#the essex serpent
look unto God and find me
Will Ransome x F!Reader
CW: nsfw, oneshot, priest kink, religion kink, blasphemy, dark Will, emotional manipulation, exploitation, young female reader (over the age of 18), age difference, fingering, squirting, dubcon
also posting on AO3
You were young, and more innocent than your sisters and your classmates beside you sitting on the pews, despite being nearly twenty years of age, you had yet to take a husband or bear a child, instead you were more enthralled by the church and the teachings of God. This was why you listened so intently to Father Ransome as he stood before you behind his pulpit, captivating the townspeople with his sermon as he always did. You found solace in his words, the only solace you’d found for days, as those dulcet tones caressed your ears.
He raises his hand upward, to extend to God, you like to think, before brushing an errant chestnut curl, just flecked with grey like stardust, behind his ear, before his hand falls back to his bible, long fingers curling around the wood of his pulpit in a manner that brought sinful thoughts to your mind you banished as quickly as they’d arisen, but the blush stayed scarlet on your cheeks just the same.
His light eyes passed over you just the once as he spoke, smiling gently in your direction and your heart jumped and stuttered in your chest. You’d never admit it, but you found it hard, in your dark days, to imagine any God to be more exquisite than his chosen vessel on earth.
It took a long while for the congregation to funnel out into the windy chill of the sunday morning, you were not among them, instead kneeling at your feet before the pulpit and grasping your hands together, gazing skyward as a stuttered prayer fell silent from your lips, wishing, begging, scurrying from the fear that kept you awake at night.
Your eyes flew open as a scraping sound echoed behind you and you twisted on your knees to find Father Ransome stood in the aisle, having noticed some furniture out of place you imagined, but his tall frame was turned to you, his robes falling against the sturdy frame you had watched wrestling with sheep and goats in the muddy terrain - more often than you would admit.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” The words fell softly from him, but your ears turned scarlet just the same as you jumped to your feet, straightening your skirts, eyes following your hands in your embarrassment.
“I-I’m sorry, Father, I, I didn’t mean to disturb you, I was just…”
He walked towards you, his large hand dwarfing your shoulder in a comforting squeeze.
“Hush,” he commanded softly, a smile in his voice. “You need not apologise to me. This church is your sanctuary.”
You looked up at him then, feeling foolish not to with his hand hot on your shoulder, forgetting how very tall he was, yet his head was dipped, giving you his full attention, those piercing blue eyes doing as they promised - piercing you. You quite forgot how to speak.
“Is anything the matter?” He asked, with that edge of gravel in his soft voice that made you weak. His hand hadn’t left your shoulder. “You seem on edge today, please allow me to be of assistance.”
“I’m afraid, Father.” You admit, feeling girlish tears appear in your eyes even now. His thumb grazed your shoulder when you cried, gripping you ever so tighter. “Of the serpent. I - I don’t want it to attack my poor sisters, I was trying to find some solace in the Lord-”
Father Ransome sighs, not unkindly, as he releases your shoulder and tucks his hands into his pockets, favouring you with a smile that melts you like butter.
“There is no serpent, my dearest girl. What happened to Gracie was a tragedy, but nothing more.”
“But surely, Father, if we believe in God, we must also believe in the Devil.”
He cocks his head to the side, smirks at you, as he draws his hands free again. He lifts his arm, knuckles brushing your collarbone with a whisper as his palm settles on your clavicle, the pad of his thumb just resting in the dip of your throat, and your breath catches. This is, what is -
“A girl so young and innocent as yourself should not be thinking of the devil,” his voice is low and rough like the marshes. You cannot stop staring at him. You feel his thumb against your throat as if in fear it will tighten. You feel it more when you swallow. He notices, his eyes tracking the bob of your throat before dragging back to your face. His lips are parted, his eyes searching. “Perhaps I can take your mind off of the subject,” his voice is a whisper, it needn’t be anything else, you were stood so close, you feel his breath on your cheek. “And turn your thoughts once again from the Devil and towards God.”
“Yes.” You breathe out gratefully, nodding your eagerness. “Please help me, Father.”
His hands trail down your arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake as he holds your wrists, guiding you until your back is to him.
“Put your hands on the pulpit,” he instructs softly, his breath bursting against your ear, his lips a whisper to your neck. “Look up to the ceiling, to the Lord, and pray.”
The cool flat wood of the pulpit beneath your hands is a solid comfort as you close your eyes, searching for God in your mind, silently repeating your prayers so loudly Father Ransome must be able to hear them.
You only open your eyes when you feel the telltale whisper of a touch across your waist, the drag of fabric as Father Ransome, oh god, draws your skirts up over your legs, exposing your grey woollen stockings to his eyes. You feel the burst of cold and shame and turn your head towards him, utterly scarlet.
“Father! What are you-”
“Face away from me.” He says softly, sternly. Halting his movements, your skirts bunches in his hands, your legs trembling in front of his. You swallow as you turn back, keeping your hands firmly on the pulpit. You aren’t scared of Father Ransome, rather, you don’t want to disappoint him, and it burns inside you like a sin, so you continue to pray, and as the words fall from your lips, you feel his fingers grazing your exposed, dripping core.
“G-gods,” your legs wobble as you grip the pulpit for support, the Lord’s name falling from you in vain as sinful pleasure sweeps through your belly like a wildfire, he chuckles, stroking along your seam until your legs are shaking and you’re coming undone against the wood.
Then his fingers press inside you, two together, up to the knuckle, and you let out a startled cry as your legs buckle and your stomach rolls, his hand braces over yours where it lays flat, holding you steady as he sinks deeper inside of you and you mewl as you stretch around him, burning and aching and twitching in uncontrollable desire.
“Father, please -” you bite back your begging as his body cages you, afraid that if you say or do anything he’ll stop, he’ll take his fingers from you and leave you empty, when you feel like you’ll die if he does.
“Hush, little one,” he breathes in your ear as his fingers quirk, move, play inside you, as if getting to know you intimately, sinfully, and you wail low as he presses against a spot inside you you’ve never felt before, you feel the pressure of the pad of his work-roughened finger against the vulnerable soft flesh of your core, and you feel something build inside you, something that buckles your knees and chokes you with pleasure and pain alike.
“Hmm.” You can hear the smirk in Father Ransome’s voice, you can feel the graze of his teeth on your bare neck, the grip of his hand on yours, the deep probe of his fingers as they stretch you around him, making room for himself in your small body, rubbing hard and rough over that same spot until your eyes roll and you collapse, half-exhausted, body bowing with pleasure you never knew existed. “Quite forgotten about the serpent now, have we, my darling?”
“Y-yes, Father,” you breathe.
“Say it again,” he says, “and I’ll let you come for me.”
You don’t even know what he means, but you babble mindlessly, “Yes, Father, thank you Father, please, Father -” as his fingers twist and pound and you’re yelping like an animal when a forceful expel of fluid bursts around his fingers - taking your sanity with it - and he groans as your spend soaks his arm.
There’s nothing but your shared gasping for a long while before his fingers slide wetly from you and you bow against the pulpit, exhausted, spent, the happiest you’ve been in a while.
When you turn back to Father Ransome, he is cleaning his fingers with a handkerchief. He smiles when he sees your flushed face.
“Do you feel better now?” He asks politely.
“Y-yes father,” you admit, “but is it not - sinful?”
“My dear, would I do it if it were sinful?” His smile stretches across his face and crinkles at his eyes and you can see no wrong in him.
It makes sense, and relief floods through you as you smile, as bright as the moon. “Thank you father, truly, you are a gift.”
“You flatter me.” He smiles bashfully. “Now, off to your mother before she worries for you.”
“Yes Father, thank you, Father.” You scurry away down the aisle, risking just one final glance to him as you go to leave, just in time to see him bring the handkerchief to his nose and groan, while his free hand palms a lump in the front of his robes.
anyone want any Will Ransome fics because my god I’m in the mood to write one
okay okay okay but gruff but sweet but done but realist Will Ransome in confession
You: I have desires for men,,,, I think I am marked by the devil
Will, already sighing: no you’re just horny and I have something in my trousers that can help
Episode Releases
Out Now
The Essex Serpent - 1x04
Now and Then - 1x04
Shining Girls - 1x07
Tehran - 2x05
Upcoming
June 3 - Physical s2
June 10 - For All Mankind s3
June 24 - Loot
‘Essex Serpent’ star Tom Hiddleston talks new series
On the Dean’s List/A-List interview for today one of the stars of the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Essex Serpent.”
Tom Hiddleston takes you behind the scenes tour of The Essex Serpent [video] | RadioTimes.com
From technical trickery to his favourite props, the actor gives us an insight into how the show was made.
Tom Hiddleston gives viewers a behind-the-scenes tour of the impressive The Essex Serpent set, in a new video released exclusively to readers of RadioTimes.com.
The new period drama is based on Sarah Perry’s novel of the same name, in which a widow from London moves to Essex in search of a mythical serpent, only to strike up an unexpected bond with a local pastor.
Hiddleston and Homeland star Claire Danes take the lead roles of Will Ransome and Cora Seaborne respectively, while Frank Dillane (Fear the Walking Dead), Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake) and Clémence Poésy (The Tunnel) also star.
The six-part miniseries was filmed on location during the winter, as Hiddleston explains that a “wintry atmosphere” was needed, but the production moved to an indoor soundstage as the weather brightened up.
The Enfield-based studio is a sight to behold, including a detailed reconstruction of the Essex home and landscape used in the initial weeks of filming. Hiddleston has more fascinating insights to offer in the video.
Hiddleston explains: “As an actor, it’s so inspiring because you walk into a space – you’ve imagined the world in your mind, but it’s been built for you – and all you have to do is inhabit it. It’s a real gift from the designers.”
The clip gives you a sense of the attention to detail as Hiddleston picks out two of his favourite props, which might not even be noticed in the finished show, yet play a real role in breathing life into the world of The Essex Serpent.
Watch the video on Radiotimes.com >>
Jesus Christ, that episode.
I’m literally in the British Film Institute’s Instagram Story. Love it!
Guess where I am
Synopsis:William Ransome is tormented by loneliness—a cruel fate you share, for as a demoness, companionship is rare. So when you hear the desolate vicar pray night after night, you emphasise with his pain. You feel it too—and you want to help him, become his and make him yours. But will he still grow to love you when he learns what you truly are?
Here’s an additional disclaimer, for “The Essex Serpent” as well as the characters of this book borrowed for this fan fiction belong to Sarah Perry.
Words: 5870
Warnings: angst, smut, demoness!Reader, slight blasphemy
He was kneeling, looking up at the massive wooden cross in the centre of the church. Tilting your head, you watched him, whispered prayers reaching your ears. Your gaze softened. William Ransome, a man of God, pastor to a people, trusted Reverend. He was a broken man. Lonely. Especially after his wife had passed away and Cora had moved back to London to explore new myths come to life.
Stepping closer, you took in his broad figure. He was tall, and handsome, even from behind. More mumbling. You smiled weakly. You had heard him. And you were going to answer his prayers.
“Father?” Formalities were important, were they not? At least for now. Where you came from, disrespecting ranks could quite literally cost you your head.
The Reverend froze but pulled himself together quickly. He stood, straightening his black priest gowns and then turned around to face you. Only someone with very keen eyesight would have been able to spot the tears swimming in his eyes. You did.
“Can I help you?” His voice was full of concern and sincerity—just like you had expected. You smiled weakly.
“I came for guidance. They sent me to you.”
He nodded understandingly. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
“Yes, well… I’m not from around here,” you responded calmly. The people of Aldwinter did not take kindly to foreigners, you knew this much. Will did not need to know that not a single soul apart from him had seen you here as of yet. That you had appeared seemingly out of thin air—to the human eye anyway.
“Are you alone? It’s not safe for a woman to travel alone in these times. Come. Sit down.”
“I’m very much used to it.”
He beckoned you over to one of the pews. The dark wood was splintered in one place as if someone had attempted to remove part of the engravings.
“What happened there?”
“A mark left by a story from the past.” A myth of a serpent, an embodiment of the devil, or so they had believed. You knew about it, of course. As if Lord Satan would bother with a small village on the coast of England.
“You seem poetic, I like that.” You smirked a little, eliciting a chuckle from the Reverend.
“Well… what is your name?”
Without any hesitation, you gave it to him. It was a simplified version of your true name which, if he was a man of God truly, would recognise. There was no need to alarm him as of yet. You would tell him when the time came. He would seewhen the time came. When he was ready… and when youwere ready.
“Will. Will Ransome.” You shook his hand then, electricity tickling your palms when your skin touched. Your soul was aching for this man. Perhaps his would ache for yours too at some point. He must have felt it too. This magnetising pull, the attraction.
You shivered when he spoke your name again, eyeing you up and down in a way you knew he would give you a chance. “What can I help you with?”
“I feel… lost. Like I don’t know where I belong. Like I don’t know who I should continue to pledge my allegiance to.”
And you were not lying. You answered to nobody and sometimes… that made you feel left out. Like you hadn’t quite found your place in this universe yet.
“You are questioning your faith?” He pried gently. You looked up at him, curious as to what you’d see in those beautiful blue eyes. There was no judgement, no reproach.
“I am questioning myself—so I came here. I have nothing to lose and yet, my journey here could result in an utter disaster.”
William frowned. “You speak in riddles.”
“So I’ve been told before. What about you, Father? Don’t you feel lost sometimes?”
“More often than you think.”
“And what do you do?”
“I pray. I ask God for guidance. We all carry a lot of baggage from our past.” Once again, he said your name. Your heart jumped. “To confess our sins helps us carry on.”
You smiled. “So you believe I would feel better if I confessed my sins?”
Your sins… there were many things you could think of. Someone like you did not live like a saint. Especially when it came to the art of love-making. You couldn’t wait for him to blush and act all shocked once you had told him about thosesins.
“Yes. I believe so.”
“You don’t even know me. I’m a complete stranger to you. Yet you are willing to help me?”
Will’s eyes met yours, freezing you in place. He was everything you had imagined him to be. Everything and so much more. Your heart would not stop fluttering for a single second either. He was here with you. He was finally here with you.
“You seem like a kind soul in need of help. I will not turn you away. Where are you staying?”
“I’m not sure yet. I only just arrived.”
“Alone?” He asked once more.
“All alone.”
The Reverend chuckled a little. “You are quite the mystery.” Then he paused, possibly contemplating whether it would be a good idea to do what he offered you next. “Join me. I made a stew. My wife used to… never mind. Something warm to eat will strengthen your body from travelling. Where are you from?” He stood, motioning for you to follow, yet you were sure he had not forgotten about taking your confession.
“Um… London.” It was a half-truth. London was one of the main gateways to where you came from.
“If you are comfortable with it, you can stay at my place. I would worry less knowing you are safe for the night. The sun is setting already.”
You smiled, butterflies awakening in your belly. “I would love that.”
-
Was it normal for a Reverend to offer an outsider whom he had never met before to spend the night at his house? No. Was it normal to invite them over for dinner? You smirked. No. He felt it too. You had been right to answer his prayers. Perhaps showing yourself to him was not going to result in a disaster after all.
Will’s house was clean and tidy. He told you his kids were staying with an aunt outside of Essex and so the only other soul keeping him company was the adorable little Cocker Spaniel by his side.
“He likes you,” Will said after the dog let you pet him.
“I’m good with animals I think.” And I’m good with men of God, too. You had no intentions to turn him, make him reconsider his beliefs. But it would feel nice, for a change, to be worshipped. The last time you had been with a man… a humanman… it had been way too long. Some of them were such considerate lovers, so keen on pleasuring the woman they shared the bed with.
Will was a good cook, too. His stew was based on a recipe created by his dead wife, Stella. It must have been a few years now since her passing. He’d never been the same since. Perhaps that’s why he felt lost too. After his fling with Cora—even though you were certain he’d refuse to ever call it that—he quite possibly never forgave himself for being disloyal to his wife.
“I like your house… I like the peace and quiet.”
“Well… it’s not so quiet when the children are around.”
You chuckled. “I can imagine.”
“I can show you my study if you like. Do you like to read?”
“I don’t have a lot of time to read but… I can appreciate a good book.”
Will lead you upstairs. His workspace was indeed full of books, all of which sat neatly on bookshelves towering up all the way to the ceiling.
Curious, you entered the room, fingertips brushing over the leather spines. There was a lot of natural science and a lot of theology too. You held back a scornful giggle when you spotted a dark red book titled “Demonology & The Evils That Escaped The Flood”. If only it was that simple.
“I, uh…” He swallowed. “I can take your confession if you like. It doesn’t need to be in church. We have more privacy here.” There it was. The sternness that came with him being a priest. It was quite frankly arousing. You wanted to comfort this man more than anything and yet, at the very same time, you wanted him to whisper your name while his hard cock jerked against your wet walls and filled you up with his seed.
“I’ve never done this before,” you retorted with an innocent expression on your face.
He smiled without showing his teeth, asking you to approach his desk with a movement of his hand.
“I’ll show you, it’s easy. Here, sit down.” You sat down on his cushioned chair, watching him approach you with slow steps and then lean against the desk. Your gaze was now directly on one level with his crotch.
“You can look down if that’s easier for you. Normally, in a confessional, we can’t see each other’s faces. Get everything off your chest. Everything that makes you doubt, everything you want to be freed from.”
Right now, I want to be freed from my clothes by you… You bit your lower lip, stifling your grin. “What do I say?”
“You say ‘Bless me, Father, for I have sinned’.” His smooth voice made you want to moan out loud. Who knew a vicar could be this enticing? This… sexy?
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned…” You repeated. There was no way he was able to hear the scorn in your voice—or that the whole concept of begging for forgiveness was but a sham for men in power to enforce submission and spread fear of a creature that did not even exist.
“Tell me, child. What is it that weighs on your heart?” Your gaze remained fixed on his crotch—it took you all of your willpower not to reach out and give him a promising squeeze.
“I doubt, Father,” you played along, “my head is filled with unchaste thoughts and I… I feel this urge to just take what I want, whenever I want, regardless of the consequences.”
Will gasped for air. Clearly, he had not expected that.
“You are… an unusual woman.” You didn’t know a lot about confessions but surely, he was not supposed to say something like that. Perhaps you already had him right where you wanted him for the moment.
“I know.” Finally, you looked up, locking eyes with him. A smirk tugged at the corners of your lips when you spotted the intrigued glistening in those blue irises. Wouldn’t you like to know about those naughty thoughts, Father?
You stood again without breaking eye contact with him for even a second, approaching him until not even a piece of paper would have fit between your bodies. You had to look up at this point. Will took a sharp breath and held up his hands, knuckles brushing over what little skin of your body was revealed.
“No… we can’t do this. Listen… you are…” He laughed weakly. “You are without a doubt one of the most beautiful women I have ever had the privilege to meet but we hardly know each other.” And yet, his fingertips lingered on your bare shoulder, tracing your collarbone.
“So if we give in… is that another sin?” You mused. Will frowned, his eyebrows lifting one after the other as if irritated by your comment. Truth be told, there was no reason for him not to be.
“It’s okay, Will… I want it.”
“You’re an unmarried woman,” he continued, “it’s not right.”
“Does that matter? What about you?” Spreading your legs, you pulled him closer. “You aren’t moving away.”
“I… I don’t know what’s gotten into me… I don’t even know who you are, I…”
“Will… please…” This time, you didn’t wait for him to answer. You reached for his chin, pulling his face towards you to kiss him. “Let me taste you…” You whispered against his lips. Gone was your innocence and tenderness. It might have been part of you but you would never let it distort your true nature.
And when your mouths finally met, all the missing puzzle pieces you had been in search of for so long now seemed to fall in place with ease. It felt right. Hefelt right. Hungrily, you wrapped your arms around his neck to lock him in place, deepening the kiss when you felt him reciprocating.
Your tongue darted out to lick over his lower lip, sneakily asking for entrance. Will’s eyes fell shut, all resistance blown away like leaves in the wind and you knew then that you had won. This man was going to be yours.
“I think I don’t care if I’m sinning, Will. I will make those dirty thoughts reality…” You whispered when you broke the kiss. Grinning wickedly and watching him pant out of breath, you sank to your knees, undoing his trousers. You could already feel the bulge that had formed underneath the fabric.
Finally, you gave him a squeeze, his erection springing free and making you lick your lips. There was no point in wasting your time and letting you both wait. Greedily, you leaned forward and closed your mouth around his tip, suckling on him until he rewarded you with a few drops of precum. With your hands, you massaged his balls to increase his arousal all the while inching more and more of him into your mouth until he hit the back of your throat.
Not being human had its perks—your gag reflex worked a little different than a mortal woman’s. Soon, you were allowing him to fuck your mouth vigorously, letting him bury his fists in your hair all the while listening to his sexy grunts. Just before he got to lose control and cum, however, you pulled away and stood again. He was just as out of breath as you.
“I want you inside me, Will.” You choked out. You could tell your lips were swollen when you spoke. The fiery lust in his eyes was all you needed for confirmation. He nodded as if in trance, almost curious as to what you would do next.
When you pulled him closer by his coat, he smirked, albeit taken by surprise when you turned you both around so your butt cheeks hit the edge of the desk. Will took the lead almost instantly. Sucking in a sharp breath, he grabbed fistfuls of your skirt to pull it up, revealing a pair of tight leather trousers.
“What are you… wearing?” He choked out.
“I’m an unusual woman, remember?” You hadn’t wanted to scare him away with your choice of garments. Leather was common where you came from. No one cared about skirts or dresses or gender roles.
Will shook his head but let it slide for now. You could tell he did not quite approve of your clothing but then again, he was a vicar. Instead, he pulled them down to reveal your glistening cunt to him. You were dripping, ready for him to fill you, to let him claim you.
Then, you flipped around so you had your back to him, sticking out your behind to urge him on. As much as you wanted to see him come undone inside of you and forget about all that grief in his heart for but a few blissful seconds, you could not let him see your eyes during the height of pleasure. Not yet.
You could practically feel him frown behind you. Still, he did nothing to protest when he helped you out of your clothes, piece by piece by piece. Your corset was made of black leather too. It took him a second to undo it all until eventually, you stood before him naked.
You spread your legs even further, propping yourself up on his desk with your elbows and moaning softly. “Will…”
His response was but an animalistic grunt—so unlike a pious Reverend. Your eyes almost rolled to the back of your head when he grabbed your hips and dug his fingers into your flesh to position you properly for him. Then, he guided his hard member to your entrance, sliding it up and down your slickness. Closing your eyes, his name escaped your lips like a prayer when he finally pushed inside and sheathed himself inside your warmth inch by agonising inch.
William Ransome was made for you. His hands felt like they were all over your body even though he kept them on your hips, his breath everywhere on your skin. His gentle thrusts quickly turned into relentless fucking you would not have expected from the vicar—not during the first time you had sex anyways.
The sun had almost disappeared by now, and you could see your reflection in the glass of the window when you opened your eyes again, watching your breasts bounce and your irises glow bright yellow with those slit-like pupils you were so familiar with. Strong emotions always brought about this reaction of your body—and they didn’t say for no reason that the eyes were the gates to the soul.
The desk was rattling with every single stroke of his. Ecstatic, you grabbed his hand and guided his long fingers to your clit. Just a little bit more, just a little bit further…
He caught on to what to do quickly. Will gave your sensitive bundle of nerves a delicious treatment, his eager thrusts never easing. Circling and massaging your clit, he had you right where he wanted you within a matter of minutes when you began to tighten around him, squeezing his cock and making it all the harder for him not to cum straight away.
You could tell he was holding back, waiting for you to finish first—but with those skilled hands, it did not take you much longer. You tensed up when your orgasm washed over you, pleasure flooding your entire body as your walls twitched around him, triggering his own climax.
Will pulled you close. He buried his face in the back of your neck, growling darkly. With but a few more powerful thrusts, he stilled, coating your walls with his seed. If he was worried about getting you pregnant, he did not let it on. Not that he could, anyway. There had to be some perks to your species, after all.
Once you had both come down from your high, you took a few deep breaths and then checked your appearance in the window again. No yellow. You turned around, whining when his now softening member slid out of you again, making even more of a mess of you.
His cum was dribbling down your thighs, your juices covering his shaft that was practically glistening in the artificial light inside his study. Will remained silent—he must have still been processing what had just happened.
“We should take this to your bedroom where it’s more comfortable?” The Reverend nodded. Out of breath, he scooped you up like a bride, making you chuckle, and then brought you to his bedroom.
Once there, he tucked you in like you were the most precious thing in the world and then left you for a moment only to return with a damp towel to help you clean up. You beamed at him.
“This, uh… I can assure you this isn’t how confessions normally go.”
“You don’t say?” Grinning wickedly, you waved him towards you, allowing him to wrap you both in his blanket once he had climbed into the bed as well. “I would offer you the spare bed in the room downstairs but…”
You chuckled. “Yeah, that offer is rather redundant now.” He paused, and, for a while, just looked at you. He looked at you with his blue eyes so full of affection, you couldn’t help but lean forward and kiss him before he extinguished the lights.
“Promise me you will tell me more about yourself tomorrow. And… I might be a vicar but for you to trust a strange man to take you to his home and then allow him to…”
“Well… I’m not like other women, am I?”
“Did God send you to me?” He murmured, stroking your cheek. You smiled. God had nothing to do with it but for now, you would let him have his peace. “He must have. It feels right to have you in my arms.”
It felt right to bein his arms. And when he fell asleep, you swore to yourself that he would never have to feel lonely again.
-
The next morning, you woke earlier than Will. Watching him sleep for a while, you traced his features with your fingertips until he stirred and squinted his eyes at the bright sunlight flooding the room. Still naked, you stretched and then leaned in closer to him to inhale his scent. Forest, sea, wood, old books… he smelled amazing. Like life. Like purelife.
“Good morning…” He smiled. “I was worried you might have been a dream.”
“I take it you don’t often invite strange women to your house and let them seduce you,” you said in response, grinning devilishly at him.
Will laughed. “Certainly not, no. My flock will condemn me to hell if they learn of this. Come closer.”
It would be absurd to claim you loved him. You barely knew him after all. But then again, things worked a little different for you. You had been listening to this man for a while now, heard all about his sorrows and his pain… you knew him.
And he had your heart, whether they would call it love or not.
A whimper escaped your lips when he raised an eyebrow in an almost mischievous manner and pushed his hand between your thighs. He quickly found what he was looking for. You were not about to say no to some passionate morning sex. Biting your lower lip, you attempted to turn around so he could do something about that growing erection between his own legs.
“Don’t turn away from me again, my dove.” He murmured your name sleepily. “I want to look you in the eyes when I make love to you.”
Biting your lower lip, you considered it for a moment. Was it too early? His loving gaze was warming your heart. He had held you like treasure—and you had never felt this appreciated before. He must have thought you were an angel without wings that had been sent to him.
Still, it was a wave of panic that flooded you once you grew wet for him. Burying your face in the pillow, you spread your legs further for him, hoping that he would let it go. You could hear the sheets ruffle, his delicious treatment never stopping.
You moaned when he whispered your name and turned your face towards his with his free hand, wanting to see your reactions. What you did not expect was for him to plunge himself into you with but one deep thrust, causing your eyes to fly wide open from the sudden surge of pleasure coursing through your veins.
You knew they were yellow the moment you watched his expression fall, shock distorting his beautiful features. Fuck.
“What…”
“Will… don’t be scared. Let me explain.”
“Jesus Christ and Mother of God…” He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. You had to disappoint, it was no dream. Will withdrew entirely. He sat up straight, the blanket sliding off his chest.
The urge to pounce on him and lick every inch of his skin grew with every passing second but the horror on his face held you back.
“What… are you?” He asked slowly, calmly. You pressed your lips together to a thin line. “You are not human.” He stated the obvious. Then, suddenly, he buried his face in his hands.
“No. I am not. You…” You paused. “You are taking this a lot more composed than I thought you would.”
“What are you?” He repeated even though you were certain that a part of him already knew. Perhaps some other part was hoping he was wrong. But angels did not have cat-like yellow eyes.
“I am a… demoness. Will…” You reached for his hands, taken aback when he flinched away and practically jumped out of bed as if he had only just realised that he was still sharing the bed with you.
“This isn’t possible. I’m dreaming. I’m hallucinating. I’ve lost my mind.” You heard him say as he put on his trousers. When he finally looked up to meet your gaze, to those eyes that had now returned to their original colour, the affection you had seen sparkling in his was all but gone, replaced with disgust and hostility.
“No, I’m real. Will, I’m real. I heard you pray.” You explained weakly. “I know I’m probably not who you expected.”
“I asked Godfor help.”
“Do you think he is the only entity out there? You asked the universe for help, you sent a cry for help. And I heard you.”
“You are a creature from hell.” He choked out.
“I’m not a creature!” You snapped. “Hell doesn’t ex… it’s not… well, it’s a bit complicated for the human mind to understand the first time around. I come from a realm below you, that is correct. But I didn’t emerge from eternal hellfire. Will, let me explain it to you. As a man of God, you must think I am evil. I am not. Demons, we are… we are neutral, we don’t… See… even the devil, this creature you think punishes unfortunate souls isn’t real. Satan is a title if anything. Most demons don’t give a damn about making humans pay for their sins.”
“And you?” He spat. Your heart skipped a beat. His tone was stern. Almost hateful.
“I’m neutral. I see the good in people and I see the bad in people. And I saw the good in you…” You added sadly.
“Did you… did you feed off my energy?” He barked.
“What? No. I’m not a succubus. I enjoy intimacy like any other woman does. Will, I came because…” You paused. He wasn’t listening. Not really. The bible had taught him that you were evil and brought about pain and death and bad luck.
He… he was judgingyou. William Ransome, the kind man you knew saw the good in every living being. His eyes were filled with hatred for you, and strangely, it was not anger you felt. It was disappointment and grief. Like he had just taken your heart and broken it into a million pieces. You had been so convinced that he was different, that he would understand you. You had not done him any harm, now had you? You had spent a night full of love and passion together, and you had talked.
“Why did you invite me into your home, Will? You said I seem like a kind soul. There was something magical between us right from the moment we met. I knowyou felt it too.”
“You tricked me. You compelled me. Else… I would never have… I…” With an angry grunt, he reached for the holy water on his nightstand and sprinkled it all over you. He appeared shocked when it didn’t make you recoil in pain.
“Please… we sat in church together. Do you truly believe that some stale water will do me any harm?” The words hovered in the air for a little while. He had the books. William Ransome knew how to banish a demon. He knew what he had to do if he truly wanted you gone. Your heart ached at the mere thought of it.
Tearing up, you took a deep breath. You didn’t mean to upset him any further.
“Get back to whatever hellhole you crept out of or I willbanish you. Leave me, and leave this town.”
The first tears came rolling down your cheek then, worsening your sight. You sniffed, noticing the sudden shift of energies in the room. Whatever he had felt for you just a moment ago, it was gone for now.
With your lower lip shaking, you climbed out of bed. His eyes widened when you used black magic to put your clothes back on—like black fog they melted onto your body as if they had never been gone. You looked down, facing the wooden floor.
And then, before your heart could break entirely, you disappeared into thin air.
-
They had always warned you about humans. About how they were not to be trusted, unreasonable, unpredictable—believing in a book full of witchcraft but refusing to acknowledge the Wiccans and pagans who came to ask you, demons, for guidance.
But then there was you—blind to the warnings, too intrigued and madly in love with a man whose whispered prayers you had secretly been listening to. The glimmer of hope had been all but cruel, painful, that short moment of pure bliss, however… you took a deep breath. It had been worth it.
And for just a second, so you knew, Will had not felt lonely anymore either. Perhaps this was the reason why you found yourself in church again the same evening, after wandering about in the shadows, hidden from the villagers and even their pets.
You would respect his wishes and accept his belief. That you were evil, not to be trusted, brought about bad luck and death—even if it hurt. That, however, did not mean, that you could leave this silly human priest behind without saying your farewell.
Perhaps he had cooled down by now. Perhaps when you came to say goodbye, the last expression you’d remember would not be the hateful stares he had met you with only hours ago. It was wishful thinking, was it not? But then again, you had always been a rather masochistic demoness.
You didn’t know for sure he was going to be there but your heart cried tears of relief when you heard his whispers in the darkness of the church. He hadn’t lit a single candle to guide his way. There he stood, by the altar, looking down at his hands, with only the pale moonlight fighting its way through the windows lighting up his surroundings.
“Will…”
The Reverend froze, and you couldn’t blame him. Demons moved as quiet as a cat. Several heartbeats passed in which he remained quiet.
“I am a fool,” he said then, breaking the silence and turning around to face you. “I didn’t believe there was a serpent. And I didn’t believe that demons would still walk on Earth to this day, not anymore. I am a fool for not believing my flock. I’m supposed to protect them from evil and now, I shared my bed with…” Whatever he meant to say, he stopped himself. Whether it was because he saw the pained expression on your face or because of an entirely different reason, you could not tell.
“I was lonely,” he continued. “I admit that. You came to me and took advantage of that.”
It was only then you realised what he was holding in his hands. A small silver box with ancient engravings, found in almost every single church—one of the few tools to banish a demon and trap their soul inside forever to keep them from doing harm.
You closed your eyes for a second and you shook your head, new hot tears forming in your eyes and threatening to roll down your cheeks. And it seemed Will did not fail to notice your reaction.
Swallowing thickly, you spoke. Even though you were on the verge of falling apart. “Have you ever considered that maybe I was lonely too? That I thought, hey… maybe we can be lonely together? I didn’t care who you are, or what you are. A man of God. I believed you to be different. But I was clearly wrong about you. I watched you, you know. The man in front of you could be a murderer and you’d still find a way to understand them, find a way to forgive them. You believe they’ll get punished for their sins by your god, so you believe it’s only just to meet them without judgement. But this bright morning… I have never felt more judged in my life. Tell me, William. Do you blame the black cat that happens to cross your path for your bad luck? The cat is just trying to cross the road. I was born the way I am. I’m not evil. I don’t bring about pain or death or suffering or mischief. You are being narrow-minded and old-fashioned. You believe in a book that is about a guy who can turn water into wine. Will… please… If you are going to do this, then know that I never meant to cause you any pain.
“I know you might not believe me.” You laughed bitterly. “I barely believe myself. But I have grown to love you in a way that goes beyond the human concept of affection. We might have spent only one night together but for me, that was enough to realise that I want you to be mine. I have watched you for so long, I emphasised with you. Yes, Will. I love you. A demoness loves you. Unconditionally.”
Slowly, to not startle him, you approached him, waiting for him to make a move. He was shaking. His hands were trembling so much the silver box was rattling, the irritating sound echoing through the church. You looked back up—and realised that he too was crying. With a loud clatter, the box fell to the ground and you breathed out. He couldn’t do it.
“And even if we part now, know that I will always look out for you.” Your smile was weak, stained by your tears. Holding back a sob, you stood on your toes to kiss him—to taste his lips just one last time before returning to a life of loneliness and pain… and watching him daily, making sure he was okay.
Your second sob escaped your lips before you had a chance to stop it. Will was reciprocating the kiss and when he pulled you into his arms, unwilling to let you go, it almost felt like he meant to mend your heart again from how he had wronged you.
“I’m a vicar,” he murmured when he broke away, “how can this be right?”
“Does it feelright?”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“And that’s what scares you.” Your voice was but a mere whisper against his lips. Will nodded.
“Stay,” he suddenly said. “For now. And we’ll…” He took a deep breath. “We’ll figure something out. I don’t want you to leave. I have been praying for a miracle and maybe…” He didn’t finish his sentence. He didn’t have to.
You smiled. Yes. You’d figure something out.
-
A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Now… what do you think, do we need a Part II? Because I think we do! ;-)
I am soooo excited for tomorrow! I haven’t been watching any clips for The Essex Serpent yet, I only know the official Trailer and the clip that came out before that so it’ll all be a surprise to me (apart from me having read the book of course)! I hope I’ll be feeling better tomorrow so I can get started on a new Will Imagine, in time for the first The Essex Serpent weekend! ♥
