Page 13 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
We were both so young and happy.Life at Crow’s Claw Manor was not dreary when he had been there.After the lessons with my tutors, I would sneak off to be with Krane.At first, it was merely to pester him while working, and then it became more.I sought him out, dragged him away from his duties, and urged him to follow me on some childish adventure.It was on one of those glorious trips that things changed between us forever.
This one, to be exact.I remember the gown well as I never wore it again.
Moments after the fog consumes them, I watch my younger self stumble in from the side.Mist curls around her heavy skirts as she wanders along in front of my cell.Off to the side is a large oak tree, in which the younger me sighs before falling against.The strong bark presses into her back.Young Krane follows over to her.There is something in his eyes that even now makes my heart race.
No one ever looked at me like that—before or since.As if I were the moon, as he called me, and his whole world orbited around me, or as if I were more marvelous than all the stars in the sky.It was apparent how much we loved each other.We were out of our minds to think we could hide it for even a moment.
Krane’s steps slow as he approaches me, lounging on the tree.I stare up at him.Even at nineteen, he was taller than most grown men.Years of hard labor had outfitted him with prominent muscles.
My eighteenth birthday had come the week before.In secret, he had given me a small bouquet of wildflowers—a small gesture but one that gave me the confidence to take this next step with him.
Bracing a large hand on the bark above my head, I take in our height difference.In my satin slippers, my head barely reaches his chin.Staring up at him, love dances in my blue irises.He sees it too.I could never keep secrets from Krane.He knew me better than anyone.
“What are you doing?”
Young Scarlett smiles at his breathy question, tilting her delicate chin in invitation.
“Waiting,” she sighs.
“For what?”
Krane knew—he knew everything about me from the moment we met.His green eyes kindle with awareness as their bodies drift closer.He bends down, and I watch the younger me press up on her toes to seal their mouths together.It is both of our first kisses.Chaste and unpracticed yet totally devastating.
Young Scarlett’s hands tangle in the front of his white linen shirt.With a moan, she deepens the kiss and pulls him more firmly against her.His hands fall to her head, spearing into the long tendrils of her hair.My hand drifts to my lips as if I can feel his phantom kiss still.His was the only mouth I ever learned.
The only one I ever needed.
With a groan, they break apart.Both of their chests rise and fall rapidly as they stare up at each other.Young me licks over her bottom lip, wickedness in her pale blue gaze.She doesn’t remove her hands, nor do Krane’s slip from her head.
“Finally.I thought I would die before you ever grew brave enough to kiss me.”
Krane throws his head back and laughs.The strong column of his throat catches both mine and young Scarlett’s eye.
“Always one with a flair for the dramatics.”
The younger me stares up at him, and I can see the decision being made.The sureness of her choice settles into her bones before my very eyes.
“You will be my husband one day.”
Her declaration shatters my cold heart.Krane’s lips twist into an indulgent grin.
“Will I?”
Young me nods, curling her fingers into his shirt.Krane’s smile turns sad as he skims a finger along her cheek.The tenderness of his touch makes both of us shiver.
“Your father will never allow such a thing.”
Pale blonde hair dances around her shoulders as she shakes her head.
“We just have to be patient.Father raised you since you were a young boy—practically as his son.If you marry me, you can become my father’s heir.”
Krane looks unsure, but she kisses him again, and that hesitation melts into desire.
“Trust me,” young Scarlett sighs.“Everything will be alright.”
The two of them don’t speak of it again after that.I know what’s coming next.A sob leaves me as I watch the two of them.This is the beginning of our story—Krane and mine.It’s bittersweet to watch.If given the chance, would I stop them?Knowing how our story ends, if I could warn the two of them apart, would I?
I scoff at myself.Even knowing what I know now, nothing would’ve kept me from Krane.He would’ve followed me anywhere, and I would’ve done the same.We are two halves of the same whole.After tonight, we were never apart again.
