Beauty and the Horseman's Head

by Holly Kelly

  “I will go on from here,” Conall said to Victor.

  “I am coming with you.”

  Conall shook his head. “I don’t want you implicated in what I plan to do to those men. You’ve got Rebekah and your baby to worry about. My only concern is Hope. If she dies, I will not hold back. I will slaughter each and every one of them.”

  Victor nodded. He put out his hand, and Conall took it. “Godspeed. And if you ever need a place of refuge, our home is open to you.”

  Conall nodded, grateful to have such loyal friends.

  He followed the tracks for a long while. His Elvin eyes could see what no man could in the darkness, but he still nearly lost the trail a couple times. When the light of morning brightened the forest around him, he drove his horse harder.

  He broke into a wide clearing. A crowd of men in the distance gathered around—

  A cheer rang out just as his eyes landed on Hope. The rope around her neck snapped tight as he roared. Fury washed over him like a tsunami. Hope hung lifeless, swinging from a hangman’s noose. Pulling an arrow from his quiver, he took aim at the cord. It flew true to its target and Hope dropped to the ground.

  The men turned in confusion. Conall narrowed his eyes as adrenaline rushed through his veins. None of these men will make it out of here alive, he vowed.

  Eli’s eyes narrowed as he locked eyes with him. He pointed to Conall and shouted. “Kill that man.”

  Musket fire rang out. Conall notched an arrow and took aim—hitting his first target as the men mounted their horses. They rode toward him with their muskets raised. Conall drove his horse toward the haze of smoking muskets, releasing arrow after arrow, taking out four more. He leaned from left to right, avoiding the iron balls whizzing in his direction. The remaining men slowed, some of them turning away. In seconds he took out five more. The distance closed between them and Conall notched two arrows. He dispatched the last two of Eli’s men as the one closest to him pulled out and raised a pistol. Conall struck the shooter in the forehead. The other man was hit in the back of the neck—slicing through his spinal cord.

  In minutes, the only man left alive was Eli. When he saw his hopeless situation, he raced behind the gallows. Conall finally reached the scaffolds and leapt off his horse at a run. He skidded to a stop when Eli stepped out from behind the planks with Hope’s lifeless body in his arms. The soon-to-be dead man pointed a pistol at her head.

  “You are threatening the life of a woman who is already dead?” Conall growled as he shook in fury.

  Eli shook his head. “She’s not dead. I made sure the rope was too short to break her neck.”

  Conall’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be true? “You are lying.”

  “I promise, she’s alive. And she’ll stay alive if you put down your weapons and surrender to me.”

  Conall examined Hope, searching desperately for any signs of life. The rope had been so tight around her that her neck was misshapen. There was no movement from her, and she looked as white as death.

  There was only one way to find out if the man was telling the truth.

  “Alright,” Conall relented, raising his hands. “I will do as you say. Just don’t hurt her.” He lowered his bow slowly to the ground and then shrugged off the straps holding his quiver and squatted to set them down. As he began to rise, his hand brushed over his boot and he caught the pommel of his dagger. Like a whip it flew. Eli did not even have time to look surprised when the blade sliced through his eye socket.

  Conall flashed himself behind Hope and caught her before she could fall. He lowered her gently to the grassy ground and lay her down flat. He wanted so much to gather her in his arms, but feared that despite what Eli said, her neck was broken.

  He loosened the rope from around her, and a wheeze of air escaped her throat. He knew better than to read too much into it. He brushed her hair from her face and felt for a pulse. If she were truly dead, there would be nothing he could do. But if there were any signs of life, he could save her.

  And there it was. A gentle thrum of a pulse. Conall blew out a sigh of relief. She was still there. “Oh, baby, thank the gods you are still here.”

  Conall gathered all the magical energy he could from himself and the air around him and poured it into Hope’s body. He concentrated on the most vital parts—her airway, veins, arteries, and spine. He felt the healing energy pouring from him.

  His heart flew when she took in a heaping gasp of breath. Weakened from using so much power, he fell back, barely able to remain sitting. Blinking, Hope seemed confused as she searched around her. Her eyes widened when they landed on his face.

  “Conall?” she rasped and attempted to sit up.

  He moved toward her and gently pushed her back. “Don’t try to sit up yet, love,” he said, breathless.

  “Am I dead? Oh, please, don’t you be dead too.”

  “You are not dead. And neither am I. I have come back.”

  At those words, Hope threw her arms around him and sobbed. Conall cradled her head against his chest, still fearful of her condition. She held him tight, her body trembling against him as she cried. He swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked back tears. For the first time since he’d left the human world, he felt complete. His shattered heart was whole again, and he was home.

  Despite the dangers of both his world and hers, they were together. And he would see to it nothing would ever threaten her again.

  Finally, her cries quieted and she pulled back, blinking back tears as she studied his face and lifted a shaky hand to press against his cheek. “I have missed you.”

  Conall blinked back his own tears. “I have missed you too.” And then he kissed her—taking care to be gentle. He took his time savoring her, worshiping her with his lips. Finally, he pulled away, and her breath hitched. Fresh tears fell down her cheeks.

  “I cannot believe you are back.”

  He nodded. “I will always come back for you. And right now, I need to take you somewhere safe.”

  “Can’t we go home?”

  “I am afraid I may have made things worse.” He looked around and her eyes followed. She gasped when she saw Eli at her feet with a dagger protruding from his eye. And then she looked farther. Bodies were strewn across the ground.

  “You killed them all?”

  “Yes, and don’t pray for my forgiveness. I don’t feel the least bit sorry.”

  Hope shook her head. “I will never stop praying for you, but I think the Lord understands you were trying to save me.”

  Conall did not contradict her, though this was not an act to save her life. He’d thought she was lost to him. This was an act of pure vengeance. Though her delicate spirit did not need to hear such brutal realities. He would make it his life’s mission to protect her mind, body, and soul from the harsh realities of life.

  “Though noble your act may have been,” she said, “Eli had orders from a judge for my execution. And now . . . well, I am afraid you’ll be a wanted man too. We’ll need to find a place to hide you from the authorities.”

  God, how he loved this woman. Even now she only thought to protect him—and this while she still had the bruises from her own hanging. “I know just the place.”

  “But first, we need to go back to Tarrytown.”

  Conall shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. That is the first place they’ll look. It’s best if we don’t give them a fresh trail to follow. Vladimir will help us get what we need to relocate.”

  “You don’t understand. We have to go back.”

  “Why?” he asked, frowning at her.

  “Because, my dear, sweet husband, we need to get our daughter.”

  Conall felt as if someone had knocked the wind out of him. Breathless and feeling a bit faint, he said, “What did you say?”

  “I said, we need to get our baby girl. Rebekah has her.”

  “You . . . you had a baby?”

  “We had a baby. I was pregnant when . . . when you . . .” she could not seem to get t
he words out. His heart broke when he realized how much pain she’d endured when he’d been taken from her.

  “It’s alright, love.” He pulled her into his arms. “I will never leave you again.”

  “But what about your brother? Will he come back for you?”

  “No. I am afraid I did not behave myself when he took me back. He’s banished me from Faery forever. I will never have to leave you again.”

  She chuckled softly, surprising him.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “I have never been so grateful for a harsh sentence,” she said, and then grew quiet. “But, what will you do when I die? You’ll still be trapped here.”

  “I won’t let you die.”

  “But—”

  “If I have to use every ounce of power I hold to keep you with me, I will.”

  “You could do that?” she asked.

  “No. I will do that.”

  “Enough talk of my mortality. I am in an excruciating amount of pain.”

  Concern darkened his eyes. “Is it your throat? Do I need to heal you further?”

  She shook her head and pressed her arm to her chest. “It’s been far too long since I have nursed our child. And you have no idea how painful that is.”

  A smile softened his features as he removed the stone from his pocket and wrapped his arms around his wife. “Then I guess it’s high time we go get her.”

  Hope gasped when he transported them to Victor’s house.

  “Hope!” Rebekah shouted over the wailing of a small babe. She rushed toward them. “I am so glad—oh dear heavens!” She looked at Hope’s neck. “What did they do to you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. It’s enough to say that Conall got there in time.”

  “I did not get there in time. You are lucky to be alive.”

  Agnes walked in the room with a crying infant in her arms and said, “She has refused to eat since you’ve been gone.”

  Conall could not take his eyes off the baby in the old woman’s arms. She was the most beautiful child he’d ever seen. Her face glowed with magical energy, her cheeks were round and healthy, and her cry was strong enough to fell trees.

  Hope gathered her in her arms and sat down. The others left the room, allowing them to be alone. Hope quieted her baby’s cries as she suckled her. Conall sat down beside her and brushed his hand over the infant’s soft baby skin. “She’s so tiny.”

  Hope nodded. “But she’s still a force to be reckoned with. There’s no calming her once she gets riled up. She gets that from her father.” Hope’s eyes sparkled when she winked at him. “And that is not all she got from you.” She untied her bonnet and pulled it off her head, revealing the most adorable pointed ears.

  He shook his head. “She’ll never pass for a human with ears like that.”

  “And that is why we keep her bonnet on her head,” Hope said.

  “We?”

  “Rebekah and Agnes have been my guardian angels. They’ve been with me, helping me from the start.”

  Conall’s heart saddened. “I am sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

  “You could not help it. But I have to say, if you ever leave me again, I will never forgive you.”

  “You could never hold a grudge, my sweet. You are far too forgiving.”

  “For you, I would make an exception.”

  “Then I guess I will have to stay.” He leaned forward to kiss her. Hope tasted so sweet that his heart filled to bursting.

  A tiny squeak came from between them, and then his hair felt as if it were being pulled from its roots. He groaned as he broke off the kiss and looked down. His daughter had a fistful of his hair. He smiled and pried it from her chubby fingers.

  “What did you name her?” he asked.

  “Talila,” Hope answered. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No. It’s perfect. My mother would have been honored to have her granddaughter share her name.”

  Hope nodded, smiling at his approval. “How long before we need to leave?”

  “The sooner, the better. I can shield us with glamour while we are here, but I would say we should be gone by tomorrow.”

  Hope stood, turning toward him. “Would you like to hold her?”

  Conall’s heart pounded. “I don’t think I should. I would probably break her.”

  Hope laughed. “She’s sturdier than she looks. You’ll do fine.” She leaned down and placed the tiny babe in his arms.

  Conall’s heart swelled in his chest as he held his daughter. He’d thought he could never love anyone as much as he loved Hope, but this tiny thing . . . she won over his heart completely. He leaned down and kissed her head. She smelled like primrose and jasmine mixed with the lavender scent of Hope’s soap. She scrunched her nose and made a tiny squeaky sound. He smiled at the bead of milk at the corner of her mouth and said, “She looks satisfied.”

  “I wish I were,” Hope said, raising a brow and smirking at him. She then reached for Talila, “May I?”

  Conall nodded and reluctantly relinquished his child to her mother. Hope lay her in a nearby bassinet. She then turned back, put her hand on her hip, and gave him a disapproving look. “Husband, it’s been a long time….”

  Conall suppressed as smile as his heart rate picked up. He took a step toward her. “Far too long.” He turned to look at Talila. “Will she be alright sleeping here for a while?”

  Hope nodded. “She should sleep for an hour or two.”

  “Hmm,” he said, frowning and wrapping his arms around Hope’s waist. “That is not near enough time, but I guess it will have to do.” He lowered his lips to hers and transported them home.

  * * * * *

  Rebekah stepped back into the living room. “I can watch the baby if you want to be . . .” her voice dropped off when she noticed the room was empty. She chuckled and then finished her sentence. “…alone.”

  She stepped forward to see Talila sleeping soundly in the crib. Beside the cradle lay a pile of clothes on the floor. She recognized them as the clothes Conall and Hope had been wearing just minutes ago. She looked around the room, half afraid of finding them in an embarrassing predicament. When she was satisfied they had left, she gathered up the clothes up for Agnes to wash.

  She looked down at the sleeping angel and whispered, “I am so glad your mommy has your daddy back. And soon, you’ll know just how lucky you are too.”

  She left the room, humming a tune.

  Epilogue

  Sixteen Years Later

  Hope stepped into the backyard of her two-story clapboard home carrying a basket of damp clothes. The sun shone warm against her face in the small clearing of a thick forest. Pixies fluttered around the perimeter, lighting up the shadowed forest like fireflies. One by one, Hope hung the clothes on the line to dry.

  “I can see the appeal you held for my brother.”

  Hope whipped around to see an elf standing regally behind her. His dark hair was pierced by pointed ears and hung well past his shoulders. His eyes were the most striking shade of indigo. His shoulders were broad and he had a jeweled crown sitting on his head.

  “You are quite a beauty,” he continued.

  “You must be Haryk,” Hope said, as she attempted to calm her heart.

  “Yes, though most would not address me so informally.”

  “I apologize. Conall only has ever called you Haryk.

  He waved off her comment. “It doesn’t matter. My kingdom lies outside this realm.”

  “I’m sorry, but Conall is not here.”

  “I didn’t come only for Conall. I wanted to see you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, I couldn’t contain my curiosity. I had to meet the woman who had captured my brother’s heart so completely that he would forsake his home, his kingdom, and his family.”

  “I never expected him to.” She hung a blouse and then stooped down to the basket, her brows pressed together.

  “No. I’m sure you didn’t. My brother is no
t one who is easily controlled.”

  “No, he isn’t.” Hope pulled a small shirt from the basket and lifted it to the line.

  Haryk eyed the garment. “Does that belong to Conall’s son?”

  Hope nodded. “Yes, we have two children, a daughter and a son.”

  “How old are they?”

  “Our daughter is sixteen and our son is two.”

  Haryk’s eyes widened. “Sixteen?”

  Hope sighed. “Talila was born several months after you took Conall from me.”

  “I’d apologize, but I still think my brother would have done better to remain with his own kind.”

  Hope raised a brow. “Shouldn’t that be his decision to make? Though I guess it doesn’t matter now; he’s been banished.”

  “Yes, he has.”

  Hope hung the last of the clothes and picked up the empty basket. “I appreciate you making the trip to visit. Conall should be returning soon. Would you like to come in for some refreshments and wait for him?”

  “I have a feeling he would not want to see me.”

  “And why would that be? He is your brother. Family is important. I’m sure your mother would not have wanted this distance between the two of you. I can tell you, as a mother, my heart would break if my children ever estranged themselves from one another.”

  Haryk’s brows pressed together. “I thought of all people, you would be the one who would not want me in his life.”

  “I want Conall to be happy. I know it pains him to not see you.”

  “It does?” His brows raised.

  “He doesn’t talk about it, but I can tell that he misses you.”

  Haryk regarded her with doubt clouding his eyes. “I do regret how we parted. Though, I don’t see how it could have ended differently. He was determined to return to you, it seems at all costs.”

  “The past is gone. There is no changing it. I think it better we focus on the future.”

  Hope reached out her hand to him. He hesitated before taking it.