Page 14 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
My heart squeezes in my chest as I watch the scene unfold.We kiss again, more urgently this time.Tasting and testing each other’s tongues with deliberate strokes.Together in a mess of brushing fingers and jumbling thumbs, we shed each other's clothing.Krane stares at me in wonder—the only man to have ever seen my naked flesh.He lies me down atop my discarded gown.
This first time was all about exploration.In the coming years, he would learn everything about my body.How to make me combust with only a few twists of his fingers inside of me.Still, as unpracticed as it is, there is something so beautiful about the two of us.Finding solace in each other’s embrace for the first time.
There is pain, but one that is relieved by Krane’s firm kiss.He pulls back just slightly to take in our two bodies as they connect.Young Scarlett’s hand drifts to his left shoulder and traces the birthmark there.The pale mark is heart-shaped.She presses a kiss to it before falling back to the ground.
When they are done, they hold each other close.Their sweaty brows press together.Soft kisses are bestowed.Krane stares down at her with a fierceness that never leaves his gaze again.
“I love you, Scarlett.”His voice is still rough from their lovemaking.“I have from the first moment I saw you.My heart is yours.”
Tears dance in her blue eyes, and she holds him closer.
“I love you, too.Nothing will ever keep us apart.”
Fog envelopes the delicate scene before me.It wraps mist around them like two strong arms and pulls them away.I sag against the bars of my cell, the strength in my body leaving me.That beautiful scene was a different type of devastating.The sight of Krane’s corpse was one thing—shocking, abhorrent.
This, however, was more painful.To see how happy we were, to know there was a chance for us to escape.We should’ve gotten back into our clothes and left Broken Cliff never to return.We would’ve been destitute, but we would’ve had each other.That was all that mattered after all.
My heart aches for the two young people who had their future ahead of them.If someone had asked me back then if I thought this current hell I was in was possible, I would’ve laughed in their face.My father could never be considered charitable, but to wed me to a monster like Bram, who so senselessly killed Krane, was unthinkable.There was a time I believed my father had loved Krane as a son.
All of that was lost to his greed.Now we were all suffering because of it.
Through the fog, heavy footsteps glide closer.The mist pulls back to reveal the Headless Horseman’s imposing form—his silver buttons gleam in the dim light of the dungeon.Green fire snaps from between the pumpkin's holes.His mouth twists in disdain.
“Foolish children,” he growls.
The warmth of that sacred memory ices over.A coldness settles along my bones as I stare up at the Headless Horseman.I bare my teeth at his callous words.
“If he had not been a love-struck fool and trusted your word, he would still be alive.”
A punch to the stomach would’ve hurt less than his words.I double over as if he struck me, nonetheless.His condemnation sets me on edge.
“You’re the reason he’s dead.”
My eyes widen, and I grip the metal bars in my palms.They groan as I squeeze them.My anger flares to life within me.This unbridled rage settles a fine red mist over my vision.All the poison on my tongue aims at the creature across from me.
“How dare you say that.You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I snap.
The Headless Horseman laughs as green flames fall from his mouth.
“I know everything.I was there that night.”
His words steal my breath.He was there?That’s not possible.Is it?Unease curdles my stomach, and my former theory of Krane being the Headless Horseman’s prisoner seems to be affirmed.He must have trapped Krane’s soul somehow and is now using it to torment me.How else would he get these memories?That is the only explanation I can think of.
The thought of Krane still suffering insenses me.I bang against the bars.
“What have you done to him?”I demand.“Let me go this instant!”
The Headless Horseman shakes his head, creeping closer to where I remain locked up.Righteous anger burns me alive.I hate this creature.
“What will you do?Kill me?”he asks.
“If I must.If you are keeping Krane somewhere?—”
The Headless Horseman roars.The rocks around me shake from the force of his anger.Tiny pebbles and dust fall onto my shoulders from the ceiling.His large hands grip the metal bars.His large pumpkin pushes against them, green flames nearly singeing my skin.I meet his harsh stare with one of my own.
“Do not speak his name.You do not have the right!”
His words hit like a smack.
