she pretend to care now?It was her words that caused all of this.Her fictitious love sent him to his death as certain as if she stabbed him herself.
“His head, my lord.”
With one mighty swing, his sword whistles through the air and cleaves Krane’s head from his shoulders in one blow.His body collapses into a pile of bent limbs.Blood spurts from the gaping hole in his neck.Scarlett screams, her voice sharp as nails.Over and over she shrieks as his head rolls away.Eyes still cracked open and staring up at her.
She thrashes and bucks, but it is of no use.
They watch as her father kicks his head back over to nestle beside Krane’s fallen body.The three men return to each other’s sides before turning towards their horses
“She’ll go looking for him tomorrow.We’ll leave the body here for her to find.”Earl Richard shakes his head.“This is all her doing after all.”
“No,” Scarlett chokes.“No, no,no.”
