The Barbarians' Lover

Chapter 18

Willow sat on the boat heading home. She knew the risk she was taking leaving and not letting anyone, not even Sawyer know. She can still remember what he had told her the first time they docked somewhere with her on the boat.

"You will stay on this boat if you know what good for you, kitten, " Sawyer said," and if you don't want to be locked in a room or hunted down you'll behave and stay here."

Her heart raced as she thought of his threat. But she couldn't stay on that boat any longer. With everything Dustin had done and said to her she just couldn't stay.

"You don't really believe the captain cares about your," Dustin had said," youre just another toy to him."

She did her best to ignore his words but they dug deep into her skin and thoughts that she decided to take the risk and leave.

"Once he's done with you he'll kill you," Dustin said," or sell you to the black market to be used by any man that wants to have a little fun screwing you daily."

"He's only acting so you don't try running off."

"The more you trust him the more he'll do to you and make you think you wanted it, or that it was your fault."

"Princess, your parents are going to be overjoyed to see you unharmed and alive," a royal guard had said.

"I'll be happy to see them too," Willow lied, she didn't want to return home. But what other choice did she have? She didn't want to be a plaything or be manipulated as Dustin had said. She wanted to be free and happy. But now she wasn't either for she was returning home, and she knew her mother would arrange for her to be married off to some prince as soon as possible. Willow sat in her room for the rest of the trip to the land that would lead her home.

It took them a month to get to Embervale. As Willow took her first steps off the boat she couldn't believe the sight. Embervale was a busy place full of people walking down the streets. The fields that stretched up over a hill on the outskirts of the busy town were pale green with few trees and bushes.

"Right this way, princess," the guard said motioning to a carriage.

Hesitating a moment Willow slowly made her way down to the carriage. She really wasn't looking forward to seeing her mother again. She wasn't sure how she felt about seeing her father though. He wasn't really around when she lived in the castle, but he was much kinder than her mother.

"How has life been since my disappearance?" Willow asked the guard as she reached the carriage.

"The same for the most part," the guard said.

"Has anything changed?" Willow asked.

"You'll see for yourself when we return to the castle," the guard said avoiding answering the question.

Willow sat in the carriage looking out the window watching the ocean move further and further away. Something wet slid down her cheek. Wiping it away Willow looked down at her hand and saw a tear. More tears slid down her cheeks the further she got from the ocean.

They didn't stop to let Willow stretch her legs until they reached the castle. But by that point, it was nearly dark. The sky was in beautiful shades of purples and pinks as the sun was setting. Stepping out of the carriage she took a deep breath and made her way up the stairs to the castle. Once inside she was escorted to the dining room. As the doors opened she heard the conversation her parents were having.

"I know you still have hope in her returning, but you should consider the idea," Queen Juliea, Willow's mother, said.

"I will not abandon our daughter," King Garret, Willows father, said.

"It won't be abandoning her, Garret," Queen Juliea said.

"I will not have another child," King Garret snapped.

"Think of your people, Garret," Queen Juliea said," they need a ruler."

Willow saw that her father looked tired and much older than the last time she had seen him. He sat in his chair slouching like it was too much of an effort for him to be there.

"I will not risk your life," King Garret said," and besides I'm getting too old to be a father to another child."

"My king, my queen the princess has returned," the guard announced.

Her parents looked up over at her. She saw her father looking overjoyed and relieved to see her. Her mother held no emotion other than anger towards her. Taking a few steps into the dining room Willow waited for her mother to lash out and it wasn't a long wait.

"Where in the world have you been!?" Queen Juliea snapped standing from her seat.

"I've been traveling but spent most of my time on a boat," Willow said.

"Do you have any idea what you put us through!?" Queen Juliea asked her face reddening.

"No," Willow said glancing over to her father than to her feet.

"You've had us worried sick," Queen Juliea said," your father had his men searching everywhere for you, and he himself-"

"That's enough Juliea," King Garret said," Willow you must be hungry come have something to eat."

Willow walked over to the table and took a seat. She wasn't really hungry but she didn't want to make her father worry anymore. After a half-hour, she went to her room and got around for bed. She laid in bed for hours wide awake. She tossed and turned, but sleep never came to take her. With a sigh, she sits up in bed and looks around. She missed the sound of the ocean. Missed her friends. Missed living on the boat. But her heart ached for Sawyer the most, even though she left to get away from him because of everything Dustin had said. But she couldn't help missing her pup the most.