Chapter 9

Julia's POV

Julia stepped out of her hut into the night, to clear her mind. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. When she opened her eyes, they widened in shock. Will was kissing a girl from the village. Julia gawked at them for a minute. Will pushed the girl away and looked up. He saw her standing there and his mouth opened in surprise.

Glaring piercingly in his direction, Julia spun on her heels and walked back into her home. She was shaking with anger. Clenching and unclenching her fists, she took deep breaths to calm herself. What do I care anyways? I hate him. But in her heart she knew that she didn't. Sitting on the bed, she felt her eyes burn and throat constrict with unshed tears; but she held them back. I've cried over him too many times these past few weeks, she thought to herself.

All of a sudden a shadow fell across the doorway. Julia looked up to see Will standing there, with a concerned look on his face.

"Get out." Julia said viciously, hoping that he would leave upon hearing the hostility in her voice.

"Julia, I'm so sorry. It's not what you think," Will pleaded.

"What do I think?" she countered harshly.

"I…I don't know," he stammered.

"Then leave." Julia turned her face from his and stared at the wall beside her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him enter her hut and kneel beside her on the floor. Her mind winced for him; it must be so painful with his injuries not yet healed.

Will looked up at her and took her hand. Withdrawing her hand from his, she clasped hers together so he would have no access to them.

Will got up and sat on the bed beside her. Julia moved away.

"Please, don't ignore me," he said softly.

Julia felt her heart melting. But she did nothing.

"That girl forced herself on me. I don't even know her. She means nothing to me."

Julia felt herself yearning to look at him, to tell him it was okay, that she forgave him. But she would not give in.

"I can't live with you avoiding me all the time. I like talking to you. I think…I think I'm in love with you."

At this Julia jerked her head up and looked him straight in the eye. He looked utterly displeased with himself, and was wringing his hands nervously. He was adorable.

"I'm sorry." Julia whispered.

Will frowned slightly. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

It was Julia's turn to look ashamed. Looking down, she said "I'm sorry for the way I treated you. It wasn't right; you didn't give me any reason to do that to you. I caused you pain, and for that I am sorry."

She felt his eyes on her. He hesitated before saying, "I forgive you."

Julia felt herself let go completely. A second later she was bawling into her apron. Will, looking completely mystified, patted her shoulder awkwardly. She laughed through her tears at his uneasiness and he looked embarrassed. Then she leaned over and hugged him as hard as she could.

Will's POV

Will tensed when she embraced him, then hugged her back. A little stiffly, maybe, but it was a hug. He held her there for a moment, just to feel her heart beating against his chest. Julia pulled slightly out of his arms and looked up at him. Her eyes were shining. She put a hand on his shoulder and leaned up to kiss him softly.

Will kissed her back with a passion he didn't know he had. When they broke apart, she was beaming at him. He knew he must look very odd with a huge foolish grin plastered across his face, but he couldn't stop smiling.

"I think I'm in love with you, too," Julia murmured.

Will grinned wider then he thought it humanly possible. Then he kissed her again.

Julia's POV

Julia awoke the next morning in Will's arms. She smiled against his chest and snuggled into him. She was happier then she had been in days. Feeling Will stir, she watched him, and laughed when he opened his eyes and looked shocked for a moment at not awakening in his own hut. After remembering the night before, Will raised an eyebrow at her grinning face and pulled her to him, kissing her fiercely.

They lay there silently for some time, just being deliriously happy and reveling in each other's company. Will was the first to get out of bed, saying that he wanted to "keep up appearances".

Julia just grinned at him, too happy to care about anything. She sat there hugging the pillow for a moment, then got up and went for a drink of water. As she passed, Fanny gave her thumbs up sign. Julia walked on, mouthing "how did you know?" to her friend. Fanny smiled and shook her head as if to say, "I'll tell you later." Julia accepted this with a grin she could not suppress, and, shaking her head, continued to the river. As she knelt to drink the water, she felt two muscular arms enclose her from both sides.

"What's a pretty lady like you doing down here by herself, huh?" she heard someone whisper in her ear. Expecting Will, she whirled around, grinning. The grin faded quickly from her face as she saw that it was not Will, but a very tall, lean man holding a large knife. He was dirty and his clothes were ripped, and when he smiled menacingly at her she noticed that his teeth were yellow. He was not from the village.

The stranger pulled her close to him hastily, roughly pushing his lips against hers to muffle her scream. Julia kicked him and shrieked, trying to pull away. The man hit her on the side of her face, hard. She shrieked and he slapped her. She felt her lip split open, and her temple throbbed. The man twisted her arm behind her back and pulled it so high that she thought it would break. He pulled her back and placed his knife against her neck. She squirmed, and the knife drew blood.

"If you make a sound, I'll cut you to pieces," the man leered, throwing her forcefully on the ground. She sobbed quietly and did as he asked.