Beauty and the Horseman's Head

by Holly Kelly

  “I would like you to come and meet your niece and nephew.” She led him into the house and then into the living area. “Would you perhaps like some apple pie and a glass of milk?”

  “No, thank you.”

  A gentle tug at her skirt was soon followed by a small voice saying, “Mamma, who is that?”

  Hope looked down to little a white-haired little boy with pale, blue eyes.

  “Jonas, this is your uncle Haryk.”

  “Uncle?”

  Hope nodded. “Yes.”

  “I’ve never had an uncle before.”

  “No, sweetheart,” Hope said. “Haryk has always been your uncle.”

  Haryk studied the boy in wonder. “He looks so much like my brother.”

  “That he does,” Hope said and then turned to Jonas. “Where is your sister? Has she returned?”

  Jonas nodded.

  “Where is she?” Hope asked.

  Jonas didn’t speak, but pointed out the window.

  “She’s outside?”

  Jonas nodded, not taking his eyes off Haryk.

  Hope stepped over to the window and looked outside. The yard was wide and lined with trees broken by a cobblestone path leading from the house into the forest. There was no sign of Talila. “I don’t see her.”

  “No, mamma. She is up.”

  Hope frowned. “What do you mean, ‘up’?”

  Jonas’s feet padded against the wood floor as he stepped up beside her. He squinted as he looked through the window. His eyes searching—

  Hopes’ heart dropped.

  He was searching the sky above the trees. “Oh please, no,” she said and then gasped when she saw a speck in the distance. It looked like a strange bird with a blue cape. It swooped down giving her a better picture of what she was seeing. Hope squealed as she raced to the front door.

  Leaping off the porch, Hope shouted. “Talila! What under God’s heaven are you doing?” She pressed her hand against her chest as her heart pounded.

  “How could she tame a beast like that?” Haryk asked coming up behind her, gaping at the sky.

  “You would not believe me if I told you.”

  As Talila got closer Hope could see exactly what she was riding. It was a white horse with wings as wide as a barn. “Talila, you get down here right now before you fall!” she shouted.

  The winged horse continued its descent as Talila’s laughter rang out. Hope could feel the vibration as the hooves met the ground. “Mother, I was perfectly safe. Ichabod would never let me fall.” She leapt off the back of the horse, her dark hair billowing out behind her as she landed gracefully to the ground.

  “Ichabod?” Hope asked.

  Talila shrugged, “It’s a name.”

  Hope shook her head and mumbled disapprovingly. “Your father and his fireside stories.”

  A familiar menacing voice snapped, “Get away from my wife.”

  Hope turned to see Conall with his sword pointed at his brother’s throat.

  “Conall,” Hope screeched. “What are you doing?”

  Conall searched their faces, assessing the situation and then his eyes landed on Hope’s. “You were afraid. I could feel it.”

  “I was not afraid of your brother.” She rushed forward and tugged at his arm as it continued to hold the blade. Finally, he dropped his sword.

  He turned a disapproving eye on Hope. “Then what were you afraid of?”

  “Your daughter was riding that winged creature through the clouds.” She gestured to the horse as it grazed on their grass. “She could have been killed.”

  Talila rushed forward. “Father, I was perfectly safe.”

  “We’ll discuss this later,” Conall said and then turned to Haryk. “I need to speak to my brother.”

  Conall pulled Hope into his side and pressed a kiss down on her head. “Can you take the children into the house, luv?”

  “I’d be happy to,” Hope said tugging him down to brush a kiss against his lips. As he began to pull away from the embrace, Hope held him fast and whispered, “Be nice to your brother.”

  * * * * *

  Conall watched his family walk up the path. Talila and Jonas both eyed Haryk curiously. When Hope pulled the front door shut, Haryk said, “Your wife is an amazing woman.”

  “You have no idea how much of an understatement that is.”

  Haryk chuckled, “I don’t doubt you.”

  “I’m sorry I threatened you, brother,” Conall said.

  Haryk shrugged and said, “It was a misunderstanding.”

  They stood in silence for several moments before Haryk spoke again. “How long have you been linked to your wife?”

  Conall frowned, obviously not happy with the question. Regardless, he said, “Since the day I returned to her.”

  Haryk nodded. “Does she know what that means?”

  “She knows that I keep her from aging and falling ill.”

  “Ah, you did not fill her in on all the details. You know that if she is killed…”

  “I die.”

  “Is she worth your life?”

  “She is worth so much more than my life.”

  Haryk nodded and stepped away. “Truly, I had hoped things had soured between you and your human. I planned to petition you to return, but now I see that it was a fool’s errand.”

  “I could never leave them,” Conall said. “Besides, I’ve been banished for all time.”

  “The realm of Faery is in turmoil,” Haryk said. “There are many calling for you to return, but now I see that it is impossible.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Haryk lifted his hand and a portal appeared, shimmering in the air beside him. “Tell your family I’m sorry I couldn’t stay.”

  Before his brother could leave, Conall said, “Don’t stay away so long next time.”

  Haryk’s eyes widened. His surprise melted into a smile. “I won’t. I must tell you, I’m pleased with your daughter’s name. It’s a fitting honor for mother.”

  Conall bowed his head in agreement.

  “May the gods watch over you and your family, brother,” Haryk said.

  “Thank you. And may the gods watch over you also.”

  Haryk smiled as he stepped into the portal. And then he was gone.

  Conall turned back to his home. Through the window, he could see Hope busying herself in the kitchen. The sound of her singing made him smile. His heart filled with a love so powerful, he wondered how he could have existed without it. Now that he’d found Hope, he would never let her go. His family was his life, and it was of more value than all the riches and power in this world or any other world. And in that moment, he vowed he would never take them for granted.

  About the Author:

  Holly Kelly is a mom who writes books in her spare time. Translation—she hides in the bathroom with her laptop and locks the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. She's married to a wonderful husband, James, and they are currently raising six rambunctious children. Her interests are reading, writing (of course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.

  You can find all of Holly Kelly’s books on her website:

  AuthorHollyKelly.com