The Barbarians' Lover

Chapter 22

Willow sat in the library. She was reading a book about the adventure of Captain Calico. She loved reading about what the feline pirate did while he was alive. He was a pirate that had a heart and would help those who truly needed it. He also stole from the wealthiest people he could, sunken many ships that held people against their will only to turn around and do the same.

"Did you hear?" A maid whispered.

"What?" Another asked.

Willow stopped reading and listened to their conversation. She was intrigued by what they were saying.

"The barbarian was finally arrested," the first said.

Willow stiffened. What happened after she left him? Where was he now? What was going to happen to him now that he was caught?

"Really?" The second asked.

"Yes, and the king will decide his fate later today," the first said," apparently he was just stroking around in the streets like he owned the place."

Willow stood from where she sat. It startled the two maids. They watched her as she made her way out of the library. She heard the footsteps of Jason as he caught up with her.

"Princess are you alright?" Jason asked.

"I'm fine," Willow simply said.

"Where are you going then?" Jason asked.

Willow halted. She didn't want to tell him that she was going down to the dungeon to see Sawyer. He was a criminal, a wanted pirate. She knew Sawyer had a huge price on his head for anyone who caught him. Whoever brought him to the castle must be pleased with themselves. She knows Sawyer isn't one to just go willingly with someone. Not unless he knew what was at stake.

"I'm going to my room," Willow lied.

Jason must have found that reassuring for he relaxed.

"Very well, I'll make sure you get there safely then," Jason said.

With a sigh, Willow went to her room. Once behind the door, she pressed her ear to it waiting for the sound of Jason leaving. Once she heard him finally leave she quietly opened her door and then ran to the dungeon. As she walked down the stairs she heard two guards talking.

"Are you sure he can't get out?" One asked.

"Positive, his weapons were taken once he was brought to the palace," the second said.

She walked forward letting her presence be known. She saw the two straighten at the sight of her.

"Princess, what are you doing here?" The first guard asked, he was slightly smaller than the other.

"I've come to speak with the prisoner," Willow said.

"Sorry, but we can't allow that," the second guard said.

"I just wanted to help my father since he is very busy," Willow lied," but if you really want him to stop what he is doing just to speak with the prisoner then I'll just go tell him."

The two men stiffened at the mention of the king. Everyone knows how busy the king can get, and the thought of him stopping whatever he was doing just to see a prisoner was unheard of.

"There is no need for that," the second guard said quickly," you may speak with the prisoner just don't get close."

Willow nodded her head. When they opened the door that leads to Sawyers cell Willow waited for the sound of it closing. Once it was shut she made her way to him. He laid on the straw mattress. She could tell he was deep in thought.

"What are you doing here, pup?" Willow asked.

He sat up and looked at her. Willow could tell by the way he moved he was very tense.

"I came to get you," he said.

"Why?" Willow asked.

It took a moment before he spoke," everyone misses you, and I do recall I told you not to run away."

Willow doubted that everyone missed her. Dustin had made it clear to her she was unwelcomed. Not just by him but also by Sawyer.

"I thought you didn't want me around," Willow said," that's what Dustin kept telling me anyway."

She saw him stiffen at what she said.

"Dustin didn't want you around, not me," Sawyer said.

Willow stood there staring at him. She didn't know what to say or believe. But it didn't matter, Sawyer wouldn't do anything. Dustin was his firstmate. He trusted Dustin.

"Kitten, what are you thinking?" Sawyer asked.

"It doesn't matter if it was just Dustin," Willow said," you trust him and he's your firstmate."

"He's no longer my firstmate, and he betrayed me," Sawyer said.

She could see anger and hurt swim in his eyes. She knew how much it meant to him for him to give and hold trust.

"Do you still trust me, even after I left?" Willow asked.

"Yes," was all Sawyer said.

"Can I go back with you?" Willow asked.

She feared the answer the most. She didn't want him to reject her. Tell her that she would be safer here.

"If you want to return with me," Sawyer said.

"But do you want me to?" Willow asked. She really wanted to know how he felt about her. If he really wanted her to go back with him or not.

"Kitten, you don't know how much you drive me crazy, but everything just gets worse when you're not around. When you're not around I can't think straight and I can't focus on anything else. I'm never in the right state of mind without you, and I don't know what the bastard of a crewmate did or said to you but it's not true," Sawyer said he stood opposite of her a hand placed on her cheek," kitten I'm in love with you and I want you to come back, to come home with me."

Willow felt tears slid down her face. He wanted her. If the bars of the cell weren't keeping them apart she would have jumped into his arms.

"I'll see what I can do to get you out," Willow said wiping fiercely at her face.

"How well guarded is the place at night?" Sawyer asked.

"Normally five guards roam each hall at different points," Willow said," but because you're here it'll be more heavily guarded."

"That will make things a little hard," Sawyer said," but we should be able to get out with few casualties."

"I know this castle like the back of my hand," Willow said," I will be able to get us out of here with hopefully no casualties."

"Very well then," Sawyer said," then I'll wait here for you."

As she left the dungeon, Willow couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Sawyer had confessed how he felt. He told her that he loved her, called his home hers. She was happy.