Page 47 of Saved By the Headless Horseman
A giggle escapes me.
“What an offer.How could any girl possibly refuse such a declaration?”
He kisses along my cheek, his hand drifting down my back.
“We could always fuck in the barn one final time?Give that place a proper send-off.”
“Hmm,” I hum low in my throat as his mouth explores my neck.“I don’t have a particular fondness for combing hay out of my hair later.”
He nips my ear, making me turn slippery between my thighs.
“What if I promise to?—”
The sound of thunderous footsteps makes us both pull back.
Dust flies along the loan road as a large carriage flanked by several armed riders approaches.The king’s crest is emblazoned on the door.I glance towards Krane; from a distance, he looks human.Enough that he shouldn’t raise too many questions, but he should still keep his distance from whoever is approaching.The horses halt a few feet away from us.A page comes to open the door, but it flies open before he can reach his post.
King Herbert descends the short steps dressed in golden robes that perfectly complement his sparkling crown.He casts a long glance at us before I yank Krane’s arm and we both sink into bows.
“Your majesty,” we say in unison.
Fear grips me.If he has discovered what we’ve done, or who we are, there could be trouble.We need to play this smart.The king turns a watchful eye on us.The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth deepen as he frowns.
“What has occurred here?”
I swallow, glancing towards Krane.He answers before I can.
“A fire, sir.It claimed everyone inside.”
The king takes a step closer, eyes narrowing.
“And who might you be?”
Krane opens his mouth, but no words come out.Thinking quickly, I fall back on all my training as an earl’s daughter.My nobility may be the only thing that gets us out of this alive.Hope threads through me; this is our chance to have the future I wanted for us.To spit in the face of my father’s legacy and claim it for ourselves.
“Lady Scarlett Crest, your majesty,” I say softly.“This is my husband, Lord Krane Crest.”
I can feel Krane stiffen beside me, a silent understanding passing between us.We have one shot at this, and both of us need to be convincing in our roles.Shouldn’t be too hard, as it’s not even really a lie.I have the scar to prove it.
The king drags a hand through his long, white beard.
“Weren’t you the one sent to marry Earl Bram?”
I swallow, willing my eyes to turn sad.
“Yes, until he was killed.Then I was taken by a horrible creature deep into the woods.”I take Krane’s hand in mine, squeezing it gently.“That is where Krane found me.Rescued me from that foul creature and brought me back home.My father believed the only way to repay his kindness was to wed him to me and name Krane his heir.We only said our vows last night and were away to consummate our marriage.”
The king considers my words.It is a believable enough story, but the king is no fool.After a moment, he takes another step towards us until he is only a few feet away.
“And do you have proof from your father of such declarations?You will have to forgive me, but I can’t just take your words as true.”
I swallow a curse as my mind comes up short trying to think of anything that would persuade him.Krane drops my hand, and I turn towards him.From his pocket, he produces a piece of parchment stamped with my father’s official seal.
“It is here, your majesty.”
Never have I been more grateful for Krane’s magic than I am right now.
The king takes the offered parchment between his bony fingers.His eyes drift over the seal before he snaps the wax.Unfolding the paper, his eyes take in each line of the page.Wide, brown eyes look up at us.
