Shadow X Reader - You Can't Force Love

Chapter 11

Day of execution

Your POV

"Please, Percival... Let me out..."

Percival stared at me with eyes filled with guilt and sympathy as she shook her head.

"I'm sorry (Y/N)... But I'm on strict orders, I can't even though I want to..."

I just sat there, doing absolutely nothing, sinking to the ground, hiding my face in my hands. I was, once again, dressed in dirty rags, crying since yesterday. I thought I'd have run out of tears by now, but I guess not. First my mom leaves the family, now me. I'm just hurting those around me even more, especially my siblings. Now they're gonna live alone in poverty again and I won't be there to help them. Huh, some sibling I am...

I heard the door creak open, watching as Shadow slowly walking towards my cell.

"Percival, you can leave now."

Percival nodded, but not before saying, "Believe me, I want her out of there too, but you know you can't do anything about it now, right?"

"I know..." Percival gave us one last look of sympathy before leaving.

"Shads... This is all my fault... I was supposed to be doing my job, but instead I—"

Shadow grabbed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile. "Baby... Don't worry about it. I may not be able to do anything now, but I will figure something out, okay?"

The tears fell from my eyes and Shadow wiped them away gently with his thumb.

"Don't be scared, okay? Everything will be just fine. I won't let anything happen to you. I love you."

I squeezed his hand in response. "I love you too."

The door opened again and Gawain walked in.

"Your highness... It's time."

Shadow nodded again and hesitantly let go of my hand and left the cell. My life is now in Shadow's hands.

Shadow's POV

I sat beside my parents as the guards harshly pulled at (Y/N)'s chains, causing my blood to boil, but I kept my composure. I had a plan; I know exactly what my parents will object to. I watched as Declan and Lacey's gazes never left (Y/N).

"We are gathered here today to witness the beheading of the young lady who has been caught sleeping with our beloved son."

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

That's when I stood up. "Hang on a second, father." My parents turned to look at me with a look that would shrivel a tree.

"You cannot kill that girl."

Another gasp, this one including my parents. "And why can't we do that?"

"I'm saying... You can't kill her..." I pulled out a knife and held it to my own neck, "without killing me in the process..."