Page 44 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
“Scarlett,” he rasps.
Inside his pumpkin, a green flame kindles, sparks, and holds steady.
From that one flame, an inferno is born.With a shattering growl, the room around me erupts into emerald fire.It licks over every surface, melting the shackles along the ceiling and the bars of the cells.Guards scream, my father yells at my mother to run, but it’s too late.Flames engulf them all.My eyes can barely see a thing, only fuzzy shapes and soft edges.
The silver of his shackles melts away, hitting the floor with a hiss.Krane rises, his skin threading back together before my eyes.His pumpkin glows, restored.I think I say his name.He looks at me as if I did, but it’s all too hazy.
The last thing I remember is a wall of green before the darkness claims me.
22
THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN
He carries her limp body from the horse.
Luminous pale skin has turned ashen.Scarlett’s full ruby lips are blue, and her chest weakly shudders up and down.Death hangs heavy in the air tonight.Each body he passed on the way out of the manor had erupted in green fire.He was never more powerful than he was right now, and yet none of it mattered.
If he could not save her, then what was the point?
He cannot lose her, not now.After just finding her, the blood soaking the front of her gown seeks to take her away.In death, he cannot follow.Not as he is now.He has to find some way to save her.He’ll barter with his soul for the chance to heal her.Life means nothing if she isn’t here beside him.
The forest curls around them like fingers.Fog forms a thick blanket along the ground, covering him up to his ankles.The Headless Horseman has no idea where he’s taking her.Some invisible sting pulls him deeper into theWhispering Woods.Closer to the place where he met his own end.
Whatever magic spared him that night could do the same for her.Even if she were cursed, they would still be together, toiling away as two monsters until the end of time.It would be enough just to have her, even if he wished he could spare her from the pain of the transformation.
His boots slow in the dirt.Gently, he sets her down amongst the mist.The thick fog encases her like a death shroud.Her skin is far too pale, and her chest…he swallows.Her chest has gone still.A broken sob leaves him, and he falls forward.
The soft swells of her breast cushion his pumpkin head as he cries against her.Her face is serene in death.Her blood wets him, and her heart remains quiet.With a shuddering breath, he appeals to the moon.Beseeches it to spare her from this untimely fate.Screaming, weeping, and praying, the forest is filled with the sounds of his despair.
His whole body freezes as something brushes along his shoulder.Glancing up, he sees nothing, though the imprint of phantom fingers remains on his skin.The fog grows thicker, nearly swallowing her whole.
“Krane,” a voice echoes from the fog.“Krane.”
The mist swirls around him.Shadows dance on every corner.His eyes are wild as she searches through the darkness, trying to find that soft voice calling out to him.Spinning around, he gasps at the sight before him.
Scarlett.Alive.
Her cheeks are pink.Mischief sparks in her blue eyes.Her teeth sink into her full lower lip as she flutters her lashes at him.How is this possible?Is this a dream?A figment of his imagination?
“What are you doing out here?You should know better than to venture into theWhispering Woods.”
Glancing down, her corpse is gone.Only this vision of her remains, looking at him expectantly.Apprehension tears at his stomach, but he doesn’t try to flee.Something urges him to stay.The feel of her soul against his encourages him to remain in place.
Her warmth flows from her.The soft scent of rose water makes his mouth water as she drifts closer.Something flickers in her eyes as her grin grows.
“Were you hoping to get me alone?Somewhere no one could find us?”
Her teasing tone causes his cock to twitch.She is his siren, luring him to her with barely a smile.Her fingers drift over his pumpkin, as if she has done it a thousand times before.This vision of her knows him as he is now.Whatever this is, he must see it through to the end..
Finding his voice, he manages a nod.
“Yes.”
His voice is rough.Scarlett giggles, reaching behind herself and making quick work of the lace of her gown.It falls into the fog, leaving her gloriously naked.Her pink nipples pebble in the moonlight.A dusting of golden hair conceals her intimate flesh.He can smell her arousal, and his mouth waters in anticipation of a taste.
“If you wanted me that badly, we needn’t go this far into the woods,” she purrs.
Her hands fall to his shoulders, and she pushes him back.Her supple body falls atop his hard one.Groaning at the feel of her, his hands find her backside, gently kneading each firm cheek.Scarlett sighs, her eyes turning heavy.
