Page 25 of Snatched By the Scarecrow

“But—” He places a finger over my mouth to shush me.

“I don’t speak much, but if you’d allow me to explain.”

I smile beneath his finger and mumble out, “Sorry.”

“You’re my mate. I was made to know you, and you me.” My chest fills with warmth, and the bridge of my nose stings. He continues, “I was created for the purpose of the harvest, but I was never meant to spill so much blood.”

“So why did you?”

“Because this town didn’t understand what I required. They mistook my need for a mate as a need for blood. I tried to make them understand, but they didn’t want to. All they wanted was to take from me, to have their bountiful harvest, and worship me.”

“You killed because you were angry?”

“In order to keep the cycle going, a sacrifice had to be made. If I wanted to find you, the blood had to be spilled. And over time, I came to enjoy it. It gave me an outlet for my anger.”

“Is that why you killed them all last night?”

“I killed them because they dared to harm you. Their blood did not complete the cycle. They had it coming. They craved the harvest to be bountiful; not to feed the people here, but to be the best. For their greed.”

“But as you said, the harvest cycle is complete. And I thought you only came to life until it was completed.”

“As long as you live, I will too. I found my mate, spilled your blood,” his hand travels to the cuts on my thigh. “You took my seed, planted it deep in the earth.” That same hand travels to my stomach, “And now it will grow.”

I gasp. “I’m pregnant.”

Silas smiles. “Not yet.” He leans forward until his lips are at my ear, playing with my piercings. “But you will be soon. Your womb is primed and ready for me. You just had me, yet you crave me. Need me.”

He’s right, but I don’t give in. “You can’t know all that.”

He cocks his head, staring into my soul. “I’ve told you. You’re my mate. I know your soul, your body, just as you know mine.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s why you ended up here, my eager one. In this valley, at this farmhouse, and why you were never afraid of me.”

His words settle in my bones, and everything he’s saying makes sense. I hold his hips to mine, heart pounding a little faster.

“You said as long as I live, you will too.”

“Our lives are bound together now. You said you’d give me everything, and you did. You’ve tied me to your life, and when you draw your last breath, so will I.”

“You didn’t think to tell me any of this?”

He pauses before he speaks. “If you don’t want this, or me, I’ll go and leave you. It will be painful, but while I can be a cruel god, I will never be cruel to you.”

I think of walking away from this, from him, and my heart breaks in my chest. I throw my arms around Silas, and bury my face in his neck, my nose rubbing against the rope that holds the cloth over his face.

“This is insane, you realize that?”

“Not for me.” He holds me tighter, his strong arms wrapping around me.

“How will we live our life?” I grip him tighter. “What will our children look like?” I pull back as tears prick my eyes. “My sister, Codi. Can she ever see me again? Can she know you? I think she might accept it after some time, but what about everyone else?”

He holds my face in his hands. “We will live life however you want, and our children will be human and god. They will take on a more human form.”

I blink, knowing I’ll have to unpack that later. “And the rest?”

“We will figure it out as time unfolds. But that is a discussion for another time. All I know is that you’re mine, and now that I’m free of this field, I’ll follow you wherever you go. Whatever you need, Harper. Even if that means I hide in the shadows while you live your life.”