Page 64 of Bewitched By the Headless Horseman
Kit’s hand left Inferno and he smiled, the first bewitching smile she’d seen from him yet. “Hi, Pumpkin.”
Tears stung her eyes and she ran toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips like a spider monkey. As he held her tightly, she inhaled spice and pine, something she did wish she had a candle made of. She finally stepped back to the ground and cupped his face, leaning in close. Even in the darkness, she couldfinallysee the color of his irises. “Green. Your eyes are green.”
“I hope that means you’re pleased.” He smirked.
She rolled her eyes and pressed her hand against his chest to feel the beat of his heart.
Stevie’s gaze latched onto Reese and her smile dropped. He rubbed the back of his neck, seeming nervous. “What happened?” She frowned. “When did you start helping Levi?”
Reese exhaled loudly. “It’s pathetic.I’mpathetic. I’ve seen Levi my whole life. He was my family. Levi told me what you were and how I had to spy on you for him because you were planning to open the Hollow with the Headless Horseman and a troop of witches. He said we needed to prevent it from happening. After I met you, I wasn’t sure it was true, but then I saw the Horseman with you...”
Stevie bit her lip. “You could’ve asked me, Reese.”
“I could’ve.” His shoulders hunched forward. “But I didn’t. Not since I didn’t really know you like I thought I knew Levi. And after he possessed my body when I was leaving the bonfire, I knew you were in danger. By then, it was too late to warn you.”
“It’s not your fault,” Kit said. “I know how they play their little games to earn your trust. I was a part of Clara’s once.”
Reese nodded, but shame danced in his eyes.
“So,” Lucia piped in while petting Maxine’s head. “Who wants to stay here for the night and make surethatdoesn’t happen again?”
The eight of them remained guarding the gate throughout the night until both Eyes finally shut, their red glow sealed away.
Lucia clasped Stevie’s arm as she yawned with a smile, the fog clearing and the darkness lifting. “I’m going to take you guys home, but looks like I won’t be sleeping any time soon. I have council members to find and cats to reverse spells on.”
Stevie locked the door to her home behind her. With the Eyes shut, the world between the living and the dead was separated once more. “Do you want a shower before sleeping?” Eight full hours of sleep sounded like winning the lottery at the moment.
“Mm-hmm. This will be my first experience with one of those,” Kit drawled.
“I think you’ll be having a lot of firsts.” She grinned, her gaze fixed on his green irises that were much brighter in this light. Even though, yes, his face was very much an Adonis one, at least toher, it wouldn’t have mattered if she never set her sight on it again. Because Kit wasn’t his face, nor was he the Headless Horseman anymore—he was just himself. Someone Stevie really wanted to be around. But she wouldn’t lie that she hoped she wouldn’t ever have to stop seeing his brilliant green eyes.
Stevie placed a fluffy towel on the counter in the bathroom and turned on the shower. She then pointed to two bottles. “You can use these to wash your hair and body. If you need me, you only have to shout my name.”
“I’m certain I’ll need you quite a bit.” Kit’s shapely lips curled up at the edges.
Stevie blinked, studying him in his robe, stillnakedbeneath it, for a beat too long. “Good,” she finally got out and shut the door behind her before she jumped his bones.
Roxy lay on the floor beside the kitchen sink while Kit’s horse remained in the woods until probably tonight as usual. Reesehad stayed quiet for most of the night, but she’d learned that he’d yet to come across his own sidekick.
Closing her eyes, Stevie petted Roxy’s head. “Don’t listen to me if there’s ever a Sleepy Hollow-ending event again.”
The fox pawed her hand, and Stevie stood to pour herself a glass of ice-cold milk, her earlier exhaustion fading. She thought about texting her mom, but she didn’t have her phone back just yet. Last night she’d checked on her with Lucia’s cell, then revealed to Gideon how his plant was a lifesaver. He’d panicked about Maxine being put in danger, but his cockiness came around about his pet plant being a town hero and how he’d feed her something extra special.
“Stevie!” Kit shouted.
She almost knocked over her empty cup as she ran toward the bathroom, throwing the door wide. The patterned shower glass hid the subtle details of Kit’s form, but she could still see his outline,fineand dandy.
“I think I exaggerated what was happening in here,” Stevie croaked.
He cracked open the glass door. “You didn’t leave me any clothing.”
“Oh!” she chirped. “I can run next door and grab some from Gideon’s closet. Not his favorites though or he’ll whine.”
“There’s something else. Come here.” Kit waggled a finger at her as he moistened his bottom lip.
She arched a brow and smiled. “Are you just trying to lure me into doing naughty things?”
“Perhaps.” He smirked. “Unless you’re too exhausted.”
