Barbarians Blood

Chapter 9

Willow sat looking out the wooden bars of her cage. Thomas had once again kidnapped her. She knew it was only a matter of time before Sawyer came to her rescue, but would he come before or after their child was born? She didn't want to have the baby without Sawyer. But the further she got from him the more she had to accept the reality that she will go through the labor and naming their child on her own.

"Hello Kitty," the sickening voice of Thomas said.

Looking up she sees him standing on the opposite side in front of her. She wanted to claw his other eye, to hurt him more. But she also wanted to keep her distance, keep not just herself but her unborn child safe. With a sigh, she asks," what do you want with me now?"

She watched as Thomas acted like he was thinking before he opened his mouth and spoke. " I want nothing to do with you, it's my mother that wants you."

"Do you always do what your mommy tells you?" Willow asked mocking him. She was confused as to why his mother wanted her, but she knew sooner or later she would find out. She watched as Thomas's body stiffened as he growled.

"Don't you dare mock me," he snarled. He slammed his fist against the wooded bars that held her captive. She flinched at his reaction to what she had said. Quietly she asks," where are you taking me?"

"To my parents," Thomas said turning and leaving her all alone.

"I hope Sawyer finds us soon," Willow said looking down at her stomach.

                           ***

Days, maybe even weeks went by before Willow heard the people above deck shouting. They reached land. Fear swept over her.

"Now why don't you be a good little kitten and stand still," Thomas spoke.

Willow looked up and saw him standing in front of her holding some rope. With a sigh, Willow stood and walked over to where Thomas stood. Stopping in front of him she stood there as he tied the rope around her. She was roughly pushed up the stairs and off the boat. When she wasn't being pushed forward by Thomas she managed to read a sign that said: WELCOME TO THE ETHEREAL ISLANDS.

Dread built up in her stomach. Back at the castle, she could remember the guards and a few of the other staff talk about the Ethereal Islands. None of the stories she heard were good. The islands experience unexpected storms that cause lots of damage and flooding. And to top it off these islands have the highest number of unexplained deaths. Many of the people her father sent to these islands to aid the people after one of the many storms were either injured, killed, or went missing.

"Come on," Thomas said roughly pulling her upper arm.

Allowing Thomas to lead her Willow looked around her surroundings. Nearly all the houses and shops looked worn down. "So which house is yours?" Willow asked looking at the many shambled houses.

Thomas didn't answer. He just tightened his grip on her arm and continued to pull her along. They soon walked into the forest that sat behind the houses and shops. There were not that many houses or shops sitting amongst the forest, but the few that were looked more like someone lived in them. She assumed the storms didn't affect these houses like the ones by the sea. An hour or two after walking in the forest they came out on the other side and were greeted by a huge stone manor. It looked like it was carved out of the side of the cliff that they were approaching.

"Is this your place?" Willow asked. Still no response from Thomas. With a huff, Willow stepped through the stone doors.

"Mother, I've brought her!" Thomas shouted.

His voice echoed through the room they were standing in. The sound of heels clicking on the floor alerted her of someone approaching.

"Good job, we'll lock her up in one of the rooms for now," a woman said.

Looking closely, Willow realized she knew the woman standing in front of her. It was Sawyer and Thomas's mother.

"Which room do you want me to put her in?" Thomas asked.

"Any of the unoccupied room," she said," as long as it isn't your brothers or your room I don't care."

"Why am I here?" Willow dared to ask.

"Simple, my son facies you," she said," and we want him home."

"So, I'm bait," Willow stated.

"For now," she said.

Willow watched as she turned and walked away. Once Thomas's mother was out of sight he began to drag her to a room. Once they entered the room Thomas undid the ropes holding her and left the room. It locked behind him. The room felt small only having a bed, a closet, and what looked to be a very small bathroom. With a defeated sigh Willow sat on the bed. It was extremely uncomfortable, but she at least had the sound of the ocean to keep her calm.

"Now I can see why Sawyer doesn't like living here," Willow said out loud," it's depressing."