Page 48 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
“Earl Richard Crest has named you his heir and successor.By marrying his daughter, you will take on the Crest name.His money and holdings will now become yours upon his death.”The king tucks the parchment into his robes.“Well, a bit of bad luck, as your family home now sits in ruin.If you need a place to stay while it’s being rebuilt, Darkwood Castle sits empty.I was on my way here to name your father Duke of Broken Cliff, but now that title falls to you, Duke Krane.”
My heart lifts as I look at Krane.It has all worked out in the end.My lord husband was someone I loved.We would’ve been happy with nothing, but there is satisfaction in knowing the legacy my father sold me off to preserve will now be ours.Our children will never know their grandfather.The Crest family will start anew, with its foundation in love, not ambition.
“We won’t let you down, sire.”
Krane bows to the king, and I follow suit.
“See that you don’t.”He gestures towards the large chest attached to the back of his carriage.“I’ll take the gold I had intended for your father to Darkwood Castle.I’m assuming his treasury survived the blaze.”
“Yes, your majesty.He never kept his valuables in the main house,” I confirm.
Krane raises a brow at me as the king merely nods.Turning around, he returns to his carriage.
“Very good.I hope you two enjoy your new marriage.Condolences for your losses.”His eyes turn sharp over his shoulders.“I’d work on looking a bit sadder if I were you.Wouldn’t want anyone thinking this wasn’t an accident.”
Heat sweeps up my cheeks as Krane and I extend another bow towards him.We stay silent as his carriage turns around and hurries down the gravel path.We watch it until it becomes a speck on the horizon.I turn towards Krane, happiness nearly making me buoyant.
“You’re a wonderful liar,” he compliments.
“I was taught by the best.”I go into his arms, allowing him to hold me close.“Duke Krane has a nice ring to it.”
He chuckles, his deep voice making my body come alive.
“As does Duchess Scarlett.”
I nod at him.We will have our parts to play.We would be fools to think we were entirely out of the woods yet, but this is a significant step forward.Part of me is still reeling from everything that’s happened.
“I can’t believe it,” I whisper.“Despite the odds, I’ve somehow gotten almost everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Krane’s brows lower.
“What more could you possibly want?”
I lick my lips before smiling up at him.
“I can think of one thing.”
If he catches my meaning, he doesn’t let on, but nor does he stop me from pulling him after me.It doesn’t take long for us to reach the old wooden doors of the barn.The structure is untouched.Unlatching the door, the familiar groan of the hinges greets us.I turn towards a smiling Krane, whose hands along my back are already leading me into the stables.
“I thought you didn’t want hay in your hair.”
“That was before I found out I’d be fucking a duke,” I sigh, reaching for his shirt and tossing it aside.“One last time.A proper goodbye to this place.”
My hands trail up the contours of his stomach.The warm muscles tickle my palms, sending a hot need coursing through me.Krane backs me up, waving a hand and spreading his cloak atop a pile of hay bales.Together, we quickly shed both of our clothes, our naked skin slides together as sunlight streams down from the ceiling slats.
Krane falls between my open thighs, groaning as my pussy rubs against his cock.The rigids remain, and I’m grateful for his transformation all over again.The familiar scent of hay and dust wraps around us.I kiss the heart on his shoulder and stare up into his flaming eyes.
Love pours from his gaze and into my heart.
We don’t have to be quiet.Not as he devours my pussy with the broadside of his tongue or when he pushes all the way inside me on one thrust.Our bodies slap together, and our moans rise towards the sky.Our kisses are frantic as if making up for lost time, and then slower, realizing that we have all the time in the world now.
I had been lost without him.A wraith that floated around, longing to join her love beyond the grave.I had loved him as a poor stable boy, as the Headless Horseman of Broken Cliff, and now as a duke.No matter what he looked like—no matter where he went—he would always be mine.Our souls had become one from the moment we met, and we would fight for each other with every breath.
It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it.To have him now, deep inside of me, reaffirming his love with each hard thrust, makes all the painful days without him disappear.We had our whole future ahead of us.The shackles of the past had been cast aside.There was no need for revenge when our future was so bright.
There was only space for love now.The rage was gone.
Only one thing remained for us to have, but that shouldn’t take too long to accomplish.In fact, it could have already happened, or maybe it’s happening right now.The thought sends me headlong into my climax, and it spurs Krane to spill himself deep inside me with a groan of my name against my lips.
