Page 6 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
The question is simple enough, but the reality of the vow looms.It would be easy to say the words.To lie to the priest and my would-be husband just to make it through the ceremony.Now, as the question hangs in the air, I can’t get myself to say it.I cannot make a vow, even a hollow one, when I’ve already given myself to another.I will not ruin our sacred union with a lie.
“Say it, you petulant girl.Say it,” the duke urges, jaw tight.
My heart and soul died in theWhispering Woods.I will not give them to another, not even as a platitude.
“Say it and let this be done,” Earl Bram snaps.
His gloved hand dances along the hilt of his dagger.How I wish he’d sink his blade into me and end this all.Fire burns in his gaze, and his father curses behind me.He takes a commanding step forward as if to intimidate me into supplication.
Before he can speak, a harsh sound comes from the edge of the forest.It echoes from deep within the darkness.The sound is distinct—familiar.It draws everyone gathered for the wedding's attention.The guards turn towards it, and Bram’s hand on my arm loosens a fraction.With a whistle, the duke urges his guards to inspect it.
This is my chance to make a break for it.I twist slightly, and the duke growls.
“Don’t even think about trying to flee.You won’t like what happens if you do,” he vows.
I open my mouth, poised to retort something back and pull myself free when a gurgling sound erupts behind me.From the dense forest, the duke’s guards come sprinting out.Crimson stains the front of their ivory armor as they clutch their throats.Blood seeps from between their fingers until they fall to their knees before us.
They lay there unmoving as horror settles in around us.Earl Bram screams, dropping my arm entirely and grappling for his sword.Now is my chance, time to take it.
Briny wind lacerates the exposed skin of my cheeks.The duke unsheathes his sword and stands before us, eyes trained on the forest—my stomach knots.Something tells me to wait before I take off.Armed, they could still give chase, and I have no intention of finding out what the duke plans for my punishment should I attempt to flee.
Something shifts in the treeline.If it is a person, I can hardly make out the figure.A shadow slips between the thick tree trunks, gliding between the branches like a ghost.My eyes narrow, but try as I might, I can’t make anything out.
A low whistling sound whizzes through the air.Something breezes by my head, the air tousling my unbound hair.Silence comes next, only then to be interrupted by a thud.The duke’s body hits the ground beside me.Blood sprays from the dagger embedded in his throat.He gasps as he tries to pull it out.The front of his fine coat is soaked in an instant.He wheezes for air, clutching at his neck until he goes still.The light in his eyes fades.
I don’t have an ounce of pity for him.
Especially not as there is more movement from deep within theWhispering Woods.The figure, just out of sight, approaches slowly.The gruesome sight of him stills the air in my lungs.Bram stumbles a few steps back, the sword in his hand lowering as the imposing figure comes into view.
“No,” he whispers.“It can’t be.It’s not possible.”
It isn’t yet, but there is no denying what is before us.
Atop a massive black horse, a lone rider sits.Dressed in all black, his polished silver buttons glint in the light.He is tall with an enormous chest that rises and falls.Large hands grip the leather reins as he pulls the magnificent beast forward.He looks human—that is, save for the flaming pumpkin atop his shoulders.
Bright green fire spills from the eyes and mouth holes.It licks along the orange sides of the gourd.I can’t believe what I’m seeing.The creature seems to be able to emote.There is satisfaction dancing in the flames of his eyes.Determination kindles the glowing green inferno within him.
As if reading my thoughts, the pumpkin’s mouth spreads into a wide grin.Impossible, and yet here he is.
The priest has the good sense to scream and turn tail.Earl Bram is hot on his heels as they scramble down the narrow cliff towards Darkwood Castle.Soon their bodies are dots on the horizon.No consideration was spared for his future wife.Of course not.
Taking a deep breath, my eyes remain locked on the creature.He prowls towards me atop his massive steed.The horse scents the air before kicking at the damp grass.I have heard stories of him, as all children have.Legend says he haunts the woods, seeking revenge on the ones who stole his head.I thought it was nonsense, a way to keep curious children out of the forest after sunset.Now, I realize it was no myth at all.
For the Headless Horseman of Broken Cliff stands before me in the flesh.This is no hallucination, this is real.
The horse’s eyes blaze burning red as it continues its slow approach.I don’t know why I haven't run.Maybe it’s because I don’t have any need for self-preservation anymore.I want to die—I have for the last month since I found him.If this creature is offering me that, then I welcome him and my swift end.
The creature jumps from the horse’s back.His heavy footsteps drag along the grass until he kneels down next to the duke.With a tug, he rips the dagger from the duke’s throat and clutches it in his leather-glove-covered hands.
Crimson blood sparkles along the deadly, sharp blade.I can only pray it finds itself embedded in my neck next.
“Do you know who I am?”
The creature’s voice rasps against my ear.Familiar and yet I know I’ve never heard it before.Surely I would recall meeting the Headless Horseman of Broken Cliff.The fire in his eyes slips between the holes, snapping towards me.I can feel the heat even at a distance.
I should take my chances and run.Try and fling myself from the cliff, and if his knife stops me before I can make it, then so be it.I’ll have gotten what I wanted either way.
So why am I not moving?
