Chapter 9 Scarlett #2
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.
“If it weren’t for you, he would still draw breath—you are the reason he’s dead.”
Those words lacerate me with the force of a thousand cuts. Cold and callous, yet they are shockingly accurate. It is my fault that Krane is dead. While I did not hold the dagger that killed him, I surely sentenced him to death.
If I had not told him about Earl Bram’s proposal, he never would have propositioned my father to accept his suit instead. The earl never would’ve killed him for the slight. Even if he had believed the rumors about the two of us, it wouldn’t have been enough to act on.
It is my fault. Why hadn't I left with him? It is a question I’ll ask myself until I draw my final breath. Regret drains all my fire. I slink back into my cell, falling against the rough wall. The Headless Horseman pulls back, releasing the bars with a groan.
“Now you’re beginning to see the truth.”
I manage to shake my head but can’t seem to meet his eye.
“If you wish to punish me, then do so. I will not fight you on that. But if you have Krane’s soul, please release it.” A broken sob leaves me. “He never deserved any of this.”
Fresh moisture coats my cheeks as I fall to the ground. Green flames lick along the sides of the pumpkin as the Headless Horseman is quiet for a moment. I don’t think he’s going to answer until his whole body shifts.
“His soul is within me. It can never be freed.”
My head jerks up, but only in time to watch him disappear into the dense fog. There will be no fresh bread or water tonight. The mist rolls away until there is nothing left behind. A new chill permeates my cell, and I curl in on myself. I’m more confused than ever.
The only thing I am certain of is that if Krane’s soul is trapped within that creature, I must find a way to free him. That is why I could not end myself, even when the moment presented itself. I still had work to do here—a purpose. I will free Krane if it is the last thing I ever do.
Is it possible the Headless Horseman killed him? My father had claimed Earl Bram responsible, and there had been his dagger left behind, but Krane’s demise was exceptionally brutal. Earl Bram had a horrible reputation, but none of it mentioned the level of violence needed for such a killing.
Confusion causes my head to pound, and I let it fall back against the cold stone wall. I should get some rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? I open my eyes with some effort and look towards the stale piece of bread. I should eat some to keep my strength up.
As I go to crawl over to the plate, something catches my attention.
The bars to my cell are different than before. I shakily rise onto my feet. My hands trail along the metal feeling the crushed grooves from the Headless Horseman’s grasp. They have been bent and pulled apart just wide enough for me to slip through.
I’ve never been more grateful for my slighter frame than I am now. The fit is tight. I have to bend and twist my body at odd, painful angles, but I manage to get my shoulders through. Yanking on the bar, I pull my lower half through and stand on the other side of my cage.
I stare up into the darkened stairwell. With a deep breath, I know what I must do.
Enjoying my freedom for only a moment longer, I quickly crawl back through the opening. It is easier now that I know how to twist myself. I will only get one shot at what I’ve planned, and I need to make it count.
Reaching below the fluffy hem of my dress, my hand drifts to my right thigh.
The Headless Horseman should’ve searched me before locking me in here.
The small dagger sheathed there was only meant to end Earl Bram, should I not have been able to take him over the cliff with me.
My father’s guards were always careless with their weapons; this one was easy enough to poach.
I thought of using it against myself a dozen times, but my hand could never go through with it. Now I realize it was because I needed to live to make it here. Freeing Krane from this creature was my sole mission now. I don’t care what becomes of me so long as he is at rest.
I grip the simple handle in my palm. This dagger was meant for an earl, but it will soon find itself a new victim: the Headless Horseman.