Page 40 of Beneath Hoof and Hollow
“What now, nightingale? Tell me what youdesire. Anything and I’ll make it yours.” He nuzzles against me.
“I desire…children,” I say, and Fierdon tenses. “Just kidding. Snacks. I desire snacks.”
Epilogue
Emeline
“Why haven’t we thought to do a picnic in the western woods before now?”
Though Fier and I have taken a home in town, we spend much of our time in the woods. It’s where we first met, and holds some sentimental value to me now.
Fierdon walks quietly beside me through town, waiting outside as I duck into one shop after another to collect our goods. The basket is overflowing when I’m finally satisfied. Fier notices my struggles and takes the basket from my arms.
“A gentleman.” I smile.
“I told you. I cover graves, clear seeds from your cunt, save the townsfolk from demons, and carry heavy picnic baskets.”
“Maybe don’t mention all those things at once.” I pat his hand as we take the path out of town.
Fier says there’s an area of the woods haunted by a ghoul. The sporadic screams and howls make me believe him. That’s his favorite spot in the forest.
Horace meets us there. He never misses an opportunity for treats. I rub his fuzzy muzzle as he nudges my arm. “Didn’t bring your girlfriend?”
He whinnies. I’ve learned Horace is quite the sassy stallion.
We unfold our blanket and I eagerly lay out our spread. Horace takes his pick of the fruit before settling down for a nap.
“If you keep plying me with pumpkin-based treats, I’m going to start to feel like a cannibal,” Fierdon says between bites.
I snort, releasing a cackle. “Let’s not delve into that moral dilemma right now.”
The pumpkin treats will soon be gone. With Samhain over, the town will prepare for the winter holiday. Spiced wine will fill the air and gingerbread will line the bakery cases. This will be our first Yule together.
I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. The top of Fier’s pumpkin skull crinkles in a way that I know is the equivalent of a cocked eyebrow.
“I’m just thinking of the future.”
He leans down to press a kiss to my lips. The fire burning inside him always makes his mouth so warm. I sigh as a sudden sadness fills me.
“Why do you think Reverend Statton did it? I still don’t understand.”
Fierdon shakes his head. “You’ll never get those answers, Emeline. You must let it go.”
He’s probably right. It’s not like I’ll get the chance to ask Reverend Statton. “Still, I’m worried his actions will haunt me forever. ”
“Let the dead be dead. They would not wish for you to carry their weight any longer.”
“Let the dead be dead,” I repeat. “The whole situation is just so awful.”
“Not the whole situation. If he hadn’t committed those unspeakable atrocities, you never would have summoned me. In the shadow of Sleepy Hollow’s darkest moment, I was given my brightest. I was given my nightingale.”
I smile wistfully. “True. I certainly wouldn’t have been practicing headless demon summoning if he hadn’t forced my hand.”
“You’d still be taking that worthless human’s cock?—”
“Fier!” I smack his arm.
He drags me in for another kiss.
